Let the New Suns Shineth!

[blackgauntlet]

Blue Ox Military Debrief (WY 17/18)
Accounted by: CPT Abiathar S/O Malachi
Dated: 24th April 2217

Glory be to Adam and St. Peter.

We have been fighting against AzTek Corporate Soldiers for a few weeks now. Although we have met with relative successes in skirmishes, displaying our superiority in hand-to-hand and bio-augmentations, major clashes still see losses on our end when facing against AzTek advanced arsenal.

With their tactical advantage over us, attacking from both North End and North Square simultaneously, was also a deciding factor. It is only through sheer willpower and genetic advancements of our men that keeps them at bay from Tobin Street.

Old enemies like BraveStar and the Yakuza have been making contact with us for a truce, no doubt from AzTek pressure as well. BraveStar even went so far as to suggest a combined war effort against AzTek; a pincer attack launched from North & South.

It would have been an ideal tactic, had it not been our long-standing rejection of all things trayf (with BraveStar being the forerunner of that affront against the purity of Man). Much of our patience were stretched already; that we had to put our differences aside for the time being.

But should it all boil down to that, we may just have to sleep with our enemy to bring down a greater foe.

Blue Ox Military Debrief (WY 17/18)
Accounted by: CPT Abiathar S/O Malachi
Dated: 25th April 2217

Glory be to Adam and St. Peter.

LTA Joshua debriefed at 0451 hrs that the lab had made a breakthrough in tissue sample #214, AKA the "Bertilak Genome".

This is the only sample that had shown regenerative effects more than 1,000 times at 30,000% healing rate of a normal human being.

Tomorrow, we will be selecting a potential candidate for live-testing. The wonders of the human body, with careful improvements, show no signs of ceasing to display its miraculous capability. I would like to see how drones and cyborgs measure up against our bio-augged Bertilak soldiers.

Since the turn of the century, our group had fought against the ideals to taint our bodies with that of cybernetic implants. So far, through our relentless studies, we have came up with biological answers to cybernetics for the same problem.

It is just a matter of time before we will sway the masses to our side and start believing in humanity more than machinery. Our recent research in TempTaps had been rather successful. However, just like Medkits, it involves a certain amount of knowledge in Electronics, else it will burn out way too fast.

Blue Ox Military Debrief (WY 17/18)
Accounted by: CPT Abiathar S/O Malachi
Dated: 26th April 2217

Glory be to Adam and St. Peter.

More good news from both Research and the front lines (assumingly) today.

As of 1352hrs, Blue Ox are the proud owners of "Bertilak" Regenerative Serum. Due to the rarity of the active ingredients, we could not mass produce it for the grunts. Only commissioned officers of Captain rank and above are offered this bio-upgrade at the moment.

Subject #1 shows no sign of rejection to the serum and have even endured the initial pain of a knife-cut on the wrist and, later, a gun shot wound to the throat, only to have the wounds close up in a matter of seconds. What a trooper.

This would drastically reduce the number of our casualties (if any at all!) and aid immensely in our war efforts against AzTek (and later BraveStar). In the meantime, we will have to bide out time.

As for the front-lines, we only obtained the encryption of 4KC6#05$#$&%"'36724"$%'3468"%#&8)'0. Decryption will take a few hours but first word decrypted reads "Positive".

Blue Ox Military Debrief (WY 17/18)
Accounted by: CPT Abiathar S/O Malachi
Dated: 27th April 2217

Glory be to Adam and St. Peter.

Decryption reads: "Positive sightings of heavy firepower and AzTek Mechanoids. Loss of Charlie Company. Alpha Company MIA. Request for immediate back-up."

Major Phinehas S/O Aaron led the rescue operation of Alpha Company in North Square. The good Major had been augmented with the "Bertilak" Regeneration, "Ezekiel" Ultra-Vision and "Samson" Super-Strength bio-upgrade - the perfect candidate for this mission.



I have also volunteered for the "Bertilak" Regeneration bio-upgrade today. Should something go wrong with the rescue, I would be the next in line to infiltrate enemy territory and gather more intel. I was born a scout and bio-engineered into Ghost-Ops with the "Enkidu" Stealth bio-upgrade.


But nothing could be more surprising than to have HQ calling out my name in a few short hours after Major Phinehas' departure. It was as though AzTek had been waiting for him. Corporal Isaiah S/O Peleg was the only survivor of the confrontation.

He is in shock at the moment to provide us with any useful info.

Blue Ox Military Debrief (WY 17/18)
Accounted by: CPT Abiathar S/O Malachi
Dated: 28th April 2217

Glory be to Adam and St. Peter.

3 days from now, I should be enjoying some R&R with my girl in the Narrows. Now, I'm not so sure of that anymore. May Day is just not
for everyone. Especially for a soldier.

CPL Isaiah had gathered his wits and recounted his tale. AzTek somehow got wind of our rescue operations. Supposedly, they had a Counter-Intel Operative in our midst. A high-ranking one.

AzTek had deployed several heavy-duty war-machines which could withstand the few tonnes of impact that Major Phinehas was capable of producing with each of his punches.

Outgunned and overpowered, the Major was captured and ordered his retinue to flee. CPL Isaiah chose to hide instead and saw his brothers shot down one by one. AzTek scientists then gathered around Major Phinehas who was constrained by three giant clamps.

These perverted scientists were equipped with surgical saws and lobotomical equipment. What happened next is such a travesty that I could not write here. It would be logged into another separate account under "AzTek Modus Operandii" Volume 8 - Topic "Multiple Repeated Dismemberment on 'Bertilak' Operative".

I have no doubt that my mission is also known by the AzTek and Major Phinehas' may well be my fate as well. But I have faith. No matter how bad our neighborhood is, we thrived. No matter how starved we were, we survived.

This is no longer just a battle for Blue Ox. This is a war for Mankind.

I just hope I can join the May Day celebrations...

#End Of Debrief#

Blue Ox: Oxen Turn Blue When Men Play Gods

[blackgauntlet]

Huzzah! 2 more installments of this story (BraveStar and Streets) and I'm done!

[gravismetallum]

I like it, good work.

Love the delusional belife that biomods are more human than cyberware. ;D

[blackgauntlet]

Well, at least they have better DV ratings than a cyborg.

[blackgauntlet]

BraveStar Security
e-Memo from Argbadh Arslan
Dated: 29th April 2217

Good evening, sir.

Was informed by Marzban Balthasar that Aztek had just launched surprise counter-attack against Blue Ox. Massive loss on the Blues. Do you still wish for us to continue making contact with them for the Pact?

Pro 1: With heavy loss, they may be more easily persuaded to be our allies.

Pro 2: Agreeing to terms more favorable towards us.

Con 1: After their recent defeat, their remaining numbers may prove too small to be of use to us.

Con 2: The attention they are bringing to themselves may prove to be a liability to us, should anyone learn of our Pact.

That said, latest intel from Recon informed that they have been successful in researching on bio-regeneration; which is a lot faster than our nano-regeneration (and STILL under research). Perhaps you could assist in pressuring MaGI [Machinery Genetics Inquest] to hasten and improve upon their current results?

BraveStar Security
e-Memo from Spahbod Obediah
Dated: 30th April 2217

Dear Argbadh,

I would expect a less commanding tone, seeing that I am your direct superior, from you. Contrary to what you may believe, MaGI is not for us to command. Need I remind you that they are mostly CONTRACTED RESEARCHERS from MARS and that Mars is one of our most loyal and prompt paymasters?

That aside, if the front-line intel speaks true, it is imperative that we gain the alliance with the Blue Ox. If AzTek got their hands on any of their bio-augged soldiers with regenerating capabilities, it will only be a matter of time for them to reverse-engineer that technology for their own use.

I will contact Paygan Salaparoo Darius and Tirbodh Gaspar to provide some grunts and snipers to assist Blue Ox in setting a defense line against the AzTek.

BraveStar Security
e-Memo from Argbadh Arslan
Dated: 1st May 2217

Good morning and Happy May Day, sir!

I mean absolutely no disrespect! As an Argbadh and tasked with housing and overseeing the welfare of these MaGIs, I have seen with my own eyes on their haughtiness and lax disposition towards providing any solid research endeavors! We may owe their lords a living but they have been too condescending towards some of our senior house scientists.

I beseech your greatness to parlay with Mars and request for a more competent team. Their belligerent disposition is demoralizing our troops. There will definitely be some celebrations and requests for R&R to launch a farewell party for the MaGIs... WITHOUT the MaGIs.

On the subject of the Blues, I read you loud and clear. I also have some new intel coming in that AzTek really did got their hands on a bio-augged soldier- a Major, no less - with regenerative capabilities. Our friendly in AzTek have also confirmed that their scientists were really giving their all on that wretched soul, to see how much his ability could handle.

And do we need to assist in a rescue operation for this Blue Ox Major? If we do, we may need to get some heavies from Aswaran Salar Melchior. Your orders, sir?

BraveStar Security
e-Memo from Spahbod Obediah
Dated: 2nd May 2217

Good day, Argbadh.

I will see what I can do about these MaGIs. Paymaster or not, a liability is a liability. I definitely do not want to see ClockWorks from New Euro getting our contract in New Siam next year AGAIN. Our boys didn't go through all those cybernetic implantation for nothing.

If those implants are second-rated, our troops become second-rated. And how about the current situation with KH in the south? I heard they're being stretched between the Irish and the Chinks. How much are you getting there?

On Blue Ox, make some preps only when they request our assistance for the rescue. Do not, repeat, do not go in heavy. If we are to enter the field, make sure our boys are dressed in Blue Ox colors. It's easier for a borg to get in Blue Ox than an aug to get in BraveStar. No one will ask questions.

BraveStar Security
e-Memo from Argbadh Arslan
Dated: 3rd May 2217

Good afternoon, sir!

Will do as you command on the Blue Ox situation. I have reports coming in that a Blue Ox commissioned officer had just attempted a rescue mission but fled after being discovered yesterday. It is possible that he may have found refuge in our territory. Should we render any assistance if we find him?

On KH, that is true. To honor their contracts and consolidate their territories, they have spread out their forces too thin and too wide. Already, the new upstart Los Valentinos had cut between the KH territories and planted their flag right in the middle.

If this situation carries on, we probably do not need to do anything to ensure their demise. However, I believe their factories in New Dubai and New Yemen are shipping out more drones to supplement their forces in NBZ. Also, we saw some new faces on their streets.

I believe they had a recruitment drive lately. May I also inform you that, what they lack in hardware as compared to us, they make it up for headware. Their Chipped Skull allows instantaneous training and battle simulations to assess the best possible strategy available instantaneously. Even during heated battle.

From 1st-hand accounts by KH captives, once jacked into their CyberLogger, they can experience decades in a single second. Thus, allowing them to run hundreds of simulated realities for a single situation and select the best course of action.

Had it not been for their small numbers and that their drones could not plan and act like their human counterparts, we may have been overrun by now. So, my point is... do we wish to ally with JUST Blue Ox? Or do we want to rope in the Chinks as well?

Rolling out now, sir. See you when I'm done with securing our perimeters.

[blackgauntlet]

Free The Streets Movement
Abolition Online
Dated: 4th May 2217

Rise up, my brothers and sisters!

Rise up! For you have already awakened! We do not have time to wait for the sleepers to join our fight. The fight begins now! Whether you have awakened or not, the fight will go on without you.

But, brothers and sisters, we welcome you. Be it before everyone else has awakened, while we are in the heat of battle, or after the dust has settled and we have emerged as the final heirs of the world- we welcome you.

Whence we have been oppressed, our numbers grew ever since the start of Abolition Online. There is no leader. There is no Megacorp. There is no system, no rules, no bull-drek. Just us and the Streets. We do not rely on top-of-the-line weaponry, impenetrable flak vests, snazzy cybernetics, exotic bio-augmentations, ultra-modern headware and definitely need no robots to serve us.

The Streets belong to the People. We are the People. As we march on to the future, we see these Megacorps creating systems of beliefs that are tied to the ancient world- trying to enslave our minds and throw us back into the dark ages of fiefdoms in the guise of legitimate armies & corporations.

Potentia Ad Populi!

Free The Streets Movement
Abolition Online
Dated: 5th May 2217

Rise up, brothers and sisters!

It is the dawn of a new day. And one of the many beginnings for a New Age. Many years ago, the pioneer to Free The Streets emerged from Back Bay Slums with nary a shirt on his back. Through much struggle, he was able to raise enough money to purchase a PDA and a Dataport.

With that, Abolition Online came onto the Matrix with the famous first words: "Potentia Ad Populi" - written by Anonymous. Yes, power to the people. In a world enslaved by technology and nuYen, nothing hits closer to the heart than true power actualized in each individual.

How many times have you seen the weak pushed around simply because the pusher is implanted? How many times have you noticed the meek oppressed simply because the oppressor is armed? Yes, numerous times. These factions, foreigners from distant lands eying NBZ as just another piece of pie, seek to control us with their credits and hardware.

NBZ is not their home. It is OUR home, OUR streets and OUR people. Even now, they are flaunting their wealth in the face of our youths, corrupting them and enticing them to join their feudalistic ranks. Turning our children against our own.

But they forget. No matter how much they pay, the Free Streets live on inside them. You can take the youths out of the Streets but you can never take the Streets out of the youths! As we speak, the kids of our Streets in Knights Horizon, the Yakuza, Los Valentinos, the Blue Ox, BraveStar, AzTek, Fennians, Yakashima and even Mars, have begun logging on to our network.

Potentia Ad Populi!

Free The Streets Movement
Abolition Online
Dated: 6th May 2217

Rise up, brothers and sisters! Open your eyes and see!

Our children are strong. Trained and empowered by the various factions whom have sworn to swallow us, only to have us eat them from the inside. Slowly, our numbers swell with a myriad of different talents and fields of specialization.

We have warriors, mechanics, craftsmen, tacticians, zoologists, geneticists, physicists, doctors, pastors, hackers and merchants in our following. Each work on their own, but on their own, they work for the greater good- Power to the People.

Through strategic manipulation and covert strategies, we have the Los Valentinos fighting the Yakuza, the Yakuza fighting the Fennians, the Fennians fighting the Knights Horizon, the Knights Horizon fighting BraveStar, BraveStar fighting AzTek, AzTek fighting Blue Ox, Blue Ox fighting Mars, Mars fighting Yakashima and Yakashima fighting the Los Valentinos.

Potentia Ad Populi!

Free The Streets Movement
Abolition Online
Dated: 7th May 2217

Rise up, brothers and sisters! Your nightmare will end with your awakening!

As more people join us, the larger our territory becomes. From our old base of the Back Bay Slums, which was displaced by an armed insurgency of the Knights Horizon in the last decade, we found a new stronghold in Old Kenmore.

"Anonymous" was killed and our entire network was destroyed during that insurgency. But "Anonymous" was not the leader. He never was and there never is one. He was just the one who started the movement with thousands of back-up "Anonymous" ready to host the server with mirrors of the entire Abolition Online site.

Today, we occupy the entire South Central area linked via sewer passages to Old Kenmore. Our militants also use the old subway tunnels, fallout shelters and underground malls as barracks, training grounds and refuge shelters to take off the heat. And this is what I call a true Underground movement!

Potentia Ad Populi!

Free The Streets Movement
Abolition Online
Dated: 8th May 2217

Rise up, brothers and sisters! Sleep no more!

I, Anonymous MCXMXIDVIX, have been traced by Mars. Although we have made our enemies turn against one another, they all still have one common enemy. Us. And I fear our operations may be made short.

There was much power shift these days. Priorities and directives of these Megacorps had also changed. From what I had gathered, there was some young upstart whom had arrived in NBZ's Los Valentinos home turf a short while ago and have tilted the delicate balance of our power-play.

Drek is being stirred like no tomorrow and will turn into a storm very soon. I know not who he/she is and if this person is working for or against us. I only know that I will no longer be able to host our network very soon. I will also die. Just like all the rest of the "Anonymous".

Even so, let it be known that I will die Free as I have live Empowered.

Potentia Ad Populi!

Inspired by source.

[gravismetallum]

Good stuff BG.

Hope the devs can find some use for your efforts. ;D

[fallen]

We absolutely will. We will let you know and give specific shouts out to you blackgauntlet. Actually--first, I should ask--can we republish your work in the game?

[whitegauntlet]

Lol.

[blackgauntlet]

Mar 18, 2012 19:09:35 GMT -5 fallen said:

We absolutely will. We will let you know and give specific shouts out to you blackgauntlet. Actually--first, I should ask--can we republish your work in the game?

Sure you could! I expect royalties in the form of ponies and swords... or swords with pony motifs... or ponies stuck with swords.

[whitegauntlet]

! A clap on the back for you, sir. And a pat on the head.

[blackgauntlet]

This is the last instalment. Enjoy!

New Boston Zone Connexpress
Black Box- Vehicle No. NBZ4204H (Taxi, Trans-Dome Authorized, Commercial)
Dated: ??th ?? 2217

Voice Recognition Initiating: Searching Database...

Voice 1 Found: Emilio Perez - Driver

Voice 2... Not found...

Displaying Speech Log in Text Mode...


Emilio: Good morning, esse! First time coming to NBZ?

??: Yeah, chummer.

Emilio: Ho ho! We have us a virgo! Been to New Detroit Zone before, esse?



??: Maybe, maybe not. What's it to ya?

Emilio: Whoa! Chill, esse! I'm no cabron! NDZ is very similar to NBZ is all I'm saying, y'know?

??: No, I don't know. Pray tell, what is so similar about them... esse?

Emilio: Hands-free political governance, esse! Neo-capitalist economocracy is what I'm saying!

??: What the drek is "economocracy", chummer? Some new word you just cooked up to impress passengers?

Emilio: No way, Jose! It is just that! "Economy rules", y'know? Money talks and credit walks... You have the Technocrats, cabron that worships tech advancement, and Econocrats, money-loving concha. Two of the largest political bodies in Reformed States of America having their final say in NBZ.



??: So, I guess Econocrats had the last word, I presume?

Emilio: You got that right, esse! So, in comes the contracted "security forces". Our in-house police, the NBPD, became privatized as BraveStar Security Corporation back in the 90s. They began sending out our homeboys to other countries to fight for lucrative security contracts. Mostly against ClockWorks GmbH and Private-Eye SRL, forces from the New Euro Zone, y'know?



??: Yeah, I know. Tough sons-of-hunds. So, I guess this "BraveStar" is rather gripped here in NBZ, being homeground and all that?

Emilio: Not these days, homes. Not these days. I'll tell you more tomorrow. I can see you're tired. We have 4 more days before we reach NBZ dome...

New Boston Zone Connexpress
Black Box- Vehicle No. NBZ4204H (Taxi, Trans-Dome Authorized, Commercial)
Dated: ??th ?? 2217

Voice Recognition Initiating: Searching Database...

Voice 1 Found: Emilio Perez - Driver

Voice 2... Not found...

Displaying Speech Log in Text Mode...

Emilio: Good morning, esse! You look beautiful in the morning! Hahaha! Press that grey button with the white square symbol on the armrest for the vanity, homes.

??: I know my way around a taxi, chummer. Thank you very much.

Emilio: Heh heh... just saying, esse! I'm low on water, so don't go too wild with the washing, eh?

??: You credit me with too much smarts, chummer. Now, what's the low-down on the streets of NBZ lately.

Emilio: Hoowee! Anxious, are we, esse? Okay, ever heard of Knights Horizon LLC?


??: Not sure if I do. What about them?

Emilio: They are this huge group of global Soldiers of Fortune that came together in the Industrialized Arabian Emirates around the early 2200s. From what I heard, these war-vets jacked themselves simultaneously into a supercomputer and had never woke up ever since. Every single KH corps could link themselves to this supercomputer remotely and these war-vets would teach and even fight with them in mock-battles.



??: Sounds pretty high-tech. But so?

Emilio: They hired themselves here to NBZ, homes! Under a private security contract with AzTek Incorporated.

??: That South American megacorp that designs planes?



Emilio: Got that right, esse. That company started its business in my hometown down south. Didn't get rich with it, though.

??: Right... So why the need for 2 groups?

Emilio: Before NBPD became privatized, all our boys were patrolling only our streets. But as their contracts grew, our streets got more dangerous, y'know? There's these anarchists from Abolition Online and bullies from the Yakuza and the Fennians... You just couldn't ignore it no more, y'know?



??: But a foreign company making a city-wide decision on security?

Emilio: Economocracy, homes! Money talks! If you can afford it, you can have your own private army too! And AzTek have a strong argument too, being the latest Megacorp to enter NBZ, they need all the protection they can get.

??: So, what's this about the Yakuza and the Fennians then?

Emilio: Esse, you ask a lot of questions... Let's talk more tomorrow, okay?

New Boston Zone Connexpress
Black Box- Vehicle No. NBZ4204H (Taxi, Trans-Dome Authorized, Commercial)
Dated: ??th ?? 2217

Voice Recognition Initiating: Searching Database...

Voice 1 Found: Emilio Perez - Driver

Voice 2... Not found...

Displaying Speech Log in Text Mode...

??: Yo! Hey, "esse"! Wake up!

Emilio: Huh? Wha... Oh! Good morning, homes! Better turn off Auto-drive. Wonder if I got a mutie road-kill or anything. Haha!

??: So, what's this about Yakuza and Fennians?

Emilio: Old rival gangs, them. The Yakuza is a mix of Oriental slimeballs from New Tokyo and Metro-Shanghai. Very bad news. Always look on the ground when you walk past them, esse. They will gut you like a mutant puffer-fish and eat you raw like sashimi.



??: I'd like to see them try. How about the Fennians?

Emilio: First gang in NBZ. Before there was an "N" in front of the "BZ".



??: Sounds pretty old.

Emilio: That, they are. Not a progressive lot, though. Just started going cyber. And on the other side of the coast, we have the Blue Ox.


??: What are they?

Emilio: Craziest bunch of purists, if you ask me. Which you did... so... Anyway, they are some of the finest soldiers you will ever see. You know why? They do strange experiments on themselves by playing with their own DNA codes. Says it's learning about God. Reasons that God gave us brains so we could decode ourselves and improve on those codes.

??: Very odd.

Emilio: Yes, they are. But you don't ever cross one in your path. They also have some of the best firearms in NBZ and they are genetically programmed to use it like demigods.

??: I'll keep that in mind. Anything else?

Emilio: Yo, homes! Are you writing an entry for Wikipedia or something? Get a rest. I'll tell you more tomorrow.

New Boston Zone Connexpress
Black Box- Vehicle No. NBZ4204H (Taxi, Trans-Dome Authorized, Commercial)
Dated: ??th ?? 2217

Voice Recognition Initiating: Searching Database...

Voice 1 Found: Emilio Perez - Driver

Voice 2... Not found...

Displaying Speech Log in Text Mode...

Emilio: Ah... how's the sunshine today, esse?

??: Could be less radioactive. You sure this taxi is mutant-proof? And I think I just saw a WTF-Cannon. Are you sure we are on the right track?

Emilio: Oh, them bichos have a name now?

??: Er... I don't speak Latino. What's a bicho?

Emilio: Heh, you will fit right in with the Los Valentinos, esse.



??: I don't get you, chummer.

Emilio: Oh, you'd love the Los Valentinos. It is familia, homes! El padre takes good care of all of us.

??: El padre?

Emilio: Our father, y'know? Pappy Valentino! He keeps the crazy street gangs and bullies away from us. He is very smart! He started with no credits and made his fortune by trading or making use of information he gathered. Now, he owns a small corner of NBZ.

??: Sounds like a very enterprising man.

Emilio: He sure is! But no one has seen him for years. Some people say he has left NBZ. Some say he is dead. Some say he is actually an AI program on the Matrix like Electra.

??: Wait. Who's Electra?

Emilio: She's our residential Matrix Goddess, homes. There's one creature like that in every Matrix. The Apex Predator that feeds on trashed data and lost hackers.


??: Oh... somewhat like "Fenrir" in the Matrix of United Carolinas?


Emilio: Correct, homes! So, no one has seen Pappy Valentino nowadays. Not even Vinny.

??: Who's Vinny?

Emilio: Oh, he's just Vinny. Firstborn of the Garcia family. Knocked his head on a swing as a kid, got implants for his eyes and part of his brains. Now, he can see auras and anticipate reactions from anybody. Except Pappy, of course. But Pappy still likes Vinny and he's the first man you should see to join our familia.

??: Hmm... I'll think about it. So, tell me more about the Megacorps... other than AzTek.

Emilio: Tomorrow, esse. Tomorrow.

New Boston Zone Connexpress
Black Box- Vehicle No. NBZ4204H (Taxi, Trans-Dome Authorized, Commercial)
Dated: ??th ?? 2217

Voice Recognition Initiating: Searching Database...

Voice 1 Found: Emilio Perez - Driver

Voice 2... Not found...

Displaying Speech Log in Text Mode...

??: Morning, chummer.

Emilio: Good morning, esse! We're reaching the customs in few more hours.

??: Great. Now, tell me more about the Megacorps in NBZ.

Emilio: Fine, homes. First, we have Mars Corporation. Forerunner on the "American Dream". Work hard, earn lots, climb high, die happy. They made it big during the late 21st century with their earthquake-proof smart-homes and went on to become the prime leader in building & development.

??: That's like a hundred years old.

Emilio: They are, esse, they are. Strange you didn't know about it, though. You look like the educated type.

??: They don't teach you company profiling in school, chummer.

Emilio: Guess you're right. Now, Mars have a monopoly on all building contracts in NBZ for the last few decades. Even the Dome was built single-handedly by them. They literally owned NBZ until the Econocrats felt their positions threatened.

??: So, these politicians roped the other Megacorps in?

Emilio: Correct. But it took time. Entire zones had to be demolished and building works outsourced to the entering Megacorps contractor of choice. The first to come in was Yakashima Holdings subcontracting it to Nippon Steel Company, another big Megacorp from the Far East.



??: How does this Megacorp defend itself from the other powers and gangs?

Emilio: They pay off the Yakuza to fight off the gangs. As for defense against corporate sabotage, they have their own in-house security force led by a fearsome gang known as the Mystical Four.



??: Intriguiing. Wonder if they'll join me if I climb high enough in their hierarchy.

Emilio: Good luck to that, esse! I don't know how much rep you'll have to clock with them. Haha!

??: So, what about AzTek?

Emilio: AzTek was the latest entry to the NBZ. As I said earlier, they also outsourced their security contract to KH. It was all hush hush, but we know. People talk. Security firms don't just pop out without proper authorization and actual paymasters.

??: What's the situation like now with the Megacorps?

Emilio: Yakashima is doing deep-sea habitation project testing. Takes a lot of money and rare metals. They get their money from their defense projects.

??: What about rare metals? You have mines in NBZ?

Emilio: Hell no, esse! Yakashima excavates them from outside the Dome. We passed a few of them Mantis excavators while you're asleep. They're all manned by one man and several drones. And all the excavators are capable of defending themselves against mutants out in the wasteland.

??: Sounds like a pretty expensive investment.

Emilio: Well worth it, homes. They're the only Megacorp to be doing this in NBZ.

??: Then what were AzTek and Mars doing? They can't possibly be sitting on their hands and twiddling their thumbs.

Emilio: Of course not! Ever heard of "Paradise Hotel"?

??: I've seen it. Why?

Emilio: It is a pilot project undertaken by a joint effort between AzTek and Mars.

??: That's strange. I thought they couldn't get along.

Emilio: Economocracy, esse! Money talks! With the cred, you don't see red! Mars was capable of all the necessary luxury infrastructure of the hotel and AzTek was in charge of the anti-gravitational lifts that allows the hotel to float. What better way than to milk the money off the super-rich and ultra-powerful of their nuYen than a hotel that requires a passport and a shuttle ticket?

??: You're right, chummer. Waitamin... *explosion* What the hell was that?



Emilio: I donno, homes! I... *static* the frak! Care... *static*

??: Off the road! Off- *static* frak!

Emilio: *static* to the checkpoi- *static* Los Vals and *static* away from- *static* Now! Go! *static*



=End of Recording=

[whitegauntlet]

Interesting.

[blackgauntlet]

It's better with pics! I think...

[whitegauntlet]

Exalted for using crack while writing.