+Hey, tough guy. Why so fast? Slow down and see the merchandise. All first rate. Top of the line electronics. Take a look yourself. What are you, kid, about twelve years old? Beat it. I ain't no kid. I'm a businessman. Take a look here. I bet you need one of these. What is it? It hooks up to your skin like this, see? The little writing says . . . dreamal flymen. Dermal filament. Where'd you get it? I got connections. I know every dumpster all over this city. Smells like it. You want this thing or not? Only 200 bucks. Smart man. You got an eye for quality. That's why I'm gonna let you see the good stuff. You got a pretty lady friend? I got some nice jewelry. Like what? This little pin I picked up at a real fancy part of town. I know a kid who works in a hotel kitchen. He lets me go through their trash. It's got a little picture of some kind of sword on it, see? Hundred bucks. Deal? I got nothing else today, but you come back, and I'll have more for you. I find good stuff all the time. You're crazy, mister. It's a beauty. You'll be back. They look frayed. It's all I got today. Twenty bucks. You're O.K., mister. Got nothin' for you today, mister. If you think you're going to find it somewhere cheaper, you're crazy, mister. Back for the deal of the century, I see. Smart man. Gonna buy the filament for 200 bucks? Back to buy my fine piece of jewelry? Still only 100 bucks. Gonna take these electrodes for 20 bucks? If you don't have the money, mister, don't waste my time. I got lots of other stuff I could be doin'. Come back when you mean it. A dirty-faced street kid, no more than twelve, looks up at you with the eyes of a thirty year old. My, what a luscious specimen. A tasty one, aren't you? Now, now. Don't look at me so coyly. I see in your eyes that you need the feast as I do. You are no mortal man. But the tender meat on your bones is still living. Still rosy and ripe. Look. You're making my mouth water, little beast. Spare me the dramatics, sweetheart. I'm not here for you to drool over. Mmm. Blood pulses in your spirit, too, I see. I like it. I like a little kicking and screaming before a surrender. You slithered from my grasp last time, love. This time you won't be able to get away. Might as well lie back and enjoy it. A voluptuous, bawdy she-wolf of a woman smiles smugly at you and gazes at your form hungrily. Pretty, pretty, pretty. What a dish. What a lovely thing. Would you grant me the pleasure of dinner? Oh, yes. Tasty and delicious. Hot sauce and sugar. We complement each other nicely. Come to me, my lovely. Hey, take it somewhere else. How rude! You must accept my gracious invitation! It's most unseemly for me to dine when not invited. For I must take your juices into my veins, you see. And now it won't be as pretty as the picture I had planned. I like it just so. And now you've ruined everything! You see a wild-haired, crazy-eyed savage of a man. His eyes dance and he licks his lips furiously as he speaks. So, you've decided to accept my invitation, pretty one! Now we will share the rapture as the blood in your veins mingles with my own. Come to me, my lovely! Welcome, sir. Enter the Inner Sanctum. You, sir, may not pass. Are you a member of the Inner Sanctum? Yes I am. You lie, sir. It is evident that you are not. I am under orders to forcibly remove intruders. I see that you are a member of the Inner Sanctum, sir. Please, enter. Sir, you are not a member. I cannot grant you entry. Hey, what's the problem here? The guy with the thick neck at the front door didn't give me any hassle. Let me through. You are not a member of the Inner Sanctum, sir. Therefore I must remove you. A large, powerfully built man silently guards a door leading from the ballroom. How dare you attempt to join us! You kill and leave the dead at our door, then dare kick them aside to enter? You disgust me. A newcomer, I see. Welcome, darling. You must, of course, partake of the refreshments. It is an acquired taste, but so well worth it. I myself find it all terribly sexy--in a lascivious, almost vulgar sort of way. But Bertrand does bring an elegance to everything the group does, don't you think? I just find him so terribly sexy. And it's not just the money either. Bertrand just really has it, you know? He just gives the group such an element of style. The Sanctum is simply unlike anything else in New York. I mean, until I inherited my membership, the farthest I'd ever gone is masquerade parties. Now Bertrand has taken me to the very edge. I just adore the man. And then there's you! Who did your look? I love it! You probably don't know the guy. Your skin looks so genuinely pallid. And the eyes, the teeth. You really have the look down. It's so over-the-top. I'm sure Bertrand just loves it. Well, I must dash, darling. Enjoy the festivities! What crust! How dare you defile the Sanctum with your murderous hands. We have nothing to say to you. So good to see you again, darling. A shame that you missed the silliest of all spectacles. One of the newcomers had his first taste of the refreshments and simply couldn't handle it. It was terribly humiliating for the poor man, but we all couldn't help but laugh. I just think that if they're not ready for this kind of sophistication, they really shouldn't be here, don't you? Welcome, darling. I see you've already tasted the refreshments. It is an acquired taste, but quite pleasurable, don't you think? I myself find it all terribly sexy--in a lascivious, almost vulgar sort of way. But Bertrand does bring an elegance to everything the group does, don't you think? I just find him so terribly sexy. And it's not just the money either. Bertrand just really has it, you know? He just gives the group such an element of style. The Sanctum is simply unlike anything else in New York. I mean, until I inherited my membership, the farthest I'd ever gone is masquerade parties. Now Bertrand has taken me to the very edge. I just adore the man. And then there's you! Who did your look? I love it! You see a woman in outlandish dress, but with the striking elegance and beauty that can be attained only with great sums of money. Did you really think we would ask you to join the party after what you've done? Hi, there. You're new, aren't you? Only one owner. And you're not a standard issue Hellfire Club member. Believe me, I can tell. How's that? You're not quite as soft as these guys. You're bad. I like it. Of course, if you want to really be bad, as wild as a member of the Inner Sanctum is supposed to be, you'll have to do what's expected of you. Which is . . . ? Drink this. It's real blood. Tatiana says it's not human blood, just animal blood, but I prefer to think of it as the real stuff. Think of it as the lifeblood of your enemies. That's what I do, and it really gets me going. Go ahead. It'll be hard to get used to at first, but then you'll get to really like it. It may be easier than you think. Go ahead and take them with you. You'll start to really look forward to the next time you can drink, just like a real vampire. Believe me, it's addictive. Haven't you done enough already? No one is going to talk to you here, so do us all a favor and leave. Back for more, I see. I told you that you'd start to love the stuff. An attractive and obviously wealthy woman looks you over and flashes an approving smile. Hey! Why are you looking at me like that? What's your problem? Listen. I've been here for three straight days, and I sure don't need some guy coming in off the street and giving me a hard time. Who do you think you are, looking at me like that? Hey, ease up already. Listen, don't tell me what to do. I'll tell you what I need to do. To go the distance, I'm going to need a breath of fresh air, if you know what I mean. Breathers? Yeah. You're not as dumb as you look. Have any on you? What do I look like--some street dealer? Besides, you look like you've been through the wringer. Maybe you should lay off it for a while. Hey, I don't need the temperance lecture. Get me the breathers. What do you want for a dose? For a sharp guy like yourself, 200 bucks. Bring 'em. I'll be waiting. Did you bring me the breathers? Then why am I wasting my time talking to you? Come back when we have something to talk about. You lying snake. You're really trying my patience. When you have them, give them to me. Otherwise, I don't want to be seen talking to you. Great. I should hope we have no reason to talk again, my good man. You got money out of me, now get lost. What do you want for a dose? A wanna-be vampire is dressed in fine clothes, but looks a wreck. He's sitting with his head in his hands, sweating like mad, and twitching nervously. It's obvious that his pallor is not the result of makeup. Well. Will you give them to me? You fool. You could have done very well for yourself in here, but you just had to act like an ape and kill those guards, didn't you? A dirty little kid looks rumpled and underfed, but quite sure of himself. Hey, killer. Look here. Can't do real damage without these. What are you talking about, kid? Slick Earl knows a merc when he sees one. And I got the stuff to do it with. Look here. Just junk, Slick Earl. No, sir! Killer, you can use this hose, this nozzle, and this here tub to make you a fine weapon. I'll give them to you for 300 bucks. Three hundred? What makes you so sure I won't just take the things from you? 'Cause you a tough guy, but you sure wouldn't hurt no kid. Slick Earl can tell. You buyin' my valuables? Then you're a fool. But Slick Earl will be here when you wise up. Back to buy Slick Earl's prime merchandise? Got the parts for a first-rate flame-thrower with your name on 'em, mister. Smart man. Slick Earl don't give nothing for free. Best take it elsewhere. Here you go. Hope you can figure out how to build the thing. Hey, killer. Hope you been using Slick Earl's merchandise. You killed my friend Dodger! He was just a kid and you gave him the poison that killed him. Now he's gone! Will you help me? Please, mister? What's wrong? Nobody else in the shanties will help us. They say there's not enough food to go around. I need to get some food. I found these. Maybe you could buy them from me for, say, 35 bucks so I could get a couple meals? They're electrodes. Could probably use them to build something, don't you think? What do you say? Just as mean as all the other shackers. Get away. I'll find something somewhere. You changed your mind! You'll buy these electrodes so I can get something to eat? When they find me dead, it'll be your fault. You don't have the money, do you? What kind of guy teases a kid with food money? Have the money now to help me out? Here they are. Why don't you tell the shackers to try to be as nice as you, mister? I got nothing else to sell. You killed him! You killed Dodger! He was like my big brother! He always shared his food with me! You gave him that junk and now he's gone and who's going to look out for me now? Get away from me! A small, meek, scrawny little street urchin looks up at you with wide eyes. A waif of a girl speaks with a sharp tongue. Hi, handsome. Help out a woman? I would if there was one around. I'm older than I look. If you're as smart as you look, you'll sell me a little psilo blossom. Listen, kid. Why don't you wait a few years before you mess with it? I've been tasting the flower since before you even knew what it was. Get me some and I'll trade you for this old circuitry lining I found. I'll be waiting, handsome. Did you bring me the blossom? Well, come back and see me when you want to do business. I have the circuitry lining and I'll be waiting. You're holding, aren't you, handsome? Don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about. Why don't you wait a few years before you start talking like that, darlin'. Listen, I've been tasting the flower since before you even knew what it was. I'll trade you a psilo blossom for this old circuitry lining I found. Deal? You're not even holding. Come back when you want to do more than tease. Here's the circuitry lining. You've made a little girl very happy. I got nothing to trade you. What was that junk you gave Dodger? How could you? He's dead and you killed him--coming around here peddling your junk. You killed him! You killed him! This is a private party. Who let you in here, young man? I'm a member of the Hellfire Club, entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof, you might say. I don't like your attitude. Why don't you join the others in the main room. There seems to be a lot more going on in this room. I suggest you leave, young man. Don't force me to forget I'm a gentleman. Too late for that, old man. I will summon the guard, I assure you. I'm an important man. A powerful member of the Hellfire Club. And I order you to leave at once. I thought I asked you to leave. I have done nothing wrong. There is nothing to see here. Get out. no message Who let this man in here? This is a private meeting. Seems like more than a meeting, from what Frank here tells me. Then that is Frank's own foolishness. If he wishes to behave in an inappropriate manner, I cannot condone it. I, well, I don't even know the man that well, really. There's nothing to see here. Why don't you just leave? An older man seems flustered when he is caught in a compromising situation with a woman half his age. A woman with drink in hand and a blase look on her face speaks dryly. Welcome to the party. Nothing like a group of dried-out old men to really make a party, wouldn't you say? The place really thrills you, does it? Down to the tips of my toes. But, hey, it's the Hellfire Club. Like nowhere else in New York. People would give their eyeteeth for the right to stand in my shoes. But this place isn't for everybody. You're looking at the cream of the crop. This exclusive little get together next to us consists of some TransTech mogul and one of his lackeys sharing, shall we say, this year's Miss Congeniality winner. Why are you even here, then? Hey, a member of the Hellfire Club is a member for life. That is to say, as long as they want to live, know what I mean? Back for more? The place grows on you, doesn't it? A small man, all smiles, is obviously enjoying himself. Join the party, my good man. There's all sorts of fun to be had. Courtney here is a contortionist of sorts. Aren't you, Courtney dear? She's not a talkative one. Better that way, I suppose. Nice to see you again, my good man. But this is a private party, if you know what I mean. I should hope you won't keep the others in the main room waiting. Wipe that smirk off your face. You've been talking to my wife, haven't you? That shrew. Listen, whatever she tells you, she's crazy. Crazy and paranoid. I can't even break away from her for an evening. Wait. Have you even talked to the woman? Helen. Helen Donaldson. Scary woman. Probably drinking like a fish. Shifty eyes. Met her? How lucky for you. Steer clear of her. So you're hounding me now? Helen has you trailing me, doesn't she? Well there goes my evening. Satisfied? Now I suggest you leave. A garishly dressed young woman gazes at you with the blank look of the dull-witted. Hi. I'm Courtney. You're new to the Hellfire Club, aren't you? I'm sure I would have remembered meeting you. You look very . . . memorable. Too bad you go for the corporate types there, Courtney. Better quit while you're ahead. If Walter gets mad, you'll be real sorry. He's an important guy. I'll take my chances. Sorry. Walter suggested I not talk to you. Walter told me you were a problem. I don't think it's such a good idea for you to be here. You seem nice. Why don't you go out to the main room before you make trouble? A mature woman looks surprised when she sees you. Her aristocratic nose tells her you're not upper crust. You don't really belong here, do you? That coat is abominable. Then I must see my tailor. Who are you kidding? You're street trash. You have no business being here. . . . On second thought, you may be able to find a little business. I'm in need of some sporting goods, shall we say. Perhaps in your street dealings, you could see to acquiring for me a small handgun of sorts? Small game hunting? Why, yes. Namely, my husband. Right now the weasel's probably in one of the parlors with his longtime partner in debauchery, Walter McCalaster, and God knows how many disease-ridden women. Walter's practically a kept man. It'd be the end of Walter's illustrious TransTech career if his wife found out. Well, Frank and he have made a fool of me for the last time. Have something with you now that you can sell me? Say . . . a 9mm? I've got 3,500 dollars. Well, come back when you can see to acquiring one. We're at the club practically all the time. Did you bring me my little item? I have your fee. Then for God's sake, why am I letting myself be seen talking to you? Come back when we actually have something to discuss. Wonderful. Now don't be obvious about it. Give me the gun. You snake. You're as bad as my husband and his lies. Don't come back unless you have a reason to. Here's the fee I promised you. I hope this will be our little secret. I'm sorry, have we met? I don't think so. Regrettably, I must dash. Perhaps some other time. Too bad you made such a mistake out front. Why don't you run back out to the street where you belong? A woman with a common face doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the crowd. She is apart from the rest, observing intently through suspicious eyes. I've been watching you. Let's talk privately for a minute. Listen. I think we can help each other. I'm not a real Hellfire member. I'm a reporter with the Manhattan Post and I'm about to break the biggest story of the year. I'm this close to discovering the root of this vampire epidemic. It took me months to infiltrate the club, but I still can't get into the Inner Sanctum. With your ridiculous look, you could get in. I need a bottle of what they've been using for their rituals and my story's good as printed. Will you get it? Cool down, lady. I don't even know what you're talking about. Keep your voice down. I think you do know what I'm talking about. I think you know all too well. Ever been outed as a vampire in a major metropolitan paper? It ain't pretty. You're busted--in other words, you'll probably end up dead--unless you do what I ask. If you bring me the blood, I'll have my story and, in return, I'll spare you from being revealed. Talk to me again only when you've been to the Inner Sanctum. I saw you coming out of the Sanctum. Did you bring me the blood? Your name is dirt, buddy. You may as well wear a sign on your back asking the masses to come after you with torches and stakes. Next time you see me, it'll be my picture right next to your death warrant in the Post. I'll cover your lynching, too. Maybe I'll even write your holovision movie of the week. You just wrote your own death warrant, buddy. You don't even have it. You lie to someone who can ruin you with one stroke of her keyboard? You're going to be the biggest name to hit New York City, Stark. I can't wait. Great. I've got proof for my story. And you've just saved your milk-white hide. I'm out of here soon. Until then, we never met, understand? I suggest we avoid speaking to one another. I've been watching you. I saw you come out of the Inner Sanctum. Listen, I think we can help each other. I'm not a real Hellfire member. I'm a reporter with the Manhattan Post, and I'm about to break the biggest story of the year. I'm this close to discovering the root of this vampire epidemic. It's taken me months to infiltrate the club, but I can't get into the Inner Sanctum. I need you to go back in the sanctum and bring me a vial of the blood they use for their rituals. Once I get that, my story's as good as printed. Do this for me, and I'll spare you the pain of being outed in a major metropolitan newspaper. I know what you are, Stark. Get me what I want and the rest of New York won't have to know. I know you have the blood they use for their rituals in the Sanctum. Give it to me, and I'll spare you the pain of being outed in a major metropolitan newspaper. I know what you are, Stark. Get me what I want, and the rest of New York won't have to know. Agreed? I gotta talk to you, even though I shouldn't since you killed those men. You see a beautiful vampire vixen, lithe but strong, with lightning quick movements and piercing eyes. Right into the lion's den, my sweet. Will you come let me make a meal of you? Or will you make a game of it and play cat and mouse with me? Either way, the cat will surely get her dinner. Why doesn't the cat go play in traffic? Shhh. Don't get too excited, my dear. Your hot blood will flow too quickly, and I don't want to lose a tasty drop. Playing hard to get with me, I see. Nice. I do need a little gentle teasing. So she has gotten to you. Listen, whatever she told you, I'll pay you to keep your mouth shut. I've only got 1,000 dollars in my pocket. Take it to just ignore whatever she asked of you. God only knows what she wants. Besides, you look like you could use the money. I paid you so as never to have to see you again. Now go. A large, strong, monstrous man grins at you, exposing long canine teeth. My, you look like a tasty morsel. I do prefer a little more meat on the bones, but you will do. Still looking as tasty as ever. You appear to have even ripened a bit. A vampire locks her steely gaze on you. Her pale skin is beautiful, her form wiry but strong. Shall we dance, my sweet? Allow me to lead. I hope you've saved a spot on your dance card for me this time, my sweet. A powerfully built vampire looks at you with disgust. Look at you. Small, underfed, soft-muscled. If it is true that Van Helsing has made you one of us, you disgrace us all. Filthy, scrawny little thing. We must keep the line pure, free from the blemish of mediocrity. You are a disgusting specimen. How your feeble form managed to escape from us last time is a mystery. It will not happen again. An eager, wide-eyed young man seems thrilled to be here. He appears willing to ingratiate himself to anyone who could get him somewhere. Been a member of the Hellfire Club long? Long enough. Then maybe you can help me. I don't have the right to get into the Inner Sanctum and it's killing me. There's nothing I could really do to earn my way in. You have to be asked by the council. The only way I'm going to get in is by paying off a guy like you. Think maybe you could give a guy a break and get him in? You're kissing up to the wrong guy. I haven't even gotten in yet. I know. I've been watching you. I don't even know what it takes to get in. But I'm asking you to help me when you can. I can pay you 1000 bucks. Listen, I gotta get in there. I know I'm Inner Sanctum material, I just haven't been asked by the council to join yet, and I thought I'd just sort of speed up the process. Please, come back once you've been inside the Inner Sanctum. I saw you coming out of the Inner Sanctum. It must have been great. Will you give another guy a chance? Can you get me in? I just don't think it's fair that some should get in and others have to wait on the outside. It's just not right. Did you change your mind? Will you help me get into the Inner Sanctum? Wonderful. You get me what I need to get into the Sanctum, and I'll pay you 1000 bucks for it. You can't even get in there yourself anymore. Come back when you can actually help me. Will you take my thousand for your right to get in the Inner Sanctum? Snob. Just because you're a member of an exclusive group, you think you can kick the rest of us around. Changed your mind? Help a guy climb the social ladder of his dreams? Here. You gotta wear this pin to get in. Now these things are hard to come by. Believe me, I know. This has been on my mind for ages. Here's your grand. Thanks. Next time I see you, it'll be on the inside, buddy. Hey, I made it! Isn't it just fantastic? I'd love to stay and chat, but, frankly, there are so many other people to meet who I'd rather be seen with. Ciao! Sorry, old buddy. Gotta lot of mingling to do. A young man lounges in the parlor, taking it all in, and slyly eavesdropping on every conversation he can. Enjoying it all, my good man? I, for one, am partied out. Too much fun, too much fun, I tell you. Sneaked in here for a moment to regroup. First moment to myself all night. How are you faring? Just fine. I'm used to the night life. Tell me about it. You'd be surprised what goes on around here. I could just fill your ear with scathing gossip. There's a story on practically everyone. Stop back when you've met a few more of the regulars. I'll be happy to fill you in. I heard you caught old Walter McCalaster in the act. Word travels fast at the club. This joint's got its share of characters. What's so big about this McCalaster guy? He's simply one of the most powerful executives at TransTechnicals. All because of his wife, of course, who got his cushy job. Everyone knows about his indiscretions, but it never leaves the club. You're new, so you happened to barge in on his private party. He's remarkably bold about the whole thing, but if word were to get back to his wife, his entire career would be destroyed. Do stop again. I could tell you countless more stories, but you'll want to get a feel for the place yourself first. Now, that Eleanor Salem woman I saw you bump into--she's new. And she doesn't belong here, if you ask me. Curious woman. I noticed that she had working-class hands. Obviously not Hellfire Club material. Lord knows how she got in here. Think she might be a plant? Sure, it's occurred to me. Could be from TransTech. Could be from the Moral Minority. Who knows? All I know is, she seemed to leech onto you. I wouldn't trust her. I saw you going into the Inner Sanctum. I used to be able to get in there. Ludicrous, isn't it--fools acting like vampires. Harmless, really. Tame is the word. They don't even use real human blood. It's a sham. But there is one juicy tidbit. There's been talk that one of the "vampires" in the Sanctum is not acting, if you know what I mean. Chew on that for a while. Well, my good man, we've had quite a chat, haven't we? Enjoy the club. There's more to see than meets the eye, I assure you. Hi. I'm Tabatha. I'm new here, too. Ransom Stark. What makes you think I'm new? Well, for one, you don't know how to dress for the place. I made sure I wore exactly the right thing. I finally inherited my membership to the club from my dad. Seems like I've been wanting to get into the club forever. That couldn't have been too long. What are you, Tabatha, about nineteen? Eighteen, really. You know, you have really sweet eyes. Thanks. Why are you looking at me that way? Don't look into my eyes like that. My God, your eyes. It's almost as if--as if they can look right through me. My knees are getting weak . . . . That's it, Tabatha. Don't fight it. Just let yourself go. Most girls find it easier that way. --What! Most girls! That's it. I'm outta here. Whatever you're trying to do, you're not going to do it to me. You almost had me going there for a second. Stay away from me! You're not going to get your claws into me again. You like the looks of an attractive young woman and decide to try out some of your new vampire fringe benefits. The Metropolitan Museum guard sits at the door watching the partygoers with a combination of amusement and disgust. You don't exactly look like one of the crowd. I'm here with a friend. Must be some friend, to get into this joint. Ever since they closed off the Met to the public, the place is full of these rich brats every night. They seem harmless. Yeah? Well, they supposedly closed off the place to protect the artifacts from us working-class vandals. And what happens? These rich guys trash the place. I gotta go. Gotta keep an eye on these clowns. You still here? Getting to like mingling with society, I take it. Hey, what do you think you're doing? Back to try it again. I wouldn't if I were you. Where you headed, friend? That's one of the oldest pieces in the museum. Renovation. The board wants this thing remade into a wet bar. Morons. Ah well, just watch yourself with that thing. I hate to see people like us getting hurt doing rich folks' dirty work. Long as you're here, you may as well enjoy the party. People like us don't usually get to enjoy this kind of lifestyle. A heavily armed Red Crosse Knight proudly stands his post, guarding the religious objects of his order. You are not of the Red Crosse Knights, stranger. This is a sacred area. I protect the holy weapons for defeating the vampire horde. You are a trespasser. Just looking around. You are not even mortal man. You don't cast a reflection when you pass by the mirror! Only one of the devil's own would cast no reflection! One of the murderous monsters we have vowed to slay! You shall not get out of the Cloisters alive! You will not get away this time, fiend of hell! This is a sacred place. You're not a knight. What do you want? No, I'm not a knight. But I've got a fight of my own against the same enemy. I guard the sacred items that we use to fight the vampire horde. I can arm you. You'll be ready to take on any hellspawn creature. These sacred crosses will ward off vampires. You must, of course, have faith. If you don't have the strength of God behind you, they're useless in your fight. Use these stakes to stab through a vampire's godless heart. Unless they are used by a believer, they too are useless. Anything else I should know? These beasts will also try to use their will to weaken you. Be strong. Ward them off with the cross and counter them with your own will. Please, look through this cabinet and take all the holy weapons you need. I've been guarding them from intruders. You can help yourself. This is our most powerful weapon--the soulblade. It pierces the vampire heart with minimum effort, better than a wooden stake ever could. In battle against laser weapons, what good is a wooden stake? Each soulblade is only as powerful as the bearer's strength allows. It is also bound directly to the soul, so that the weapon becomes uniquely yours. You may have this one. Take it to Sir Sebastian, who can bind it to you. Mind you, his mystic powers sense evil. The soulblade will only work for you if you are truly pure in spirit. Take it. And go with God. Thank you. I can't tell you what your help has done for the vampire fight. Lord knows there's enough evil in this city. We could use more strong, able men like you to fight these demons. An older man, obviously a leader, but no longer a fighter, smiles at you with a friendly, peaceful face. Can I help you, son? I talked with a knight outside. I think we're fighting the same battle here. I want this hell-trash dead as bad as you do. Then welcome. I'm the archabbot of the Order of the Red Crosse. We're always looking for new people to join us in our fight against evil. Would you care to learn about our mission? Then I suggest you leave. We aren't here to provide lodging for people seeking refuge from the city. Are you interested in learning about the Red Crosse mission? The Red Crosse Knights are defenders of Christianity and all that is right. Our enemy is Satan and his hellspawn creature here on earth, the vampire. We track them in various ways. We have a network of scouts throughout the city and have stockpiled sacred weapons to destroy them. Many of the knights are now at work preparing for the next battle. Are you interested in joining their fight? Then we cannot extend hospitality to you. We have but one mission here and cannot tolerate the presence of guests who are not committed to the Red Crosse calling. I must ask you to leave. You're still lingering on the grounds? You've been asked to leave. I suggest you do so. It would, of course, take some time to be completely prepared. One does not earn the title of knight until after years of dedication to the cause. But my brothers welcome you. We will begin by arming you with the holy weapons. You read my mind. Where can I find the stuff? Return outside and take the door at the southeastern point of the garden. Sir Theodoric can help you there. Go with God. Good luck in the fight, son. Our battle is a holy one. Remember, you are doing God's work. An executive anxiously waits for the elevator. What do you think you're doing? I don't know what planet you're from, but around here, people know you don't get into TransTech without proper clearance badges. You still hanging around? TransTech doesn't tolerate vagrants in the lobby. It's obvious you have no clearance. Hang around and somebody's going to end up reporting you. You're one step away from getting reported. Hello. Sorry, but I must hurry to my office. Hello, again. I really can't stay to talk. A little man looks at you nervously. What? What do you want? I'm in a hurry. I have a lot of errands to run all over this building. Don't let me stop you. You better believe it, I won't. I'm not going to even stop to talk to you. You don't even have clearance. If you think I'd put my butt on the line by talking to you, you're crazy. Relax, I didn't even-- The more you talk to me, the more trouble I'm in. TransTech doesn't tolerate intruders. You know what they say, "TransTech owns New York. And she's a nasty landlady." So watch it. You're trying to get me to lose my job, right? You're unauthorized. Get away, get away. Hello. Another day at the data mines, eh? A sharply dressed executive is at work at her desk. What are you doing in the upper executive level of the building? If you're delivering something, leave it. I have work to do. I thought I told you to get out. I'm calling Security. Mr. Stark. We met at the club. How good to see you. Hope you enjoyed yourself. I'm sorry, I can do nothing else for you; I don't have a free invitation to throw your way this time. Perhaps I'll see you again at the club sometime. Until then, I really must get back to work. It was good to see you again, but I hope you don't insist on lingering about. There's more to life that just the club. And I've got work to do. Mr. Stark. We met at the club. I heard that you were welcomed into the Inner Sanctum. You've obviously tasted all the Hellfire Club has to offer. I can do nothing else to help you. Please excuse me, but I really must get back to work. I hope to see you at the club again sometime. Goodbye, Mr. Stark. And you are? Ransom Stark. Ah, yes. I'm Emily Esaki. Monty mentioned your name to me. In fact, we just spoke on the holophone. Said he'd seen you at the Met and given you his Hellfire Club invite. I honestly don't know why I keep giving Monty guest invitations. He just keeps giving them away to strangers. Well, I guess I'll be seeing you at the club. Along with God knows who. For all I know, Monty's been dropping invites out of airplanes. Well, I'll see you at the club. Until then, I must get back to work. A friendly old man, distinguished and well-groomed, smiles at you. Hello, there, young man. Hope you're enjoying yourself. I haven't seen you at any of our regular gatherings. Your dress is a tad unorthodox. You look better suited to a more exclusive club I used to belong to, the Hellfire Club. Crazy things going on there. Crazy. You a member? Well, what goes on there got just a little too scary for me. Borders on the perverse. It's a whole different crowd. I have some friends who are lucky enough to be members, though. Associates of mine at work. They're always saying, "Monty, how could you give up the privilege? Loosen up a little." But this is as loose as I get. In fact, they were after me to stop in tonight. But frankly, the place actually frightens me now. You look like an adventurous sort. Would you like my invitation? Ah, well. Enjoy the Met, then. It's not as wild, but just as much fun. Hope to see more of you, my good man. Here. Now keep in mind, the club isn't everybody's business. It's more like a private, exclusive society than a club, really. But you seem like a dependable enough fellow. Enjoy. They meet mid-town at the Plaza. Oh, and while you're there, you might want to look up my associate Emily Esaki. Maybe she can show you around. I would have thought you would have hurried out of here to you-know-where already. I'd get going if I were you. Then you know how crazy it is. You're smart to be here tonight. Who knows what could happen to you there. Hope you're enjoying the party, my good man. An older executive grows angry and red in the face when he sees you. Yes? What do you want? You're obviously not supposed to be in this area of TransTech. Get out! You're that trash from the club. How dare you show your face in here! Why are you tracking me? Get out! I warned you. I will not be stalked like a hunted animal. I know your name. TransTech security will find you. You won't get away with this! You! I know who you are! You're the one that runt Dougan sold me out to. Now you show up here after destroying my career? I'm ruined. My wife has taken me off the payroll and kicked me into the street. I'm nothing. I have nowhere to go. I'm not the first man to indulge in a little diversion. Why'd you target me? What did I ever do to you? Not to me. To St. Pat's. That? That was nothing to me. We had money coming to us. I proceeded to collect it. That's what I do! Not any more. Get out! I've been at TransTech for sixteen years. Now I've got a half an hour to pack my things. I swear to God, if it's the last thing I do, I will make sure you pay for this! Now get the hell out of my office! Get out! An obviously wealthy woman looks at you through intelligent eyes. Good evening. Sure is nice to get away from the workaday headaches and escape to the club for a while, isn't it? What do you do? I'm a freelance . . . of sorts. I see. An element of secrecy in your work. Mine is strictly above the board: TransTech's V.P. of East Coast New Business Development. Seeing what else the Corp. can sink its claws into? I'd watch it if I were you. A guy can get his name in the blackfile that way. Of course, I'd have to know your name for that. So no harm done. No. Go right ahead. I'm sure I'm already on there. Ransom Stark. Why, Mr. Stark, apparently, you're at the club because of me. I'm Emily Esaki. Monty told me I'd be seeing you here. Said he'd given you his invitation. Honestly, I'm going to quit giving him guest invites. All he does is give them away. Well, if you're a friend of Monty's, enjoy the party. I've got to be leaving soon. Workday tomorrow. I'm on my way out, Mr. Stark. Perhaps we'll meet again another time. You again! We met at my office in TransTech, I believe. I wish I knew how in the world you manage to sneak into these places. You certainly don't belong. I don't like the fact that you can worm you way into any building. You're probably trouble. Stay away from me. Mr. Stark, we met at my office in TransTech, I believe. Monty told me that he'd given you his guest invitation. He didn't tell me too much about you, though. What exactly do you do? More than likely, you've already had me investigated. You can't fool TransTechnicals. They know what you think they don't. Just let yourself be lost in my eyes, Tabatha. I feel so strange, I can't . . . I see you've been to the weapons room. You're ready to fight. I suggest you spend some time visiting the other knights in the Cloisters, learning more about the calling of a Red Crosse Knight. How dare you enter the sacred Cloisters when you have spilled the blood of our own people right at our doorstep! What d'ya want? If you need to see a doctor, she's in the other room. This room's off limits. Hey, all these guys in here look like they've got the same thing, hooked up to the same machines. What ward is this? What do I look like--a tour guide? I don't have time for this. Listen, I take care of these cybercrisps day in and day out. Burnouts. They're not even alive, if you ask me. Only reason they have breath in their bodies is because we pump it in. God knows where their minds are in the net. Unfortunately for these veggies, their families are rich enough to keep them alive here. Some life. Poor saps that come in here to visit actually think these guys are going to be up and around some day, so we pump 'em full of muscle atrophy-preventives, and give 'em therapy. What's the point? All the king's men aren't gonna be able to put these unlucky fools' minds back together again. So they just lost decking integrity, that it? Some just plain burned out. One too many decks, I guess. Couple of 'em are said to have wandered too close to TransTech. Fools. Nobody's gonna ever catch me messing with the Corp. I like to breathe on my own, thank you very much. Now, this ain't no freak show. Why don't you hurry on out of here? I got work to do. You know, visiting hours don't go 'round the clock here. If you have someone to visit, do it, and get out of here. Back again? You in one of these guys' wills or what? A nurse, obviously overworked, is annoyed by the presence of another visitor. A woman with a lovely but forlorn face sits at her husband's bedside. Yes? What do you want? I noticed you sitting there. This your husband? Yes, this is Charley. I lost him about eight months ago. You have no idea how much I've missed him. Just decked one too many times, eh? Oh, no. Charley was one of the best deckers in the business. Made a great living at it too. He could slip into any system, out of any cage. He was the best. Everyone wanted to work with Charley. Now people say his number was just up, his luck ran out, but I don't buy that. My Charley was never sloppy. Someone got to him. I know it. That's the only explanation. Anyone made an attempt to go in after him? Only con artists who say they want my money to find him. But nobody can do that. If Charley was the best and someone got to Charley, who's good enough to go in after the pieces of his mind? I'm afraid I've lost him forever. If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone with him now. Sure. I understand. Are you here to gawk at Charley again? Things aren't painful enough? Now we need to be stared at by the curious? It could happen to you just as easily, you know. Why don't you stay away from us? Just leave us alone. You're the angel who brought back my Charley. I can't thank you enough for what you've done. I know your reasons are partly selfish ones; everyone wants Charley to work with them. Still, I think the hand of fate is involved in all this. I know you must have been sent from heaven to bring my Charley back. And I want to thank you. Please accept this gift. It's 5,000 dollars. It's all I have left after Charley's medical bills. Thank you again. Charley's already been talking about going with you. This little setback hasn't slowed him down a bit. We both can't wait to get out of this awful place and away from that horrible nurse Karl. God only knows what he does to these patients when no one's around? Charley and I can't thank you enough. I should hope we won't need your kind of help again. A middle manager sweats in his cheap suit. His hair is unkempt, his breath is bad, and his nervous facial tic acts up when you converse with him. What? What is it? Whatever it is, ask somebody else to do it. I'm overloaded enough as it is. I have a million things to do. I have to finish these forms and run them to Mr. McCalaster as soon as I'm done or it's a written warning for me this time. He's already docked my pay for using too many office supplies. I'm walking on thin ice. I don't have time to talk. You again? I told you, you're going to get me in trouble with Mr. McCalaster. Now leave me alone. What? What is it? What do you want? I've got a million things to do for Mr. McCalaster, and I don't have time for whatever it is you want. If you're Bill Dougan, I think you do have time. Your name is on this lien against St. Patrick's Cathedral. I want this whole matter resolved. Now. Listen, just calm down, fella. I can't do anything about it. The whole thing is McCalaster's doing. I acted as little more than a clerk on this thing. If I had the power to get rid of the whole matter, I would. Hey, my grandmother was a member of the parish years ago 'til she was afraid TransTech would raise her rent if she kept going. Believe me, buddy, if I had the power McCalaster had, this whole nasty business wouldn't even be taking place. That guy shouldn't be in such a position of power. He's just plain incompetent. Many's the time I've thought of finding a way to ruin that guy. So you're saying . . . . I'm saying that if McCalaster were out of the picture and I was in, I could help you. You want I should knock him off? Oh, God, no! McCalaster is a slithering snake, true. But even he doesn't deserve that. Actually, I had something more cruel in mind. Let me say this: McCalaster would be nothing without his wife who's a TransTech biggie and who bought him his job. Now, McCalaster has had more than his share of flings. If I were to have evidence of his tawdry affairs with one of his harem, I would gladly deliver it to the old lady and crush McCalaster like a bug. Then we could take care of this St. Pat's business. Any tips on where I can catch him in the act? All I know is I've heard him talk about some exclusive mid-town club he belongs to. He's always bragging about how they would never let someone like me within ten meters of the place, how things go on there that would scare the hell out of me. That's all I can tell you. Hope it's enough to work on. If you're seen talking to me again without a real reason to (if you know what I mean), I'm gonna be out of a job. Where would you and your quest for the Catholic Church be then, huh? Good. You're back. McCalaster is really getting under my skin. I spent yesterday afternoon picking up his dry cleaning and writing company checks to pay utility bills for one of his girlfriends' uptown apartments. Can you believe the guy? Great. Can I have it? What is this? Some kind of game? I'm putting myself in serious jeopardy for you here. Don't make me lose my job by not keeping your end of the bargain. Great! Old McCalaster's not gonna know what hit him. I'm on the way up! And McCalaster's out the door. His wife'll kick him out on his ass. He would've never even had a job in the mailroom if it wasn't for her. Listen, I'll take care of the whole St. Patrick's thing. The paperwork on the lien will be conveniently misdirected. Next time you talk to Mother Mary, she'll be one happy madre, I'll tell you that. Don't worry. I'm working on it. Give me a few hours. This whole thing will be history. Stark, old man! How are you doing? You're looking pretty good, for a guy who used to wear cheap suits. Hah! Pitiful, wasn't it? Poor excuse for a man, wasn't I? Well, It just goes to show you what taking control of a situation can do for one's self-esteem. Never did find out what happened to old McCalaster. Then again, who cares! All I know is, things are looking up for Bill Dougan. It's good to see you again, Stark. But the workday is a busy one for a TransTech executive. I'm glad you dropped by, though. I certainly hope you're not tracking me for some lackey with a vendetta! Remember who your friends are, Stark! Stark, old man! And Mother Mary! Good to see you. I trust everything is well at St. Pat's nowadays. Bill Dougan has taken over Walter McCalaster's old office. Dougan's appearance has definitely improved: he's seen a tailor, is immaculately groomed, and no longer has the look of a beaten puppy. Care for something from the bar, sir? Just bring over the dessert cart, boy. How about serving up a nice big slice of humble pie? You! How dare you show your face to me after ruining my life! A TransTech career shot to hell because of you and your holier-than-thou bible-beaters! Careful! Keep your voice down. You might get busted from waiter to busboy. I swear to God, I'll rip your heart out right here at table seven! Before you do, I think the lady here cares for some fresh ground pepper on her salad. You're a dead man, Stark! Back for more? I'll really rip you to pieces this time, you filthy street trash! Walter McCalaster, once upper echelon TransTech management, is now busy waiting tables. He is arrogant, condescending, and even deliberately rude to most of the patrons. In short, he's your typical waiter in an overpriced uptown bistro. Hey, mister. Help a kid out? Can't pass up a kid askin' for help, can you? Depends on what he's askin' for. Just what every kid needs to grow up big and strong--red lifters. If they want to grow up to be junkies. Save it, mister. I'm here to talk business. If you can help old Dodger out and get him Lifters, I can trade you for somethin' I been savin'. Look here. It's part of a cyborg, man. I know what it is. It's a Sheehy A-Series leg. What are you doin' with it? I found it. During my rounds. Now, just think about it. If you're smart enough to rig this thing up on you, you'd be one ultra-techno stud. Little body work and this thing could look like it just rolled off the TransTech Personal CyberEnhancement assembly line. Real flash, ain't it? I'm giving it to you for practically nothin'. You interested in tradin' for red lifters? What are you, my mother? Listen. My ma ain't been around since '91. And I like it that way. Sure don't need some greaseball low-rent merc actin' like my old lady. Hey, cool down, kid. Nobody could pass up that cyberleg. I was offerin' it to you for practically nothin'. Why'd you turn me down? Hey, I don't deal. Especially to kids. Oh, yeah, mister? What do you do, then? Same as you. Try to stay alive in New York. Well . . . if you ever need someone on your side who really knows this town, you let me know. In fact, I could pretty much free up my schedule right now if you were really in a jam. You need a smart guy like me? Then hit the streets. I got a lot of things to do. Dumpsters to scrounge through, deals to deal, and dinner to be found. Get lost. Now, do I have a deal for you this time, mister. I'm lookin' for some hero makers. Gotta be at my best tonight. Me and the guys gotta teach a lesson to some street trash from Battery Park. So I gotta unload this thing before tonight. It's the granddaddy of them all. Take a look. It's the head that goes with that cyberarm. Scary, ain't it? Wanna trade? Then get lost. It'll be easy to find somebody with a brain in their head to buy this thing. Why do you keep coming around here, mister--to see the sights? You never buy anything and all you do is waste my time. Why don't you take it somewhere else? You aren't even holding. Sicko. Come back if you're man enough to do real business with me. Couldn't walk away from that deal, could you? Trade me the red lifters for the cyberarm? Consider yourself a lucky man, mister. There ain't nothing I can't find and nothing I can't build out of parts. I just hope you can stay out of the pharmaceutical kit. Thanks, mister. Here it is. You just got the best deal of the century, man. Ready to really do business this time? Trade the cyberhead for the Hero Makers? Thanks, man. Stop back any time. I'll always surprise you with something. Give me a minute to look around, will you? A dirty kid, no more than thirteen, appears tough and street-wise, but his sad eyes reveal his innocence. Not so close! Not so close! Who are you? What do you want? You can't prove anything. I swear to God I didn't do it. Relax. I'm not the heat. If I was TransTech, I wouldn't have let you live this long, would I? Besides, if you're who I think you are, I'm on your side. In fact, we got something in common--first class rankings on TransTech's cybercrackdown hit list. You're a wanted man, friend. I knew it. I knew they were after me. That's why I never let anyone in here. No one. Not the sushi delivery man. Not census takers. No one. But they've been tracking my every move, haven't they? I knew it. Tracking every move? Sounds like you never leave this place. And with good reason. Do you know what awaits us out there? The filth? The poison? I've done everything I can to protect myself in my apartment. But now your mere presence here is contaminating me. You've brought the radiation in on your clothes. I can feel it wreaking havoc on my nervous system. Hey, if you want, I can leave. Well, we could talk if I could be assured of my safety. And, boy, could we talk. If you're on the cybercrackdown list, then you can probably realize the scope of what I've latched onto. Something big. I've always known that TransTech has a master plan to control us. But it's bigger than even I had imagined. I could go into detail, but every minute I spend talking to you is another minute spent absorbing the radiation you brought in from the Big Room. Now I've got to detox myself. It isn't pretty--involves a lot of harsh scrubbing. You'd better leave. I told you, I can't talk to you unprotected like this. The radiation and poisonous gasses you've brought in are putting me at risk even as we speak. No one is worth taking that chance. You'll just have to learn what I learned the hard way--through your own hacking. Oh, you'll find out eventually. The way everyone will--when our minds belong to TransTech. Now get outta here. We can talk only if I can be assured of my safety. See, every minute I spend talking to you is another minute spent absorbing the radiation you brought in from the Big Room. I see that you have a Insul Suit with you. I've been trying to get my hands on one of those. Don't have the kind of money for one. Looks like a real beauty, too. Would you be willing to part with it? Too bad you can't stick around. You look like the sort who would realize the magnitude of my discovery. Now get the hell outta here. I really can't ask you to stay unless you have protection to give me. Will you give me your Insul Suit? Now we can talk. You look like the type who can understand the scope of this thing. See, few in this city ever realize what they are--drones who spend their days laboring for TransTech and spend their nights on the quest for more of the consumer goodies TransTech spits out in our faces, spending the money they've earned sweating for TransTech. Don't you see? We are all enslaved to the Corp. Bound to the silicon microchips we all work to create. If we cut ourselves on the circuitry, we bleed, but we bleed the toxic blood of the diseased half-human who chokes on the polluted food TransTech shoves down our throats and on the filthy air they belch in our faces. All to keep our bodies sickly and our minds slow. Right now, my only means of spreading the word of truth is through my interactions with others in the net, in my cyberspace messages of truth that hang over Manhattan like the great zeppelins of old spreading the empty promises of advertising lies. For years, I've been spreading the message of TransTech's plans for conspiracy, but now I have proof. Well, what is it? When some poor wretch's identity has been dispersed in cyberspace, bits and pieces of that consciousness remain in the net, namely the decker's distinguishing characteristics and skills. I think TransTech's managed to go so far as to devise a way to exploit the cyberdead. They've found a way to attach these pieces to intact consciousnesses. Man, to be able to do that. . . . Imagine how you could enhance your own mind. And body. And imagine how TransTech is going to clean up these remnants of deckers past and use them to conquer the masses. Ever think of that? Of TransTech building a race of superhumans with the intelligence and memory to gather and retain huge amounts of data, and with the strength to take it from others by force? It's only a matter of time before the Corp starts killing deckers at will in the net for their skills. Now, some are saying that TransTech is manufacturing these pieces, but I don't believe it. I think they're being stolen from deckers that don't make it. This could be the end of information freedom as we know it. Now, I've managed to hack my way into TransTech's Notional Labs. I've discovered records there of what they're calling the Morph Spawner program, the program that permits the absorption of the skills of the cyberlost. It must be destroyed. I need you to go in and get it. Why don't you just deck in and get it yourself? My God, I would never hook my brain up to the system like that. Do you realize that your mind is at the mercy of TransTech every time you put yourself through that virtual strip search? Mind you, I've hacked into more places than you'll ever know, but I refuse to deck. You want to risk it, I won't talk you out of it, because I need you to go in. I've got the code to the part of Notional Labs' cyberspace that has it--BLACKWOOD. If you value your safety in the net, you'll get it. Why are you here if you haven't brought me the Spawner program? The longer you take to find it, the greater the chance that you lose another decking brother to the tyranny of TransTech. You brought the Morph Spawner! Will you let me have it? Get out. What are you, a plant for TransTech? You've got everything you wanted out of me, enough to prosecute me. So bust me or leave me in peace, will ya? Thanks. We've all got to do what we can to squelch the power TransTech has over us. And you've done more than your share, Stark. You've done a great thing, Stark. The Morph Spawner will be destroyed. TransTech's grip on us isn't quite as tight. At least for now. A small, balding, unkempt man, living in a filthy one-room apartment, is uncomfortable with having a visitor. On the stage, amidst all the commotion of the cafe, a poet sits quietly on a stool, waiting for an audience. Would you like to hear my latest poem? Please? I love to share my work. Then, I'll tell you one anyway: "Roses are red, violets are blue. You're nothing more than a retentive, close-minded megacorp creep." Chew on that for a while, Mr. Mega- Establishment. The silicon crusts in my eyes ......... as I awake to another wholesome ..... TransTechnicals breakfast. ................ This time the toast is too crisp-- ...... a friend's burnt mind ......................... has crumbled to dust. ........................ His feeble form rots at the Deck, ....... his mind just plankton ........................ in the cybersea, ................................. awash with the sediment ..................... of a thousand other .......................... dissolved integrities. ........................... I ROM the sea .................................... for a mere germ of ............................ the freedom to know. ......................... But do I rock the boat? .................... Mind spills over with the juice ............ of revolutionary idea, ........................ every drop licked up .......................... by the data police .............................. and promptly disposed of .................... while a record is made of my ............. transgressions. ................................... I atone for my sins at the great ...... MegaCorp altar. ................................. It hears all and forgives all ............. and demands only my soul .................. as penance. ...................................... Orwell. Sterling. Gibson. ...................... They washed us only in ...................... the water of electric knowledge, .......... but one has come ................................ who surrounds us with a sea. ............ Water, water everywhere ................... but not a drop to drink. .................... It is the new god. Everywhere. .......... A nanodeity that pervades ................. the network of our souls. .................. A vengeful god ................................... indeed. Would you like to hear my latest poem again? I just love to read my work. Too much for you to handle, mister? A man dressed in unorthodox clothes looks around him for someone to engage in conversation. Oh, yes. A fresh mind to connect with. Let's talk. Tell me what interests you. I'd like to learn all I can from you. There's always more to learn, more to talk about. Let's talk. I'm not really up for that right now, thanks. You're probably just not in tune to it. You need something to open your mind. A little piracetam would wake up your brain. If you want to specialize, I'm working on a combination of centrophenoxine to enhance intelligence and vinpocetine to boost memory. Of course, there're days when a whiff of vasopressin is all you need for a full day of learning, but on my last deck, 20 mg. of sulfutiame did the trick. The sheer quantity of information I brought back! And you don't need a Praxis 3000 for that kind of storage. It's all up here in the gray matter, friend. Along with a lot of medical waste. I take it mental fitness is not a subject of interest? Maybe something a little closer to home? Last aphrodisiac I mixed was a combination of biomocriptine and deprenyl that was out of this world. None of us left the cafe for two days. Listen, I mix only for myself, but if you're interested, I could get you the means to be your own medicine man. I've upgraded my equipment, looking to unload my old pharmaceutical kit for, say, 300 dollars. Interested? Ah, well, go ahead. Wallow in your own ignorance. Let your brain stagnate. Back to buy the pharmaceutical kit? It's top of the line. Get all my equipment from Pharmasootikal Phreaks, the best supply house in Manhattan. Can't help you if you don't have the cash. If I gave out all my equipment for free, I'd be left peddling psilo blossom on Christopher Street for virtual change. You'll love this kit. I mixed up my first batch of phosphatidylcholine with it. Take care. Feed your head. The security headquarters of TransTechnicals' Brooklyn office is blocked in the net by fierce ICE. TRANSTECHNICALS INTERNAL SECURITY TOLERATES NO INVADERS. TRESPASSERS WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND PROSECUTED. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL: ENTER ACCESS CODE NOW. ACCESS DENIED. INCORRECT CODE. INTRUDER'S CYBERIDENTITY RECORDED. ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED. ADMITTANCE TO TRANSTECHNICALS' SECURITY GRANTED. You encounter TransTechnicals' Personnel Department ICE, guarding the classified records of its employees. TRANSTECHNICALS' CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL SYSTEM IS OPEN TO PERSONNEL DIRECTORS AND LEVEL 4.03 MANAGEMENT AND HIGHER. UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY BY CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF TRANSTECHNICALS WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE TERMINATION. ENTER ACCESS CODE NOW. ACCESS DENIED. INCORRECT CODE. ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED. ADMITTANCE TO PERSONNEL SYSTEM GRANTED. The TransTechnicals' Bank of New York's system contains fierce ICE, but is also designed to give bank personnel easy access to all accounts. ACCESS IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO BANK PERSONNEL WITH A 37X CLEARANCE RATING. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL: ENTER ACCESS CODE. ACCESS TO ACCOUNTS DENIED. ADMITTANCE GRANTED TO TRANSTECHNICALS BANK OF NEW YORK. ENTER ACCOUNT NUMBER. ENTER AMOUNT OF WITHDRAWAL. TRANSFER FUNDS TO WHAT ACCOUNT NUMBER? NOT A VALID ACCOUNT NUMBER. FATS--a File Access Table Server--is ready to assist you in your navigation of cyberspace. I AM HERE TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR NAVIGATION OF CYBERSPACE. ENTER DESTINATION CODE, THEN AWAIT MODEM TRANSFER AND RELOCATION. THAT IS NOT A VALID CYBERSPACE LOCATION. I CANNOT ASSIST YOU. PLEASE WAIT FOR MODEM TRANSFER TO DESTINATION. CURRENTLY CONNECTING TO CYBERADDRESS. AWAIT RELOCATION. A sneaky-looking TransTech employee glares at you. What do you want? I can't really help you with whatever it is. You don't have clearance. But you're interested in getting clearance, am I right? I could give you a tip on how to go about that. It'll cost you a quick hundred, though. Want it? Then be off. I could really get in trouble talking to an unauthorized grunt like yourself. I told you to leave me alone. I have to get to work. And you're not exactly looking to get in for a job interview, am I right? Then you're going to need more than a clearance to get where you want to go. Give me the money now. I don't have time to waste. You don't even have a lousy hundred dollars? Get lost. If you're as good at security break-ins as you are at business deals, you're in for a real shock, loser. Well, like I said, you gotta do more than get clearance to really have access to anything around here. You gotta be one of us, if you know what I mean. I'm not following you. Your only real chance of getting in and staying alive is if the system recognizes you as someone on the inside. And that means more than a badge. It means your uploading a copy of your cyberidentity into the system. Now I've got friends who can hook you up with the right people for this kind of thing. You can find 'em in the Central Park camps. You're probably going to get sent to somewhere in SoHo. And you better start saving up your virtual pennies for it. It's gonna cost you big. I saw you talking to that woman over there. You want in the place, I gather? That's the idea. Now you don't feel the need for a cigarette, do you? And you won't again. Actually, I've been trying to quit. Your mind will be focused only on finding the unified theory. See the Nobel Prize in your hand. Read your name in the history books. You've got to want it. What the hell are you talking about? Open your mind. Let me in. I can help you. I sense that you're having doubts about marrying the man. Are you really ready for this? . . . Just think wellness; together we can shrink the tumor . . . Yes, you've got to admit to your department supervisor about the embezzlement . . . Why mess with a drug that isn't approved by the TTFDA? . . . Trust me and find the truth. Go back to vinyl. . . Now, resist. Think. Picture what that steroidalberry pie will do to your hips. . . . I see the location of the WELL. . . Wait a minute. I'm getting a bad karma reading. They're picking up on me. They know you have a carrier! . . . I'm here, I'm here. Open your mind to me. A odd little man sits in a chair. He is decked into the net and appears rumpled, as if he's been there quite some time. He blabbers, speaking in fragmented thought, seemingly having conversations with several people at once, yet the people around him are oblivious to his chattering. Cyril Thorpe's data angel is busy handling many tasks at once in the net. Welcome. Let me assist you. In the net, I've helped many minds with my gift. Wait. You confuse me. You are not mortal man. Will I be able to help you? Of course . . . Hold on, Iris. I'm coming for you . . . You need my help. I sense evil. I can't erase it for you, but I can stifle it temporarily. Perhaps that will help . . . Focus, Iris. Stop before you have that cigarette. . . I can dampen what I sense is not good in you, Stark. Keep in mind, I can only hold on to it for so long. Do you want me to put a damper on the evil? There are others who need me . . . Hold on, Oscar. I can keep you from making another trip to the buffet . . . The evil one returns. Do you need me to dampen the evil that possesses you? Now let me concentrate . . . I'll hold it. . . I have it. It's running through me. . . Need blood. Thirst for blood . . . Go. Do what you gotta do, Stark. . . The vulgar walk with a profane flush on their skin. . . Leave. I have stifled it. And evil this great is requiring a great deal of my psionic energy . . . Flesh. Just meat on bones. Want . . to drink of it. All are my prey . . . Go. It is done . . . . Thank God you're back. I couldn't help any others as much while I had that weighing down heavy on me. That may even be beyond my capacity. Nearly drained me. Well, I hope you got what you wanted, Stark. I pity you having to carry that evil around with you. Now, perhaps I'll relax for a moment . . . Yes, yes, Mr. Herschfield. Your immediate fluency of the Spanish language is simply remarkable. Follow along with me now: donde esta la casa de Pepe? . . . Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe . . . A virus slunks by, arrogant, bold, and obnoxious, and attaching itself to anything it can get next to. Whoa! Back off, man. Listen, I don't want to mess with a virus. Let's just go our separate ways, no harm done, O.K.? So you know what I am, smart guy, but do you know who I am? Any guesses? Seein' as your cyberego is about as big as TransTech's hacker hit list, you gotta be the King himself. That I am. Elvis lives in the net, and he's done so much damage he can't remember it all. Of course, never wreaking havoc on the common decking man. I'm just a man on a mission for information freedom, baby. What's with the modesty? You single-handedly shut down the Manhattan Utilities Commission billing system for a full month. You were the one who added the Christmas bonus to all non-exec TransTech employees' accounts when management went cheap in '92. How'd you manage to stay out of TransTech's snare, anyway? They can't catch me man. I'm the King. Ain't nothin can stop me. So why'd you do it? I can understand why you'd want to stick it to the Company, but why would you choose to stay in the net forever like that? It wasn't a choice, man. My greatness was thrust upon me, you might say. My original plan was to create the definitive map of cyberspace. It'd never been done by anyone outside TransTech, and I wanted absolute knowledge of the net. I designed a mapping program, decked in, and merged with the program. Too bad I went in before I debugged the code. So now I know where everything is in here, but I can't get the hell out. You just let your body buy it or is it hooked up somewhere? No, it's long dead. I was working alone. When I first arrived I decided, as long as I was in here, I'd raise a little hell. Now I've done everything I can--with real style, I might add--and I want to get back. I've heard of your work, man. You're hot to get into TransTech. I've seen so many TransTech pigs access your file, it's like your holophone number's been written on a john wall. I could help you if you could get me out into the real world again. Interested? Then get out, man. You'll hear from me again. I made the cyberhistory disks, and you'll never be more than another no-name decker. Beat it, man. Outta my way. Some no-name loser ain't gonna stand in my way. Great. You download me into your decking unit, and put me in a cyborg body, I could take over its feeble artificial intelligence and get myself a hulking form to walk around in. How about downloading me now, cowboy. You just got yourself one bad-ass fighter who knows cyberspace like the back of his hand. Let's go. A dark-skinned Mediterranean beauty smirks at you. Her build suggests that she's a serious fighter, as does the fact that she's loading a handgun at the table. You bothering me for a good reason, boy? Just looking around. Looking for the right mercs--fighters, deckers, the best. Well, you're looking at the finest of fighters right here--if you can afford me. I love the fight. Live for it. Always looking for any excuse to cause a little pain. You seem pretty sure of yourself. But arrogance never saved my skin in the heat of battle. I need skill. Well, if you have doubts, why don't you find out for yourself? Maybe you'll live long enough to make a decision. Not bad. You could hold your own. I love the fight. Love it. My blood's rushing even now. Well, if you've got something you need me for, let's get to it. That is, if you can afford my fee. Since you just took a beating, I'll go easy on you. Ten grand. Want me? Dumb move, Stark. You're either too cheap or too stupid. And I don't like the look of your face. I don't want to see your ugly mug around here again, Stark. Got it? No one promises me cash when they can't deliver. I'd get out of this bar fast if I were you. Smart move. Now any patronizing talk and I'm outta here, you got it? You and your friends try any of that garbage, and you're gonna start bleeding before they finish talking. If you're such a tough one, Maranda, why didn't you just kill me back there? You moron. I wanted your money. There's only one thing that gives me more pleasure than the kill--cash. Now let's go. Back for more? I don't have the time to kick you all over the bar this time, Stark. I do, however, have certain prerequisites. Want me for another job, it'll cost you another ten grand. You paying? I got better things to do with my time, Stark, than watch you come begging around here, trying to get something for nothing. Now don't go thinking I'm easy, Stark. You just happen to be the only guy hiring today. Stark, how've you been? Garrick and I gave up on you months ago. Thought you must have bought the permanent cybervacation, know what I mean? Hey, you don't look so good. Haven't been myself. Listen, I can trust you guys, right? Always could. You laid your own neck on the line for Garrick and me many a time when we nearly crossed the line with TransTech. Where is your old man anyway? He's working for an uptown gang that wants some TransTech dirt. Call themselves Electric Anarchy. Routine stuff. It's been a while since we had any jobs with some meat on 'em. I'm booked to trail some guy in the net who's accused of being one of these vampires we're hearing about on the news. Anything to stay working these days. What is it, Stark? Your pale skin went almost blue there for a second. Let's put it this way--if you were bounty hunting the undead, you'd be able to take that Cuban cruise with the money I'd bring in for you. They got you, Stark? Of all people? I can't believe it! Nobody could ever touch you when it came to combat. I mean, I hope you're O.K., but how'd you let your guard down long enough to get taken like that? Hey, I'm human, O.K.? At least half, anyway. Now what I need is to keep my half-breed hide alive. And there's more. Incubus is real, Rymma. And these guys want it. If we don't get it before they do, we're all goners. I'm gonna need the best people on my side. Sign me up. That is what you're getting at, isn't it? What am I, a cyberneuro therapist, here just to listen to your troubles? We go way back, Stark, but I'm not used to getting turned down. I didn't even ask for anything in return. Garrick's gonna be real disappointed in our old friend. Beat it, Stark. I'm not your mother. Tell your troubles to someone who really cares. You just got yourself one of the best deckers in Manhattan. But I don't want to pull this kind of job without Garrick. Let's swing uptown to 175th St. and pick him up. He can skip the money he'd be making with that job. This is more important. Garrick's sure gonna be glad to see you, Stark. You starting to take old friends for granted, Stark? I don't plan on going through that again without Garrick. Forget it. I see you managed to hold on to my old man. What do I have to lose? You need me, Stark? Then quit coming around here annoying me. Garrick, this guy's screwed us over one time too many. He's taking you for a ride. Let's get outta here. We've helped you out of tight spots too many times, Stark. And we asked for nothing in return. Now you shun me? Forget it. Let's go, Stark. And this is the last time you'll get me, so watch it. An attractive, stylish woman, sits and sips a drink. Her face lights up when she recognizes you. A good-looking guy is all smiles and ego. Hey, I got nothin' to say to you. Loosen up, man. You look wrapped too tight. Hey, I said that we got nothin' to discuss. Outta my face. Stark! How've you been? And what's Rymma doing here? You know I'm working cloaked. Garrick, I need you. You're one of the slickest deckers in the biz, and I'm a dead man without you. Rymma says you can be spared from this job. We've got something bigger to deal with. Rymma will tell you all about it. You've saved my hide in the net more times than I care to count, Stark. Looks like Rymma thinks its important. If you need me, I'm in. Hey, sorry I had to brush you off back there. But I told these guys I was from New Jersey and didn't know a soul in Manhattan. You know how it is. Let's get out of here. These guys paid me half down. They aren't going to be too happy. Stark, what's the deal? I left a job for you and you dump me. Find yourself another chump to kick around. I ain't interested. Beat it, Stark. Why Rymma is still with you after what you did is beyond me. But, as long as she's with you, I might see to giving you one more chance. You lookin' for my help again? Then blow. You've seen the last of both of us. Get lost, Stark. God knows why Rymma is so dedicated to you, Stark. But if she's in, I'm in. But keep in mind--this is it, Stark. You only get one more chance with me. I mean it. A woman with intelligent eyes doesn't like the looks of you. You looking for a handout? Sorry. No time to educate a novice. I don't deal with people walking in off the streets unless they come with a good reference. So beat it. What do you want? Name's Ransom Stark. Woman in Central Park by the name of Kimba told me you could help me out with my TransTech troubles. Yeah, Kimba told me to expect you. So you check out. That's great. But I don't do this kind of work for nothing. It's gonna cost you 25,000 dollars. As you know, once it's done, TransTech won't be on to you as much when you're exploring the Brooklyn office. So, it's well worth it. And I'm not in the mood to hear any complaints. You prepared to pay now? Then come back when you are. Got the 25 grand to solve your TransTech problems? Listen, I don't have time for games. I don't know what you're used to, but I don't stand for this garbage. Don't waste my time. Great. Now, you want in the megacorp, you gotta BE the megacorp. I'm going to enter your essence into TransTechnicals' Security System. You'll always be recognized as upper level clearance when you enter. It'll cut down substantially on being busted. You just bought yourself a first class ticket to the inside, Stark. I have no idea what you plan on doing once you're in there, and I don't want to know, got it? Yeah, I got it. But I sorta feel like I've sold out. Went to the other side. Not if you make sure to use what you find in there to screw those fascist bastards. The only way to beat 'em is to join 'em. Now, you must have at least a Samurai Soul Box to have the essence imprinted into your matrix. I'll meet you in the net. My WELL location code is MAJOR. Hustle. See you in the net, Stark. What? Do I have to hold your hand, Stark? You know where to find me in the net. Get there and get out of my face, will you? Lenora Major waits for you in her WELL. You took long enough, Stark. I told you you need at least a samurai soul box to handle the essence imprint process. How can you call yourself a decker? How can you hope to infiltrate TransTech with a junior soul box? This is pathetic. I just wasted a deck because of you. Go get a better grade soul box and meet me back here. Make it fast. O.K. You're ready for the essence imprint into the TransTech security file. It'll take a while. The program and I will merge with you, and copy all your files into the system. You ready? I guess so. TT\: COPY STARK.* TTSECMAIN.FILE Well, that's it, Stark. You're in. Things should be easier at the Brooklyn headquarters. Unless you're stupid enough to be caught red-handed, you shouldn't get hassled as much now that you're imprinted into the matrix. Nice doing business with you, Stark. I'm about to deck out, Stark. I've done all I can for you. You'd think you'd want to get out of here and try out your new freedom. A fierce data angel confronts you. BEHOLD! I AM ZEUS, THE GREAT GOD, THE LORD OF THE MATRIX! Those in the net bow before me! For I rule my cyberspace subjects with an iron hand! Really. And just who chose you as exalted ruler? Do not mock me! I know who you are, Ransom Stark. I've tracked you. I know of your pathetic attempts to infiltrate TransTechnicals, your feeble information pirating. You are no more than a byte in the vast realm of cyberspace. I have done great deeds in the net. MY POWER IS UNSURPASSED! Then what do you want me for? Your attitude offends me! You do not respect my authority. Others pay me the homage I have earned. I've done more in the net than you'll ever dream of Stark. I've found my way into niches of TransTech you didn't even know existed, slithered out of Security's grasp countless times, amassed a great fortune. I was shutting down the New York Telephone System for kicks before you even knew what a decking unit was. You sicken me. Then get out of my way. I will, but only if you have the courage to settle this like men. Settle what? SILENCE! You must pay for your transgressions against me, the Great One. I thought nothing would ever give me more pleasure than the network, but I believe something will--watching you die at my hands back in New York. I want to see your feeble form beaten to a pulp and hear you beg for mercy. You talk big, Stark. If you have any guts and any pride left, you'll appear at my home base at NYU. If you don't show, you'll be laughed out of the matrix by every decker in the net. You win, you'll get all my decking equipment and information, but fat chance of that happening. Enjoy this cyberspace trip, Stark. It will be your last. Afraid to confront me face to face, Stark? Have I overestimated your courage? If you can muster up the nerve, you know where to find me. Hope you'll do what you can for Banks, Stark. Thanks for what you did for Banks, Stark. Sorry, but I can't stick around. There's still a lot of phreaking to be done in the net and who better than the Lord of Cyberspace to do it? I hope you'll keep everything a secret, Stark. That's the beauty of cyberspace. You respect who I am (or am not ) and I'll do the same for you. Nice knowin' ya'! I'm outta here! A New York University sophomore is hard at work studying at her desk. She is slight of stature, with an innocent, intelligent face. Hi! Can I help you with something? Sorry, I'm looking for someone by the name of Zeus. You're lookin' at him. You gonna fight me, Stark? You seem to have lost a certain intimidating quality. Well, Stark, you're onto my secret. It's true, as Zeus, I'd heard about your work in the net. I saw what you were capable of, and I needed to ask your help. Since I didn't have any large sums of money to lure you here, I thought the next best thing would be a challenge. Primitive, yes, but it works on your type of guy. Of course, all I can offer you now in exchange for your help is the promise of information. HOT information on TransTech. Could you help out a fellow decker? Then get the hell out of my room. If it still makes you feel like a man to fight the great Zeus, go ahead. Into killing unarmed innocents? Where would that get you? Hit the bricks, Stark. I said OUT! Thank you, Stark. I need you to help me rescue a good friend of mine, Banks Verbatim. Banks was into something big in TransTech's system, something about the design of cyberspace itself. He wouldn't tell me exactly what it was, but I tried to crack his code to the WELL where he hid it. All I know for sure is that all the N's are L's. Well, Banks got reckless and they caught on to him. He was doing some sim pirating at Paragon Virtuals, easy stuff, when TT snagged him in a data cage. I used to go in there to grab a diversion from time to time. We all did. Their cyberaddress code is practically public knowledge--SOFTBALL, and the entry code is NINJA. I know you could use the information Banks was on to. All I want is Banks back. Please do what you can. Please, do what you can to help Banks. I know he'd do the same for another decker in need. I heard you got Banks out of that data cage. I hope you'll get to meet him out of the net. I'm dying to know what info. he got his hands on. I know. Banks is dead. I'm sure you did what you could. Whatever you do, Stark, don't let it slow you down in the net. Banks died in the name of information freedom. He wouldn't want the rest of us to lose our nerve. Maybe I'll see you in the net again, Stark. Right now, I'd like to be alone. A scrawny waiter, a runt of a man, looks up at you with adoring eyes. 'Evening, sir. Can I get you anything from the bar--hey, wait a minute. Oh, wow! You really truly are the real thing, aren't you? This is great! I don't know what you're talking about. You can't fool me, sir. Yeah, I've waited on a bunch of foolish wanna-be vampire actors, but I know the real thing when I see it. That isn't makeup, is it? Oh, wow! You don't know how long I've been waiting for this. Hey, calm down, all right. Can't you keep it quiet? O.K. I'll keep my voice down if you want me to. But that doesn't mean I'm not the happiest guy in the world! What's it going to take to shut you up? Take me with you. Whatever it is you do, let me go along. Let me hang around. I'm real good at vampire things. I know all about what you guys can and can't do. All those rules. I'll look out for you. I've worked for a vampire before, and I was real good at it. Then what are you doing here serving drinks? Well, he wanted to move to the Midwest--said he liked the taste of a wholesome corn-fed farmgirl's blood better than some filthy whore off the street, and I'll give him that much. But I couldn't leave New York! Gawd! I love it here--the nightlife, the crowds . . . the rats. Come on. Will you at least think about using me? I'm a storehouse of information about the undead. I work for nothing. You won't have to feed me; I find my own meals. I'll even do your shirts. What d'ya say, huh? Please? You're crazy. You'll never find a more willing servant to kick around. But maybe you'll change your mind. Go ahead. Think it over. Change your mind? You need me, right? Great! Listen, I don't think we should really talk here. I don't know where you're staying, but I've got a cool place downtown where you might want to crash. I'll get out of this place and meet you there. The address is 426 E. 28th St. I'll wait for you there . . . Master. I'm coming. You go first. If we leave together, it might seem suspicious. I'll see you at my apartment. Renfield is cheerful, almost giddy, surrounded by the trappings of his curious hobbies. The room is dirty, but the filth seems deliberate, for the roaches crawling in the corners seem to delight him. You made it! I couldn't wait for you to get here, Master! You know, you're a strange guy, Renfield. What is all this junk? Junk? Master, surely you're not speaking of my ant farm, my pride and joy. Look at these guys. How big and juicy! Terrific sprinkled on ice cream. That's great, but what exactly are these things you said you can do for me? Well for one thing, I noticed you haven't exactly made arrangements for proper rest and healing. Trust me on this. You're going to have to get your hands on a coffin fast or you'll be feeling the effects in no time. I can help you out with that. Of course there's still the matter of the dirt. If the coffin isn't filled with your native soil, it's worthless. How do you know all this stuff? Listen, I've had to worry about all these countless little details for my last employer. Plus, I play a lot of role-playing games. You can trust me. You can store the coffin here, come back anytime and know you're safe. I'm just a nobody; no one knows where I live. Now, are we going to go out for a nice juicy kill tonight, Master? Can I watch, huh? Maybe if you think I'm worthy, you might wanna make me immortal too. We could hang around together as equals. Buddies for all eternity. I don't have the power to make others into vampires. I'm just a victim, still half human. Besides, why would I want the curse of your company for all eternity? Oh, come on. O.K., so maybe you don't like me that much now, but just wait. I'm invaluable. You'll grow attached to me and then you'll change your mind. This just feels like destiny, doesn't it? I think I was born to serve you. By all means, let's get started, Master. Do you want me to serve you? I see you already have the dirt. Then you know you have to line the coffin with the native soil. And my apartment is the perfect place for it. I see you've already got the coffin. An antique, too. Nice touch. It'll look great right in the corner. A haughty man, well-to-do but mean and bitter, is talking with his wife. It appears he doesn't want to be bothered by conversation with strangers. Yes? What is it? Going around all evening striking up conversations with people who don't know you and don't want to know you? How quaint. Please don't include me in your rounds. Lighten up. Life ain't that hard. You want conversation? Try my wife Dauphine here. She's the socialite. Lives for it. I mean, look at her. Beautiful, isn't she? She just had a baby two weeks ago, and she's already worried about the kid getting to know the right people. She amazes me. That kid's gonna have the best of everything, I can tell you. Mix with all the right crowds. Me, I hate this stuff. It's Dauphine who got us where we are today. I can't stand people. Hate 'em. Hate having to make conversation with them, spend time with them. Honestly, I only really enjoy my own company. That baby of yours sounds like one lucky kid. Oh, she will be. Dauphine is seeing to it. It's our philosophy that the child should be like all the other things we've acquired in this life--first rate. Finest breeding (obviously), upbringing, education. And there's no reason why she shouldn't benefit from the remarkable technology that makes the rest of life comfortable and state of the art. And what does that mean? Dauphine can tell you all about it. She's the one who's done all the research. This conversation has begun to tire me. Speak with her if you like. I heard. She told me what she was after. Then why are you bothering me with your naive questions? This conversation has begun to tire me. I've had enough of mingling with the masses today, thank you. Why don't you try bothering another charitable soul? A wealthy and beautiful woman looks down her nose at you. Hello, darling. What a charmingly rustic costume you're wearing! Have we met? Should I know you? I don't think so. I would have remembered being patronized like this. Well, I have been out of commission for a while. Damean and I finally had our baby. The longest twenty-one weeks of my life. I said I was going to do this the old fashioned way, so I carried her for a full five months, then had her incubated for the rest. Sure, I could have incubated her for the full term at the ExVitro Family Health Ministry, but that's what everybody does these days. You have kids? Not that I know of. You at all familiar with the technology of it? I guess you could say technology is my thing. Ah, then maybe you can help me locate a program I've heard about. I hear it's experimental. Perhaps it doesn't even exist yet. But getting it would mean remarkable things for my daughter's mind. I'd pay you handsomely. You interested? Too bad. But I'll find someone willing to help me before long. There are lots of hungry street dogs anxious to make some cash for small favors. Short on cash, Stark? You ready to listen to my offer? Good. As you might already guess, my daughter is remarkably bright and gifted. There's so much we want her to know. I've heard of a code that could be programmed into Antoinette's mind to make her multilingual. I believe it's called a Babel code. I'm not sure who developed it or where you can get it, but I want you to get your hands on it. That's why I'm paying 25,000 dollars. The earlier we can have that implanted in her brain, the better. You can find Damean and me here early in the evenings. We go home early to install a subliminal instruction tape in the incubator. You know where to find us. So good to see you again! I hope you got your hands on that Babel code and brought my Antoinette her special gift. By the time you get around to it, Antoinette will have learned the languages the slow, stupid, archaic way. Don't tease me with my daughter's cognitive development! Come back when you really have the program. Oh wonderful. Antoinette is going to have everyone in her advanced preschool class put to shame. Thank you. You've done a wonderful thing for her. It's almost as if you were some sort of godfather or something. Hey, nothing would give me more pleasure. Except this 25 grand. You hang around long enough and we're going to start showing you baby holopictures. Maybe you already have one on you. Any chance that you do and that you'd sell it to me? A Red Crosse Knight kneels in her chambers. Hey, what gives you the right to barge in here? Sorry, didn't know there was someone praying in here. I wasn't praying. I was putting on these kevlar boots. I'm taking every precaution against these vampire dogs. And I'm training with every weapon I can. They say we're supposed to impale their hearts, but I do more than that. I toast them and rip their hearts out of their bodies and eat them. I live to hear those bastards suffer and see them die like the beasts they are. I guess some of you guys take this sacred quest stuff more seriously than others. That sacred quest stuff is crap. I'm here for one reason and one reason only--to get revenge for what those dogs of hell did to my mother. She was taken right on the streets of Manhattan. They drained the life out of her and left her body in the gutter. You know what people of this city did? Nothing. People watched it happen and left her body to die on the streets. I swore that day that I would spend the rest of my life killing as many of the helldogs as I can. In time, I'll get the one that killed my mother. Why even bother going into a fight armed like that? You're not doin' anyone any good. You don't even have any stake for piercing their Godless hearts. Here, take one of mine. Now you gotta get out of here. I got guns to clean, ammunition to stock up on. You mind giving me a little room to breathe here? I see you already got a stake to pierce their Godless hearts. But it's a helluva lot easier when you can drive it in with more than your bare hands. Here, take one of my mallets. You vampire bastard! Your kind killed my mother! Now it's your turn to die! A Red Crosse Knight prepares for battle. I haven't seen you before. You must be new. Welcome. You're following a noble calling here. You have a reason why you chose this life? I don't have a personal vendetta against vampires, but I feel like I'm doing something to rid this whole city of the filth and crime that's destroyed it. I lost a brother to the crime of this city. He was tempted by narcotics, the devil's poison. Went off with a gang of addicts, and I haven't been able to find him since. Even paid a private investigator to hunt him, but no luck. Maybe I'll run into him. I haven't exactly been knighted here yet. What's his name? His real name is Stewart Tolchinsky, but I doubt he's going by that name. He's a good-looking kid, eighteen. Before he left home, he was having a real problem with red lifters. The kid couldn't get enough of them. Guess they made him feel invincible. He was always broke. God knows what he's resorted to now to support his habit. If you brought him home, I would make it worth your while--25,000 dollars. I hope God will lead you to save my brother's soul, stranger. Couldn't find Stewart, could you? Well, I'm sure you tried. You found him! Stewart! Let's go. Once we detox you, we're gonna have a big talk, little brother. Stark, you've done a noble deed. Here's the reward I promised you. Thanks again, Stark. You'll make a fine Knight of the Red Crosse. I heard you talking to Lady Remington. She's bitter, but she has a right to be. Vampire fiend! You'll find no blood here but what will spill from your own wounds! A knight is at work on the Red Crosse's computer system. Can I help you with something? I'm cross-referencing the latest names of the suspected hellspawn in the city. Sir Charleton always includes names from the outer boroughs, but I told him a thousand times, we're only working with the Manhattan list this month. I'm curious--who puts together that list? Well, we've established a network of contacts in the city, posts at high-risk areas. We even have a contact on the police force who gives us crime reports. Those suspected of vampire activity are tracked until a scout has proof--no one goes on the big list unless he's been caught in the act. Once you're on the list, we're gonna keep coming for you until we get you. Now, I'm sorry, but I really must get back to work. Perhaps Sir Dominick can help you. I'm in the middle of something. Let me guess, Ransom Stark, right? I just read your file. You're one of the hellspawn and here is where you meet your end! Die, hellspawn! A Red Crosse Knight smiles at you. Ready to kick some vampire ass? See you haven't been knighted yet, but you look strong. You'll be killing vampires like it was second nature and earn your knighthood. Remember, just as the crusaders defended Christianity, we must fight this evil. There's no room for weakness. We must be strong! Brave! Here, take this. It's Nosferatutam. Since you're new, you need all the protection you can get. Take a dose of it, and your blood will be poison to a vampire. If you should be so unlucky as to be bitten, but have this sacred potion coursing through your veins, your blood should scald his heathen tongue, and you'll have time to get away. You can only take it twice. Your body's resistance builds up to it, and then its useless. But let's hope the fiends don't get close enough for you to try this stuff out. Listen, I gave you what I could spare. Can't do anything else for you except wish you strength, safety, and the grace of God. I've been waiting for you. Waiting to send you back to hell where you came from! no message A scientist is at work in Notional Labs. You from security? I sent for you over an hour ago. Then who the hell are you? There's critical work going on in this lab. Notional Labs scientists and technicians only. You should know that. This is sensitive equipment. Now please leave before you do damage to one of the matrix cortex projectors. Listen, I've got work to do. I'm not one to blab to security, but frankly you're interrupting my work. Great. Listen, I know you've been having trouble with your system today, but when you can, I'm going to need a little information on some angels who have been presenting real problems lately. Track down these names--Major, Fizz, Stark--and keep checking on that Tackett thing. I have to redesign ICE almost daily because of these guys. Can you tell what they're after? Whatever they can get their hands on. I don't know what these people think. Some information is just not for everyone's eyes. I was on the original team that designed the matrix, and now all our work is being sabotaged. We built the net for the Company, for maximum efficiency in regulating the vast amount of data TransTech has to control. The Company's a miracle of modern technology, and it's all because of our vision. Anyway, please bring me those files. If I know the state of their systems and the general location they're modeming from, there's a chance I can prevent them from uploading into the net and doing more damage to my work. You didn't bring me those security files, did you? Just do me a favor? Stay away from the equipment. I don't want any damage done to the matrix cortex projector. TransTech's Security Director, obviously of military background, has quite an intimidating presence. How'd you get in here, boy? This ain't some kind of tour. This is a strictly classified area. If you got in, there's some equipment malfunctioning and that means someone's head is gonna roll for this. I'm responsible for the safety and security of 11,275 employees and their classified data. And I don't like the looks of you, boy. So get the hell out of my office and this building, boy! You got stones, boy, comin' back around here. Dumber than you look. I ran a holo-identity check on your image captured on surveillance during your last little visit, and you know what you register as, boy? Top of the cybercrackdown list. You're a wanted man. And you're gonna be a dead man. I really don't have time for this, boy, even though I do enjoy it. A Notional Labs technician has just come out of the net. Whoa! I just came out of a diagnostic deck. Covered the entire J3 sector. Net's busy as hell at night. It's when I get most of my work done, but it's also when we get the most trouble. I'm telling you, these Morph Codes we developed are going to change the cyberspace experience as we know it. Better skills in the net make the experience an even bigger rush. I'm seeing things on a whole new level. You should try it when you're off the clock. What are you doing so late here, anyway? Plainclothes security. Just checkin' things out. The place is creepy at night. Feel more at home when I'm decked in. Why don't you try one of those codes out yourself? Here, I'll put one right into your decking unit. Of course, it's useless without the Morph Spawner . We keep that under wraps in the Notional Labs WELL. You're from security, you know the code. Just deck in during your break and get it. Well, got to get back to work. Hope the code helped you out. If you had a decking unit on you, I'd let you try one of the codes out for yourself. Maybe next time. A Native American is restless in the bar and fidgets anxiously in her seat. As she looks you over, you get the feeling that she's looking for a fight. Yeah? Looking for something? First rate fighters. You look able. Oh? In the mood for a fight? No. Need 'em on my side. Well, my specialties are high-tech weapons and firearms. I could hit that birthmark on that pasty face of yours from 300 meters. What are you up against? Vampires, TransTech, gangs. The usual. Sounds like a real challenge. I work for ten grand plus the latest piece of equipment I'm in the market for. This time it's a white noise blaster. You want me? Then start walking. You're preventing me from doing real business. Come back looking for something for nothing? Not gonna find it here. Too bad you don't have what I require. Come back when you have the ten grand and the white noise blaster. Prepared to pay up this time? Great. This ought to get me the antique .44 magnum I've had my eye on. I've been waiting to get my hands on one of these white noise blasters. You know those actually fry your target's insides? Gives you a nice warm feeling, doesn't it? Let's go. I'd love to help you out again, Stark. But it'll have to be the last time. And you know my passion for weapons. This time it's gonna cost you a laser rifle. Want me? I wonder what unlucky fool is gonna get saddled with working with you this time, Stark. It's not gonna be me. Come back when you've got a laser rifle, and I'm yours. I could've asked for a lot more, Stark, but you know me--I'm a sucker for a vampire in need. no message A good-looking guy, a sharp dresser, looks arrogant and aggressively self-confident. Why do you insist on ogling me like that? I feel like a piece of meat in a supermarket case. Relax, I ain't looking. I'm here to hire mercs. Need the best on my side. You're looking at him. Fighting, decking, you name it--I'm the finest. Plus, I would add an element of style to your little endeavor. Looks like you could use it. Yeah, well style ain't gonna save me when I'm on the wrong end of a white noise blaster. What makes you so damn sure of yourself? My skills speak for themselves. I'm even better than I look. That's why my fee for a job is 25,000 dollars. You always get what you pay for. You want the best? If not, don't waste my time. Then I suggest you leave. You really are an annoyance. Besides, you're standing in my light. Stark, what a surprise. Either you're here to talk business or just to make me look bad by standing next to me. You plan on doing the smart thing this time by hiring me? I ask for payment up front. I don't have the time to run a credit check on you. Twenty-five grand, Stark. You're small time, Stark. What do you think you're doing playing with the big boys when you're pathetic and penniless? Get some dignity, will you? This ought to be good. I have a feeling I'm going to have to hold this group together. You could use my leadership. First of all, let's get out of the bar. I don't like the idea of being seen with the likes of you. I have a reputation in this city, you know. Back again, I see. You really put me through hell during our last little adventure, Stark. My fee for services just went up. You prepared to pay me 30,000 dollars for the privilege of my company again? You had your chance, Stark. Good luck finding someone to fill my shoes. You've seen the last of me. Well, for God's sake, can't a man finish his drink? You know, Stark, dealing with you has been one unpleasant experience after another. Do me a favor, huh? Now you come to me asking for my help when you're dead broke. Get away. You're beginning to tax my nerves. Let's go. I don't like being seen with you in public longer than I have to. Or are you planning on destroying the last shred of dignity I have in this town? A tough, intimidating guy with a cybernetic arm looks like he spits nails. His hand is rusting a bit, though it's doubtful that the rest of him has even seen water in some time. Hey, get a load a this guy, will ya? You're lookin' pretty tough for a guy who's about to get his ass kicked. I ain't lookin' for a fight, man, believe me. Well, you're gonna get one. 'Cause I don't like the look of your face, pasty boy. Neither does anybody else here. You know why? 'Cause I said, that's why. Wait a minute here. Listen, I don't wanna mess with you or that cybernetic arm of yours. Listen, if you kill me, you'd be missing out on the chance to make some real money. Think about that. Let me see if I'm gettin' this right. You sayin' you want me to work for you? What is this, some kind of game? I don't like you makin' me look like a fool. You pull something like that again and you're gonna hurt like you never hurt before, boy. You back to take a beating? Or you here to make me another offer to join your lousy group? Then it's gonna cost you ten grand. Pay up now. Hey, I don't work for deadbeats. You offer me ten grand you don't have, and I don't like that. At all. Good. Now you ain't touchin' my money. That's for later--for some cyberparts I had my eye on. If you got more money to spend, I expect it to go for my cyberenhancements. That gets you a better fighter and makes me real happy. Now let's get outta here and do this job so I can get back. The rest of these guys don't know what to do without me around. A tough-looking woman is hanging out with the rest of the Hard Metals, but looks bored. Hey. How's it goin'? Don't mind these guys. I never saw a sorrier scrap heap. They wouldn't be such big talkers if they had to fight like real men instead of hiding behind all that metal. And stupid! They wouldn't even know how to handle a business deal if one hit 'em in the face. That's why I gotta be the one to make you this offer. For two grand, I'll give you a name you can use. You interested in cybergenetic attachments? Too bad you're gonna get to know them real well, lightweight. Back for another cybergenetically-enhanced humiliation? So are we, in case you couldn't tell. For two grand I'll tell you where you can get some top-of-the-line stuff, some new, some used. All in good condition. First, pay up. Hey, what do you think this is? Ever had your eye impaled with a metal probe or your pasty flesh fileted from the bone with a razor-sharp implement? You will if you don't get out of my sight fast. You ready to talk business now? I need the two grand up front for the name of the cybergenetic parts dealer. O.K., the guy deals behind 512 W. 64th St. Goes by the name of Strongarm Tacktick. Next time I see him, I'll tell him to expect you. Nice doin' business with you. Hey, I can't keep being seen talking to you like this. The other Metals are gonna wonder if something's up. Hey, Temper, what do you think you're doin' with this guy? Think you're some kind of asset? Right--a big moron with plate metal for brains. Smart move, Stark. How much he sucker you in for? Hey, shut up, will you, Nails? Cool it. This guy knows what he's doin'. That is really pathetic. A half-dead guy paying a half-wit for his services. Just make sure you tell him who the enemy is, Stark. He could end up forgetting which side he's on. Beat it, Stark. I've had it with having to see your pitiful little form come snoopin' around here. You're just lookin' for trouble. A good-looking guy looks tired and worn and is making a science of throwing back shots of whiskey. He is preoccupied with his own thoughts. Yeah, what do you want? Can't you see I'm right in the middle of something here? Man, you look worse than I feel. Yeah, well, I got bigger things on my mind than lookin' pretty. Obviously. The only time a man gets a look like that is when he's bein' hunted. Looks like you could use a hand. I may like a drink now and then to calm my nerves, but I'm a damn good shot. Got the senses of a hawk ever since I got my ocular and aural implants. You hirin'? I'm cheap. Only fifteen grand. Then leave me to my work. I've barely made a dent in this here bottle of whiskey. You thought about it, right? You want me workin' for you, don't you? You look like a decent enough guy. Don't really care what I'm getting into. For fifteen grand I'd even work for a damn vampire. Course, I'll need the money up front. Sorry, pal. I feel bad for you, but not enough to work for nothin'. Come back when you got it. I'll be here. Hey, I was hopin' you'd come around tonight. You bring the fifteen grand? Then quit buggin' me, will ya? I got work to be done here. I've had just about enough of you. Why don't you bother some other drunk, huh? Thanks. I don't know what I've gotten myself into here, but I don't much care. I've done just about everything in this business. But I'll tell you my policy. I work for a guy once. Only once. I don't like havin' my name attached to anyone in this town, got it? Now let's get outta here. A strung-out looking guy sits on a step with his head in his arms, looking up frequently through bloodshot eyes to see who's coming into the room. Duane send you with the kusuri? What? The medicine. The drugs, man. The drugs. You got the wrong guy. I work for nobody. Suminasen, your highness. Excuse me. I suppose people work for you, that it? What's your line of work? Looks like red lifters is your shobai. I've seen that pasty look before in your business. I'm no dealer, but it looks like one could make a fortune off you. I like a little red lifter on occasion. In fact, if you're lookin for someone to work with you, my schedule just might open up if you were to see some lifters and five grand my way. Mind you, that's for one job and one job only. I don't work with a guy more than once. Too dangerous. Interested, tomadachi? I ain't lookin' for friends, thanks. Suit yourself. Might have done you some good to be seen with me. I know people in this town. Back again, tomadachi? My fee's still the same. You buyin'? I've had it with you. You shouldn't even be in here dealing with the pros, man. Yeah, but I ain't lookin' for a friend. I'm lookin' for someone to help keep me alive. You got it. If you got my fee, that is. I said red lifters and five grand. Come back when you got it. Hope you brought everything this time. Hope we get our hands on some kyande during this job. I'm good. But I'm better with a hero maker or a breather once in a while. I didn't hire you to support your habit. I hired you to keep me breathin'. Let's get outta here. One of the Sid and Nancy punks is a good-looking guy who looks like he doesn't really have much to say. Hey, who is this guy? Get outta my face, man. Man, you are really in my face. Get lost. Yeah, what's your problem. I ain't talkin' to no TransTech pig. I'm not a cop. You look like a cop. Hey, I'm as far from a cop as you can get. But there is someone after you. Someone who asked me to track you down. Great. So you're a freelance bounty hunter. Who's after me? You got a brother, don't you? With the Red Crosse Knights? Yeah, I got a brother who thinks he's a phreakin' knight of the round table. Why? He told me he's been trying to track you down for a few years. He knew you ended up with a gang but that was all he knew. He asked me to find you and bring you back. You willing to go back with me? Hey, I know you ain't doin' this out of the goodness of your heart or anything. Warren was a stockbroker before he became Sir What's-His-Name and joined the crusades, so he must be paying you a fortune. Sure, I'll come along. See how old Warren's doing. Maybe I can get a few thousand out of him while I'm there. Of course, I'll need a little something to make this family reunion bearable. You score me some hero makers, and I'll go, O.K.? If you're not willing to meet my little demand, you just lost out on my brother's big cash bonus, you moron. You here to give me my hero makers before we go? Hey, I may be easy, but I ain't stupid. Gotta give me the stuff when we have a deal. All right, I'll go with you. It's been two years since I've seen my brother. It's probably time we got together anyway. But I'll tell you what--he better not get on my case or I am outta there. The data angel of Violet, one of Lost Kids, is glad to see you. We've been waiting for this day! Go talk to Sally. Hurry! There's no time to lose! Now that our job is done, I feel kinda sad, you know? We're in here for good, and I always liked the matrix, but I'm really getting to miss New York. Come back and visit us from time to time, will you? You've got Incubus. Take it and do what you have to do. And come back and visit us from time to time, will you? We're in here for good, and I always like the matrix, but I'm really getting to miss New York. Lou, one of the Lost Kids, is a young, but tough data angel. He's annoyed by your presence and the fact that you can deck out of the net. So you're the guy that's gonna save Tackett, huh? You better be good. She said she trusted you. I hope she was right. I just gave up growin' up to protect this thing, so you better finish the job right, or I'm gonna track you down in the net, Stark. You hear me? Do right by Deirdre, or you're gonna have to answer to me. Listen, our job is done. Go back and save Deirdre, will you? I hope to God we haven't given up our lives for nothin'! You got Incubus, now get outta here. Our job is done. I just gave up my life to protect that thing. Deirdre trusted you. So you better be smart enough to finish the job right, or I'm gonna track you down in the net, Stark. You hear me? Do right by Deirdre, or you're gonna have to answer to me. Pat, the youngest and meekest of the Lost Kids', seems to be shielded by the others. I guess you're the guy who's gonna save my friend Deirdre. Sally's the one who can give you the program. What do you want with me? I'm just a kid who's stuck in the net now. I really think you should be helping my friend Deirdre. You got what you needed from us. What do you want with me now? I'm just a kid who's stuck in the net now. Please, go save my friend Deirdre. Sally, Deirdre's favorite of the Lost Kids, is waiting for you in the Lost Kids' WELL. Like the others, she was once under the care and direction of Deirdre Tackett before decking into the net permanently and relinquishing her body, making the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect Incubus. I've been waiting for you. Deirdre told us to expect Stark, and she was right. Sally, I missed you and everybody! It stinks being back there without you. I know Deirdre didn't want you to do this. That's why we did it on our own. I know how important Incubus is; Deirdre had told me how she wrote the code. We all I knew that if Incubus fell into the wrong hands, all of New York would be enslaved. We did what had to be done. My only regret is the years I'll miss working with Deirdre. She taught me so many things, and there was so much more I wanted to do before I turned fourteen. The other Lost Kids insisted on coming with me, even though I tried to make them stay. I hope they aren't having regrets. I feel bad for little Pat; he seems so lonely and scared. Violet misses home. And Lou's just busting to get out of here. But I think we'll be O.K. in here. There's lots to be done in the net. It'll be quite an adventure. Well, Stark, here it is. Incubus. The program that reigns above all others. The Omnipotence Code. The decker who uses it can truly be called master of the matrix. Like most instruments of power, it can be used for good or evil. Use it to cast the final blow against Van Helsing. Save Deirdre before time runs out. I'll be back to visit, I promise, Sally! You guys saved New York. But it hasn't been the same without you since you left. Goodbye, Chuck. Goodbye, Stark. We've done what we can here. You're the only one who can finally destroy Van Helsing's evil. Go. Make Deirdre proud. Our part is done, Stark. I think you know what you have to do back in New York. It's no use coming back here. A cybervision of Deirdre Tackett appears before you. My dearest Chuck, I programmed the emerald microchip with this cybervision when I learned of the great sacrifice made by you and the other Lost Kids. I truly did not want that to happen, but they made a choice and, now that they have, New York is still safe. As for you, Chuck, you are truly a brave young man. I know you've been through so much. That's why I installed the neural microimplant. It prevented you from remembering the password you programmed into the Lost Kids' WELL. I know that being away from them has troubled you, but it was the safest way to prevent Incubus from falling into the wrong hands. As long as they had done what they did, I wanted to make sure they weren't discovered by the wrong people. If you managed to find the emerald pendant then, undoubtedly, Ransom Stark has been with you to help you battle Van Helsing. It's all working as I had hoped. Now you and Stark must complete the job. I appear before you so that you may now get Incubus. Go. Use the password. It's quite simple. In fact, you've always had the power to get into the Lost Kids' WELL. It's something you could never forget. It's the place you always talk about returning to. There's no place like it--KANSAS. Deirdre, wait! I miss you! I need to talk with you about-- You don't need my help any longer, Chuck. I need yours. My only wish now is that I may live long enough to see Van Helsing's evil destroyed. Goodbye. Van Helsing wants you dead, Stark. And I'm just the one to do it. Shock Maraud sent us, Stark. You're a dead man. Madame Mescal, well-known dealer in pharmaceuticals, is waiting for her usual customers. In the market for a little medicine today, my boy? Then what are you doing here? What does this look like, a popsicle stand? Auntie Personnel is running a full-service weapons shop out of the trunk of her car. Lookin' for first-rate weapons today, mister? Then get lost. Loiterers are bad for business. Strongarm Tacktick is having a smoke, ready to deal in the latest cybergenetic enhancements on the black market. Liquid Nails told me I'd be seein' you around. I hear you're in the market for cybergenetic enhancements? I hear right? I guess I heard wrong then. Beat it, kid. I got customers. Vince's Weapons Emporium is open for business. I'm glad you're here to look at the goods, man. All top-of-the-line weaponry. You lookin' to deal? Then don't get near the merchandise. Dr. Steve Austin, known on the streets as an affordable, but not necessarily reputable cybergenetic surgeon, is in his cyberlab. You here to get a cybergenetic limb attached? Cut rates. Then get out. I got real customers coming in. I have so many questions. About Incubus. About-- A long-time acquaintance, actually more of a long-time annoyance, approaches you. Hey, Stark, how've you been? Haven't seen you in a while. We should really get together for that drink someday. Right, Dreg. As if you ever left the net. You're decked in round the clock. Hey, I'd take surfin' the matrix any day over dealin' with New York. I even met my girlfriend in here, Stark. We've never even had to meet out of the net. A cyber-romance on the edge. Yeah, I'm always one step ahead of the rest of you losers. Bet women are really impressed with that, Dreg. Of course, they can't smell their new boyfriend over the net. Or see that he has dandruff the size of cracker crumbs. Go ahead, Stark, make a fool of your jealous self. But I know what I'm doin'. So the girls never meet me. And maybe when they do, it doesn't always work out, but, hey, by then I've got a good chance of getting some virtual sex out of the deal. Unless you're too fat for the virtual suit. A data angel has an urgent message. You're Stark, aren't you? I've heard of you. Listen, take my advice, steer clear of Zeus. You DO NOT want to tangle with that guy. He's powerful, he has access to any information he wants. And I hear he's lookin' for you. Yeah, well, if you don't mind, I'll wait to meet him before I start getting intimidated. Well, you have reason to be, believe me. He's done damage in here that unprecedented. It's more than just phreaking with systems. He's actually into damaging angels in here, pulverizing their decking integrity. I mean, guys have found themselves broken up in the net just because Zeus didn't like their attitude. I'd stay out of his way if I were you. Don't say I didn't warn you. An angry guy, full of nervous energy, sits on the curb, looking as if he could really do some damage if he let loose. Well, what have we here? You've got those steely eyes, like a guy who decks for the Company, man. Yeah, right. I spend my days running from the Company. I'm no mainstream hack. You guys aren't the only ones on the edge, you know. Besides, who are you that I gotta prove myself to you? Relax, man. If you're such a big edge surfer, then why don't you do somethin' for the revolution instead of just running from it, man. And what revolution is that? If you're really wanted by TransTech, you'd want to put them in their place. Like us here. We believe the quest for information freedom can be achieved only by outright guerrilla tactics against the Company that owns it all, man, destruction of the megacorp machine we're all enslaved to. We gotta take it one step at a time, and I got a little task that needs doin'. Involves knocking off a big shot TransTech pig. We got ten grand to pay you for it. It probably ain't as much as you're used to. But you'd be doin' it for the cause. You into it? Then why don't you go back to the Brooklyn headquarters and get on your knees. You're probably used to makin' money that way. I told you I don't like the look of you and your TransTechie face. Hit the bricks. We need you to hit the security director, the king of the pigs, at the Brooklyn headquarters. The guy's a heartless bastard, instructing the whole pig army to track down the phreaks on his cybercrackdown list and kill them in cold blood. He deserves to die, but none of us can get away with it. We're all recognized on TransTech's security scanners with instructions to shoot on sight. Do this for us and you got ten grand comin'. Don't come around here again until the job is done, you got it? When that pig is dead, you get paid. We already heard you pulled the hit. Good work. Here's the ten grand. Got an extra bonus for you, too. If you want to get into TransTech Security's cyberspace WELL, the access code is TTHEAT. We break into their system when we need to. You might as well do the same. Thanks again, Stark. Heard it was a nice, clean hit. We got no other jobs, Stark. Put all our money into weapons lately. But people are still talking the job you pulled, Stark. You've always got friends here, Stark. See you in the matrix sometime. Luke, a long-time employee at the Abyss, has lent you a kind ear many a time over the years. Always ready with the latest word on the streets and the dirt on the clientele, he's happy to see you. Stark! How've you been? Been a while since I had to roll you outta here. Lot of the old crowd ask about you from time to time. Can't tell 'em what I don't know myself. You must be up to something big. You want the word on who's new? Don't I always? Well, Maranda Armanda and Leeza Five Eagles have really made a name for themselves. First rate fighters. Maranda's got that fearless look in her eye that I haven't seen in this place since you first came in here years ago, ready to take New York by storm. Leeza's an excellent shot. They've both doin' well pulling hits for whoever can afford their fee. They seem worth it. Now, this Bonton Himishaka guy is a dope-head. It's said that he's a pretty good fighter and a good decker, but I wouldn't trust him. One of these days, somebody's gonna find him dead from choking on his own vomit, but until that day, he does some good work. Plus, the guy's a good medicine man if you wanna mix your own stuff. Now Slash McLachlin is nothin' but a drunken bum. But you're not lookin' for a husband, right? You're lookin for mercs. Then he's your guy. I don't know how he does it, but I think the juice actually steadies him. He's a good marksman, pulled a few decking jobs for big bucks, too. Go figure. I noticed you already got Maranda on your side. Good move. She and Leeza Five Eagles have really made a name for themselves. First rate fighters. Maranda's got that fearless look in her eye that I haven't seen in this place since you first came in here years ago, ready to take New York by storm. Leeza's an excellent shot. They've both doin' well pulling hits for whoever can afford their fee. They seem worth it. I see you picked up Bonton. Yeah, he's a dope-head, but he's also a good fighter. One of these days, you're gonna find him dead from choking on his own vomit, but until that day, he's a good guy to have on your side. I see Slash signed up with you. You just got yourself a first-class drunk. But you're not lookin' for a husband, right? You're lookin for a hit man. And you got one of the best. I don't know how he does it, but I think the juice actually steadies him. Go figure. A scrawny little kid looks hungry, sad, and lonely. He can't be any more than twelve, yet he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Get outta here, mister. Nai Hilistick isn't gonna like you hangin' around here. What do you want with me, mister? My name's Stark. I think we can help each other out. I was friends with Deirdre Tackett, too. I've heard of you. But why should I trust you? You're not takin' me anywhere, if that's what you're getting at. Hey, listen. Tackett and I go way back. She saved my life, installed my neural implant. We were both being chased by TransTech. I've even been targeted by the Company for knowing her. There's a hit list of Tackett's associates and I'm on it. We worked together, and now I'm a wanted man because of it. Yeah? Prove it. I'll believe it when I see it. I said prove it. You don't have the TransTech list of Deirdre's associates. And I won't trust you until you do. You here to give me that TransTech list of Deirdre's associates? Then stay away from me. If you had that list on you, you'd let me see for myself, wouldn't you? O.K. You are on the list. And I have heard Deirdre talk about you sometimes. She ever tell you about me? I heard about the sacrifice the Lost Kids made. Well, I'm the only one left. I sure do miss all of them, and Deirdre too. I left Topeka with my mother and came to New York when I was eight. When my mom died a year later, I just roamed the streets. Deirdre saved me, gave me a home, taught me about the net. She did the same for the other kids--Sally, Lou, Pat, and Violet. Now they've all gone into the net to protect Incubus. I know. And I also know that Van Helsing's after it. She told you about Van Helsing, didn't she? Yeah. She wanted to make sure there was no way he could get Incubus. And no way he could get it out of me. She never wanted the other kids to take Incubus and deck into the net permanently. But after it was done, she said she might as well make it work. She fixed me to not tell. A neural microimplant. Now I can't remember the access code to the Lost Kids' WELL, even though I programmed it. These guys here have held me hostage here for so long, beat the crap outta me, and stuck me with truth syrums, but nothing works. Sounds like she did her job well. How do we get to Incubus then? I don't know. But, somehow, I think Deirdre planned for it to happen this way. All I know is, the last time I saw her, she was wearing something strange. A pendant. A big emerald that looked like a fake. Deirdre never wore stuff like that; that's why I think it means something. We've got to get our hands on it somehow. And we better get out of here fast before these guys beat me up again. It sure was good seein' you again, Stark. Don't be a stranger. And, Stark, do me a favor, huh? Take your usual fights outside this time? I don't want any trouble in here. Eleanor Salem, reporter for the Manhattan Post, is glad to see you. I thought I'd find you here eventually, Stark. I've been tracking your she-vampire friend in my spare time. I thought you'd like to see an early copy of my story in the Manhattan Post. Couldn't have done it if you hadn't done that job for me at the Hellfire Club. Called the story "Vampire Elite Bite the Big Apple in Style." Thought you'd get a kick out of it. My name's not mentioned, I hope. Hey, I keep my word. I got my story; you got to live, just like I promised. But it's kind of ironic, isn't it, Stark? I do a fluff piece on rich vampire phonies when my accessory to the story is the genuine article. But fluff is what the public wants to see. That's why I just got bumped up to associate editor. Well, I gotta go. Take it easy Stark. Watch your back. You never know who's lurking in the shadows in this city. See you around, Stark. A stylish young restaurant patron is chattering away to her friend. . . . and these vampires have supposedly infiltrated every facet of New York. They've been spotted at TransTech, city hall, uptown clubs (well, that goes without saying), you name it. I'm telling you there could be one walking among us as we speak . . . . . . and you won't find me walking the streets of New York at night anymore. These vampires are all around us, I'm telling you. I mean, people you would never suspect . . . . . . so they found this Yatchison guy ripped apart in an alley somewhere in Hell's Kitchen. Apparently, this incredibly wealthy guy worked for the Company had the audacity to challenge some big shot, so they knocked him off. I mean, they tore this guy open from stem to stern. And apparently somebody DINED on the guy 'cause his major organs were missing. Oh, sorry, you go ahead, finish your dinner. . . . now that's what I heard. You won't catch me walking New York at night anymore. A young woman is urgently discussing something with her friend across the table. . . . well I heard rumors about a program--Incubus--that could give you access to any system in the world. It's the ultimate icebreaker. I think it could potentially ruin the city. I mean, whoever has it is practically omnipotent, right? Can you imagine if it fell into the wrong hands? . . . and I even heard that the vampires you're talking about are somehow tied into this whole Incubus thing. I don't have all the details, but can you imagine what would happen if those vampires got hold of the ultimate icebreaker? I'm not planning on being out on the streets at night either, believe me. I thought New York was a dangerous city before . . . An arrogant little man dines alone at the restaurant. He looks at you condescendingly. She's been waiting for you, I noticed. The stunning woman over there. She your girlfriend? Well, you may be surprised to learn that you aren't the only gentleman caller. She's got another guy on the side, big guy. Saw one here earlier. Too bad. You thought you were the only one in her life, didn't you? Sad. Enjoy dining with your lady friend, dear boy. I'm sure there'll be plenty of others who will do the same after you're gone. Been dumped yet by the lady, dear boy? I wager it's only a matter of time. An arrogant waiter looks down his nose at you. Sorry, we don't have a table available for you, sir. We don't allow street trash in here. Get lost. I'm meeting someone here. I see her right over there. If you care to dine with the lady, I'll tell her you've arrived. Fifty dollars will get you to your table. Agreed, sir? Like I said, fifty will get you to your table. This is a first rate establishment, sir, and you clash with our ambiance. For the fifty, I'll overlook it. Now, do you wish to be seated? How sad. You won't get to your table until you do. Thank you, sir. Enjoy your dinner. And mind you keep your voice down in here. I trust everything is satisfactory, sir? An old man standing in an open grave is feebly attempting to join the others in dismembering the cemetery's bodies. Help! There's a vampire right here! I don't want to die! Ah, good. We need a strong young man like yourself to help out in our good work here. I'm not as strong as I used to be. Here, you can help me sever this head. Ah, no thanks. You know, it's guys like you that are letting the vampire horde take over this city. We've all got to do our part, and you're not pulling your weight. Who's to say these bodies aren't roaming the earth at night taking victims or that these poor souls aren't soon to be taken as vampires? Get out of my sight. It's apathy like yours that's the ruin of New York. Be gone. You better wise up, son. No one's immune to the vampire plague. A young vampire hunter is sharpening an ax. He seems very serious about his important task of unearthing graves and dismembering bodies. He doesn't seem to be very bright. Vampire devil! You won't have the chance to get me and my family! Yeah, what do you want? There's a lot of work to do here. And it's not like I like doing it, but it's gotta be done. There's a chance the recently dead are part of the vampire horde, rising from the grave at night and stalking the city. I gotta protect my family, you know. And a vampire that's not in one piece ain't gonna do much damage. So I'm takin' care of it. Who's getting buried here anyway? I thought this place was filled up centuries ago. Anyway, everybody gets cremated since there's no land left anymore. Yeah, well the rich have found a way. They keep digging up the old graves, cremating the remains, and using the earth for the new dead. They're going right to hell, I tell you. And what you're doing is that much better? Hey, I'm just a working man. I spend ten-hour workdays in the silicon sweatshops. I got no power, no money, no say in anything. I can at least protect my family from vampires. The family of this corpse should thank me, too. I'm saving their loved one from eternal damnation. You should protect yourself, too. Here. Take this stake. You may just have to use it to drive through the heart of a vampire. I ain't never really seen one myself, but I know they come up on you when you least expect it. Remember, keep your eyes open out there. This town is crawling with vampires. You can't be too careful out there. A young vampire hunter is taking his job of guarding the cemetery's unearthed graves very seriously. Hey, I'm on watch. I can't be disturbed. On watch for what? Have you been livin' in a cave? We got vampires runnin' all over New York. Some of these graves could very well house the undead. So I'm keepin' watch in case any come around tonight. You'd be smart to keep your eyes open too. Keep your eyes open. You can't be too careful in New York. Hey, good to see you again. I'm on guard tonight. Really can't be disturbed. Remember, keep your eyes open out there. This town is crawling with vampires. You can't be too careful these days. An large, sweaty woman with a worn face is standing in an open grave, furiously hacking with a large blade. She appears to be the leader of the group. The undead walk before us! Kill the hellspawn bastard! Yes, stranger? Come to lend a hand? There's lots of work to be done. Any reason why you're digging up graves and chopping up those bodies? Where have you been? We find a lot of vampires among the new dead in this cemetery. Vampires breed more vampires that way, don't you see? A vampire can't perform its evil unless its body is intact. And you can bet none of these are gonna walk the streets of New York tonight. Here, take this garlic. At least you can protect yourself. And spread the word--the vampire plague is upon us. It's every citizen for himself! We've got work to do. If you're not going to help, don't get in the way. A Bellevue Hospital doctor with a friendly face offers her services to you. Are you in need of medical help? Then I suggest you leave. I have patients waiting. A powerfully built woman sneers at you. She seems to be seething with hate. Hey, you ever work for the Company? I hate the Company. Yeah, maybe I worked for TransTech a long time ago. And maybe they ruined my life. That could explain why I spend my days doing what I can to stick it to the megacorp. Your story's no different from anyone else's in this city. You know, I found a way to channel that hate, got my hands on some Company hardware that really does some damage. You interested in a bio-weapon? Then you're going to find yourself the object of hate in this city. No one loves a company man. Back off, pig. Back off, pig, before I get really mad. Smart guy. It's called a wrath ray. What better way to arm ourselves against TransTech than with a weapon that's more powerful the more we hate them? I love it! You want one, you're gonna have to bring me what I need. I want a TransTech clearance, especially if it came from some security pig. The Company has all kinds of ways of identifying those guys, but I just need the clearance. I want in the Brooklyn headquarters without any hassles. You got one on you now you want to trade? Then come back when you have the clearance. I'll be waiting with the wrath ray. You here to give me a TransTech pig's clearance like we talked about? You just made a big mistake, boy. You lost your chance to get that wrath ray. And don't even think about trying to take it from me by force. That'd be your next big mistake. You made your mistake. Don't keep comin' back here lookin' for a second chance. Thanks. You just cleansed your soul of a TransTech career's worth of transgressions. Here's the wrath ray. God, I love this weapon. It's worn on the head. The electrodes channel what I call the abhorrneural waves directly into the laser. The madder you get, the harder you hit. When I really need power, I think about things like the pollution TransTech belches into my air, the nuclear waste they pump into my food, TransTech bank revoking my account card, their crooked cops, the pabulum the Star Chamber feeds us. I never run out of ammo. Hope you plan on using that wrath ray I gave you instead of just carrying the damn thing around, Stark. Nimrod, you got real nerve showing your face around here after you turned my friends over to the pigs. Get outta here before I get really mad. A young woman has a blank look on her face, as if she doesn't have much to do in life. Still, the drugs in her system make her nervous and talkative. You look like bloody hell. Strung out? You can't walk the streets like that, man. Hey . . . look at me. I know you! We met a couple of months ago at the Phreak Show Club. Remember? We partied. Hey, you said you were gonna call me! We were gonna meet and have a little private party of our own. What happened? Well, I haven't exactly been myself lately. Yeah, well, it's probably this lousy city. It's bad enough with the crowds, the crime, and the pollution that gags you, but now people are talkin' about vampires, man. It's enough to really bring you down. Hey, you're right. You don't look like yourself. You want a little help? I got something that can at least make you look better. Too bad. I could've helped you out. Why don't you just take off, Stark. Might as well leave me like you did before. See if I care. Yeah, well, a few pills, and I'm sure you'll forget about it in no time. What the hell's that supposed to mean? You think I'm a pill-head? That my life is empty? You ought to talk about having a life, Stark. You're probably a wanted man. Nobody looks that bad unless there's somebody after 'em. Just get lost, will you? I'm sure you won't be calling me. What's one more promise broken, right? Here you go. It's Instapigment. I buy all kinds of crazy colors for fun, cause I never did go for tattoos. This one's a good shade for you. Looks better than that pasty blue stuff you got on now. Go ahead. I can see you wanna get out of here. I'm sure you won't be calling me. What's one more promise broken, right? Nimrod, you pig! Whatta you here to turn us in for this time? I didn't do anything! I'm standin' here on a corner. That a crime now? Nobody's plotting against the Company, Nimrod, so get lost. A mysterious woman is sitting contentedly, smoking a hookah. She gracefully beckons you near. Peace, brother. Sit. Relax. Shall I tell you the tale that is told in cybercircles of late? Then be gone. The pleasure of my smoke lessens as you hover near me. May you find peace, brother. I will find it if I am left alone. There is talk of one who took others under her wing. A special group formed. When their work led them to a great and powerful secret, all were put in danger. It is rumored that, to protect the secret, the children went on the great journey, beyond the rainbow, into the dimension of cyberspace, so that they could safely guard their mentor's secret. To do so, they had to relinquish all existence in the physical world. How many were there? The story tells us that there were five. One was left behind purposely, to watch the others disappear into the net and destroy their remains. These children's love for this woman was so great that they would make the ultimate sacrifice for her. She had given them a home and a life. And the only gift they could give her was to leave her. And how truly sad I am for the one left behind. He waits for you, Stark. Go to him. He is no anarchist. He's just a boy. May you find peace, brother. There is one among you who knows this story all too well. The story of four who made the ultimate sacrifice, who went beyond the rainbow, into the dimension of cyberspace, to guard their mentor's secret. She had given them a home and a life. And the only gift they could give her was to leave her. But I am saddest of all for the one left behind, and I have often thought of him. He longs for his real home now that that part of his life is gone. But he must know this: often that longing can be a blessing. I believe that the thing he longs for will help you in your struggle. Peace. Nimrod, your presence disturbs my peace. You've brought much harm to many of my brothers and sisters. You're not wanted here. Sis Konfigg, an avid decker and an old friend of yours, smiles upon seeing you. Stark! How've you been? It's been a while. Looks like you've been surfin' the edge but got too close to the blade, my friend. You look like hell. You know, there's talk you got your hands on Incubus. I always knew you were a guy who had everything. This confirms it. Aw, c'mon. Seriously, I'd like to help out. I know you've got to finance this little endeavor of yours. I just hit the mother lode. Got the cyberspace address of the Bank of New York. Why shouldn't I let an old friend have the privilege of going in and giving himself a little advance now and again, right? But I do need one thing. I need a level four cloaking chip. I've been dangerously close to getting caught in the net lately. I'm on to something big. I don't want to lose it. Can we help each other out? Suit yourself. Could've made out pretty well for yourself with that bank code. Change your mind? Want the access code for the bank? Great. As soon as you get your hands on a level-four cloaking chip, the code's yours. Hey, I know we're friends, Stark, but in this biz, you gotta look out for yourself. Hey, Stark. You bring the cloaking chip? I got the bank code. This isn't like you, Stark. Giving your friends the runaround. Come back when you're ready to deal like the sharp guy you use to be. Thanks, Stark. I really needed that cloak with all the dangerous work I've been doing lately. Turns out, the bank address code is surprisingly simple: NYVAULT. The TransTechnicals Bank of New York will be glad to see you, I'm sure. Remember, Stark. Don't get greedy. You can still get burned. The more often you dip from the well, the greater your chances you're gonna get caught. Good luck. Stay low, Stark. Word is you're a wanted man. I'd hate to see you buy it after all the near-misses we've been through together. Nimrod, haven't you caught your quota of TransTech transgressors today yet? Take a walk. HoloGraham, an old friend, is glad to see you again. Stark! Good to see you again. We were just talking about you yesterday. Listen, you'd be wise to stay low. Word on the street is that you got someone big after you. Damn shame about what happened to you. I'd talk to Sis Konfigg if I were you. She may be able to help you out. Why don't you work out a deal with Sis Konfigg first? Then we can talk, old pal. Hey, Stark. I heard about what you did for Sis Konfigg. It's good to have the group running like a machine again, isn't it? Friends helping out friends. Let me do what I can, too. I know Sis gave you the bank cyberaddress. I take it you know enough to use the Safecracker program to get in, old pal. Just remember this: be cool about it. I discovered that once you get into the six figures, you're asking to get busted. Close to 200 grand is trouble. Thanks a lot, man. No problem. What are old friends for besides helping you rip off the Company? Hope this all turns out all right for you, Stark. Nimrod, if you're looking for someone stupid to open his mouth in front of you, you're not going to find him here. A bully of a man looks like the kind of guy who'd kick a puppy. What are you here lookin for? Work? Drugs? There's nothing here for you. We got things to do. A revolution to plan. Plus, I gotta worry about keeping this little runt alive. He's always whinin'. "I'm hungry." "I miss my friends." "Please don't hurt me." Really gets on your nerves, y'know? If it's such a drag, why don't you just dump him on a government agency? Someone'll take him. Cause he's more than just an ordinary kid. He's valuable to us. Can't tell you why. Only thing is, I haven't been able to beat the info. out of him yet. But I got plans for him tonight. He'll be talking soon enough. Hey, I told you to get outta my face. Chuck, you little bastard! Leaving me after all I did for you. You promised me when you could remember, you'd tell me first. It's for the revolution. For the people! That's bullshit! You never did nothin' for me but beat me to a pulp! Then go ahead. This guy probably won't even be able to keep you alive. He won't be able to get the code out of you either. If I can't beat it out of you, no one can. You ain't gonna live too long in this town without me, kid. Take that kid and get the hell outta here, will you? Garrick, you two-timing bastard! We paid you! Barely. I got more important things to do than watch you kick around that poor kid anyway. What are you, his mother? You're breakin' my heart here. If you think you're gonna get away with stiffin' us, Fizz, guess again. We paid you to get us access codes to TransTech security. You're gonna get us those codes. One way or another. Get lost, all of you. Chuck, Garrick, all of you losers. Outta my sight. And what about your other promise, Stark? WHAT ABOUT THE FAREWELL DRUGS? A skinny young girl looks bored, tired, and generally annoyed. What? What is it ? What is your problem, man? Hey, back off. I'm only passing through. Yeah? Well, I don't like the look on your face. You look all pompous and full of yourself. Like Sid here when he first came to us. He looked like Mr. Junior TransTech Executive. Pitiful, really. But he loosened up. You should do the same thing, man. Lighten up. Life ain't that serious. Listen, will you get outta my face? You make me nervous. Go play with your decking unit or something. Sid, you sell out! What are you doin' with this company man? You gonna sell us out, too, huh? Gonna go back to your old tight-ass friends with their stockholdings and TransTech promotions, huh? Shut up, will you, Nance? You know I can only take my brother for so long. Maybe I can get a couple of grand off of him while I'm there and bring it back. Will that make you happy? Yeah, right. Like you're comin' back. I'm not stupid, Sid. Piss off, both of you. Don't do me any favors by granting me these return visits, will you. Piss off. A young punk studies you. Hey. You lookin' for somebody? It ain't me. You're probably right. If you're smart, you'll stay away from Nancy here. She'll talk your ear off. Makes my life a living hell. Hey, I'm just somebody's old man, dude. You want chatter, see the expert over here. Hey, I saw you talking to Nancy. What're you gonna use that stuff on? What's it to you? I'm just asking. Cause if you're using it to hide from someone, you must be into something pretty serious. And if you're wanted by TransTech you must be a decker. I've been wanting to get my hands on a decking unit. Just wanna get in and go for the ride. Never done it before. I only need the basic model, the Praxis 2300XC. I could pay you five grand for one. Into it? Then why are you here? Piss off. You're makin' the group look bad. Man, quit wastin' my time, will you? Great. I'll be here. Hey, man, come back when you got one of those Praxis 2300XCs. Then we'll talk. You gonna give me the decking unit we talked about? Man, quit messin' with my head and wastin' my time, will you? I've had it with you, man. Take it somewhere else. Here's your five grand. If this decking thing is as edge as I've heard, I may never come out. Thanks, man. I knew this decking thing was gonna be cool, man. Thanks for helping me out. If you got one on you right now, I'll buy it from you right now. Selling? Nimrod, you bastard! No one wants to see your ugly mug around here. Piss off! A young woman looks you over with intelligent eyes. Which side are you on, stranger? You're either in the net or out of the net, know what I mean? If you're asking if I ever rode the matrix with TransTech breathin' down my neck, then I'm on your side. Ah, a real phreak. Then maybe you can help me. Ever get your hands on any top level soul boxes? I've been looking for one. If you're interested, I've got an offer. You get me the soul box so that I can ride the dragon, and I'll give you a phreaky way to get rid of TransTech pigs. Deal? Some phreak. What are you, a TransTechie or what? Afraid to raise a little hell? You want to deal now? A dragon soul box for a slick security-busting device? Great. I've got a powerful sleeping gas that will knock out a room full of people. Could come in handy for a guy like you. Bring me the soul box. Did you bring the dragon soul box to trade? Then come back when you're looking for more than company. What are you doing? You don't even have the thing. Hey, I've had just about enough of you, loser. Thanks. Here's the sleeping gas I told you about. It's strong enough to knock out a whole room for quite a while, but be smart about using it. It's only good for a few times. I'd use it only when I couldn't use something else. Stay on the edge, Stark. What the hell are doing with this guy? He's Purity Council. A TransTech narc. Why don't you both get outta here before you get hurt? Garrick, what the hell are you doing with this guy? We hired you to do a job. C'mon. You only paid me half up front. I gotta help out an old friend. Hey, you'll get over it. You have one on you now you can trade? Hey, you're O.K., mister. Enjoy the festivities, darling. Save some of the refreshments for the rest of us! Get out! You're poisoning the air I breathe! Get outta here! Well, maybe you'll change your mind. I'm always here to serve you, Master. Let me know when you need me. Ready for my help, Master? Get lost, Stark. You're obviously not used to working with the pros. Garrick, it's good to see you're still breathing. When you freelance for gangers, I'm never sure whether or not you're gonna come home in a body bag. This job may not be much safer, but at least we know who our friends are, right? And I know you'd rather be associated with Stark anyday-- living, dead, or undead. Bad karma. Bad karma. I sense an evil in you. Bad karma. You want help, don't you? The evil spirit is too strong for someone, am I right? Perhaps you wish to deceive? I can't rid you of the evil, but I can stifle it. To do so, I must have a material object belonging to whoever is having the evil signal channeled through him. Lay this possession near my physical form, and I can help you. Now, I have others who need me. Bless you, Mr. Dougan, for what you have done for St. Pat's. I see that things are looking better for you here, but your greater reward will be in heaven, my son. I got film of the guy in action. It appears that you are casting a reflection in the mirror, when you've actually projected an image with the camera. Lookin' for me? Maybe. I thought I could find someone like you in a place like this. My lucky day. The name's Ransom Stark. I know. I've heard of you. Looks like clients aren't exactly beating down your door, Stark. I'm here to make you an offer. Pays fifty grand. Interested? For fifty grand? There isn't much I wouldn't do for fifty grand. I'm not interested in your personal life, Stark. What I want is some business taken care of. A man named Clayton McCrae with the TransTech CyberEye Bureau is making my life very difficult. My father and I have indulged in a few business practices that conflict with the Company's policies and aren't going to sit well with the Judgment Committee. I want the records of them wiped off the disks, or McCrae convinced that I'm not worth investigating--ever. I don't care how you do it. Just do it, and you'll get paid. Agreed? Are you part of the deal? Just do what you're hired to do, Stark. You'll get your money. Then we'll talk. Where do I find you? Uptown at 666 W. 125th St. The penthouse. I'll be waiting. I'm here for my fifty grand. You work fast. Not too fast. I get the job done. Now I'm here to collect. Relax. You'll get what's coming to you. That's what I'm counting on. You've got a real attitude, Stark. Too bad we hadn't met under different circumstances. I'm not usually one to go for low-rent mercenary types. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Besides, you're not exactly standard issue. What's your story anyway? You come out of nowhere, with the most unusual, captivating looks I've ever seen on any woman, then offer me a fortune for a job I could do in my sleep. I couldn't wait to get up here to see you again. You're like no woman I've ever met. I'm not sure I like what you're doing to me. Don't knock it until you've tried it, Stark. Come here. You read my mind. Speaking of mind, what is this . . . thing sticking out of the back of your head? You have a neural implant, Stark? Yeah. A woman pulled me out of the gutter and saved my life with that thing. Another woman, Stark? I'm almost jealous. She was a friend. A good friend. I haven't even talked to Tackett in years. Heard she was somewhere in the Greenwich Village warrens. I should look her up. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her. How true. But let's forget about her. One woman saved you, Stark, and now one's going to damn you. My way's a lot more fun. Talk to me, Stark. I want to know everything about you . . . . Van Helsing's heart, connected to a life support system, beats independently of any body. Dr. Jonathan Harker, unwilling aide to Van Helsing, cowers in the corner. Please! Don't hurt me! I can help you! You need me to tell you how to rid yourself of the vampire curse. But you'll have to keep me alive and eliminate Van Helsing by destroying that heart. Kill him and I can help you, I promise. You killed him! You did it! Do you know how long I've waited to be free of him? Now it's my turn to help you. You must go into cyberspace immediately to exorcise the vampire curse. You'll be able to deck safely from here. No one ever enters this room except those beasts you killed and me, to monitor that heart. You'll need a priest to exorcise the vampiric evil from you. You'll also need the ultimate icebreaker, the only way to eliminate the evil from your data angel. Come back when you are prepared, and I'll give you the code to a safe place in the net where the exorcism can take place. I'm glad you're back. Your time is running out. I know you have Incubus. You cannot combat this evil without it. But you must also have a priest with you to perform the exorcism. Without a priest, you will remain a vampire. I see you have a priest with you. You wouldn't be able to exorcise the vampiric evil from your soul without her. But to perform the exorcism in the net, you must have the ultimate icebreaker. Without it, you cannot eliminate every trace of the evil from your data angel. You have the power to end this evil. I have spent most of my years guarding access to one of the deepest levels of cyberspace. I now have the freedom to give you the address. Go there to have this vampiric evil purged from your soul. The access code I was instructed to program is a simple one--ELIZABETH. Thank you. You've made it possible for me to end this nightmare. I've been enslaved to the vampire lord longer than I care to remember, as were my ancestors before me. I've dreamed of being a free man. That's why I'm helping you now. Now only you can do what has to be done. God be with you. Good luck. You'll need it. This amphetamine gives the user the feeling of immense strength. This amphetamine gives many the feeling of invincibility, often causing recklessness. This narcotic increases alertness and sensitivity to stimuli, giving many users the feeling of hawk-like senses. A combination fast-acting antibiotic, anesthetic, and amphetamine that increases health recovery rate. This is not a narcotic and has no detrimental effects. This drug causes tunnel vision and keeps the mind intensely focused. A psychedelic delivered by the ingestion of hallucinogen-laced flower blossoms. A smart drug that increases intelligence by "waking up" the brain, improving concentration, attention, memory retention, and recall. This device increases one's injury recovery rate. When used topically, it delivers a powerful analgesic directly to the injured area. The miracle drug that is the catalyst behind many of 2094's smart drugs. A drug component of red lifters. A drug component of hero makers. A drug component of hero makers. A drug component of breathers. A first-aid drug component. A drug component of one-tracks and the flexi-cast. An automatic .44 caliber pistol. Requires two hands to fire. This firearm requires 9mm cartridges to fire. An automatic assault rifle that requires 9mm cartridges to fire. This rifle fires concussion bursts. This powerful firearm requires shotgun shells to fire. This firearm fires a dart attached to a wire into a target and sends current along the wire, immobilizing the target. This high-tech weapon emits a powerful blast of sonic energy. This high-tech weapon fires deadly blasts of flame. This high-tech weapon is an effective energy weapon against cybernetic limbs. It is harmless to flesh. This high-tech weapon fires a concentrated electromagnetic burst at a target, destroying any electronic circuitry it strikes. This high-tech weapon projects a laser beam to deliver nanomachines into a target's bloodstream. The nanomachines are designed to sever capillaries, causing internal bleeding. Lethal if enough strikes are made. This high-tech weapon projects a laser beam to deliver nanomachines into a target's bloodstream. The nanoblast consists of three nanocharges and a detonator, programmed to link up within a target organism and explode. Requires four hits to be lethal. This high-tech weapon requires only one free hand to fire. Power cells required. This high-tech weapon requires two hands and a power cell to fire a powerful laser blast. This weapon used by the Red Crosse Knights requires less effort to use than a traditional stake when piercing a vampire's heart. It must be spiritually bound to the bearer by a Red Crosse mystic to be effective. This soulblade bears Sir Sebastian's holy blessing. It is bound to the bearer and can pierce a vampire's heart with greater ease than a traditional stake. Requires significant strength and melee skills to pierce a vampire's heart. Must also be targeted directly on the torso to have a chance of killing a vampire. A truncheon weapon with an electric current running through its metal end. Blessed water that, when used as a melee weapon, causes vampires who are struck by it to retreat. Upon detonation of this grenade, a flurry of superconducting filament is released, transmitting a powerful electric current. This grenade emits a potent electromagnetic pulse that disrupts the function of any electronic circuitry within range. This grenade produces intense light bursts that can blind an opponent for several rounds of combat. More harmful to vampires than to humans. Emits a net woven from durable synthetic fibers. This bio-weapon draws upon the energy generated by human ideational activity. The more intelligent the user, the more effective the weapon. This bio-weapon draws upon the energy created by human anger as measured by the will skill. The higher the will skill, the more effective the weapon. This bio-weapon establishes an interface between user and target, siphoning off the life energy of the less vital character, as measured by the endurance skill. This bio-weapon draws upon the energy generated by the neural energies produced during physical activity. Effectiveness of this weapon is linked to the agility skill. A component of the machine pistol. A component of the machine pistol. A component of the sinusoidal pulse gun. A component of the sinusoidal pulse gun. These plans are needed to jury-rig the sinusoidal pulse gun. A bio-weapon component. A component of the wrath ray. These plans are needed to jury-rig the wrath ray bio-weapon. A component of the flame-thrower. A component of the flame-thrower. A component of the flame-thrower. A component of the flame-thrower. Ammo for the machine pistol. Ammo for the 9mm pistol. delete Ammo for the assault rifle. Ammo for the riot stopper stun rifle. Ammo for the sawed-off shotgun. The nanomachines that are delivered by the nanoblast weapon, each consisting of three nanocharges and a detonator, programmed to link up within a target organism and explode. A vest that protects the wearer's torso from all firearms except the riot stopper and all melee weapons except holy water. A jacket that protects the wearer's torso and arms from all firearms except the riot stopper and all melee weapons except holy water. Pants that protect the wearer's lower body from all firearms except the riot stopper and all melee weapons except holy water. A helmet that protects the wearer's head from all firearms except the riot stopper and all melee weapons except holy water. One of the five pieces of Charley Flyer's mind, broken up in the net. One of the five pieces of Charley Flyer's mind, broken up in the net. One of the five pieces of Charley Flyer's mind, broken up in the net. One of the five pieces of Charley Flyer's mind, broken up in the net. One of the five pieces of Charley Flyer's mind, broken up in the net. Elvis, the virus you met in cyberspace, has been downloaded into your decking unit and awaits transfer into a host body. This cast conforms to the injured area, forming a strong support while delivering medication. A component of house calls and nightingales. A kit containing medicine and first-aid supplies. Characters in the party experience healing when this is used. A kit containing the apparatuses necessary to create smart drugs from components. A preventive drug to be taken prior to combat, making one's blood toxic to vampires. A symbol of Christianity. The higher the bearer's faith, the more effective a cross is in warding away vampires during combat. A pungent herb rumored to have powers in warding off vampires. The sarcophagus of Pharaoh Thutmose III, a treasure of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The expensive and carefully guarded cable manufactured by TransTech and used at the Company's discretion in linking approved computer systems to the network. A camera that allows the user to film and project holographic images. Features include a self-timer. A cosmetic that applies instantly to the face from the pressurized cartridge and gives total coverage to the skin. Available in a spectrum of colors, in addition to this dose's neutral flesh tone. This device can quickly program an access sequence, opening an electronic lock. The treasured rosary beads of Sir Sebastian, the Red Crosse Knight's mystic. Notional Labs scientist Noelle Conway's essence chip, a backup file of her cyberspace identity made by TransTech. Deirdre Tackett's essence chip, a backup file of her cyberspace identity made by TransTech during her days with the Company. A virus program can be inserted into this tiny plastic device, then delivered to an electronic system, destroying its functions. Code that can be downloaded into a decker's consciousness, enhancing the decker's leadership skill when the code is activated by the Morph Spawner program. Code that can be downloaded into a decker's consciousness, enhancing the decker's courage when the code is activated by the Morph Spawner program. Code that can be downloaded into a decker's consciousness, enhancing the decker's observation skill when the code is activated by the Morph Spawner program. Code that can be downloaded into a decker's consciousness, enhancing the decker's intelligence when the code is activated by the Morph Spawner program. A cybergenetic arm. A cybergenetic arm. A component of the EMP focalizer and sinusoidal pulse gun. These tools are necessary for assembling and disassembling components of weapons and other objects. The design to Deirdre Tackett's groundbreaking neural implant that remedies Hopkins-Brie Syndrome. The unattached head of a cyborg, containing memory and AI chips, as well as a neural system center, all inactivated. A cyborg torso and limbs, complete with all physical functions, programmed, but not activated. The circuitry and power unit to activate a cyborg form. A component of electronic lock picks. is this cut? An activated, fully-functioning cyborg. Soil, a rarity in New York. Manhattan Post lead story, CyberLife Section: "Vampire Elite Bite the Big Apple in Style" by Eleanor Salem: When it's all been done before, where's a Manhattan socialite to go but the dark side? Undercover, I discovered just that in New York's most exclusive circle. The Club (which shall remain unnamed) has made merry out of the macabre. These days, the lifestyle of the undead is to die for. Violent vampires may be roaming the city streets, but others are climbing New York's social ladder with a bottle of Dom in one hand and a bottle of AB negative in the other. (Continued on page C7.) 10 Most Wanted for Cybercrimes against TransTechnicals: Deirdre Tackett, Hakim Maghsoudi, Garrick Fizz, Ransom Stark, Lenora Major, Sis Konfigg, Lazlo Greene, Charley Flyer, the cyberidentities "Zeus" and "Elvis". A coffin properly prepared to provide healing rest for a vampire. Holographic film of Ransom Stark, standing still and facing the holocam. Holographic film of Walter McCalaster, TransTech executive, engaged in questionable acts with a woman who is obviously not his wife. When a decker has downloaded the intelligence, courage, observation, or leadership codes, this program activates the codes, enhancing the decker's corresponding skills. A drug bomb that will render a room's occupants unconscious for several hours. Known associates of former TransTechnicals employee Deirdre Tackett, Ph.D., subversive and cybercriminal: Ludwig Sampson, Ph.D., former TransTech colleague; Ransom Stark, victim of Tackett's neural experimentation, may be mind-controlled and dangerous. Tackett has taken in five orphans, harmless, with the exception of the eldest girl--skilled programmer, may have observed Tackett's code. A pendant belonging to Deirdre Tackett. The jewel and setting seem gaudy and hollow. The hollow casing of Deirdre Tackett's emerald pendant. The chip found inside Deirdre Tackett's emerald pendant. "We knew you would look for us here, Deirdre. We took Incubus and hid it with us deep in the net. No one can find us but you and the one we left behind. Don't worry about us. We wanted to make sure they wouldn't get Incubus. You always said, if they did, the world would never be the same. We'll miss you! Sally, Lou, Pat, and Violet." An invitation to New York's most exclusive, secret organization, the Hellfire Club. Step over here, stranger. Stand in front of this mirror. I want to see whether you cast a reflection. You don't look like a normal man, and I'm not about to let some vampire demon get near all the sacred weapons that are stored here. I see you already have a stake to pierce their Godless hearts. But a warrior can never be too prepared to battle Satan, right? Here, have another. I pulled that one out of some she-beast I cornered in the old Helmsley hotel. Guess she thought she'd get to spend eternity in that old condemned joint, but I had other plans for her. I paid Fizz to do a job. Nobody gets away with rippin' me off. Nobody. Stark, what are you doin' here? You dumped me, man, threw me away like the old junk I find in dumpsters all over this city. Now you come back again? I guess you found out just how much I come in handy, that it? Then quit bothering me. I have real friends here that I'd rather be talking to. Change your mind? You want me back, Stark? O.K., but you really let me down last time when you threw me away like garbage. Don't take it personally, kid. That's life in the big city. You ought to know about that. How about showin' me a little respect this time, Stark? I'm valuable and you know it. Let's go. Yeah, man, what do you want? Hey, little guy, relax. Just wanna see what you're up to. I ain't no little guy. I've grown up since the last time you saw me. That's what I hear. Lucky guy. Listen, what happened between me and Zarah is none of your business. Yeah, well Zarah isn't one to keep secrets. She told you everything? All of it? How much could she tell? I mean how long does it take to recount a three minute experience? You here for a reason, Stark, or just to insult me? 'Cause I got better things to do. Did you realize yet how valuable I was to you? Bet you're here to ask me to work for you again, that it? Dodger is back in Central Park again, scrounging with the rest of his old friends. A mask that protects the wearer from inhaling poisonous gases. A cybergenetic leg. A cybergenetic leg. Now I remember why I like you so much, Stark. Your charm. I was gonna make good on that money I owe you, too, but now I'm having second thoughts. You telling me you have the money? Well, no. I don't have the money, but I got something better, a self-replicating virus for crashing cyborg systems. Load it into a data spider, latch it onto any of the Company's drones and stand back. I'm loading it into your deck now. I'd rather have the cash, but I guess that's better than nothing. Something like that could come in handy, considering what I'm up against these days. Thanks, Dreg. You may be worth your weight in fiber optic cable after all. Hello again, young man. Back for old Monty's invitation to the Hellfire Club? If you do belong to the Hellfire Club, my good man, then what on earth are you doing here? Are you sure you're a member? I take it you've had time to realize just how valuable old friends are? You here to ask for my help, Stark? C:\ ARE YOU SURE? (Y/N) Y STARK.EXE STARK.MEMORY STARK. INTLGNCE STARK.IMAGNTN STARK.PRSNLITY STARK.PHYSICAL STARK.MENTAL STARK.LNGUAGE STARK.ETHNIC STARK.HABITS STARK.EGO STARK.SEX C:\ ALL FILES COPIED A cyborg torso, ready for the compatible cyberattachments: 2 Sheehy G legs, 2 Ude Utsukushii 66 arms, and a cyborg head. Once a consciouness is downloaded, the cyborg can be activated by a spark board. A device capable of jamming a range of multimedia signal transmissions at their source or at their destination. A holographic film cassette. These guys tracked me down after you dumped me, Stark. You gotta get me outta here. We have to find Deirdre and time's running out. You gonna take me with you? Hey, Stark, without me, you aren't gonna get anywhere. I wouldn't keep kicking me around like this if I were you. Then let's get going. Deirdre's waiting for us. Hold it right there! TransTech Security! We have orders to shoot on sight! 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