[IP] Panzerknacker Options

[Jack_Spade]

"That of course depends entirely on what you define as innocence. I am talking about the state of not-knowing and therefore not being able to comprehend the consequences of your actions. It's the reason why a child can be cruel to a fly by ripping out it's wings and still be an innocent. Can you presume that those people would have worked for a violent blood mage if they had known what he was capable off?
The news spoke of a team of local security providers, so likely people who were send by their superiors to work for whoever those deemed to be the right customer. There is little choice if your and your family's livelyhood depends on you keeping your job - especially if you don't have priviledged information like you do now.
True, all our actions have consequences and having incomplete information necessitates a certain guesswork on our part as to which action will be most beneficial and which will do more harm than the other.
Which brings me back to my prior question: With the information that Slobber has now and the experience he has gained: Which path will lead to the most good for the most people with the highest degree of certainty?

And to address your last point: There you are utterly and unquestionally wrong: My parents adopted him into our family. Genetics have very little to do with how much parents and children actually love and care for each other."
Kazuya replied, putting some extra emphasis on the last part.

[Volker]

"Genetics do matter. There's a lot of scientific evidence in this regard. Anyway.
That's the typical hyprocritic answer of some storybook hero who hangs virtues around his neck like medals, to show off to anyone who wants to see it. Do you not eat stuff that was farmed in South America and Africa, on land taken from those tried to make a living, starving them out? Do you not wear clothing crafted in child labour? You tread on children and foreigners without even acknowledging that they are the dirt upon which you walk and then lecture me that we shouldn't provoke a mind-broken blood mage into killing his own people because we try and destroy the very device with which he means to bring an end to the world. Are you completely nuts?
Also, I doubt that Wolf would want his adepts to follow the utilitarian way. Wolf is a fighter, not an ethics philosopher. He wants his followers to fight for what they believe in, side by side with their pack. They don't calculate whether or not it would not create more good to let the megacorps just rape as and deal with it. They bite as long as they have teeth."

[SquirrelDude]

Slob had enjoyed the conversation with a grin, but it disappeared when he heard bnc's accusations.

"bnc, I'll only ask this of you once once. Don't tell me how much I can love my family ever again."

[Jack_Spade]

"I refute that assertion, but I won't ask about your own parents. Just be honest to yourself and think about if this team is more of a family to you then those related by blood to you.
As to all that crap about child labor: I never said anything about absolutes, but about choices between better options. Your argument is a fallacy and you know it.
As for your interpretation of wolf: Neither you nor I were chosen by that totem, but Slobber and he chose each other. Presuming you know what his patron asks of him is just slightly... presumptious.
That said: What you describe is not what I know about wolves. What you describe is rabbies, a perverted form like War or Tohuwabohu. Always fighting, killing. When one battle is done already searching for the next.
The wolves that I know don't back down from a fight but they aren't seeking them out. Because wolves too want to survive. If you are looking for a holy crusader... well I actually don't know where you might find someone like that. Maybe ask around at a Humanis polyclub. I hear those will continue to bite until you knock out their teeths..."
Kazuya replied with infuriating calm - showing that he indeed wasn't genetically related to Slobber.

[Volker]

bnc, too, changed at some point. Until Kazuya compared her attitude to those of the Humanis, she remained calm, nodded to Slobbertooth apologetically, a short but heart-felt recognition that she had brushed a touchy subject. But then bnc stood, furiously, ready to throw a glass any second.
Then she composes herself, steadying her with both hands at the table - the drinks are finally hitting in. She throws back her head and breathes once, twice, before sitting back down.

"Well, I do. Maybe it was a mistake to become a shadowrunner after all. I guess, that's what you get when you come to country where everyone's the ancestor of those who claimed the land by use of force from those who invited them in. What culture can grow on such a country than one of egoism?
I'll get myself... oh, I still have a drink."

bnc takes a sip from her Sex on the Beach, then continues, whether or not Kazuya responded anything (wasted as she is, she probably doesn't even notice).

"Yes, I guess, it is presumptious. And that's why I'm doing it. Presumptious means, you're talking of something where others think they should know and you know. Galileo and Kopernikus had been called presumptuous, or Martin Luther, or those who started the French Revolution. Yeah, I haven't ever talked to Wolf but that doesn't mean I can't have an opinion, or that my opinion is actually flawed. But I see, I'm wasting my time. This is not an exchange of arguments but of blows."

[Jack_Spade]

"Spoken like someone who is losing an argument. To quote one of Slobber's heroes: Opinions are like assholes: Everyone's got one. What counts is what you do - for yourself and for others. And You, girl, are an abuser. You abuse yourself and others. You don't seem to hold any regard for the happiness of others. Seeing the kind of drunk you are, likely not even for your own happiness.

Anyway, it was nice talking with you all. I think I'll take Zelda with me now. You'll probably want to freshen up before you fly. Take care."

Kazuya bowed slightly at the assembled team and hugged Slobber, whispering in his ear "Come back safe and whole - and don't mind me: Do what's best for you and your conscience."

[SquirrelDude]

Returned the hug with a smile. "You take care, too. I expect some of mom's daifuku when I get back."

[Volker]

"Ironic to hear this line from one who compared fighting for what's left worth fighting for it to the brutal assaulters of the very people who robbed your brother from his family in the first place. I helped revealing the truth about corrupt politicians when I was still a teenager. I was the only one who didn't back off when we found the Horror Beacon, and I destroyed it. I killed a bloodmage and never a single innocent. I saved lives, instead. What can you say of yourself?

You are a coward, Kazuya, who is afraid to show his 'asshole' because he might get judged for it. You judge and insult others on the basis of a five minutes talk, use killer phrases and unfitting analogies in discussions when you see that you run out of arguments and then pat yourself on the shoulder and try to stamp a big L on the other by using trivial platitudes. People like you are why things never change."

She glares at Kazuya, but forces herself to nod goodbye anyway, then turns to the ork.

"You should probably go, too, Slobbertooth."

[SquirrelDude]

"Sorry hun, but you're my ride back, and I'm yours. You're all stuck with me until land far away from here."

[Volker]

"Krestov's with me. And I guess you can take care of yourself."

[SquirrelDude]

"There's just one van, bnc. Besides, we need to get Anna. Can't stay here, and we can't put faith in the locally available transportation to get to the terminal on time."

Nontheless, Slobbertooth still moved to get up. "But, I do need to let Zelda know I'll see her later before she's with K for a few months. When that's done, we should finish our drinks and get back to make sure we've packed everything up, and figured what nova-hot gear we're taking with us and what we leave behind."

[Volker]

"Yeah sure, and our van doesn't have an autopilot system to come back here on its own. Slob, I'm a rigger, I believe I could manage to bring the car back here. But you're right, we'll leave soon. Now go to your brother."

bnc sits on her stool, contemplating for half a minute. Then she shoves away her almost untouched cocktail, strides over to the bar and orders a half-litre of soda water. She seeks out the man over whose head she spilled the beer, and sends him a message (hacking his commlink to unlock possible blocking settings).
<@Frank <sry abt earlier the beer thing i really want to apologize may i buy u a drink or sthg>>

[SquirrelDude]

You'd be a hell of a Rigger if you could get autopilot to work in Redmond

Slobber went out and said his temporary farewells to Zelda with some words and a hug. After Kazuya had departed, he took a look around before going back inside to herd the rest of the team. Coming to Redmond as a way to relax was strange enough, it was stranger to know that he wasn't going to come back to stay.

He pulled out his comm and sent a message to Anna. >@Yael> Sorry to cut a visit short, but we're about to head out, and you know better than to trust the local transport to get you to the terminal in one piece and on time>>.

Then he began looking at travel prices for a trip from Germany through Switzerland and then to Marseille as he returned inside to check on bnc and Krestov.

[Jack_Spade]

Frank replied: <<How the hell did you get my number? Anyway, ok, I accept your apology. I'm sorry I implied you were a prostitute.>>
bnc had no trouble to run a trace on the cheap link - it's owner was in the men's room, likely trying to get the cheap beer out of his sweater.

[Gilga]

blip... blip... blip... blip... blip... Yael felt the notifications pile up. "So quickly... Dammit, I don't even get to say goodbye."
She quietly left the bed, allowing her staying at home to feel as if it was a dream, took her things and left. She did not leave a note or an explanation. "I'll be back, someday... somehow." She promised herself.

>> Go *here* I'll be the pissed off yawning girl that looks like a raccoon. Hard to miss me.

[Volker]

The next couple hours bnc spends trying to get sober or at least clearer (yes, her way of doing that is consuming water, traces of mdma and a caffeine injection) and packing or repacking the stuff she needs for Europe. She pointedly avoids thinking about Kerstin, or Slon, or Krestov... She basically avoids thinking as good as she can.

Finally, she's ready to go, though she doesn't look any better than Yael.

[Jack_Spade]

The drive to the airport went by without incident. The team's rover found it's way into the longterm garage by itself and as promised, Mike waited for them at the freight section where the team was able to stash their more sensitive gear in a S-K diplomat box.
"Greetings from the boss. He woke up half an hour ago and feels like hell. Still, he is happy to be alive. He won't make this flight, but comes to Europe as soon as his condition permits.
Now, enough talk about hurt and feelings. You want your money. Here."
The old Ork gave each of the team an ebony certified cred stick.
"My fence was ready and waiting to get this stuff out of the country. We lost a bit to that freeze bomb, but the boss made up the difference with our remaining expense account. 800k for all survivors. Flatline declined his share in favor of a donation to his clinic. Poor guy, I hope he seeks some help.
Now the second part. Here are your new SINs, courtesy of S-K. You aren't corporate citizens, but you have some browny points with them. Try not to squander them.

So, any more questions? I've got to get back to the boss."

[Volker]

bnc checks the credstick, then nods satisfiedly, and stuffs it away.
"No, I'm good.
Yes, there's one thing. You've been awesome, Mike. Will you give me a hug before we leave?"
She cracks a weary smile and engages into a warm embrace, bevor she pats him on the shoulder, holds his gaze for another second, then turns.

Once she's got a bit of time, she begins studying her new identity in detail.

[ Spoiler ]

Some infos about her new SIN would be appreciated.

[Jack_Spade]

[ Spoiler ]

I'll leave it to you to decide what the new identity contains. Schmitt used the biometric data he got from you on your first run and has added everything he knows about you in the form of legitimate skills (i.e. rifle skills are explained with military service and complemented with the correct licenses)

[SquirrelDude]

"Will we be landing at a transit terminal? I'm not planning on staying in Germany."

[Gilga]

Yael frowned "Man was uncomfortable in his own skill even before this incident." While initially she mainly enjoyed tormenting the mage, she now felt compassionate about him, but could not possibly grasp how it felt to be forced to murder someone... and for a physician. To Mike, she said "Thank you, Mike. You make everything seems simple... Bossman is alright, thank him for giving me a chance.

To herself, she thought "I must be stronger than him, as strong as Zola... minus the psychopathic murdering part... I'll find my own path, but nobody is going to use me like that. She felt a bit sad, empty and having a 800k credstick did not change it. Money was alright, but she'd likely spend it on expensive education and physical training. Why retire where she enjoyed that kind of work so much because it is dangerous? So was growing up in Redmond, or being a witch. Yael liked danger.

[Jack_Spade]

Mike nodded assent to Anna and turned to Slobber:

"You have the 12 o'clock suborbital to Munich. From their you can make your way easily to any other country on the planet in maximum two trips. Your new SIN should let you go where ever you desire."

Mike gave a genuine smile to the four remaining team members: "Despite everything: It's been a pleasure to work with you lot. I've got to go to the boss and afterwards see my grand daughter for the first time in months again."

[Gilga]

"Munich... I wonder if they have a good university. Perhaps I can buy just fake a diploma and start masters." She said to herself.

[Volker]

“Not that I know of. What is it you'd like to study?
But I'm pretty sure you can go out there quite nicely...

So, where are you guys going after Munich?"

[SquirrelDude]

"If I tell you, you're just going to follow me there and keep complaining that I left."

"But, probably Marseille or Nice."