Actually, they can. Unless things have changed dramatically since 2056--which is entirely possible, I'm a bit fuzzy on canonical developments after 2060--Aztlan DOES have Awakened security scanning ALL cargo entering the country. The Azzies don't cut any corners when it comes to magic...

Having just read Atzlan, I can assure you that's a conservative estimate.

For one thing, don't even try to pass yourself off as a citizen: any arrival in an Aztlanian airport / checkpoint / seaport who identifies him- or herself as a citizen of Atzlan must submit to a rigorous ID check. This ID check includes--but is not limited to--fingerprint scan, palmprint scan, retinal scan and quick DNA test.

No, I'm not making this up. A citizen's biometric data is stored on a central database and customs authorities WILL make you wait while they check your data against their records. Note this is ONLY if you identify yourself as a citizen.

My advice to you, for what it's worth: find a drek-hot rigger with a bleeding-edge LAV and bomb down through Texas. Do a low-altitude parachute drop and hoof it into a major population center where you can score some ident papers.

Alternately, explore your options in Amazonia: maybe the rebels will see some logic to the "enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend" argument and help you get over the border.

Good luck.

Lucky you! I have a soft spot for good old-fashioned "if-it's-got-an-internal-combustion-engine-I-can-make-it-my-bitch" riggers. No fancy Initiation grades, no delta-grade nanotech tactical computers, just solid skills and a complete disregard for the laws of motion.

Good, that'll help a lot. The Azzies favour overlapping phased-array radar stations and tricked-out sensor drones. The heavy arrays are located in Ensenada, Nogales, San Angelo, Ciudad Victoria, Villahermosa, Progreso, Tapachula and Colima. They cover all air approaches from an altitude of approximately 50 meters AGL (Above Ground Level) to approximately 25,000 meters AGL.

Below 50 meters may seem safer, but watch out: local air-defense radars (i.e. not the huge emplacements located in military bases) may detect you at this height. The civilian air-traffic control grid operates at below 50 mteres, for instance. The surveillance drones and look-down radar aircraft patrol the more sensitive areas of the border so watch yer ass if you're coming in around Austin or across from Amazonia.

Excellent idea, totally feasible. You have any contacts with the rebels?

Yeah, that's not bad--there isn't really a "good" crossing spot, anyway.

Man, I wish I was going with you--this sounds like it'll be a blast...

Quite possibly the first time in history that anyone has said that about Aztlan.

No you don't, this run has wipe out written all over it. Ivan is almost doing it as a favor for a friend. He'll just probably break even on the run, but possibly maybe some good contacts might be gained and some favors earned.

Hmm... getting out of Atzlan might be even harder than getting in. Where exactly are you going? Right to the heart (Technotitlan) or somewhere on the fringes? Urban or rural/jungle? How many in your crew? How much gear?

For the record, I strongly recommend you read Aztlan and pages 87-88 in Target: Smuggler Havens. Tons of sweet intel.

Any run into Awakened Central America invites disaster--but think of the story you'll have afterwards!

Yeah, LOTS has changed since 2056. LOTS. The Azzies are slash-and-burning the Yucutan in an effort to end the rebellion there and the horriblly infected astral is turning lots of shamans on both sides toxic (which means they don't follow orders anymore) and then they're saber-rattling at Denver since getting kicked out and putting ordinance and troops on the CAS and Pueblo border (since Pueblo took LA and SoCal) and... Yeah. Lots changed. I really can't see them sparing that many good mages or shamans to watch the borders, except in known "sensitive" areas or militarily important areas. Airports... not so much, especially if they're not major.

Oh, I see... well yes, that changes things. Nevertheless, how hard could it be for the "most Awakened nation on Earth" to spare enough mages? Figure 21 eight-hour shifts per week, so the airport gets covered 24/7. They could do that with, say, 5 mages per airport. It'd be tough on the mages but hey: with a six-figure salary and all the perks they need, I'm sure they'd manage.

What do you think?

Yeah, just don't get too close to 'em. But don't look like you're trying to not get close to 'em. Fly casual.

I don't know...if your assumtion is incorect and the border guards of one of the top three most paranoid countries in the world actually do more than a surface check on suppossed employees of the THE most paranoid corp in the world, well you'll be telling that story that Velocity mentions to St. Peter (or the post life arbiter of your belief)

Or even if your assumtion is correct. Your decker could crap out on you and *see above*

I'd stick w/ the plan you got going now.

Yeah, I'd say they'd have some magicians working the major airports, etc. But if you're smart and you did your homework, you could get in through smaller airports where there weren't magicians scanning things, or at least not very often. This goes doubly for the harbors, unless they're near the Yucutan, where all bets are off.

Granted. This would have to be one where you let common sense be your guide I guess.
I just remember the penalties for bringing certain cyberdecks into that country were heavier than any other country I can think of IIRC..... *shudder* which is why I suggested leaving the gear at home.

- J.