"So wes goes to da lodge as chuck finley, den wes spends da nights, hike up da mountains in da mornings and spend nights, -maybe we cross country ski. Anyways, we den sneaks into da lair, you hook up and gets what we need, Bubba protects you, den we swift tail down da Mountains on skies, get to da van and gos..." Sounds like wes gotta plan?"

21:07:15 Thursday, December 01, 2061 - The War Room, Martinez

"That's basically the run-down of it, yes. Job itself is simple enough, but like Duster here points out, we do need to cover our tracks, both physical- and mojo-wise.

If it's all the same to you Bubba, we can also just agree to get together at Northern exit of Suisun-station tomorrow morning 8 AM sharp and we'll make some calls here to setup the details? Just make sure you're well rested for tomorrow, it's gonna be a long-weekend chummer"

"Details, details... fill mes in in da monings or whiles we travel... you can counts on Bubba and by da way dos you have a favorite donut? Breakfast on me tomorrows. I sees you know whacha doings Kliko, just keep da foo foo boy on tasks..." Bubba snickers, waits for a reply to his donut question and then struts off towards the exit pushing anyone in his way to the side.

Bubba jumps on his harley and heads home, tongue hanging out of his mouth. When he arrives home he sets his alarm to give him enough time to head to Franklin's Donut shop in the morning and make the team rendevous. He also packs his gear, bringing his stun batons, throwing knives, and extra ammo for the cyber shotguns. He decides to leave the machine gun, but will pick up the Axe in the morning. He has a nice extra large gym bag to keep things outa of sight...

He also packs some warm clothing for the snow and his standard armor. After careful packing Bubba plops onto the couch and turns on the TV and slowly drifts into sleep on his worn, dirty and greasy couch.

07:53:19 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Café Delta, Downtown Antioch

Café Delta sits at the bottom of the Antioch Bridge over looking the dirty waters of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. There is a small convenience store and gas station in addition to the truck-stop style diner. There aren’t too many customers in the diner at this time, but all in all, a bunch of unruly looking fellows don’t look out of place.

Relentless sits in booth, far back corner of the café, while most of the other customers are seated near the front. He takes large swigs of his soykaf, but still looks like he only got a few hours of sleep.

Bubba enters the café and immediately spots Relentless sitting in the back. He stomps through, knocking over the “Please seat yourself� sign, completely unaware he did so. He drops two pink boxes taped together stamped “Bubba’s Special: The Baker’s Double Dozen,� along with a large white paper bag stamped “Day-Olds� onto the table.

“Good morning, Bubba,� Relentless says as he wipes up the soykaf that spilled when the troll dropped twenty pounds of donuts on the table. He wipes up some more spilled drink when Bubba stuffed himself into the booth.

Knuckle Duster and Kliko shortly join the group at Café Delta, finding Bubba already enjoying a breakfast snack. The waitress gets their orders and Relentless fills them in on the acquisition of another vehicle.

“It looks like you guys all drove here separate? You leaving your bike here Duster? I got an old beater Bronco that we can take up there. We drop off Kliko’s ride at this place in Redding one of my contacts set me up with, and we all continue up to Shasta in the Bronco.

“RG and V are taking the Cessna to Northern Cal later this afternoon. After we get up there, I will go pick them up and bring them back to the cabin.

“As for the escape plan, RG, V and I will take the van to the air port. From there we will dump the van somewhere and leave to Tir or Seattle, V is arranging that.

“You three will take the Bronco back to Redding and switch to Kliko’s ride. My contact will pick up the Bronco and clean it. From Redding you can head either down 5 directly to 80 or the Bay Area, or around through 99. Which ever way you want to go, you guys can decide.

“After downloading the Kallisti File, I will copy it to a flash drive and hand you guys a copy, so you guys have insurance. We will be in contact, but if you don’t hear from me by Monday night, you guys will have to make the meet with Radek. Enter this LTG address into your phones, and leave a message there to set up a meet.�

Relentless waits for the team to enter the address he reads.

“Okay, chummers. You ready?�

12:14:32 Friday, December 02, 2061 – Chevron Station off I-5, Shasta

You have seen it for miles, but now, there it stands before you. Mount Shasta, in all her glory. The skies are clear, for now, and you can see the entire snow covered mountain. It dwarfs every skyscraper you have ever seen in the sprawl, in Frisco and Seattle. You stand in amazement, not only over its sheer immensity, but it seems to have a calming effect on you. It feels, well, magical.

Though the sound of traffic on the nearby Interstate and the soothing rhythm of the gas pumps are familiar sounds, the birds are something new. The surrounding air is cold, but something is different about it. Oh, yes, it’s clean and almost too easy to inhale it.

Clink! Looks like the 26 gallon tank is full. Everyone piles back into the brown SUV, and Relentless fires up the engine. Bubba shoves his hand into the bag of Day-Olds, now that Bubba’s Special has been completely devoured.

14:01:02 Friday, December 02, 2061 – Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta

After dropping Bubba, Kliko and Knuckle Duster off at the cabin, Relentless left for the air strip. It was not long before he returned with RG and V.

14:06:13 Friday, December 02, 2061 – Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta

Kliko looks up at mount Shasta one more time, “that’s right chummers, by tomorrow-night we’ll be camping up somewhere outthere� ‘I really should get out more often, perhaps with the kids some time?’ Was this even the same guy they met yesterday? From metal-head orc to outdoorsman… while moving his stuff from the Bronco and into the cabin Kliko could have been mistaken for any other hiker outthere.

“Let’s get our kit inside the cabin and sort it out later guys. They must have a practice slope or store nearby in order for us to get familiar with our skiing equipment or buy some skillz� ‘if that’s your flavor.’ “Best make some use of the little daylight we got left. Besides, we have to wait for V and RG before gearing up� ‘can’t wait to have a look at RG’s system. He better have some high flux system with him or we’re still going to be screwed, this ain’t no sprawl chummer.’

17:18:55 Friday, December 02, 2061 – Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta

It had been a messy training run, ‘but at least we made the effort as a team, besides, any training together will work for us when we’re on the mountain.’ Kliko had been planning their routes up- and down on their way from Redding. The mapsofts the Relentless provided them with were decent enough and Kliko had been setting-up and rehearsing the various routes through his image link a few times now, marking out any areas of which he figured there would be an increased risk of avalanches, rocky outcroppings or dense trees during their trip from Redding. The Relentless, RG and V were already back at the cabin when Bubba, Duster and Kliko returned from their practice run.

“You guys already sorted out? Bubba and myself will take the bedroom in the back� ‘frag, it sucks to be a troll’ “You want to do rock-paper-scissors for the bed big boy? I’m not sure whether they have anything your size range in here, but I don’t really mind sleeping on the floor either. I’ll make myself comfortable any way.�

Bubba enjoyed the skiing practice, it reminded him of his chopper. Cool breeze and speed. Bubba had a few falls and his body was a little sore from skiing so Bubba decided it was time to crash on the bed. Bubba loooked at Kliko and pondered his rock paper scissors suggestion, after a brief moment Bubba sprints to the room and jumps on the bed, sprawls out on his back, placing his hands with interlocking fingers behind his head. He looks over at Kliko with a childish grin and says, "You snoozes you looozes."

Bubba pulls out his bag of day olds and begins to munch away until he gets to the last one. He looks at it, holds it in front of his mouth and then puts it back in the bag and stuffs it in his lined jacket. He talks to himself, "May need dis for tomorrows..."

Bubba then waits for the team to discuss the final plans before he slips off into a deep sleep.

17:23:07 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta
'Sure, have it your way big boy' "Let's get some chow guys. Anyone seen an affordable diner around here or you guys want to munch here at the cabin? Can't climb the mountain on an empty stomach tomorrow." One of the things that came with running was having frequent meals in all sorts of places. But to be honest, if you'd seen one shady sprawl backroom diner, you'd seen them all. The more luxurious resorts like the Cascade Cabins offering something that at least appeared to be some kind of natural food.

Apart from food, small talk was the big gain in sharing meals with 'new' runners. It was always a sound plan to seize up their personalities. That being said, it wouldn't be the first time Kliko experienced massive shifts in attitude when the shit hit the fan. 'Attitude, yeah, I like that word, attitude' Attitude meant the difference between being blasted to pieces or turning an otherwise fragging situation into something that could remotely work out. This Duster chap appeared alright, cautious type, 'hmm, I like cautious', he would sure as hell dive for cover when the shooting started.
Bubba got the whole gung-ho mentality so typical for his kind. You really had to give it to them, perhaps in the sprawl it works out, but in the shadows? It wouldn't be the first time Kliko would see an overconfident troll getting shot or fried (or any combination thereof) to pieces. Trolls and high-explosives rarely mixed well with the first being on the receiving side of the latter. The ones that survived though were all tough fraggers to be reckoned with. 'always good to have one around you, they made for much better targets anyway.'

19:15:36 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta
Returning at the cabin Kliko calls all the others in the main room, quickly providing them with a short briefing on primary and secondary routes for tomorrows hike and wildlife they were likely to encounter. The campsite for tomorrow was located somewhat sheltered from the elements and close to a fast-running stream "this makes sense from a survival point-of-view, don't forget we're pretending to be hikers" Kliko explains.
"I brought a number of comm units with me. You should really only use them in case of an emergency, so no chit-chatting. To be frank, you're going to be on your own while hiking up the trails. There's no way we're ever going to be there in time to save your fragging asses. We won't be firing up the battletac until we make our final approach to the lodge. These babies got encryption and all that, but better not to alert anyone in advance. Battletac is all nice and that, but every punk-ass kid with a scanner located in a 20km radius will know at least 'something' is going down. RG, we'll have to make a pre-check to exchange frequency tables and encryption keys after this and make a second check when we're at the camp-site, you'll be manning the master-component back here right?"

"Any other questions, concerns?, now's the time to raise them."

20:03:17 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta
Trusting everybody knows to fullfill his part of the job Kliko get's down with RG making a number of checks and pre-checks to ensure compatibility between the various equipment, plugging and unplugging comm-units from and to RG's master component up and until Kliko hooks himself up through the datajack located at the back of his neck. Complicated stuff all that, almost as if they're working some kind of magic really or perhaps they're just setting-up the comm-system for tomorrow's action.

With the system setup and the comm units handed to each individual team member Kliko heads for the backroom. "I got some other stuff to work on. Better get yourselves ready chummers, we head out at 6:00 AM sharp, so better haul your asses out of bed at 5."

Kliko lays-out his sleeping bag with integrated iso-matress 'sure let the troll take the bed, I've had worse chummer' and starts packing the backpack for tomorrow's trip. Neatly arranging his kit on the sleeping bag in front of him before packing and making final checks on anything remotely electronic like the signal amplifier and SPAS' smartlink before collapsing the stock and rolling the gun between the camouflaged clothing and forearmguards Kliko brought with him.
Most notable to Bubba are a number of brighly pink - and yellow marked grenades. "Hold it chummer, best leave those alone or this run will be over before it's even remotely under way. The pink ones are gas grenades, the yellow are there for smoke. Mixing both makes for a nasty surprise during getaways, saved this fragger's ass more than once I tell ya"

18:55:22 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta

The team, minus Bubba, enjoys a hearty meal at the mom and pop country style diner at the Cascade Cabins. The food is great, and decently priced. You can almost taste the country in the food.

Didi, the waitress and wife of the owner/cook, refills your drinks with a smile. "Can I get y'all anything else?" she asks kindly. A couple of head shakes from the patrons with mouths full of food sends her on her way.

Dinner not only filled your bellies, but also had a relaxing side effect. Like this was a vacation, not a job. You can see why people might actually enjoy camping. The clean air, no sprawl, let alone its inhabitants, the kindness of strangers and the beauty and freedom of nature.

Kliko goes over some more planning, but its all still seems surreal. It seems Relentless has given over 'command' of the team to the ork, but have you ever seen a decker lead? Exactly. They are usually more comfortable in front of a computer, and generally are not known for their social grace.

As most of the team understand it, they will disguise themselves as hikers going up the mountains. Set up camp at the Volcanic Campsites, which are the closest to Hestaby's Lodge. There they will catch some rest until the early morning hours, well before sunrise.

At that time, the strike team will head out to the Lodge. Basically this team will be everyone minus RG, who will set up a concealed location on one of the escape routes, in case the team is followed.

Upon arrival at the Lodge, Kliko, Bubba, Duster and Relentless will break into the Lodge and make the data steal, while V waits just outside, running an astral patrol.

If things go well, Relentless should be jacked in and jacked out in less than 60 seconds, probably only 30 by his accounts, and the team will then make their escape. It will be a quite a hike down to a ski slope, but once they hit that, they should be able to get quite a distance between them and any pursuit. That is, if they can make it down the hill in one piece.

At the bottom of Shasta awaits the van and the Bronco, about a mile and half away from each other. V, Relentless and RG will take the van to the air strip an fly north. Duster, Kliko and Bubba will take the Bronco, along with a copy of the Kalista file, back to Kliko's vehicle in Redding, and make their way back to the East Bay from there.

20:18:22 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta
"They're especially effective indoor's I tell ya, so best leave them alone for now" while the small talk continues Bubba becomes rather amazed on what not dissappears into the backpack. "that's a necessity really, you really want to keep some room in there for rations. Frags pretty bigtime if we're stuck out there without food" nodding towards the pack of rations Kliko brought with him. "That is unless you want to stick to them muffins really" 'everyone has a sweet spot sugar' "besides, these heater packs make for a nice additional bang too. If you know how to prep'm that is."

20:49:46 Friday, December 02, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta
Packed-to-go Kliko rolls into the now cleared sleeping bag, inserting a worn converter cable into the backside of his pocket secretary before jacking it in the back of his neck "what? I'm an entrepeneur like yourself big boy, gotta keep tabs on bizz chummer" before relaxing back on the improvised bedroll. "Good night and sleep well, tomorrow's gonna be a long day" 'Damn, no reception, frag that' while Kliko set's the timer function in his secretary for 5:00 AM sharp.

05:00:00 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Cascade Cabins and Lodge, Shasta
Small electronic pulses start to oscillate back and forth along Kliko's spinal cord before bursting out into the very corners of his nervous system. 'good morning Aztlan!' the absence of drowsiness continued to amaze him, 'damn best buy ever' Kliko figured while getting up unplugging the pocket secretary and putting his pants and boots back on before making his way to the main cabin room "Yo, good morning chummers, get up and get dressed! time to roll!"

05:00:49 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – "Chuck Finley's Cabin at Cascade Cabins, Shasta

The team slowly gathers consciousness after Kliko's "good morning." The are slow to rise, except for Duster, who is already geared up, ready to roll. V stumbles her way over to the coffee machine, closed eyed but determined.

"Need some soykaf to get my mana flowin'"

It is still dark this early in the morning and the sun won't be coming up until just before 0700. It's going to be a long day climbing the mountain, and that's just to get to the campsite reserved for Chuck Finley.

Bubba, sits up and stretches his arms out with a huge yawn. He then rolls out of bed and heads to the kitchen. He pushes V out of the way as he frantacily searches the cabinets.

"Theres day be, me Pirate Puffs" Bubba poors himself bowl after bowl of Pirate Puffs Cereal until the box becomes empty. After breakfast he grabs his gear and loads up, snaps some ski goggles on his face, dresses in warm clothes including his armor, and grabs his prepared backpack slinging it over his back, he also puts his skis on... while still in the cabin. He looks at the team and says, "lets go peeps, times for some funs!" He smiles proudly as he is the first to be fully dressed and ready to go. As he makes his way to the outside he manages to knock furniture over, put a hole in the wall, and practically trips Duster.

He eventually makes it outside and yells for Kliko, "Leads da way its time for somes pay!"

05:43:31 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Bottom of Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta. It’s not until you stand at the base of it that you realize just how big it really is. The mountain dwarfs everything else for miles around, the tallest point in the whole Shasta Enclave. It stands like a giant watching over the whole area, and you can’t help but wonder who and what might be looking down from the heights of that mountain. The entire mountain is covered in snow, which the top always is, so it’s going to be more than a little cold up there. Don’t worry, though, things will heat up soon enough.

[ Spoiler ]

-Written by Steve Kenson, Survival of the Fittest – Knowledge

05:50:20 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Sand Flats, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 6,800 ft

You snap out of your trance, staring up at the highest peak of the Cascade Mountains. All the little pamphlets say its about an 8 to 10 hour hike for amateurs. That is if they stay on the trails. And in good weather conditions. You are planning to do neither. Well, you plan on staying on the trails, but they are probably all buried in the snow.

Looking around the gravel parking lot, you notice a few other trucks and SUVs, all lightly covered in snow, so at least you wont be the only ones on the mountain. It looks like everyone is packed up and ready to hike. This time, Bubba doesn't have his skis on.

You lock up the van and the Bronco and are ready to head up the trails and up the mountain.

05:52:06 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Sand Flats, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 6,800 ft

"Let's hit the trails chummers, what are we waiting for? It's not as if the weather is going to get any better and we have an hour until sunrise" Kliko straps on the bulky backpack with ski's and rope attached before heading out seemingly in to the wild, as the hiking trail projects like a mildy illuminated pathway through his image link. 'damn, you gotta love this functionality, wonder what their faces look like right now'.

Though perhaps somewhat under-dressed for the occasion Kliko sets out with a bigger number of thin layers of clothing preferring it over a fewer number of thick ones. Obvious to all he is openly carrying a holstered heavy pistol and some sort of spray tank? "Most large mammals are hibernating right now, but better safe and sure" he explains while tapping the tank.

06:41:30 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,200 ft (above sea level)

Together the team hikes up the main trail route from Sand Flat to Horse Camp trailhead. After hitting the fork, the group starts to spread out a bit. Kliko and Bubba, with their large gaits lead the way. A couple hundred feet behind are Duster and V, and probably a couple thousand feet behind them, Relentless and the tiny RG bring up the rear.

After the team hits Horse Camp, the trail is going to start getting pretty difficult. Relentless suggested taking a short break for lunch at Hidden Valley before continuing to their destination at Camp Whitney. This break should also give the team a chance to regather and change out any wet clothes. For this reason the team has taken the mountain at their own pace. It would be ridiculous to ask Bubba or RG to try and match the others pace.

As Bubba climbs the mountain he cant help but think about the difficulty the little gnome must be having... he thinks about a way he could help when they meet up at the break spot. He decides that if he can find some thin sticks along the trail he can weave a basket and harness so that the little Gnome can ride on his shoulders in comfort.

As Bubba climbs the mountain he scans for any types of sticks that could be used for his new found purpose. He then pictures the little RG with blazing guns blasting fools from the basket while bullets bounce off Bubba and he blasts away with a panther cannon.

He sees this as an opportunity to become a "Mega Person." Motivated by this idea Bubba presses forward without thought for the difficulty of the trail.

06:47:51 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Horse Camp Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,503 ft (above sea level)

"So what are your thoughts Bubba? It's probaply another 15 minutes to horse camp. Best take a 5 to 10 minute break there in order for the others to catch up. Perhaps even re-distributing some of the load Relentless and the little gnome are carrying with them. Poor fraggers, they must have a hard time getting on in this terrain." 'and this is only just the beginning'

"Say Bubba, how does an entrepeneur like yourself finds his way into this bizz in the first place? you really strike me as the hands-on type kind of guy see." 'While this job is really all about planning and being prepared'

"Wells, I havent always been a trolls, I was a humans until me 13th birthdays. Nature turned me into dis ting and my high class life style and high class parents abandoneds me for its." A sadness seems to come over Bubba as he droops along the trail. "Ma and Pas left me in da forests chasing donuts, they were gones and I never saws em again. One day ill find em and either makes em pay or i dont knows... After that I wents from foster homes to orphanages getting kicked out, no bodies wanted a big dumb troll arounds. Eventually, I was lead to da only persons who ever careds about mes. He gots me starteds in "da biz" and I never looked backs. When you bes goods at somthins you sticks withs its. Besides da monies goods or at least I can eats what I wants and have a roofs over my heads."

Bubba picks his head up and turns to Kliko, "Whats your stories?" For the first time during the adventure Bubba's attention span seems to be in check, maybe because he shared something personal that he began to feel like this Kliko character might actually give a damn...

"And dont worries about da little Gnomes I gotsa plans to help hims, dats why Ive been gatherings all dese sticks." Bubba, shows his armfuls of sticks as he runs over and grabs another stick to add to his collection.

06:48:42 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Horse Camp Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,515 ft (above sea level)

"Don't let anyone ever tell you you're just another dumb troll Bubba." 'fragging parents- even I could show'em a thing or two on parenthood. Won't be the first, nor the last to awe in horror when their kids goblinize' "I got spawn of my own see and perhaps they don't or won't excel at math like their human classmates, but then again I doubt their human buddies will ever match their bench press. Frag yeah they're different, but not the least bit less and let no never anybody tell you otherwise... unless it's your Johnson of course and you haven't been paid yet"

"Between you and me Bubba, I'm good at this job, simple as that. Perhaps Jaxx sees me as just another ex-mil or merc razorboy but the truth of the matter is that I 'or at least my wife' wanted to spend more time back home with the family and long-term contracting work doesn't really offers that kind of employment opportunity if you know what I mean.

I guess it makes me something of a similar entrepeneur like yourself, but probaply due to exactly opposite circumstances"

"Wells, I may missed much of me educations, but I can reasons about tings ok. I always like to follow someones who has a good plans, which you seems to have. I best at cleaning ups and taking care of da business. I supposes its more of the hands on like you says, but I know whens to duck and whens to fight. Also I makes a good barriers to help da team gets what they needs safely. Although, I am big I can be surprisingly sneakies! Good ol JJs taught me dat, he taught me to walks lite and tuck da clumsyness away when needfuls. I am guessing it will be needfuls when we get to da lodge. I am not to fonds of tings bigger dnn me, I dont want to meet da dragon. But iam looking forwards to some extreme skiings on da getaways."

Bubba Looks directly at kliko, "Where do you tink draco is hidings? I want to avoid dat spots and we needs to make sure you families gets to see yas again"

07:19:30 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Weather: Approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 in of snowpack, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

At the fork the trail quickly improved. While the snow banks along the sides are just over a foot high, the actual trail is only sparsely covered with a thin layer of snow from the night before. Both directions were graveled and wide enough for one, maybe even two vehicles to pass. It is obvious there is a little more traffic through this area compared to the first section of your hike, where you had to stomp through an inch or two of snow.

Bubba and Kliko’s conversation is interrupted by their arrival at Horse Camp. There is a large gravel parking lot, a few old cabins and three parked 4x4 trucks. All three vehicles are covered with the lightest layer of snow, and the place looks to be empty.

The cabin in the middle is open though, and has a large wooden sign on it reading “Welcome to Horse Camp.� Closer inspection reveals that it looks to be a sheltered rest area with a fresh water supply and facilities.

Bubba stops and examines the parked 4x4s, trying to gather an idea of how long the vehicles have been here, He also looks around and in the vehicles to see if he can get an idea of gear etc. and what type of people may have driven them in or how many.

He turns to Kliko, "hmm I smells something unsettlings. Not sure what it may bes. I gonnas look arounds a littles and then change me underclothes."

07:22:44 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Bubba sneaks around the 4x4s, looking for evidence of, well he doesn't quite know what evidence he is looking for. Maybe something out of place, though he is in a place of unfamiliarity and almost everything is out of place to him. Especially a giant from the sprawl.

What he does find, is reasoning for those vehicles to be there. Each of the vehicles have a florescent orange parking pass labeled "Horse Camp Parking..." and then list dates covering this week. However, that is not his biggest find. Lying on the passanger seat of one of the off-roaders is a familiar white bag, with a familiar grease stain seeping through, and a familiar smell.

"DONUTS!!!" echos through the wilderness, far enough down the trail to reach RG and Relentless, and far enough up the mountain that Hestaby might now be thinking about delicious pastries of assorted flavors.

Bubba is too motivated to notice that he has blown any "surprisingly sneakies" that he had. He finds the door unlocked and a bag of leftover donuts that are about three days old. There are only three and a half left, and two of them are disappointingly plain, but they should hold the big boy over for a while.

Without hesitation Bubba scarfs down the donuts... forgetting about his investigation.

As crumbs fall from his mouth he smiles with glee at Kliko, "Umm donuts, sorry der was only enoughs for me." After enjoying his snack Bubba heads to the cabin to change and have a look around. He also brings his bundles of sticks so he can work on his big "idea" before the rest of the party arrives.

07:23:24 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

"Hey Bubba, where you find those Donuts?... you what!" 'fragger, how come you're still alive?' "You did leave some cred in the cars right? It's just bad karma, nicking those donuts. Imagine how you would feel when we get back to the Bronco and somebody broke in and stole your Day-olds?" Sure, all kinds of parental instincts kicked into gear with Kliko. Afterall Bubba couldn't really help it he was rejected as a youth...

"Besides, what are you hauling all these branches for? it's rather conspicious and a moving bush isn't really appropiate camouflage after we hit the tree line later on you see. We take 10 here before moving on. Should at least give Duster and V a chance to catch up"

07:25:07 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Inside the Welcome Center for Horse Camp is basically a sink, a men's room, a ladies room, and a few benches lining two of the walls. There is a bulletin board with regular park fliers and pamphlets filled with warnings. Watch for bears and avalanches, don't litter, try not to die - that sort of thing. There is an abundant amount of various trail information, most of it repeating what the other paperwork says, and pretty much nothing new.

Bubba moves into the mens room and changes his underclothes into dry clothes. Once he is finished changing, he moves into the main lobby takes a seat on the bench and begins weaving a shoulder "howdah" that would fit the Gnome.

07:31:16 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Bubba works on his wooden... thing, oblivious to Kliko's questions. He struggles to get the dried sticks to fold, bend and weave into a shape, well mass, without them snapping.

Kliko sees Bubba's mess, but before he can comment he hears the rumbling of a large motor vehicle. He looks back at the giant, but he is concentrating on his pile of sticks. Shortly after he sees a large dark green and white SUV with an amber light bar on top pulling into the parking lot.

07:31:23 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

'Frag that, mountain patrol' "Yo Bubba, we got company, best hang back here and let me do the talking right"

Kliko approaches the SUV, right hand held high "Hye there! how are you doing sir?" 'Keep it cool chummer, you can handle this' switching back and forth to his thermo visual overlay checking the vehicles occupants.

07:31:55 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

The vehicle comes to a stop and parks in front of the cabin closest to the Welcome Center. Kliko can now read the markings on the side of the truck that read "Mount Shasta Forest Services." A large built man climbs down out of the off-roader, wearing a forest-green ranger uniform, a mountie hat and a pistol belt. He returns the greeting with a touch to the brim of his hat with his right hand.

"Mornin' to ya, partner. Headin' up to the summit today?"

He heads towards the cabin as he speaks, his keys still in hand.

07:31:58 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

"at least halfway up sir, staying the night between Shastina and the summit. We'll make our attempt at the summit tomorrow morning and plan on making our descend partially by skiing the south-east slopes tomorrow afternoon." the best lies afterall were half-truths "I don't think the weatherforecast is solid enough to spend the night at the summit." 'at least that was true enough'. "Besides, I'm not sure the dragon that is supposed to live up there welcomes visitors to stay overnight." 'and best not to end up as his breakfast'. "Anything we should lookout for back there?" nodding in the mountains general direction, changing the subject away from the draco "my last weatherforecast was as of yesterday evening..."

07:32:09 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

"Oh, yeah, Camp Whitney, right by the glaciers. It's gonna be bout as cold there as it is on the summit. I believe there is gonna be a storm rollin' in tonight, which should provide you some nice powder for tomorrow. That is if it hits, its supposed to pass Shasta with these heavy winds we been havin'."

"About that dragon, she is pretty personable, ya know for a dragon," he says with a big smile. His smile subsides, "or so I hears. At least I know you can stay at her Lodge, but it takes a lot of arrangin' and paperwork, background checks... and who knows how much money, or even if it costs anything.

"Well, watch out for avalanches and bears, that's all I can say. Avalanches are rare, bears this time of year are even more so, but both can sneak up on you if you aren't alert. Be safe out there, it's more difficult coming down in this weather, than it is going up," he pauses for a second, like a thought has just come to him. "And try to stay warm out there."

He turns back to the task at hand, putting the key into the door and unlocking it. He starts to turn the handle and looks back at Kliko, "You guys run into any trouble, you reach us on Channel 9 on the radio."

07:32:30 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

"To be honest all we can really do if the storm hits Camp Whitney tonight is dig out a small snow shelter and sit tight sir. I brought 4 days of supplies with me so we should be fine really. Otherwise we'll radio in on channel 9."

"Sir, before I forget, my buddy is changing clothes in one of these cabins right there... best you know so he can have a little privacy." Kliko turns around to find his backpack. 'best have an energybar before the next part of our trip'.

07:32:35 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

The ranger smiles, turns, wipes the snow off the sign that hidden hanging from the door. He closes the door behind him that now reads "MSFS Ranger Office, Horse Camp."

It isn't long before Kliko spots V and Duster rounding the bend, making their way into the camp. They seem deep in conversation, probably about magic, the astral world, or some other voodoo mumbo jumbo.

07:33:05 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NN

"Yo Bubba, get ready and get moving! time to hit the trail again!" Kliko makes sure to give Duster and V the eyes-on, pointing at the ranger's cabin and thumbs-up signal before heading out again.

07:33:15 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Duster returns the hand signals with one of his own, in good fun.

Looking in the Welcome Center, Kliko can see Bubba hard at work, with his pile of sticks, with complicated interwoven paterns, but still indistinguishable from a pile of sticks.

07:33:20 Saturday, December 03, 2061 – Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

"Bubba! what are you doing! we got to hit the trail chummer, the others are right here!, now get a move on and leave these sticks behind will ya."

07:33:23 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Bubba's concentration is broken, and he looks up from his mass of kindling.

Bubba looks up, "But...but... da poor little Gnome is not here yets and I am almost dones. I will carry da little gomes in dis basket on me shoulders!" Bubba smiles from ear to ear proudly as he holds up his stick mess basket. "Da little Gnomes feets wont have to get tireds." Bubba tries to find a way to position or tie the messy stick basket onto his shoulders and then he starts to look for RG.

"RG where ares yous?"

07:34:40 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

The giant picks up the mass of sticks and carries it with him outside in his search for RG. V and Relentless are approaching the crowd when they stop in their tracks. Bubba is approaching with a medicine ball sized mass held proudly in front of him with both hands. Kliko looks at the trail of sticks the big oaf is leaving behind him, and remembers Bubba's claims of being "surprisingly sneakies," and is starting to have doubts.

V gasps at the thing, "Is that a hornet's nest!?"

Bubba, chuckles at V. "Dis is a basket I mades to help carry RG, have you seen hers?." Bubba looks around and realizes his basket is dropping a trail of sticks. "Oops, maybe da basket wasnt da best ideas... Well, da little gnome needs sum helps maybes I can carry hers or hers stuffs."

07:34:50 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

'What the frag am I going to do with this guy?' "Very nice of you Bubba I'm sure RG will appreciate it. You guys know how far they are behind? I don't want linger around any longer, the local ranger just arrived for work if you see what I mean... friendly chap I must say" 'and the fragger is probaply watching us, enjoying a warm cup of kaf, as we speak' "but by no means a fool. Come on Bubba, we're out of here. RG will have to wait till our next rest halfway upto Hidden Valley. We will switch some of his load to you right there."

Kliko heads out for the trail again. Early mornings were damned cold enough as they were. Better to keep on moving for now and rest later.

07:34:46 Saturday, December 03, 2061 - Horse Camp, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 7,800 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

After Bubba's explanation of his masterpiece, V and Duster just look at each other, trying to hold back the laughter.

"I am sure she will be fine. Trust me, we would hear about it if she wasn't. She can haul her own load, but you can't expect her to keep up at your pace with those tiny little chicken-wing sized legs," Duster tries to explain to the troll.


08:30:01 Saturday, December 03, 2061 -Cascade Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 8,200 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 38 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 10 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Though you never quite saw a sunrise, some daylight has been pushing through since you hit Horse Camp, making the trails a bit easier to find. It seems to have warmed up a bit, too, but it is still cold enough to bitch about.

So far this trail hasn't been much of a hike. It has had a steady incline and runs along the mountain, not exactly up it. The trail was dirt, maybe in the summer months, but now it is hardened mud covered with some snow. The cold might actually make it easier to keep your footing along these paths. Come breakup, you would be walking in ankle deep mud.

Looking up the mountain, you can see the snow only gets thicker. It's a good thing Relentless squared everyone away with some gear. Those crampons aren't going to be just handy, but probably essential to your climb this afternoon. You are sure the ice axes won't be unneeded weight as well.

"Ok Klikos, lets move ons, I am just worrieds about da team so far aparts and was trying to dink of ideas to helps." Bubba moves along side Kliko and begins the hike up this time a little more focused.

08:45:31 Saturday, December 03, 2061 -Cascade Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 8,400 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 38 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 12 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Not much further along the trail it starts to fade. Soon the two metahumans find themselves surrounded by snow in every direction. The mountain rises rapidly just to their right, covered in a blanket of white. Its pretty easy to see the general direction to go... up, but they are unsure of the exact route and location of Hidden Valley or Camp Whitney.

Kliko pulls out his map and looks for distinguishing landmarks, besides the summits of Shasta and Shastina. He is deep in his studies, looking up at the mountain, down at the map, back at the path of smashed snow from which they came, and back up at the mountain, down at the map, and over and over again. The ridges and gulches don't seem to be as prominent as they were in the photographs at Horse Camp and back at Cascade Cabins and Lodge. It seems to all look the same when covered in a few feet of snow.

While Bubba waits on Kliko to find the path, he loses his patients and his mind starts to wander. Pacing around, kicking snow, day dreaming about a donut shop at the top of the mountain. That's when he notices something off in the distance. It's almost straight ahead, and a little up the mountain side, but it is obvious what it is. A trail marker, with one big wooden arrow pointing to the right, up the mountain, and another pointing left, down the mountain. There is also a wooden sign nailed to it, but Bubba cannot read that from over 150 meters away, and it is turned at a 45 degree angle from where he stands.

"Uh Klikos... Klikos... KLIKOS!" When Bubba finally has Kliko's attention he points to the trail marker and wooden sign. "I thinks you wants to look at thats."

08:45:35 Saturday, December 03, 2061 -Cascade Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 8,400 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 38 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 12 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

The digital overlay displayed in Kliko's the image link was definately starting to run out of out of sync with the world around them 'damn, that's what you get if you pay cheap'' "Thanks Bubba! Missed the sign right there. Must be some kind of glitch in the mapsoft I guess. It happens you know, especially when they combine seperately compiled softs. Never depend on one single system chummer" tapping the physical map hanging around his neck. "Let's get going, suppose we'll take a short rest and grab a bite when were at the sign up there"

[quote name='Bastard' date='Mar 26 2009, 11:48 AM' post='788053']
08:45:31 Saturday, December 03, 2061 -Cascade Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 8,400 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 38 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 12 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

Walking through the snow is quite a bit more exhausting than it was on the trails. Though the snow pushes away and compacts easily underneath Bubba's massive frame, the sheer volume of snow starts taking its toll. At least the giant is taking the brunt of it, though. By the time the others arrive, they will have a nice stomped down path to follow. It's good to have a giant and an ork to trail blaze for you.

When the two arrive at the sign, Kliko is able to tell they are still on course. The left arrow points down the hill and reads, "<- McBride Springs 5 miles." The right points upwards, "Hidden Valley .5 mile, Cascade Gulch, West Face Gully, Shasta Summit 7 miles, Shastina Summit 6.5 miles. ->" There is also an arrow that was not visible until your approach, aimed back the way you came. It reads, "Horse Camp 1 mile, Bunny Flats 2.5 miles. ->"

The sign does not point the direction of travel, but to which trailhead to take. The only problem is, the trail head is not visible under one foot of snow. Both Bubba and Kliko know the general location, probably upwards. It could keep wrapping around the mountain side like it has though, so Kliko double checks.

08:45:39 Saturday, December 03, 2061 -Cascade Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 8,400 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 38 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 12 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

The digital overlay he was studying started to re-align itself with the world outside as Kliko measured and cross-referenced key-landmarks around them 'much better, if you want it done properly, you do it yourself' The shimmering trail again unwinding itself along the slope in front of them.

"another half click and we get to Hidden Valley Bubba... give me a sec to check some of my readings Bubba and catch some breath allright" Elevation from sea-level already started to kick in for Kliko. 'probaply get even worse higher up' while Kliko makes a quick check through the biomonitor's readings he finds his respiratory rate is already increasing. 'Best put it up the image link and take good care to adjust pace on heart rate. We got a long day ahead of us chummer, best to keep it easy going'

Kliko grabs another energybar breaking away the wrapper and starts munching away on it, taking careful notice not to leave any litter behind "let's get going Bubba, somewhat slower pace please. We still have a long day and climb ahead of us... Now tell me how long have you working this bizz really? You don't seem to me the average troll hard case -no pun intended- type I usually work with "

08:45:55 Saturday, December 03, 2061 -Cascade Trail, Mount Shasta, Approximate Elevation: 8,400 ft
Approximate Weather Conditions: 38 degrees Fahrenheit, Overcast, 12 inches of snow, Wind 10-15 mph NNE

As Kliko’s visual overlay lines up, he is able to gain a course. It is about a half a click to up to the top of the ridge, but it is a lot of elevation over that short distance. It might be time to strap on the spikes. It will slow you down a bit on trails, but it looks like you are going to be playing in the snow from here on out. After the two reach the top of the ridge, there should be some downhill into Hidden Valley. Kliko estimates around two or three thousand meters or so. After that, the mountain climbing will begin.

Looking up past the ridge, the mountain still towers another six thousand feet. While Mount Shasta's beauty is a bit humbling and peaceful, you would still rather have the familiar surroundings of a sprawl, where you know what lurks around every corner and every alley. You.

Out here, you aren't really the most scary thing around. Most of the bears are hibernating, but they sometimes wake and go searching for food. That is not the thing that has most people on Shasta on their toes this time of year. It is the mountain itself. It could destroy something as insignificant as a metahuman (in comparison) in a flash. Rock slides, avalanches, hypothermia and frostbite are its weapons of choice, but there is more. It may be you have just spent too much time in the big city, surrounded by all its man-made mountains and its inhabitants, but something out here has you feeling more than out of place.

Could it be the "call of the wild?" It does spark a bit of wonder, relief, serenity, excitement... a whole mix of feelings and emotions just being out away from it all. Though, technically, this is a business trip. But that isn't it either. It is something more. It is like the mountain itself is alive.