Fort Snelling National Monument:
>>>>>[I was there, it was weird. The cannon just moved until it was
pointing at the couple and fired without a sound. I still blame myself
for not yelling sooner, I may have been able to save them.]<<<<<
>>>>>[You've really got to wonder if the staff were hired from the
shallow end of the gene pool. How could you not think that something
weird was going on at that point.]<<<<<
>>>>>[You've got to remember though, at that time very little was known
about paranormal activities, and the awakening hadn't occurred yet. I
think their response was very normal for the time.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I'd think the meat would be a little lean for most evil monsters'
taste. Might just be me though.]<<<<<
>>>>>[That is just plain disgusting Crag. Why can't you be normal like
everybody else?]<<<<<
>>>>>[I've got my theories here. I think the state wanted a top secret
military stronghold for all their biotech weapons. I might be delusional
though.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Definitely delusional.]<<<<<
>>>>>[See, what did I say?]<<<<<
>>>>>[You're right One Eyed Jack, definitely delusional.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I know the truth, but I'm certainly not saying anything.]<<<<<
The Minnesota Zoo:
>>>>>[Shame too, I used to like to go and watch the dolphins.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Quit the reminiscing Elder, I want to hear the story.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Top of the line containment too, not only physical, but magical in
places. Huge hermetic circles contained some of the exhibits of dual
natured critters. Impressive to the last.]<<<<<
>>>>>[And think, most of that stuff is supposed to still be operational.
I'd hate to think of what would happen if it stopped working.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Ever see that B movie from the late 20th Century? I think it was
named Jurassic Park.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Completely different containment though. Magical security doesn't
get old (broken maybe) but not old. This security system has about a
dozen backups though, and was pretty impressive for its time, I don't
think you've got anything to worry about.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Government runs the place now, and you know what that
means.]<<<<<
>>>>>[No, but if it's one of your ideas I can take a guess. But if you
are right, I've dealt with the Government, and I think you should stop
while you're still ahead.]<<<<<
>>>>>[What the hell's that supposed to mean??]<<<<<
>>>>>[Man oh man, don't ever enter that place, day or night. I did once,
made it into the front gate, and nearly got swallowed by something. I
don't know what it was, but it came out of the ground.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Rumors say there are lots of people living in the zoo. Many are
results of genetic experiments to join human and animal DNA. Of course,
I didn't say that.]<<<<< >>>>>[Rumors have a way of becoming truth.]<<<<<
The Twin Cities Subway:
>>>>>[It was about time too. I froze my butt off one too many winter.
After a couple record cold winters I was about to relocate to
Florida.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Come on Elder, there was only about two feet of snow that one year.
Like that's any real problem for a true die hard Minnesotan.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Good? Great is more like it. I've never seen anything so clean in
my life. I wouldn't mind eating off the floor if I had to.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I've got my suspicions. I think it was some top secret military
base using the subway riders in their nasty experiments.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I'd take any explanation. It's better than anything the government
has given us.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I've been down there in one of the top secret expeditions, read
shadowruns, and it's weird. Light still work, the area is perfectly
clean, and there is an air of silence that I cannot explain. You
wouldn't catch me dead down there ever again.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I'd have to agree. I've been down there too, and to tell you the
truth, I could have sworn I saw something immaterial, but there
nonetheless. Scared the drek out of me too.]<<<<< >>>>>[Again, it is rumored that one of the local gangs, they call themselves
The Gophers, know what really happened. I'm not sure, but I'd ask one of them
what is down there if you want to know the real story.]<<<<<
Although this has been the primary mystery of the Twin Cities Transit,
there have been no other problems on an otherwise flawless record.
The Mall of America (aka The Citadel of
Archaric):
>>>>>[Did you ever see that abomination of the American Dream? It was
pathetic, whatever The Citadel of Archaric is, it must be better on
reputation alone.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Come on, it wasn't that bad. Just because they had over thirty shoe
stores...]<<<<<
>>>>>[Pretty tough about it too. I know a few people that went in. They
came out, but pretty messed up, and none of them would say what they
saw.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Cool huh? A real live castle right here in The Twin Cities. I
never would have believed it, but here it is!]<<<<<
>>>>>[I don't think a large unknown company with ties to God knows what
is "cool." I can't place my finger on it, but something just ain't
right.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Like, maybe it's a huge conspiracy run by some Azlanian militia
attempting to melt our brains with bad TV and Screamin' Yellow Zonkers.
Oh wait, that didn't start happening until the "50"s.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Now you're beginning to sound like Sees Only Truth. Give me a
break.]<<<<< >>>>>[I'll break your nose if you say something like that again.]<<<<<
Minneapolis Barrens Free Zone:
>>>>>[It was not all bad, there was a slight decrease in drug use, and
petty theft.]<<<<< >>>>>[Not all bad? My grandpa died in the food riots. Don't tell me about
bad.]<<<<<
This sudden rise in crime was accompanied by the hiring of a security
corporation, Dark Edge Security, to attempt to stifle this outbreak. The
security company lasted only six months, and quit after half of their
work force was killed in a bombing of their HQ. This act of terrorism
was followed by extensive crime sprees, and a steady outflow of wealthy
citizens.
>>>>>[There are some strong rumors that the state was disappointed with
their relative lack of success and bombed the headquarters themselves.
Having Dark Edge resign was cheaper than firing them.]<<<<< >>>>>[There are also rumors that it was a bunch of drunk kids from some frat
house out for a night of fun.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Liberal? After Governor Robinson, the state saw a sudden change
to Republican ideals. This was all his idea, something about punishment
for to all those that prevent life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It was him and his piece of drek policies that have trapped me here for
all these years.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Who are you calling a piece of drek, you smelly street scum? And
what do you plan on doing about it anyway?]<<<<< >>>>>[That's for me to know and you to find out.]<<<<<
First, the entire city of Minneapolis was cordoned off to all outgoing
traffic; anybody that entered, stayed within the boundaries. All
individuals trapped within the zone were classified as non-citizens.
Secondly, a security system created by Styx Enterprises was installed.
The system, code named Charon after Greek Mythos' boatman to Tartarus,
was installed later that year.
>>>>>[Their speed was amazing. I don't think anything was put up that
quickly since the Berlin Wall was erected.]<<<<<
>>>>>[Or at least that is where it is rumored to be. In actuality, I
believe that the system is held somewhere in Fort Snelling. What better
way to cover a secret than with a supposedly "haunted" old military
base?]<<<<<
>>>>>[I've heard this warning and when it tells you "step away from the
frontier," you listen.]<<<<< >>>>>[Even though you may be trapped in body, they still haven't gotten away
to closing down some of the illegal matrix access in Minneapolis. Many people
can conduct completely normal lives through the Matrix.]<<<<<
After this initial warning the device emits a high energy electromagnetic
pulse, often cutting off energy to the Minneapolis Barrens Free Zone,
which usually incapacitates the intruder, and often destroys cyberware.
The final response is initiated when the intruder leaves the interior.
Gun ports open from within the pillars, targeting and firing on the
intruder.
>>>>>[And splatters his guts all over the families enjoying a picnic in
the parks surrounding it. Nice touch.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I've got myself a brand spanking new implant, and I love it. I
don't think the person I took it from is none too happy though. I
couldn't find any anesthetic.]<<<<< >>>>>[Thanks for the warning, we'll be looking for you now.]<<<<<
All visitors entering the state must stop at a tourist center, and are
issued a wrist version of the pass, which must be returned upon leaving
the state.
>>>>>[Yeah real nice, you forget to stop, casually enter The Free Zone,
get zapped along the way, and then get thrown into Minneapolis for
violating Free Zone code. Just what I always wanted.]<<<<<
>>>>>[That happened to a fiend of mine the other week. He's none too
happy.]<<<<<
>>>>>[These babies pack a real nice punch. I've used them in a couple
of situations where I've needed a quick explosive. Does the job in a
jiffy.]<<<<<
>>>>>[It's not that bad, really. Come and stay awhile, we've got more
tourism than you could possibly imagine. That and I'm about to be
nominated to King of Tibet.]<<<<<
>>>>>[I've spent my entire life here in the Minneapolis Barrens, and
although you'd get the idea that it's a horrible place, once you get used
to it, you never want to leave.]<<<<< >>>>>[I'd have to agree. I love the place. It may be that I've got ties in
the right places. Who knows?]<<<<<
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Guido the Enforcer