Re: So why would anyone become a shadowrunner, anyway?

pentaj2@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> 
> After posting the topic at 
> http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=15312,
and reading 
> responses there, I'm left with a pressing 
> question.
> 
> Why the heck would anyone become a shadowrunner?
> 
[...]
> My character, unfortunately...He's 30. He's the new kid, only been on 
> the unit about a year or two, maybe 3 years, tops. Everybody else has 
> influence they can use to pull themselves to another job in KE; He has 
> none. No enemies, but no friends besides those he served with, really. 
> So he's the victim of attrition during a cutback in 2070.
> 
> OK, so he's jobless. Separated on good terms, but still.
> 
> But, still. Why would he become a shadowrunner? (I know, maybe it 
> means I should go with another character concept, but...Eh, I dunno. 
> Something in me feels stubborn.)
> 
> Why would *anybody* become a shadowrunner, actually?

Normall people don't become shadowrunners. Normal people become cor****ate
wageslaves if they're lucky. To become a shadowrunner, you have to be
either really desperate (there's no way you're going to land a legal or
otherwise safer job), or a serious adrenaline junkie.

So let's supppose he joined KE because he comes from a pretty safe
environment, and he's basically looking for some action and excitement.
That's why he becomes SWAT, ofcourse. By the time he gets kicked out,
he realises he wants more, and just at that moment, he meets someone
who knows a bit about shadowrunning, and can introduce him with the
right people. Not having easy access to another job that offers the
same kind of excitement, he decides to do it. Maybe just for now, until
he can find something better, right? That's how it always starts.

I think these are the ways one can become a shadowrunner:

* You're from a poor, violent background. Been in a gang. But
shadowrunning
offers more money, or is more interesting and exciting than a gang.

* You're a serious adrenaline junkie and thrill seeker, and while other
hobbies may offer similar excitement, no other job does.

* You just get involved in it somehow, and don't know how to get out.
You're going with the flow, and somehow, this is where the flow got you.

* You're really, extremely good at something, and regular jobs just
don't offer the samme kind of challenge. Maybe this one is a bit similar
to the adrenaline junkie.

In any case, you need the right contacts. Job agencies don't have any
"Shadowrunners wanted" vacancies. It's illegal. If it was easy to get
into, I'm sure someone would be doing soomething about it.


mcv.
-- 
Science is not the be-all and end-all of human existence. It's a tool.
A very powerful tool, but not the only tool. And if only that which
could be verified scientifically was considered real, then nearly all
of human experience would be not-real.                  -- Zachriel