Shadow World Productions was, at least according to Mr. Johnson, a subsidiary of Ares Global Entertainment.  The bulk of the company seemed to operate out of a warehouse in Tacoma.  Mr. Johnson had a glitzy office overlooking the main floor, a series of storage containers had been transformed into armouries, editing suites, and similar.  Finally, the bulk of the open floor had been transformed into a training and obstacle course, where the soon to be stars of Runner’s Reality honed their skills.<br/><br/>There were few actual staff other than Mr. Johnson, and most of them were trainers that had clearly been contracted for the short term.  There were a few editors and a couple of administrative types, but they largely kept to themselves.<br/><br/>It was roughly a month after the contracts had been signed that the first mission was revealed.  As the stars departed to their respective homes for the night, a message arrived from Mr. Johnson.<br/><br/><strong>“Your first mission will begin at 06:00 tomorrow.”</strong>The message informed the stars in Mr. Johnson’s face appeared.<strong>“I’m sure that you’re all eager, but let me go back over a few things.  This is all intended to be non-lethal, but accidents do happen.  We don’t expect you to pull your punches, the people you’re up against certainly won’t.  We want it to look real.  Each of you will have a head-mounted camera complete with satellite uplink, made to be all but invisible of course, there will also be hidden and drone cameras.  You’ll be paid five thousand nuyen per episode, how many we end up with per mission will be determined in editing.  We will also provide a bonus if you successfully complete the mission.”</strong><br/><br/>The message shifted, now showing a red Honda-GM 3220 as a voice over continued to speak.<strong>“A prominent businessman, Roman Alonzo, was having some sensitive files couriered from Renton to Everett.  His assistant, one Misty Vennla, was ambushed by a street gang in Redmond.  Miss Vennla had concealed the datachip in a safe beneath the driver’s seat in her Honda, but it is not believed that the gang was after the files.  We believe that it was a simple car-jacking.”</strong><br/><br/>It shifted once more, now showing a group of motorcycle riding thugs, all prominently displaying a symbol that involved a trident piercing a skull.<strong>“The Lords of the Coast are believed to be responsible for the carjacking.  They are known to be involved in the trade of car parts and stolen cars.  It is likely that the Honda will be either chopped up for parts, or sold overseas.  Either way, you must get to it first.  The safe is biometrically locked, with only Miss Vennla having access.  It also has a failsafe that will destroy the contents if it is forced open.  That means that as well as recovering the safe, you must locate and rescue Miss Vennla.”  </strong><br/><br/>The message now showed the face of a rather handsome orc dressed in a suit.<strong>“There are two leads for you to pursue.  This ork is known as Edward, and is the face for the Lords of the Coast.  He lives on, and operates from, a yacht that is anchored off the coast.  He should know almost everything going on with the gang, and will likely have a large number of files.  Access will be difficult unless you are a strong swimmer, but security is likely light.”</strong><br/><br/>A parking garage was displayed, the entrance nearly blocked by ruined cars, a building that looked abandoned sitting above it.<strong>“This is believed to be the lair of the gang.  There is no telling just how many gang members there are, but they are well armed and well-motivated.  The car is very likely within the garage somewhere, waiting to be processed.  The apartment building above is home mostly to squatters, and the garage has been sealed off from it.”</strong><br/><br/>Mr. Johnson’s face returned.<strong>“We expect to package this into one to two episodes.  You complete the objective, specifically, recovering the datachip with the files still on it, you will be rewarded an additional two thousand nuyen each.  In addition, a number of challenges have been established that will bring a monetary reward.”</strong><br/><br/>1000¥ - Least Kills<br/>1000¥ - Most Kills<br/>1000¥ - Best Action Scene<br/>1000¥ - Best One Liner<br/>1000¥ - Best Kill<br/>1000¥ - Closest Call<br/>1000¥ - Most Skin Shown<br/>1000¥ - Sex Scene<br/><br/><strong>“You will each carry what gear you have already been assigned or otherwise acquired.  In addition, you will be given five clips worth of gel or stick-n-shock rounds for any one gun of your choice, and two clips for any other weapons you carry.  You will be given five hundred nuyen each for expenses related to the mission, any that is unspent may be kept at the end of the mission if it is successful, or will be returned if the mission is a failure.”  </strong><br/><br/><strong>“You will report to the warehouse at 05:00 to be fitted with your camera and collect your gear.  At 06:00 the mission will begin.  You have 72 hours to complete it.”</strong>With that, the message ended.<br/>