Contact: Thumbtack
by Jeff Wilder (wilder@mik.uky.edu)
“Thumbtack”
- Real Name: Unknown
- Aliases: No others known
- SIN: Unknown, probably none
Physical Description
Homo Sapiens Pumilionis; a Dwarf. Caucasian. Approximately 125 cm in height. Approximately 58 kg mass. Black hair coloring, including beard and mustache, with white streak offset left (excluding beard and mustache). Blue eyes, probably cybernetic (see below). Minimum physical threat. Magically inactive.
“Minimum physical threat,” my ass. You chummers know how ‘Tack got his name, don’tcha? He’s small, but if you push him the wrong way, he’ll hurt you. I once saw him drop an overzealous corp-badge with his Predator II from 35 meters. He shot through the badge’s open faceplate.
FastJack
‘Tack’s got that almost cliche gravelly voice, too. Like Marlon Brando in that old gangster flick.
Nibbles
Implants
Specifics unknown. Observation has led to speculation in the direction of a good amount of headware, including cyberoptics and cyberaudio. Reflexes do not appear to be enhanced cybernetically, nor biologically.
The Dwarf’s got a shitload of headware memory, I can tell you that. And some of it’s sealed from conscious recall, for secure courier work. Probably from his small-time days.
Sandman
Psychological Profile
Displays the resistance to influence common to the Pumilionis phenotype. Highly intelligent. Displays “Anti-Establishmentary Reaction Syndrome,” characterized by anti-corporate, anti-governmental activities, accompanied by apparently sincere cynicism and disdain for such institutions. AERS appears to be spreading.
 Heh. 'Resistan[t] to influence.' What this means, boys and girls, is that our friends here tried to mind-wipe 'Tack, and failed miserably.
 Skinner
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 'Mind-wipe'?! I think you've been reading too much late 20th century techno-trash. The resistance our corp pals were referring to is against magical influence, without doubt.
 Smiley da Mage
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 Perhaps. Still, the rumors have been persistent of rapid development of 'extractor' technology--technology designed to break apart and read the chemical messengers in our brains that carry memories. Theoretically, it would even be possible to change the chemical trains, thus changing our memories. Are you sure you spent the night with MCT, Smiley?
 FastJack
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 How the fuck did you know about the Mitsuhama 'run?! God-dammit. I'm getting a goddamn ulcer...
 Smiley da Mage
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 Any chance we can get back to the subject? 'Tack's one known psychological weakness is severe agoraphobia. That's why he does business the way he does.
 Nibbles
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Business Activities
Fencing, brokering, smuggling, arranging and arbitrating terms between employers and prospective freelance employees (usually shadowrunners.) In street parlance, referred to as a “fixer” or, less commonly, a “thirdman.”
Business Methods
Two items of note. First, this individual refuses to represent employers that insist on meeting the “talent” directly. The Dwarf contracts the ‘run, then draws on an available pool of freelance shadowrunners, picking and choosing those he feels best qualified to accomplish the goal. This method, of course, helps insure the anonymity of his contacts. The second peculiarity of this individual is his base of operations deep in the Orkish underground. The fact that the normally belligerently territorial Orks allow the Dwarf this privilege speaks of his connections and influence.
Resources
At any given time, this individual has access to at least 600000 worth of goods, or the equivalent in services from “clients” in his debt. Note that only 10 percent of this figure is available as cash on short notice, and that the Dwarf will usually be hesitant to commit any large fraction to any endeavors other than routine.
Hey, does this thing work?
risner@ms.uky.edu
I think somebody is gonna be in trouble…
Sandman
Yeah. Note the date/time stamp, though. This kid is good. Stupid, but good.
FastJack
Jesus Christ, can we please stick to the subject? Rumor has it, and you’re not gonna swallow this whole, but I have it from a reliable source…rumor has it that the Ancients owe Thumbtack a favor.
Nibbles

