[Mercy Merchant]

Ni Ni shakes her head.  "At this time the other contractor will not move on the project until you have more information.  Please contact me as soon as possible once you have anything to report."  Again, the man appears at your elbow as if by magic and escorts you back to the front of the shop. 

[Irn0rchid]

"Well, that went about how I expected. I figured she'd want more information on the secret room, and good to know she doesn't expect me to actually steal anything. Astral is going to be annoying though..." Walking back to the car pickup point she messages Robin, <<Hey, got payment for the first job and now she wants more detailed information on that room. Were you able to get any more of a look at the matrix security on it? She's going to want an astral recon as well, you have any mage friends you want to bring in or should I reach out to one of my contacts? Either way, I'm headed back to Elaines now.>> "If she doesn't know anyone I'll have to contact Gouwei and see if he can recommend a mage." Once back in her car, she directs it back to Elaine's and sends one more message, <<Hey, Tiny, how are you stocked on Kanmushis? Could use a couple of those, software for them, and some spare parts. Oh, and some camera gear for them. Let me know.>>

[Irn0rchid]

        >>You mean we actually got paid?  For doing this?  Wow, I could get
        used to your sort of life.  And, yeah, old Robin has not been
        entirely lazy.  I do have some information, but not enough.  Got
        irons in the fire, though.  I am pretty sure we want to be careful,
        right?  Not getting caught is important.  Mage, huh.  Oh, hey,
        remember that guy from back at April's party?  What was his name?
        Oh frag, I cannot remember.  I can give her a call if you like.  They
        seemed pretty tight and she might know how to contact him.  He was
        talking about needing some work, but I have no idea how good he is.
        Hurry back.  Miss you.<<


Tiny takes only a few minutes to get back to you.  >>Hey, sorry, had a
customer in when you called.  Kanmushis, eh?  Yeah, I got a couple and
can get more if you want to wait a couple of days.  One of them is in
good condition but the other could use some work as it seems to glitch
on me.  I could get a good camera in the one if you want to swing by
and wait a bit.  Let me know.<<

[Irn0rchid]

<<Yup, paid with a bonus! Got rent covered plus the weekly funds we're getting from Elaine now. And yes, not getting caught is paramount. One, Howard doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would respond well to that and two, we don't want to mess up the gravy train with Elaine prematurely. Please give April a call, see what she says. At this point anyone we got would be untested, so might as well start with a friend of a friend. I'm on my way!>>

<<You know I can do the work on them, but I'd rather not start with one that's got unknown issues. How about we just do the one with my standard sensor package but replace the laser mic with a MAD sensor and do whatever you can with the cameras? And then some parts so I can customize the speed and acceleration and such. Those things are so slow by default! I wouldn't be able to come by till tomorrow though, most likely.>>

[Irn0rchid]

Tiny acknowledges the request.  >>Hey, for you, anything.  Swing by
any time after noon and all will be good.<<

The gate at the driveway responds to the code you enter into the pad
there and swings open, allowing you to proceed up the drive and park
in the garage.  Robin is waiting for you at the door leading into the
house and she takes your hand and leans in to give you a kiss.
Stepping back she licks her lips and says, "I just wanted to do that,
just to see what it felt like to welcome you home like that."  She
smiles.  "Fragging amazing.  Just too much.  So, dinner in about an
hour.  Elaine is changing.  We went shopping and I think she has
changed just about her entire wardrobe.  Way too many bags to put in
the car so some was delivered.  Lots of cool stuff.  Anyway, I have
cocktails on the patio if you are interested."

[Irn0rchid]

Rose returns the kiss and smiles broadly, "I could get used to that!" Amused, "A whole new wardrobe? What was wrong with the old one? Did you get anything fancy for yourself? And cocktails sound great!" Grabbing Robin's hand, Rose lets her lead her out to the patio. While they're walking, <<So you said you found out some information?>>

[Irn0rchid]

Robin laughs, "Nothing was wrong with her old stuff, but she said it was her old life and she was done with that.  I did not want to spend our money like that without talking to you, first.  She wanted to buy me everything, but I declined.  I feel guilty enough as it is.  What are we to do with the monster we created?"

She keeps your hand as you walk to the rear patio.  A pitcher of something alcoholic and good sits on a table under an umbrella. >>I am assuming you are referring to something other than some of what I learned from how he used his mouth on me?  OK.  I have learned a couple of things of importance.  First, there is some sort of matrix barrier at the door.  Remember how I told you that this place is its own host?  I meant it.  Complete with a Spider and what I would assume is some wicked IC.  I managed to get into the host but only as far as using common areas, such as the kitchen, swimming pool, patio, places like that.  The Spider watches the rest pretty closely.  I did not even try to go past it, but I am pretty sure that it is an off-site service, not a resident.  Second, I did get as far as peeping in the door when Howard was coming and going.  I have some pics of the security system that might help an expert determine what it is.  Third, we have a potential invite to see the room in person.  I guess I managed to impress him with my knowledge.  I have downloaded tons of stuff and am trying to digest it all.  He knows about us and wants to fuck you.  I told him you were pretty much lesbo, but that only seemed to excite him more.  He told me that if I could arrange it, he would take me down to see the pottery.  Personally, I do not know if we need to sacrifice you on the pillar of Howard's ego to get a view of the room, but I told him I would talk to you.  Oh, and he is willing to toss a few hundred our way if he can use one or both of us when he is home, which will not be until Monday night at the earliest.<<

[Irn0rchid]

"Don't think of it as creating a monster, more as liberating a prisoner." And then to herself, "And hopefully it stays that way. If she learns why we're here, I don't think that will go well..." Grabbing a glass Rose pours a drink for Robin and then one for herself. Sinking into one of the chairs, she considers what Robin said and sighs internally, "A spider is going to make this really slow, or really difficult, or both..." <<Well a spider is not good news... I guess if we get desperate I could let him sleep with me to get you into the room, but lets try other options first. Definitely not for a few hundred... If you show me the pictures I can take a look at them, but I'm not really an expert. Might be able to pass them to the client though and have her deal with them since it's what's she's interested in. My current plan was to try to get a small drone into the room though an air conditioning duct or a plumbing line, but that's going to be much harder if there's a spider watching for unfamiliar icons. I can boost the noise around the drone and the spider being remote helps, but it sounds like for safety I might need to have it go in under its own control. And that's assuming we can find some duct work that leads down there...>>

Checking out the pics: 8d6t5 3

[Mercy Merchant]

Robin lifts her glass in a toast.  You look at the pictures of the security device that Robin sends you and you realize right away that it is a dual system, a lock that once opened reveals a second one.  You are not familiar with the specific model, but someone more familiar with locks might.

>>There would need to be some vent access, right?  Some way for him to breath down there?  We will have a whole weekend to find it.<<

[Irn0rchid]

<<I would assume so, but we don't have unlimited time to look for it. There's apparently another contractor coming to try to steal some of the pottery at some point and Howard's comment about thembeing worth even more soon is worrying. We need to try to find out more about that too if possible
>>

When Elaine joins them on the patio Rose smiles at her, "You're looking nice, new clothes?" She grins, "Robin says you tried to buy out the entire store! Are we going to get a fashion show?"

[Irn0rchid]

Robin nods at your last text just as Elaine comes out on the patio.
She smiles back at you as she pours herself a drink then turns around
to model her new outfit.  "Yes, I wanted something different to
celebrate my new life.  I feel totally new inside and wanted to show
that on the outside, too.  Ooooh, good drink.  A couple or three of
these and the show you get will be a strip tease."  She sits down in a
chair opposite you and continues, "Robin and I had a nice chat about
Howard while we were shopping.  I advised her to make sure that she
does not sell herself cheaply.  I happen to know that he pays his
mistresses about five hundred a week for expenses and another two
thousand a week just to be on his arm.  And that is in addition to
providing them a place to live for as long as he is interested in
them.  Amanda, the current one, is at almost six months, which is
about a month longer than normal.  I would expect that he is already
looking around for her replacement.  So the same goes for you, dear.
If he asks, I say go large and see what you can get."

She finishes off the drink and reaches to pour another but stops.
"No, I had better be careful around these.  Maybe later.  So what do
you girls want to do this evening?"

[Irn0rchid]

<<See, I told you he was being cheap!>>

"I don't think we had any plans. I've gotten everything done today that I needed, so just dinner and bed at some point. Would you like to do anything? You spent the afternoon out, do you want to stay in? We're your kept women now, so it's up to you!" she jokes with a smile.

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine laughs.  "This is just too funny.  I may be keeping you girls, but I have no idea what to do.  Howard did not ever say I could not go out, but I really had no one to go out with.  The other wives always seemed to pity me and I think I did not help that any.  So my usual evening out was to some bar or strip club to pick up an anonymous woman to take to a motel or bring back here.  I will not need to do that until you two decide to leave.  And perhaps even after that.  I might just keep on being free.  You two have been super for me.  Perhaps we could set up the trideo game stuff?"

Robin perks up a bit at that suggestion.  "You should see the set up she bought.  SOFA stuff.  None of that skipping any more."

[Irn0rchid]

Rose's eyes light up at the thought of the upgraded game hardware, "Sure, that sounds great! Lets finish our drinks and then do that." A little while later, drinks emptied, they head back inside and go to the main living room where the boxes of new gear are set in front of the trid. "It's almost like Christmas!" she says as she helps Robin open all the gear and start assembling it. "At least we don't have to worry about hooking up wires anymore." Once everything is up and running, they all sit on the couch and turn on the game, "I've been wanting to make a Medusa, it will be neat to see all the intro levels on this setup. What do you guys want to play?"

[Mercy Merchant]

All three of you get lost in setting the hardware up, you and Robin showing Elaine what to do.  When it is ready, Elaine sits on the couch between you while Robin describes the various character types.  Robin looks over at you, "Medusa, eh?  Strong combat and some sorcery is a good choice, but I think I will stick with old tried and true.  Elaine, I think you should start with the werewolf.  That is a very strong basic fighter; lots of damage and it can take tones of punishment in the wolf form.  You can try it and then swap to something else after you get the hang of the game.  In my opinion, the werewolf is the most forgiving character for beginners."  Elaine nods and you can set all the characters up before the cook comes to announce that dinner is ready. 

Elaine looks happy as she stands to lead the way to the dining room.  She talks about the game the entire time, asking questions.