[Mercy Merchant]

Robin starts to reach out and touch Elaine, but draws her arm back.  Her voice is a bit more sad than your is.  "Oh, Elaine.  Yes, it is because of you.  If it wasn't, we would have just left without telling you.  We would both like to stay with you and frag the money.  Things got more involved every day and I was feeling so guilty.  I.....I....."

She shuts down for a couple of minutes and Elaine looks over at her then at you and shakes her head.  "OK.  Frag it.  Let's just go back to the house and fuck each other silly.  You might want to tell your employer that you have spilled the beans, but I see no reason to hide.  And I really think that leaving just opens the door to these Yaks to think I was involved and come gunning for me.  As it is, they may still feel a need to clean house, but it has long been apparent to everyone that Howard does not include me in any dealings of any sort.  I want to be there to show them that I know nothing about what happened.  So, I guess just take me home and you two can stay if you want to."

[Irn0rchid]

"Are you sure? We don't want to force you to do anything..." When Elaine nods, Rose tells the car to return to Elaine's and continues, "Okay then, lets head home! But I don't think I'll be telling our employer anything. The job is done, and you knowing about it shouldn't change anything. It might be best that we do as Howard said though and be gone on Saturday, just so we don't bring any suspicion down on you." Rose then sends Robin a message to catch her up on her thinking, <<Well that worked out about as well as could be expected! I'm glad she's starting to accept it; you sounded so forlorn. I don't think there's any need to mention the upcoming theft. We're not actually involved and, assuming the thief is at all competent, she shouldn't even be aware it happened.>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Tuesday  12 June 2075  1600  Rachel's Car


>>I agree with everything.  I was feeling so bad about what she might think of us.  Maybe I am not cut out to be a cold-hearted shadow runner.  But I noticed your lip trembled a bit, too.<<

Elaine nods at your call to be gone for the weekend.  "I will try to send you messages as things happen."

You also get a reply back from Tiny as you are driving back to the house.  >>Hey, Rach.  Never forget about you.  You know you are my favorite customer, right?  Anyway, the guy is on a timetable, but he says he can get you one R6 pilot.  It will be about time and a half for cost, though.  Let me know if you need me to put you in touch with a good loan guy.  Not too harsh on the interest and easy terms.<<

[Irn0rchid]

<<I was just worried about losing our 4k a week!>>

"Hopefully it will be uneventful, but we'll stay close in case anything happens and you need help. But we've got 4 days till we have to worry about that. I know what your plans are for tonight," she winks, trying to get a smile from Elaine, "and I've got to meet our employer tomorrow to get paid, but other than that, the rest of the week is yours!"

As they're pulling in to the drive at Elaine's, Rose responds to Tiny, "Ouch, 50% markup? I guess I can handle that for the pilot... I'll definitely need a loan though... Is this the same money man you were going to deal with before? Did the guy say anything about the rest of my shopping list? And thanks again, btw!>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Tuesday  12 June 2075  1620  Elaine's House


>>Yeah, right.<<

Elaine helps you carry your bags back into the house and up the stairs, but will leave you to unpack.  {color=blue]"I am going down to explain to all of the staff that it looks like Howard has left me but that I should be able to cover all wages and maintenance costs for a few months, but they might want to begin looking for other employment.  But who knows, if he is really gone somewhere, I can try to sell off some of that fragging pottery and keep us going for a while."

She leaves you alone to unpack.

[Irn0rchid]

While Robin starts to unpack, Rose walks over and touches her on the shoulder, "You're sure this is what you want to be doing now? This might be our last chance to cut and run before things get potentially more complicated. It sounds like Elaine will be able to manage fine without us for a decent while..." Anticipating her response, Rose smiles and moves to start unpacking her own bags. "At least we'll have plenty of opportunity to level up our new character here!" <<I'm supposed to check in with Ni Ni tomorrow to get paid. Speaking of, I need to know how much money to send to your mage. Did you guys agree on a fee, or was this a 'pay what you think it's worth' situation?>> Once they've finished unpacking, "We should go check on her, she should be done with the staff by now..."

[Irn0rchid]

Robin smiles at you and seems a bit relieved. "Yeah.  I think it is
the right thing to do. >>I don't know if she will be able to keep the
payments coming, but any should help.  And we owe 2000 for the astral
scan.  He gave us a discount for being a friend of a friend.<<

As you descend to the living room you notice that the lights are off
and you can hear Elaine softly crying from the couch.  She looks up as
you walk over and wipes her face. "They are all leaving.  All of
them.  I told them that Howard was leaving me and that I would have to
look at the wages I was paying and they all turned in their notice on
the spot.  It was a bit comical in a way, you know.  Like rats leaving
a sinking ship.  Wanda, the cook, said that she would stay for the two
weeks, but the others are leaving on Friday.  Do you know anyone that
can do housework that does not charge an arm and a leg?"  She shakes
her head and presses a button on the console next to her and the
lights pop on. "I guess I should feel lucky that I have anything.
There is enough money in the bank to pay for the basics, and some
residuals from a small trust fund set up by my parents to make sure I
had some money.  So, I should quit whining at get cracking on kicking
ass in the game.  Boy, I feel like I need to kill something.  Weren't
we going after that Samedi twerp and his legion of undead?"

[Irn0rchid]

<<2000? For an hours work? I'd hate to know what he charges normal people...>> Rose transfers the money to the account Robin gave her.

When Elaine tells them about the staff all leaving, Rose shakes her head, "There's no real loyalty anymore. I remember that happened when we lost our money as well. Although it didn't sound like Howard was one to inspire much loyalty anyway, but you'd think they'd stay for you..." Sitting down next to her, she continues, "Maybe it's time to let go of the house as well. There's no reason to stay here after this weekend, is there?" Giving her a hug, Rose stands back up and snags two of the controllers, tossing one to Elaine, "Come on Robin, the Baron needs to be taught a lesson!"

[Irn0rchid]

>>Yeah, we are definitely in the wrong business, but then neither of us are awakened.  We would be singing a different tune if there had been some astral security here.<<

Elaine nods then shakes her head.  "I understand entirely and I have no real love for this house.  I could sell up in a quick minute, but I am thinking it might not all be bad luck.  If Howard is leaving me, I might be able to sell off his damned pottery collection.  I imagine his Yak boss will want something to cover the money Howard lost, but maybe someone will buy the rest of it.  You know anyone that might deal in antique Chinese pottery?  If not, there must be someone we can talk to.  I would be willing to go 20-20-60 on what we can make from the sale."

Robin looks at you then back at Elaine.  "And what did that list say the stuff is worth?"

Elaine smiles.  "About thirty million.  I expect, though, that even if we would have to take a large loss, we will get a good bit."  She grabs up the controller tossed at her and says, "Yes!  Time to show that nasty Baron Howard Samedi that he can't mess with us."

[Irn0rchid]

"I might be able to find people wanting to buy through the person that was employing us, but we shouldn't count our chickens until after whatever happens on Saturday... happens. Who knows what the Yakuza will do? Even at 10% though, that would still be a decent bit of nuyen. You could set yourself up in a business if you wanted to!" Rose picks up her own controller and gets down to the serious business of putting Baron Samedi down for the count. She makes sure to let Elaine get most of kill shots and the final loot at the end though, trying to keep her mind off of the events of the day for awhile.

[Mercy Merchant]

Your tactic seems to work as Elaine throws herself into the game, seeming to forget her problems as she pursues the dark Baron Samedi.  The final battle is tough for your levels, but you manage to put the guy back into the evil pit he came from and end the chapter.  Some whooping and cheers as the last minion falls and laughter all around.  Elaine looks at both of you and says, "Thanks a lot, you two.  I had fun.  Whatever comes of this, you guys have helped me.  A lot.  Now, what would you say to retiring for the night and letting me show you how much I appreciate you?"

[Irn0rchid]

"Now that's the Elaine we know!" Rose grins and hops off the couch and points towards the bedroom, "What are you waiting for?" Shooing the other 2 in front of her she follows them down the hall. When they're passing her and Robin's bedroom she stops and says, "I need to freshen up real quick, you two go ahead and I'll be right there." Ducking into the room, she hurries to her purse and pulls out the Kanmushi. Quickly programming it to return to the secret room and to record the activities of any people that enter, she then uses the restroom quickly and rejoins the other two in Elaine's room. "Wow, you two didn't waste any time," she says upon seeing them fully naked and entwined on the bed. Stripping off her own clothes into a pile she jumps on the bed to join them.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tuesday  12 June 2075  2130  Elaine's House


What follows could easily be considered to be more than XXX rated and the complete description is better left to the imagination.  Suffice it to say that after a couple of hours the three of you are left panting and sweating, too exhausted to move from the bed.  After a few sighs of contentment, all of you pass out in a slumber that is uninterrupted until 0600.  While enjoying a shower of unlimited hot water, you review the feed from the drone.  You can see a figure entering the coverage of the drone's camera, but it is a bit blurry and indistinct as it makes its way directly to the office.  The light turns on and you can make out the form bent over the old computer then straightening after precisely 4.39 minutes.  The figure leaves the office and turns out the light there, walking with a purpose to one of the display cases and making short work of the lock, opening the glass door in exactly 9.6 seconds.  A hand hovers over a small pottery bowl then plucks it up and turns it over to look at the bottom before slipping a duplicate from a small sack and replacing it for the original on the shelf.  Closing the cabinet door, the figure steps back and appears to be studying the case then turns and leaves the room in a somewhat anticlimactic end to the theft.  The thief had been in the room a total of 8.68 minutes.

[Irn0rchid]

Mentally and physically refreshed, Rose enjoys her time in the shower while she considers the video from the drone. I wonder why that particular one was the one she wanted? At least they put in a fake so I don't have to worry about explaining to Elaine why one is missing." She reviews her memory of the pricing sheet to see what the value on that particular piece was. "They were definitely professional; I wonder what they were doing to blur the camera? Oh well, doesn't really matter, I just wanted to make sure I knew what they took." Eventually finishing up her shower, Rose towels off and returns to the bedroom to get dressed. Once prepared to face the day, she goes back to the living room and turns on the trid to wait for the others. "I wonder if Ni Ni is up yet?" Returning her message, she sends, <<Just returning your message. 1400 is fine today; I'll be there. I assume last night was a success?>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  13 June 2075  0645  Elaine's House


If you recall correctly, the piece in question was of relatively low worth compared to many of the rest.  It's value of 15,ooo nuyen puts it well down on the list.  Again, despite the hour, the response from Ni Ni is swift.  >>Thank you, Rachel.  I will be expecting you.  And, yes, last night went as it should have.  I have been impressed with your skills so far and may have an offer for you if you wish to assist in the next phase.<<

Elaine comes down the stairs, followed by Robin.  "So which boss is next?  That is the right word, right?  Boss?"

Robin laughs and hugs you.  "We may have created a monster in more ways than one, dear.  But yes, Elaine, that is the correct word.  And I think the next set of adventures involve the Gorgon League and the boss is a tough Medusa who is being courted by Lord Merde, who is someone you will see lots of times.  He is always at the back of the show, just escaping as he tosses a minion at you.  He is one of the main bosses on the game and you will not get a real chance to kill him for quite some time."