[Mercy Merchant]

Robin stops in her tracks as you leave the room and you notice her face go pale.  She nods as she tries to speak but has to try a second time before any words come out.  "Just now.  Fragging lab is one of the few bio war labs left in the world.  They keep building stuff to make sure that it cannot be used against them.  Anyway, there is a report that their lab in Denver recently misplaced a load of specialized anthrax ampules.  The lab categorically denies the rumor and has produced extensive documentation that covers all quantities of the bio weapon at the facility.  Looks like maybe the lab is lying, eh?"

[Irn0rchid]

Aaaaand there's that weight back on Rose's shoulders. She sighs, "So you're saying we've got a sack full of weaponized anthrax in the next room? I'm hoping you guys didn't open any of them? Were you able to get anything on what it was 'specialized' to do? I don't guess we can just flush it down the toilet, eh?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Robin nods and seems to pull herself back together.  "Checking now on those and other questions.  The specific "specialization" is not listed, but normal weaponized strains usually target a segment of a population.  We could be looking at another dark night where Trolls and Orks are targeted, or Japanese, or...............oh, I don't know.  We need to let someone know.  But who?"

[Irn0rchid]

"Do we? Who would you trust to be responsible with something like that? One of the governments? A corp? I can't think of anyone, but I'm open to suggestions..." Frowning in the direction of the safe room, she suggests with false hope, "Can't we just get a safe, lock it up, and toss it into the sound? Pretend we never saw it?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine has recovered her own ability to speak.  "Sure we could, and maybe that is the best option.  But Howard ostensibly knows it was in the locker and he may use that as leverage to save his hide.  Then we could get fingered when it is not there.  What the frag was he involved in?  That bastard."

[Irn0rchid]

Rose sighs, "No, I didn't think so. One more thing to deal with I guess. Did you two see anything about Flint or biowar in the ledgers? We may have to go back through them to try and see who he might have been involved with relating to it. We might even need to go back through that relic he called a computer in his office as well... I hope you two weren't planning on any sleep tonight!" she jokes.

[Mercy Merchant]

Both women shake their heads and Elaine taps in the new code to open the door.  Neither can remember any entry in the ledgers that referred to this, but both admit that they were skimming.  The dinosaur does yield up a folder labeled Flint, but it is password protected.  Robin slides into VR to bypass the password but is back in a second, a worried look on her face.  "Won't work.  This is very sophisticated, much more than the computer would suggest.  I think that the password is a one-shot deal.  Either get it right or something bad happens.  This is at least AAA rating stuff, maybe even military grade and I am not sure I can bypass it.  It could just erase the file or it might do something worse, like blow up.  Elaine, do you have any ideas of what he would have used as his password?"

Elaine shakes her head.  "I never got the impression that Howard was skilled with computers or any sort of tech.  He always talked as if he was ignorant.  I have no idea, but I think we ought to avoid just banging one in."

[Irn0rchid]

"No passwords written under the keyboard or anything I guess?" Sighing, she walks over to the doorway, "I'd almost be willing to give up all the money to get out from under all this other drek that came with it... Well I guess lets lock everything up for the night. I can try making some inquiries about Flint tomorrow when I hand over the first ledger, that might present us with some options? Regardless, let's actually get some sleep, who knows what further complications tomorrow will bring..."

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  13 June 2075  2200  Elaine's House   Seattle

The others both nod and Elaine leads the way to the master bedroom.  Some of the anxiety of the day is forgotten in bed and all can curl up together and get some sleep.  Elaine is the first awake and nudges the rest of you as she heads to the shower.  "What is on the agenda for today?"

[Irn0rchid]

"Well I need to take one of the ledgers to my contact to try and get those things unloaded and make them someone elses problem. I also need to go meet up with one of my suppliers to see about some electronic toys. Somewhere in there we need to sit down and talk about the future as well." Pointing at Elaine, "*You* need to try and decide what you want to do with your newfound freedom and then, depending on what you decided, we all need to talk about some options for the near future. But that can wait till after I see about those stupid books." Getting out of bed and dragging a sleepy Robin behind her, she follows Elaine. "But first, let's get this day started off at least on a good note," she says as pushes the other two girls into the shower. "This being bossy thing is kind of fun," she thinks, "at least once I know the parameters of the situation!"

[Mercy Merchant]

Wednesday  13 June 2075  0730  Elaine's House   Seattle


The shower seems to wake everyone up, but the ampules hidden in the secret room have put a damper on any frivolity under the water for now.  Breakfast is served and ready for you by the time you all dress and go downstairs.  Elaine again shakes her head and bemoans the loss of a cook as a perk.  After breakfast, you can retrieve one of the ledgers from the den and return to the living room, where the others are waiting.

[Irn0rchid]

Coming back up from the secret room with one of the ledgers in hand, Rose looks at the other two women sitting there solemnly and can't help but sigh. Trying to put on a chipper face is hard while warning them to be careful today and not to let anyone into the house while she's gone. As a precautionary measure, she orders the Gopher to leave the Everett house and come park near Elaine's place, just in case they need it. Bidding farewell to the others, she gets in the Americar and heads back to Chinatown once again. On the way, she can't help but think about that girl, Sian, that she met last time, and wonder if she'll run into her again. Leaving the car, she has the CU^3 watch for more gangers ahead of her as she takes the main streets back to the antique shop.

[Mercy Merchant]

You were reminded of Sian earlier when you were dressing and touched the small figurine she had given you.  On closer look is it of some sort of Roman soldier, although you cannot be sure, and it is a bit warmer to the touch than it ought to be. 

The drive in from Elaine's house is uneventful, but the news feeds are still going on about the violence that had rocked the city last Saturday.  You do not see any extraordinary gang presence on the short walk from the entrance of Chinatown to the antique shop.  Entering the shop, you see the girl behind the counter raise her eyebrows and motion for you to wait.  The small man comes through the beaded curtain in a couple of minutes and approaches you, bowing as he gets to within two feet.  "How may we be of service to you this morning, Miss?"

[Irn0rchid]

"I had mentioned to Miss Ni Ni that I had an item for her to look at. I was unable to make it back yesterday, but hopefully she's in now?"

[Mercy Merchant]

The man bows again.  "Yes, Miss, she is in but is currently with another customer.  Would you care to wait a few minutes?  I will see if I can determine how long the wait will be.  Would you like some tea in the meantime?"