[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya smiles.  "Take all the time in the world as long as you decide by Monday.  We will need to get IDs and backgrounds together and you will need time to become familiar with them.  Just to reiterate; we want you to be part of the recon team that helps us pinpoint where the vases are so that I can get to them.  We will be a team in this and I will try to keep you as informed as possible about what is happening."

[Irn0rchid]

"We can definitely come up with something before then, I just don't want to be hasty about it. We can do some basic research and try ti figure out some good cover stories that might get us an initial introduction without being obvious about it." She thinks for a moment, "Are we going to be able to bring in equipment or will it all have to be purchased or provided there?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Colonel Greaves speaks up.  "We can move equipment around within reason.  That is one area where we are at a disadvantage compared to our foes.  They have the assets of a AAA and a major crime syndicate and we just have us.  If you have a list, we can consider it, but we may end up needing to get some of our equipment locally.  And before you ask, this is not a Spallmart of spy stuff.  Be smart about any equipment you ask for."

[Irn0rchid]

"Well, it certainly sounds like we have a lot to talk about. We'll get back to you by Monday to confirm details." She looks at the other two women, "Unless you two had any more questions?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Robin and Elaine look almost numb as they shake their heads.  Tanya nods and stands and the three screens go dark as the unseen entities log off.  Greaves and Ni Ni remain seated as Tanya comes to you and motions for you to walk with her.  "I hope you can see your way to helping us.  We do have an organization, but it is really quite small and we cannot do all of this ourselves.  I hope that appreciate the chance we took to bring you in from the dark and share with you.  Please be careful and let us know as soon as possible."

She puts a finger to her lips as she approaches the door and escorts you out of the conference room.  She quietly leads you to the exit from the building and to the paring lot where your cars are.  Turning to all of you, she says, "Monday, then?"

[Irn0rchid]

"I don't think there's any question about us helping, we just need to figure out the best way to do so. You have to admit, this is fairly sudden." After following her quietly out of the building, Rose responds, "We'll definitely let you know by then. If we come up with any more questions, is there a good way to contact you?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods.  "Of course.  I am sending each of you a personal com code.  Use it if you want to talk.  I may be busy, but I will get back to you if you leave a message."

She watches as the three of you approach your vehicles, then waves and turns to go back into the building.  Robin and Elaine look at you and their eyes are a bit wider than normal.  Robin whispers, "I suppose we should not chat about this out here, but I am about to burst.  Home?"

[Irn0rchid]

Rose nods and motions to the car as the doors pop open and the three of them climb in. She waits for a few moments as the car pulls away from the building and then speaks, "We should be fine to talk in here. But speaking of eavesdropping, are we sure Howard doesn't have any way of listening in or observing us back at his house? If this next job involves a group that he's a part of, we shouldn't risk him hearing anything..." She looks over at Robin and raises her eyebrow, receiving a small nod in return. "Why don't we go back to our place? Should be safe from anyone watching us there."

[Mercy Merchant]

Elaine nods, too.  "I am not sure that he cannot, but then he would have heard everything anyway, right?  Still, this is new and we should not take any chances.  I can have the car just go back home?"

[Irn0rchid]

Rose instructs the car to head to back to her and Robin's place before sinking back into the chair and sighing. "Okay, so does this sound like something we want to do? It already sounded interesting, but now we're apparently going to be saving the world and getting paid at the same time? I'm certainly okay with that. Although if something goes wrong, we'll be all on our own in a foreign country, so that's certainly something to take into account." Rose looks pointedly at the other two. "At this point, I'm in, although it's moving kind of quickly, but that seems to have been the theme of the last week," she chuckles. "What are you two thinking?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Rose actually looks a little relieved and smiles.  "Thank God!.  I was afraid you were going to back out.  I am in.  Elaine?"

Elaine looks at both of you and shakes her head.  "Listen to both of you.  Were you listening to what those people were saying?  Going against a AAA and the Yaks?  And who knows who else is involved?  Now, don't get me wrong, saving the planet is a good idea, but what about saving ourselves?"  She looks around at both of you then sighs.  "OK.  Someone had to at least have a moment of sanity and say that.  But having said it, I need to say something else.  You two have given me something to live for...........no, someONE to for.  I have spent a while over the last few days wondering just what my life was and would continue to be if you had not shown up or if you went away.  That fragging picture is awfully bleak.  I feel more alive now than I have ever felt in my life.  And it is thanks to you two.  And it is way more than sex, although the sex has been the best I have ever had.  It is something else I cannot really explain.  So if you think for one second that I am letting you two out of my sight to go traipsing off to Thailand without me, well, you can just think again.  I say we go over there and fuck these people up and stop their plot so we can get back to having sex together.  And if I die there, well, I cannot think of better people to die with.  Is that direct enough?"

[Irn0rchid]

Rose blushes a little as Elaine gives her speech and then laughs, "Yes, I'm not sure you could have been any more direct. I guess that settles it then; Thailand, here we come!" The other two let out a similar cheer and they grin at each other for a few moments. "Well, I'm glad that's decided, because we're nearing the house. Just a quick warning, Elaine, once we pull in, hang tight in the car for a moment while I add you to the security system. It shouldn't be a problem since you're here with me, but never can be too careful, right?" she chuckles.

As the car pulls into the garage, Elaine peers out the window as the two sentry bots slide along the rails to either side of the car. Rose gets out quickly and heads over to the control console where she plugs in and adds Elaine to the approved guests list before turning back to the car and motioning for the other women to get out as the drones resume their normal positions. "All safe now, we can go inside. It's not as nice as your place, but no traces of Howard here!"

[Mercy Merchant]

Indeed, there are no traces of Howard here.  Robin gives Elaine the fifty-cent tour, which takes far less time than a similarly priced tour of Elaine's house would take.  At the end, Elaine looks at the two of you and asks if she can have a moment alone in the living room.

[Irn0rchid]

Rose looks at Robin and shrugs, "Sure, take all the time you need." She then heads back to the garage to check on all her gear after being away for so long.

[Mercy Merchant]

The garage is how you left it.  After a few minutes, Robin comes out to the garage.  "I wonder if something is wrong, Rach.  Elaine is in there quietly sobbing away.  I did not feel right about just butting in, but do you think maybe we should?"