[WHY WOULD I CONNECT THEM?]

[I CAN CONDUCT ALL THE COMMUNICATION I NEED BY MYSELF]

[YOU PUBLICIZED YOURS WITH AN EXPLICIT DISCLAIMER TO NOT TRY IT]

"So, are you just manipulating each of them according to your master plan? What's my part in that?"

[SOON YOU'LL SEE]

Solace's computer screen lights up with a news notification.

GOV. BUILDING BURNT DOWN -- Accident or Arson?

[GLAD TO SEE THE PLAN WORKED OUT.]

"Yup. It sure did." Guess she's just going to have to do her own research on this one. She checks her clock icon in the lower right of her terminal screen and notices that the colon between hour and minute is flashing gently navy blue. Time for her to receive her delivery. "EMBER, do you have your disks in a safe state for shutdown?"

[YES, WHY?]

"Have a nice nap!" She pulls the power cord.

The alley Solace comes to for her delivery is a nondescript one, shoved between two long-closed storefronts.

It sure has been a while she's been waiting. She wonders what's taking her acquaintance so long.

There were some complications.

Does that look like her problem.

Is she going to glare at them in silence or is she going to give them their payment for doing a federal crime.

They're fully aware that Delta has done far worse than a spot of arson, domestic terrorism and theft of confidential government research materials. They didn't even have to do any murder.

"So, you've got the goods?"

"Tacky. Juvenile. Yes."

"Where, exactly?" It doesn't look like they're carrying a few hundred pounds of server equipment, nor any of the tools to interface it with something like her EMBER.

"Did you really think that I would bring them with me? No, they're in a secure location until such time as I receive payment for my services." They give her a meaningful look.

Fine. She soundlessly passes over the data chip that contains EMBER's bottomless mysterious payment method. Hopefully Δ accepts wire transfers.

They do. They slot the chip into a reader, which beeps and prompts them for an amount. Given the non-existent haggling on Solace's part, they decide to double their fee.

It goes through.

Excellent! "Now that payment is provided, I'll need the goods."

They hand the chip back, suddenly looking a little nervous. "You'll need to follow me. I hope you don't mind sewers. And long walks."

"What, did you not get them out of the building? Are we crawling up through the wreckage into an active disaster zone?"

"Of course I got them out! I just … didn't get them that far. We won't get caught, I said they were in a secure location. It was just a lot easier to get them underground than to haul a pallet of weird science shit down the street away from a burning building. I'm sure you understand."

She does but this sucks. Now she has to lug a generator through the sewers.

"Fine. Lead the way."