Mao sat down at the bar to research the area the map led to and waste some time until Flask was done.

...It appeared to be a section of the city that alleged to be the research laboratory section of Alder corporation, which engaged in the cutting edges of bioengineering.

And a young child came up to her, with a folded message from Flask.

Mao smiled at the kid and passed them some money before taking the message.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:14, Tue 28 July 2020.

You've given me an interesting challenge.  This is something I've never seen before.  It's organic, and decaying, and quickly.  What it decays into is corrosive and explosive, but not a mutagen.  Fresh, I would guess it's a very powerful mutagen, but it seems to break down into its destructive product upon exposure to oxygen.  I really need a sample that's fresh to determine more about it.  One that hasn't been exposed to oxygen.

Mao sighed.

"It looks like I will indeed need you."

"So what's the job?" Enrico asked.

"We're going to have to get into the Alder Corp and find a fresh sample of the mutagenic compound and get out," Mao said.

"I don't suppose you can tell me anything about the opposition?" Enrico asked.

"I don't know. I haven't had any experience with them before. They are a medical corp," Mao said. "We are going to have to discus the price as well."

"Meaning you don't have much?" Enrico asked.

"I have money. What would you normally charge for a job like this?" Mao asked.

"You don't have any info about what the opposition is," said Enrico.  "That's bad... am I the only one you're bringing, or do you want a team?"

"I don't have enough for a team," Mao said. "It'll be you and me. My magic can get us in."

"...all right," sighed Enrico.  "Friends and Family rate is two thousand, and I can't go lower than that, unless you've got something else to offer in trade."

He was all business now, calculating risks against rewards.

"W-what kind of trade are you talking about?" Mao asked. "I need to save more for a batch of tetanus shots that  fell off the back of a truck."

Enrico shrugged.

"...Well, a guy in my line of work needs medical care from time to time," he said.

"Oh, so just something....anyway, I can certainly do that," Mao said.

"Still need some cash, though," said Enrico.  "What can you come up with?"

Mao did some mental math.

"I can do a thousand and  I guess I can throw in a small bonus, since you've been rather gentlemanly. I'll give you a chance and forget everything in the past and be willing to go on a few dates with you."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Thu 30 July 2020.

Enrico raised a furry eyebrow.

"That's something I hadn't even asked for," he said.  "...I mean, yeah, definitely!  But a thousand and medical care, I can work with.  I need some liquid assets to pick up ammo and some intrusion equipment.  Thermal paste, for example."

"Okay, we'll probably have to wait until tonight anyway," Mao said. "I'll pay you at the clinic."

"All right," said Enrico.  "When do you want me to meet you there?  Or do you want an escort?"

Mao shrugged.

"You can come with me now if you want."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Thu 30 July 2020.

"I will, then," said Enrico.  "Lead on."

Mao head back to the clinic with him him.