Hale Public Library
Atsugi, Labrea System
Irece Prefecture
Third Quarter, 3065
As Jasmine Geutie entered the wide steel doors of the public library, she felt as though she was
entering a cave. It had been so many years since she had been to this enormous building, and
now she was returning for the same reason she had once visited. The information was hidden
here, tucked away somewhere in the memory banks of the library's main computer. All that
Jasmine needed were a series of passwords, the answers to a dozen or so riddles, and an empty
disk to store the information on. This information was so important to her team, the Acer's
Hueys. Though they had left this star system decades ago, they had been bound to this area by
this single data file. "The location of the Star League Warship..." Jasmine thought silently.
"Soon we will share this priceless information with the Strikers." She could only hope the
Strider's Strikers team was trustworthy. Its commander seemed an honest man, but so much
was at risk for the Hueys. If they were betrayed, they would have nothing left.
Jasmine had dressed well for today's operation. Donning a new suit colored light gray with black
trim, she had picked formal attire for her library visit. She wanted to look professional, yet
boring. The better she blended in with the upper class locals who so frequently visited the
building, the better chances she had of avoiding trouble. She sported a small black briefcase
similar to any business person. In this she carried only two things, a computer disk and her
slugthrower pistol. Her short black hair had been trimmed yesterday, giving her a fresh look
unlike that of her usual appearance. She boasted an exaggerated, fake smile to conceal any of
her actual concerns.
Looking up to the high ceiling several meters above her, Jasmine examined the library for any
changes it might have undergone in the last 25 years. As she expected, vidcams and other
security devices had been installed. The Hueys had locked away their secret safe here, and it
seemed as though the library's supervisor had installed the requested security upgrades for
further insurance.
Looking back down to her surroundings, Jasmine realized that only a few people populated the
library's main entrance. Off to her left, a young woman of Asian descent sat upon a wooden
bench, her face tucked away inside a large history book. On Jasmine's right walked an elderly
couple, slowly strolling down the polished rock floor. Their pace slowed as they approached
her, then they smiled warmly and walked through the exit. The door slammed hard, grabbing
Jasmine's attention for a brief moment. Though she was nervous, very nervous, she had to
maintain her calm exterior. This data retrieval would only take a moment, afterall...
As her thoughts returned to the day's plans, Jasmine noticed that the Asian woman had finally
looked up from her book. Squinting her eyes and flashing another exaggerated smile, Jasmine
acknowledged the other woman with a quick nod. The woman gave no recognition of the
greeting, seemingly seeing past Jasmine in hopes of something more exciting. Discouraged, the
woman lifted her book once again and resumed reading.
Jasmine turned to her right and began strolling toward the stairs. She needed to get up to the
third floor, visit the small computer lab there, and exit the library through its main entrance.
Unknown to any other individuals, the library actually contained only one entry way and one exit
way, its front door. All emergency escape routes had been sealed off for nearly two decades,
though even now they appeared to be completely functional. This was, of course, insurance that
no one would ever escape the library alive with the information it protected.
Rounding the stairwell, Jasmine casually climbed flight after flight of stairs until she had finally
reached the third floor entry way. As she waited for a security check, a familiar face greeted
her. "Thank you ma'am. I'll take that for you. Just need to run it through the scan." the guard
stated. His smile, something Jasmine had not seen for so many years, looked the same as always
- a perfect set of teeth save for one exception, a deformity in his upper right canine. Though his
eyes spoke many things to Jasmine, including his personal reassurance, his teeth were most
convincing that nothing had changed. She felt confident that all would go right with today's
operation.
Returning from the security office into which he had disappeared, the guard winked at Jasmine.
She stepped through the scanner at the entry way, and the guard handed her the briefcase.
"Thank you ma'am. All clear and you're ready for take off," he smiled. He handed her back her
briefcase, then waved a welcoming gesture with his right hand. Jasmine nodded back to the
guard, giving him her fakest smile to date. She wanted to give this man a hug and sit to chat with
him, but she had to keep up her image for now. It was difficult not to express her feelings
towards the guard, afterall he had pledged so much of his life to protecting the Acer's Hueys
secret. Jasmine made a mental note to see he received a bonus for his loyalty.
After realizing she had kept eye contact with him for several moments too long, Jasmine turned
away and headed for the east tunnel entrance ahead of her. She would soon see the computer
laboratory door, which was located just next to a false fire exit stairway.
As she approached the wide grey door, Jasmine couldn't help but feel as though she were being
watched from afar. Whether it was her paranoia concerning this particularly important mission or
an actual threat, Jasmine had no choice but to continue. It was too late to turn back. If someone
was on to her, they would now know the room location from which the data could be extracted.
She wanted to look back and check for anyone suspicious, but Jasmine knew that such action
would only confirm her covert intentions. She could not chance looking like anyone out to find a
data file concerning the location of a priceless Star League-era Warship.
Jasmine entered the room slowly, pretending to be a clutz by dropping her small briefcase as she
passed through the doorway. At this point, such clumsy actions could help fool any observers of
her intentions. She hoped to stick out like a sore thumb. After picking up the briefcase from the
ground, she let the door slam behind her. With another fake expression of awe, she looked
back to examine both the door and her surroundings. Her eyes glided over her surroundings to
find a single camera hanging above the doorway. Two library visitors sat at computers near the
door. One was a short heavy man with a well trimmed mustache and thin graying hair. The
other was a younger man of a large build, with a shaved head and sparkling white teeth. The
bald man winked at Jasmine, noticing that she had looked in his direction. Immediately Jasmine
felt her guts wrench. Something would go wrong, and that man would play a part in it.
Turning back while continuing to look alarmed about the door's slam, Jasmine walked farther
into the room. Here sat two more men, though these two were in seperate rows from one
another. The first was of thin build, with jet black hair and a suit of the latest fashion. The
second was of slightly more muscular build, with sandy blonde hair and large rimmed glasses.
Jasmine mentally kicked herself. "I'm screwed!" she thought.
