[dcs_p]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.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]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, after all 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.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]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.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]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.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]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.[/dcs_p]