#An email from Dr. Jeanine Voclain.
To all my naive, silly little morels:
Don’t get the wrong idea—this isn’t a job application. Your invitations are useless to me until you have enough funding to build a proper bio-lab. Once that's taken care of, I might consider.
But since Mr. Bradley was so very sincere the last time we spoke, I suppose a little private collaboration isn't entirely out of the question.
Kepler has already collected most of the Catastrophe Physics Devices (they call them Ascension Devices too, did you know that?) linked to the Smash-Up, and a little bird has told me they’re also researching tech connected to the Chelae. Even I’m not quite sure what their next move is going to be. "But Dr. Voclain," you might be crying, "remaining with Kepler is dangerous! You should get out of there!" Your concern is cute, but save your breath; when the time is right, I’ll make my own exit. For now...I need some adorable little Lancers to do me a small favor.
Very soon, a cruise ship carrying a host of high-ranking officials and celebrities will set sail on the artificial lake in Acme to celebrate Kepler’s successful defense against the Chelae. They're rather full of themselves, aren't they? I’ve received intel that the ship is hiding a mysterious gem salvaged from a Chelae spacecraft. If my intel is to be believed, this gem can enable even common aircraft to travel between Shards. Can you imagine? Not just Lancers, but ordinary, everyday people vacationing all over the Shardverse?
I need that gem. I also need someone professional and smart... Or perhaps I should simply put it this way:
Who wants to crash that party with me and raise a little hell? We'll be going undercover, so if you're not comfortable in a swimsuit, you'd better have a different disguise ready.
Chat soon, my little mushrooms~!
