Cryptocracy Day 2 -- Axed

Katja crawls out from underneath a mess of wiring, pipes and other mechanical bits. Wiping her hands on a nearby rag, she sighs and looks back at what she's been working on.

I just have to be missing that exact electrical socket. On Tea Social day of all days.

She supposes progress is worth risking a run-in with Camille and having to endure another half hour of "pleasant" conversation.

And thank you very much but no she is not interested in tea and sandwiches today maybe some other time.

Not to mention the incessant prying into "whatever you're doing cooped up all day in that... workshop of yours".

Not that Camille is the worst offender in the prying department. Katja has caught that Kameron fellow trying to break into her house several times already, and knowing him he'll try again soon enough.

At least the chances of running into anyone are rather slim considering she just has to swing around the block and most of the town should still be cooped up in the church or the bar.

Wrapping her greatcoat around her shoulders, she sneaks out to hurry over to Jack's store, hoping her latest order of parts has arrived.

It's only when she sees the sun on the horizon as she steps outside that she realizes she's been working all day, and that the chance of encountering unnecessary distractions is much higher than she'd anticipated.

Wavering between ducking back inside and pressing on, she eventually decides to slip into the alleyway and try to get into Jack's store from the back door. Hopefully he's learned to leave it unlocked by now.