"If you can back it up to somewhere where its contents won't wriggle free and doom us all, yes," Ashari says. "Whatever's hidden there might give us some interesting leverage for the future." Ashari cocks an eyebrow at Mikodez. "You are remarkably calm for someone in a world of trouble."

To Iawa, Ashari says: "How did the floor get wet, anyway? Or do I not want to know?"