A new home

Green and Lola walked in wearing their Anomalies Bureau uniforms, startling Cindy, who was attending to customers. Only after a closer look did she recognize them. Both astonished and envious, she hurriedly ushered them inside, even more attentive than before.

Old One-Eye was checking the accounts in the back room. Hearing that Green had arrived, he immediately came out, all smiles, and spread his arms to give Green a warm embrace. "My friend, it's a pleasure to see you again! But I certainly didn't expect you to join the Anomalies Bureau. Do look out for me from now on."

"It's good to see you too, my friend!" Green laughed and patted Old One-Eye on the shoulder. He could not say he liked the crafty old merchant, but as a business partner, Old One-Eye was quite competent. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lola, Old One-Eye sent her and Cindy away and took only Green into the back room.

"How's that order I placed last time coming along?" Green asked as soon as they were alone. He was eagerly anticipating not just the ten cannons, but also the Xignos Giant Python's corpse.

Old One-Eye gave an awkward smile and rubbed his hands together. "Don't worry. There's definitely no problem with the cannons, but... the Xignos Giant Python's corpse..."

Green frowned, annoyed by Old One-Eye's hemming and hawing. "What? Is there a problem?"

"Someone beat us to the Xignos Giant Python's corpse and bought it," Old One-Eye said. "We were a step too late. There was nothing I could do."

"Do you know who?" Green was displeased, but he knew losing his temper would accomplish nothing. He could only calm himself and ask for the details, hoping there might still be room to turn things around.

Old One-Eye shook his head, looking