Dr. Kate's alarm had grown from [i]mildly[/i] to [i]more than slightly[/i]. A vial of smallpox, just sitting out in the open-! Her eyes had grown a little bit wider with a shock, until something clicked in her head. That was a joke. This woman was joking. Penelope didn't like to smile around other people. But Ylva was making her grin madly. Penelope, for once in her life, didn't have to hide her passion from someone. There was danger in friendship, though. The more people that learned of her plans with ascension, the more likely the Ancients would find out and intervene in some manner. If they didn't know already. Which they probably did. Her smile turned a bit rueful. She reached for the vial and grabbed it.

Even so, people's religious beliefs probably wouldn't mesh well with her plans. Some part of Penelope's mind would forever caution her against other people. They didn't behave consistently. Their reactions couldn't be counted upon. Her [i]own[/i] reactions were suspect, on occasion. Perhaps there was something she could do about that if she ever ascended. Why not add a little order to the lower planes of existence while she was up there? Dr. Kate neatly filed that thought away for later.

“Taking human life isn’t much of a joke, mainly when you’re the victim or have to deal with the mess afterwards," Dr. Sterling said. "I would’ve hoped those who handle such weapons would show that respect…even if it’s so easy for them to take it.”

Joseph's remarks brought Penelope back to reality. She hated him for it. Damnit, it was hard enough for her to trust someone enough to make a friend as it was, without him [i]interfering[/i]. An idea danced through her brain. Penelope casually dropped the vial, shattering it against the deck.

"Oops. Now I've killed us all," Penelope said, staring Ylva in the eye. Ylva better have been joking. Dr. Kate was obviously confident that Ylva had been joking. Probably. "At least lead won't shatter if I drop it." She turned to Joseph. "Doctor Sterling, I have the utmost respect for human life. That's why I advocate weapons designed both to decisively end and prevent conflict. But I also like to laugh, on occasion. Behind closed doors, every professional needs to laugh."