Random scrolled through the files, checking for any irregularities. It was late at night; since he'd come home from the visit with his parents, he hadn't done anything other than work desperately, wanting to forget his father's words.
Hilde watched him finish off the last of the background checks.
"There's nothing on Lightning Knight records or any Harxxini database for anyone working here," Random said. "Looks like everyone's clean. A drunk driving conviction, and two incidences of public brawling for the security men, but it all checks out. I don't think we have any serious threats."
Hilde smiled. "I hoped so."
"There are only sixty people working here, right? Fifteen in security, seventeen scientists, and eighteen gofers?"
"Sixty-one, actually," Hilde said.
Random looked confused. "I've only got sixty up on here. What did I miss?"
Hilde stepped up to the computer, and pulled up another screen. "I don't think…you can check the data I gave you against this list of employees if you want…"
Random looked at it, and realized what was missing.
"You didn't give me your details," he said.
Hilde looked startled and embarrassed, and Random saw the pink flush begin to spread itself across her face. "I apologise," she said. "I was put in charge of giving you everyone's personal details…I'd forgotten mine."
She struck a few more keys, and pulled up her personal information on the screen. "I hope it all checks out," she said, smiling weakly. "I can't tell you how sorry I am…"
"It's all right," Random said. "I'll check now…"
He looked through her files while in the background he ran a check through the Knights' database. He noticed that she was several years older than he'd expected, and that she'd graduated from Londres University with top grades, before working for NightStar Industries—he raised an eyebrow; the company was known for rather dodgy business practices besides its large profits and prestige; he'd worked there once, briefly, on orders from the Knights to infiltrate it although he hadn't found much, called away soon after starting on another job—for several years, before coming to Harxxini and picking up a few jobs here and there, gradually working her way up to her current position.
"I worked at NightStar industries for a while," he said, as in the background the computer completed the check on Hilde Wagner. "What was your experience?"
"It was a good experience, on the whole," she said. "They like to say their facilities are the best in the Sixth Dimension, and I was thrilled they'd hired me just after I'd finished my degree. Eventually, though, I realized that the real action was here—" she smiled—"and I quit my job to try to get somewhere with the Harxxini. More difficult and it pays less so far, but I love the work."
"You said you did your thesis on biochemical engineering…?"
"I studied…advanced humans," she said, "how they're able to survive under a variety of radically different conditions. I'm hoping to be assigned to Master Shock's group, they're working on how the body should be able to survive mass displacement. They've made some impressive breakthroughs with the inherent stress and the hemoglobin effect…" Hilde shook her head, deliberately dampening the enthusiasm in her voice. "I shouldn't ramble on about myself. Sorry."
"It's fine," Random said. "You've noticed most of us Harxxini have a superiority complex, right?"
"Yes," Hilde said emphatically. "Not that they can't back it up, but…"
Random smiled at her. "I know. Look, I realize this sounds clichéd, but some of my best friends are human. More or less," he added. "Anyway, I understand."
The computer beeped, and Random glanced at it. "Yes, you're clean according to our records. Thanks, Hilde."
"No problem…Random." Hilde grinned, looking almost relieved.
"Anything else I need to do?" asked Random. He suddenly realized that he was quite tired, and that he felt calmer about the earlier conversation with his parents.
"I can't think of anything. You look exhausted."
"I'll get some sleep then." Random turned to wheel himself out. "You look the opposite."
Hilde shrugged. "I'm a night person….and I have a patrol to organize. 'Night."
"'Night," Random replied, and wheeled himself to rest.
- -
They had come in the night; breaking into her small room on-campus while she was slept and snatching her from her bed. She had fought, she always fought, but they outdid her in number and strength. She lashed out with her foot and hit the panic button as they pulled her towards the window, but by the time her fellow Knights had been alerted and had kicked down her door, she was gone.
She didn't know how long they had been traveling. The box she was held captive in had no windows, and although the floor was padded, the walls were bare metal. She had given up banging on the walls when she realised that no one was listening, but now she felt her prison jerk to a stop, she began again.
- -
Lord Reinhard stood in the centre of the small room, staring at the wedding dress that had been worn by the tailor's dummy for years, waiting for the bride that it was made for. The girl who had run from his presence and hidden, but soon she would be his. The King had established a small taskforce of Lightning Knights the morning that the Princess' disappearance had become known, and their mission was to find her. Reinhard had never trusted the Knights; they were too bound by notions of honour for his tastes. He preferred instead to hire mercenaries and bounty hunters with good reputations to seek her out, and it was from one of these that he had first received word of her whereabouts. She had become a Lightning Knight, and even then the King's pitiful team could not find her. Reinhard's lip curled at the thought of his betrothed having ever been one of them, but all old habits could be broken over time.
The sound of wheels on gravel drifted through the window, and Reinhard moved to it and gazed at the ground below. A heavy metal carriage rolled towards the entrance, pulled by two mechanical monsters that had been created for the task. Reinhard didn't smile, although he felt a cruel pleasure stir within him. She has come at last.
- -
Commander Lukas stepped down from his seat at the front of the carriage and stood in front of his employer. Only the deep red velvet of his jacket and the ornate black and white patch on his arm set him apart from the thousands of other soldiers.
"We found her, my lord. We took her without incident, and traveled in safety."
Reinhard listened to the younger man, before turning his attention to the carriage. It was rocking, as the captive inside banged on the walls, yelling with a voice full of anger.
He turned to the young maid beside him. "See that she is taken to her room and changed, before she is presented to me."
The girl curtsied respectfully, and Reinhard turned on his heel and marched into the house.