Gaur joined them at their table a few minutes after they had sat down. "Sounds like Agaris is the next stop before we return to Thune. Since we'll be ahead of schedule, I suppose we will have to make arrangements to stay on Thune till the transport ship back to Pantora arrives. You are welcome to stay with us, Leyna."
She nodded, assuming that was when they would discuss being undercover. "Atun already said as much."
"I am not surprised, considering the circumstances. However, you can change your mind, and we won't think less of you."
"As relieved as I am to hear that, I doubt I will. Have you spoken with your fiancé?"
"Yes. She was relieved to hear we made it out unscathed. She hopes to meet you soon."
"Likewise." She smiled and ate with them. "My shift starts soon. I will see you two later."
They nodded to her in acknowledgment before she left.
She worked a triple shift and barely made it to her room, grateful that at least her wages were physically handed to her every week. It would be more difficult for the remainder of the trip on her current income. She wondered what she would be paid going undercover with Gaur and Atun, though that had yet to be discussed.
She woke when her alarm went off several hours later and worked a regular shift, not catching a glimpse of either of her friends. She ate by herself after she was done for the day and headed to her room. She slept fitfully and got up before the cruise ship landed on Agaris. Since she didn't have to worry about what Tynan thought, she sought out Sadi at the factory.
"I am sorry, but there is no one here by that name." The foreman replied when she stopped by his office after having no luck in the compound.
"She could be under witness protection. She came here maybe a year ago to get away from a bad situation."
"I see. What is her physical description?"
"One hundred seventy-six centimeters, black hair and grey eyes."
"There are ten female workers here who match that criteria. Anything else that would stand out?"
"I don't think so. My ship is leaving soon, can I leave you with a message to send to all of them?"
"If you wish."
"Say it's from Leyna Edymn. I don't know if she remembers me because she was three years older than me, but we attended the same school and she was always kind to me even though we didn't know each other all that well and I wanted to thank her. I understand why she left and wish her the best. Here is my comm number if she decides to get in contact with me."
The foreman nodded and took the slip of paper she offered. "I will pass it along. Good luck."
"Thank you." She headed back quietly and settled in the observation room before take off.
"Evening, Leyna."
"Evening, Atun. How was your tour of Agaris?"
"I found it educational. The functionality of the mining industry there seems to have greatly improved under Imperial ownership."
"A lot of places out here would be nothing without the Empire. Even so, this is still considered the backwater of the galaxy. Maybe one day that can change."
"I am certain it will. How was your experience?"
"I was hoping to see Sadi, however, the Foreman said there was no one there by that name and ten women match what details I could remember regarding her. I left a note with him, though that doesn't guarantee anything."
"At least you can say you tried."
"True. Where is Gaur?"
"He is taking part in a Pantoran Senate meeting via comm."
"I hope it's nothing serious."
"I fear it may be. He was called abruptly during our tour and asked to retire to his quarters to speak with them. They never would have done so under any other circumstances, especially while he is on leave."
"I see. What do you think is going on?"
Atun shrugged fractionally. "From my experience, it could be any number of things. This time of year there can be a lot of flooding and displaced families, job shortages, dissipating trade agreements, disputes between the lands concerning whose farm is on which side of the borders. Of course, now that Pantora is part of the Empire it needs a governor. I believe everyone is hoping that it will be Gaur who is given the position, however, we will have to see what happens next."
"Doesn't the Empire usually assign someone from their military ranks?"
"There are exceptions. If the planet already has a leader, they can be acknowledged by the Empire as still in charge under Imperial command. In other cases, they pick someone local with high status who is willing to be affiliated. All of it is political maneuvering as Gaur would call it."
"I must admit my knowledge of politics is quite limited."
"That is perfectly acceptable. Most people don't unless they are a part of or have to deal with the said field on a regular basis. Gaur and I fit into those categories, most others do not. Some study the subject because they find it interesting, while many pretend to know how the game is played."
"Game?"
"Why else could people who are not fit for the job get it? They played better than everyone else."
"I was under the impression politics was supposed to be taken seriously."
"Not very often these days."
"Must make it hard for Gaur. He seems like a straightforward person."
"Indeed he is, though he is also quite adept at in his career. Pantora may have a great deal of better things to offer most of its citizens, however, keeping what you earn is sometimes a different matter altogether."
"Sounds familiar." She sighed and wondered if she should bother trying to sleep before her next shift. "Well, I have work in ten hours so I should retire."
"May your rest be a peaceful one."
"Thanks."
