Chapter 34 - Call
[A/N: Personal blather to follow. If you aren't interested, just skip down past the next horizontal line break.
Whew! It's been a circus around here RL, what with the start of the new school year, and since I've got seniors, that means jumping right in with research essays. I set aside some time on Thursdays to write, but with a stack of thirty-plus four-page essays to grade, writing time got pushed to the side while I worked on those. I was hoping to finish chapter 35 before posting 34 (I like having some backup) but given that (a) I'm superclose to being done with 35 and (b) I last posted mid-August and here it is the end of September and I haven't updated and (c) I kid you not, the very night I finished uploading the last of the essay grades I noticed these angry red blotches on my skin, called my doctor who told me to come in the next day and when I did I got sent right to the hospital where I've been for the last four days! YIKES!
I'm going to have to make BLP a priority, because I'd REALLY like to get it wrapped up during October, since I actually have an idea for NaNo this year. Never done that before but I figure why not? Bowdaar is proving a bit tricky to work with, but I'm trying to grind my way through. I remember having some difficulties with Risha when I first started including her in the story. I figure it's going to be tough at first, but I just have to grit my teeth and push through, because getting some experience with the character is the only thing that's going to make it easier.
At any rate, let's get back to the Czerka research facility that Vacy and Bowdaar have ambled into so brazenly...
Turning over Flashy, Kablam, and Slicer had been hard enough. When one of the guards who came to escort Bowdaar to his holding cell started pushing him around as he waved the hand-held scanner over his torso, Vacy was sorely tempted to toss the damn mission if it meant she could put her fist in the guard's face. But she ground her teeth and contented herself with reminding the guard that he might want to watch himself, as the shackles were securely bolted to the restraining belt, but she hadn't wanted to risk getting anywhere near "them awful fangs."
Bowdaar grinned toothily, and the guard paled. For some reason, the rest of the inspection seemed a bit rushed.
As the guard finished Bowdaar's scan and quickly stepped away, Ms Veritinnas gingerly tapped Vacy's shoulder with one well-manicured fingernail. "Mahm? If you'll come through here, we'll scan you next." She smiled an insincere apology. "It's part of our security protocol, you understand."
Oh, hell. Vacy swallowed her momentary panic and smirked right back at her, narrowing her eyes at the woman. "I dunno if I want them fellas rubbin' their hands over me. I ain't that sort of lady." She ignored the snort of derision from the guards, and sauntered over, grabbing the scanner from them and shoving it toward the receptionist. "So, you gonna do this or do I gotta?"
The thin line of her lips became even thinner as she regarded Vacy with distinct disapproval, and she snatched the scanner, then held it gingerly while she passed it across the spacer's grubby frame.
Vacy grinned wickedly and gave the woman a saucy wink, but said nothing as the scan progressed. Oh, Farm Boy, you better not have been exaggerating the properties of dallorian alloy…
But the machine kept up a regular sequence of quiet boops and beeps until finally the receptionist stepped away and thrust it at the guards, as though it was somehow to blame for putting her in the vicinity of such a boorish creature. "Here. She's … acceptable." Her mouth quirked down at the corners as she said it; apparently she didn't agree with the instrument's judgment.
"Oh, here," Vacy said, holding out the doctored controller. "You'll want this. If'n this feller acts up any, just push that there button on th'top. Yep, that's th' one." She cleared her throat, looking up at the wookiee, and stepped away slowly. "Jist, um, y'don't wanna use it too much, or it gets kinder tetchy."
"Thanks," the guard said, sounding not particularly grateful at all. They turned and began to lead Bowdaar away, and Vacy silently begged whatever celestial powers that might be watching to keep him safe.
She turned to the other woman and put her fists on her hips with a broad grin. "Well now. Guess all that's left is my pay."
Tora Veritinnas pressed her lips together again in that same thin smile. "The director will see that you receive what you're due, mahm."
The aide who came to escort her from the lobby up to the Director's office was polite, if not particularly friendly. He introduced himself as Jens, and seemed to be quite pleased to be working for such an important company. As they headed through the hallways and up the lift, he had several points of trivia that he shared: did they know that the company's first product was a data tabulator that revolutionized the gas mining industry? Or that the company's slogan, "Forward," had been in use for over a hundred years? It represented Czerka's laser-like focus on progress and discovery. Many of the new technologies of the future were being developed right here in this facility!
Vacy couldn't help wondering if he was related to C2N2.
However, she did not fail to notice that a blaster hung from a holster at his hip. It was a simple weapon, but she didn't doubt its effectiveness, and made a mental note that it would be unwise to underestimate him or any of the other employees.
Neither the receptionist nor the aide had referred to the Director by any other name, and it was beginning to make her curious. When they stepped out of the lift, she noted that the air was much colder and somehow crisper as well. The walls and floor were all of a smooth substance polished until she could see her reflection in the slate-gray surface.
Jens stayed inside the lift, but gestured to the doorway at the end of the short hall. "The Director is expecting you, mahm." With that, the lift door closed – and a moment later, the door to the office slid silently open.
Half expecting their footsteps to echo ominously, Vacy headed down the hallway and into the office. It was smaller than she'd expected, but the opposite wall was entirely missing. There were occasional flickers of shimmering light, though, and Vacy suspected that they came from the electromagnetic field that protected the interior of the building from the planet's blazing inhospitality. The open wall looked out over Mos Orenth and the surrounding areas, and despite the modest size of the town, the stark expanse of the Tatooine desert made for a pleasant view.
The Director stood as they entered, and gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please," he said, "sit down and make yourself comfortable." His high Imperial accent was gentler than those of the underlings but still quite clear.
That was a bit unexpected, but Vacy didn't see any immediate danger, and so she sauntered forward and flumped into the stiff-backed chair, stretching her legs out in front of her. With a thin smile, the Director sat down as well, and reached over to his datapad. Vacy could hear a quiet hiss behind her and guessed that the door was sliding shut. However, a moment later there was a faint but clear click as well, and she shifted her assessment of the situation from 'unexpected' to 'unsettling.'
"So," the Director said. "Captain Fiorst."
Okay, change that to HIGH ALERT.
"Oh yes," the man continued, his voice smooth and smug. "We know exactly who you are. And we know you were behind the attack on that caravan. The Empire takes such matters very seriously. In fact, given your ties to the Galactic Republic, it would not be particularly difficult to have you charged with an unprovoked act of war, which carries penalties that are – well – equally serious. And you see, my word can make the difference in how the consequences of that situation play out for you. So think very carefully about your answer to my next question. Why are you here?"
AN: Insert dramatic music, because the jig is up! Who is the Director? How did he find out about Vacy? And how much does he know? Tune in next time to find out more! (Sort of.)
I would also like to extend an invitation to any of my readers who have not previously left me a review. I feel like you're these blank faces, and I don't know you! That makes me sad. (sad face here) So even if you don't include anything more than a name and, say, what got you interested in SWTOR, drop me a note? Review, PM, whatever! I'd love to hear from you, and look – there is a box you can type in right here! vvvv there it is!