Chapter 1 #2
“Can we talk somewhere private?” he asked. “And do you have proof of who you say you are, so that I can verify I’m talking to the right person?”
I nodded. “Follow me,” I said. “But the proof goes both ways. I need to see your agency papers.” As I led him toward the stairs, Tavah gave me a little wave.
“Thanks for checking on me,” she said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
As I led Santo upstairs and into the back, it occurred to me that it would really help if the Wayfarer was equipped with a Whispering Mirror.
But the Court and Crown back home wasn’t exactly the most efficient government, and the fact that our queen was a dope fiend didn’t help matters.
Queen Lethesanar was about the most fucked up monarch ever, but she hung on to her crown fiercely, refusing to give the throne to her sister Tanaquar.
There were whispers of civil war brewing back home, and it wasn’t a good time to belong to the nobility.
We entered the office, and I motioned for Santo to take a seat.
“So, what can I do for you? And can I see your papers?” I retrieved my file folder and handed him a copy of my transfer papers, proving I belonged to the OIA.
He nodded, then showed me his official badge marking him as a member of the Council to the Crown.
“I’m the Junior Adjutant to the Human Resources section of the OIA.
I’ve been sent to talk to the higher-level OIA agents, who will talk to the ranks beneath them.
This is on a need-to-know basis,” he added, sizing me up.
“But I don’t have time to wait for every senior OIA agent; you’ll have to do.
You must tell Jocko this, though, and let him handle disseminating the information to any other agents working beneath him. ”
“I promise,” I said. I was highly uncomfortable being near someone so close to the Crown, so I decided to just play along and not stir up any sort of suspicion. The Court and Crown could be ruthless, and the last thing we wanted was for the Queen to take notice of us.
“There are stirrings from the resistance. Queen Lethesanar’s sister is making waves, and there are rumors that a civil war might be imminent.
Rebellion is strong, even among the ranks, and we may not be able to offer much help to agents stationed over Earthside for much longer.
You all must be prepared to be adrift for a while, and all leaders—like Jocko—must be ready to keep order over here on an autonomous basis.
” He paused, then said, “Do you understand?”
I nodded. I understood. Back home, things were deteriorating, but that didn’t surprise me.
They hadn’t been great when we were ordered to leave.
In my opinion, war was brewing and the two sisters would be going up against one another.
And Tanaquar was as ruthless as her sister when it came to matters of governance, but she was also sober.
“I’ll make sure Jocko gets the news,” I said.
“Thank you,” the adjutant said, a flicker of fear in his face. “It’s going to be difficult,” he added. “For everyone who lives in Y’Elestrial.”
“I think you’re right,” I said, staring at the papers on Jocko’s desk. He’d been working on payroll, apparently.
“I’ll be on my way. I have five other spots to visit here, then I’ll move on to other parts of the country,” he added. “Could you call transportation for me?”
“You mean a taxi,” I said. “Sure thing. This way.”
I escorted him to the bar proper and called him a taxi, making sure he had the right address to give the driver.
As the taxi pulled up and I made sure he was set and off all right, I looked around the streets.
It was near nine, and most of the streets around the bar were fairly empty.
The rain was pounding down, turning the puddles into sparkling ponds beneath the dim streetlamps.
As I headed back into the bar, I wondered how long we’d be here.
Given what was happening back home, I hoped we wouldn’t be recalled any time soon.
As I entered the bar again, I saw a woman standing next to the cash register. She was tall and strong, that much was obvious, and she was human. She appeared to be waiting for someone. As I approached, I saw she was clutching the advertisement Jocko had slammed up on the bulletin board.
“I’m Menolly, and I’m in charge here tonight. May I help you?” I asked, slipping behind the counter and tossing the bar rag over my shoulder again.
“Hi. I’m Chrysandra, and I’m here about the position of waitress.” She cautiously handed me the paper; her gaze fixated on mine.
I took it and motioned for her to sit on one of the empty stools. “Have a seat. Do you have a resume?”
She cautiously handed over the paper, pulling it out of her tote bag. “I’ve worked in two other bars, down in San Francisco,” she said.
“Why did you leave?” I asked, glancing over her resume. She had a couple of years of experience and a letter of reference that read like a glowing review.
Chrysandra blinked, then—still holding my gaze—said, “I had to get out of town. My ex-boyfriend wasn’t happy that I wanted to leave.”
That did it. Right there. I saw in her eyes the same pain that I’d seen in the eyes of far too many women. A combination of pain, fear, and hypervigilance. I knew that look haunted my own gaze as well.
“How about a trial period? Say two weeks, and if you’re doing fine, we’ll make it permanent?
You’ll be paid our regular wage, of course.
We’re an easy-going bunch around here, and we don’t take any bullshit.
Anyone slaps your ass or gets out of hand, you tell me.
Understand?” I smiled, lowering my fangs.
Chrysandra didn’t seem surprised. In fact, she gave me a smile that made me like her right then and there. “Thanks…boss.”
“Jocko’s the main boss, but he’s one of the good ones,” I said. “Anyway, would you like to start tonight?”
She nodded. “If I can.”
“I’ll get the paperwork,” I said. “Wait here.” As I headed to the back, I was relieved.
I seldom trusted anybody, but I could count on Chrysandra.
I didn’t know how, but I knew she’d be trustworthy and a hard worker.
Relieved that we’d solved one problem, I spent the rest of the night thinking about what was happening back home.