Chapter Six: This Quieting
"That flour-toting moron..."
"You knew him."
Aaran nodded grimly, opening the cruiser and ushering me in. "Once upon a time before the Burn we both worked for the Sarles." She seemed impatient and restless. "Pizzeria on Danvers and 5th Ave. Masurani manages it now..."
"That's Sector 7. She will be pressed into emergency services as per protocol.”
"They'll be ahead of the curve. It's not a small building. Wouldn't be the first time." Aaran plunked down with a significant air of fatigue. "Horash must have turned in his brains for credits. He never had any tolerance for process, but he's a fool for hard creds."
"Do you mean signed credits?"
Aaran flipped her short hair back and ran fingernails over her scalp. "Probably. Last time the AOC issued hard currency it all got burned, and it's costly..." she slouched dramatically and laughed. “He could've played me. Was that guilt... ah forget it. I'm so blasted tired.”
"We don't have time to rest yet, Aaran."
"Four hours isn't too much to ask, is it?"
I had no answer but to further deny her what she knew she could not have. Why would one person undergo this prolonged strain? "This is uncommon of you."
"What d'ya mean? Quit skippin' the header."
I bowed my head momentarily, then looked at her again. "I have never known you to complain."
Her shoulders dropped, and I wondered if I'd made a mistake. "Why's it when you need sleep the most y'can't get any?"
These words clarified her mindset to me somewhat. The ability to sleep less than others, to have more energy than anyone else did not negate the peace that dreams granted her. The motion of individuals returning to their cruisers caught my attention, but I made no remark. Aaran had already taken notice.
"You ever keep on when you aren't sure your parts are gonna hold up?" Her face was drawn, and I wanted her to rest.
"Many times."
"You ever stop when you thought they'd fail?"
"Is that not the same question?"
"Not for me." Aaran adjusted her chair so she could rest comfortably and leaned back in it with eyes closed. "Lemme know when I gotta break something... or someone."
"Yes ma'am."
There was much to consider. Now I understood what Razor was waiting for: Horash Tome's arrival and decision. Regrettably network access was limited and I did not have access to the Court's comprehensive public records. However, Sonata's skills turned out to be of use, as she did and was far more accomplished than I at assembling this information.
[Horash Tome. He's a pig.]
[Does it say that on his profile? That would be unprofessional.]
[No, but I just did. He is. Three times divorced. He is charismatic and completely unfaithful. Many have praised his political achievements and attribute his rocky romantic life to his wicking habit.]
[Does he have history with Applicant Katsu?]
[Nothing on public file. The records are ident-locked. However, Katsu has been writing sappy love poems about him on her personal blog. Not very smart for a would-be Representative.]
[She does not look the type.]
[Type? Savvy, or sappy?]
Profile images she had selected carefully displayed her most appealing physical attributes. Average height, slender, yellow-gold and fawn hair. Her eyes were pale-gold, wide and around as if she was constantly stunned. Delicate, blank-faced with a figure that had little enough fat to offend most women. Fashion-smart and uninteresting. Much like a coat rack with a face.
[Neither. She is demonstrative, proactive and well spoken, but has no personal appeal or charisma. She gets things done but is not memorable. Much like a...] It was one thing to think that way, but it would not do to repeat it. [Nevermind.]
[Okay. What're you digging for?] Sonata has little patience or interest in gossip, which I attributed to her access to factual data.
[A prior connection. Horash's comments about her indicated this.]
[Let's check the employee records of the Gallant Slice.] Her voice and presence left me for several seconds, and then returned. [Katsu was employed by Horash a year after Aaran's application to the KMC was accepted. They were married a month later. They were divorced... nine months after that. Katsu never remarried, but settled out-of-court for an undisclosed sum of credits and full post-care support.]
[That was all on her employee file?]
[Aaran's personal records run deep and wide, and I have full access. Apparently she investigated Horash for fraud. He was innocent, but later stated that the accusation affected his decision to franchise. Masurani has never acknowledged his complaint, and he never pursued legal damages.]
[Aaran would call that 'a whole lotta bluster'.]
[Yeah!]
[I have to concur with Aaran: He is 'a slack excuse for a bundle of nerves.' He knows Katsu better than any of us.]
[She said that?] Sonata asked with glee. [She could've socked him just as easily!]
[What? Why?]
[He's a living vacuum. How can they trust someone like him? He's supposed to represent Sketchline!]
A horn blared, followed by an announcement for departure preparation.
[He's good at his job.]
[I guess. You're awfully objective.]
[Blame Aaran. Thank you for your assistance.]
[Yep. Later, Buddy!]
I woke Aaran. Discomforted but grateful, she drowsily performed an equipment check while I piloted the cruiser to the gate under direction. "No more familiar faces," she yawned. "So what'd ya learn about Horash and Katsu?"
Anyone else would have been irritated or possibly impressed by her leap in logic. Between us, however, it was expected. "They were married for nine months. Horash pays support to her to this day."
"That wasn't in my files. Sonata's getting crafty. Do you think he's up here to make amends?"
"I cannot say, however he may have notions of retirement. The way he spoke of Katsu Fenora expressed much felicity."
Aaran arched an eyebrow at this. "You're probably right, he was convinced of his marriage.”
“Can Representatives resign?”
“Yes, he could be barred if he leaves his post unmanned during a crisis. Normally it would force another election, but now...” she sighed, pulling at the dregs of her smoothie and regarding it with longing. “Blasted scary, but a good fit. Economically Razor could become a powerhouse if guided by the right talent."
"I agree, though I had not imagined he would abandon his post."
"The Crown won't flinch at a three term Rep running home. Makes good PR, even these days. Horash left his Vice in charge. All they care about. Encode a glyph and get it to Reggie and Ayani, standard encryption."
"Yes ma'am." Before I did that I had another point to make. "She is still in love with him."
"No doubt. She probably never stopped, and who knows, maybe he's tired of forgetting himself and wants someone else to help him remember. Who knows how much he loses now?"
"I estimate that he can only retain a memory duration of approximately eighty-three minutes. He has a stable and dominant personality, and is not prone to self-damaging behavior."
Aaran caught my eyes. "Some profile. I wrote it, too. Any kids?"
“Yes. She has one girl. It is his. You are worried."
"I ougtha be. He's going home to blithely distort the moral center of the Alliance because he's a thoughtless, selfish twerd. Not a sharding chance. I don't count on the honor of a three-timing cheat. ”
“Then we have work to do.”
“More work to do.”
“As you say, ma'am.”
She patted my shoulder. “We're partners, Buddy. Relax a little. If you stop thinking, I'm good as dust.”
“Do you mean that?”
She shrugged. “Would I say it otherwise?”
I supposed not, and said as much. She just smiled at me and closed her eyes, leaning back in her seat.
Threads of Canor: Sector Bomb Page 6