10 Minute Tales

Feb 14 (Untimed)

He had walked through the sludge of society for what felt like days, but Queenson had finally reached his destination. A brute of a man stood in front of a rectangular door, staring straight at Queenson.

"Business?" he asked bluntly.

"I need to talk to Abe."

"Who's talkin'?"

"Queenson. I'm cashing in a favour."

"Wait." he pointed to the ground briefly, before turning around and heading into the building behind him. Queenson nodded and rested against the wall, looking back at the alley he had walked down. As choked with refuse and grime as it was, something about this particular gap between the crystalline spires seemed more... foreboding. God, what was he doing there? Abe hopefully had answers, but the fact he was even turning to a mercenary... hopefully, Sentinel wasn't able to see him down here.  The door opened again, interrupting his thoughts. "... come on. He'll see ya." Queenson simply nodded as he entered the building. This cold, metallic, rectangular style wasn't what he was used to. It was very reminiscent of Earth's old architecture style, though most pre-Ascent humans weren't eager to keep their living quarters in this... squalor.

"He's through there." another guard pointed at a second door. He nodded and walked through, pulling it closed behind him. There was a simple hanging light above, illuminating a table and two chairs. One was filled by a tall, muscular man, drumming his fingers impatiently on the table.

"You have a good reason to be here." he commented briefly, voice thick with an accent he couldn't place.

"... I need help accessing the top of Geoco. Sentinel's not helping."

"And what makes you think we can help?"

"You have links. I have other links. I think we could make an... arrangement."

"I see... you are not wearing a watch, Inspector."

"No. Like I said, Sentinel's not helping."

"Very well. I suppose we can arrange something. We will contact you with a runner once we have a way."

"Fine."

"One question, Inspector. Why do you contact us now? You have known I moved down to here for longer than I care to confess, and in all this time you have not sought me out."

"I owed you one. Between what I did for you and what I'm asking for now, I think we're even now." Abe smirked as he chuckled quietly.

"I shall decide when we are even. In light of recent events, however, I think we are certainly closer than we were. I think I know just the helper, but she is on Sinis."

"I'm guessing not as a warden." he frowned. Sinis was the smaller of two moons, and housed only a prison for the planet's worst criminals.

"You are correct. As I said, I shall contact you when the time is right."

"Any idea when that'll be?"

"Soon."

"Good." Queenson nodded and extended his hand. "Secret?"

"Naturally." Abe reached over and shook his hand. Queenson kept it brief, and was soon walking out. He just hoped this was the right thing to do.