A Beautiful Woman of Science and Other Absurdities | ✔️ [COMPLETED]

Chapter 29

Viviane walked outdoors in the fresh air of Capital City's downtown city center. The sun shined down through the canopy of large trees creating rays of sunlight which danced across the pedestrian-only, no-traffic zone. Smooth and clean walkways with electronic signs directed people where to go. For the UEN, the wealthy nation that it was, it was picture perfect.

And perfect pictures were on Viviane's mind as she headed for Acel Yu's private studio for her test shoot. Accompanying her as "bodyguards" were Kylian and Luc. They wanted her to be safe, at least that was what they said. Luc did a great job so far protecting Viviane from any and all hazards no matter how small or insignificant. However, Kylian started to think that Luc might be doing too good of a job, but he kept his thoughts to himself for now. He had gotten better at keeping his thoughts from exiting his mouth.

As they continued to walk through the street market towards Acel's studio, Viviane came up to a canvasser carrying a clipboard and pen. He pushed himself right into Viviane's personal space and shoved the clipboard right in front of her eyes.

"Hey, lady!" called the canvasser. "Sign a petition to end the technology embargo to less fortunate nations around the world?"

Viviane reeled back from the over-aggressive canvasser, however, she remained polite.

"Sorry, but I don't sign things I haven't read."

Viviane turned to get away, but the canvasser had other ideas. Maybe he took Viviane's brush-off the wrong way because he grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her back and forced her to listen to him.

"Don't be such a snob! You hot looking girls always get everything you want. You've never suffered a day in your whole life, I bet."

Viviane broke free from the canvasser's grasp, but in doing so, she staggered backward in a bit of shock and nearly fell over. She was rattled that anyone would try to grab her in such a public space.

Before Viviane recovered from her surprise, Luc ran in, baton in hand, already expanded and struck the canvasser in the upper arm causing a copious amount of pain. The canvasser crumpled to the ground after receiving the non-verbal message. Immediately after the strike to the canvasser's arm, the baton changed shape. It morphed into a transparent riot shield which Luc planted in front of Viviane, separating her from her assailant.

"Aw dammit! My arm!" The canvasser yelled from the ground.

"Clear the area, dirtbag!" Luc ordered. "Or there's more where that came from."

Luc drew his gun from his waistband and brandished it from behind the transparent riot shield so that the canvasser could get a good look and know that Luc meant business. The canvasser, realizing that he faced STS law enforcement, backed down and put his hands up by his face where Luc could see them.

"OK! OK! I give up! I'm leaving! I'm going now!" and the canvasser scrambled away on all fours.

After he disappeared, Luc de-activated the riot shield which returned to the shape of a collapsed baton. Luc folded the baton in half and then in half again before securing it into yet another secret pocket in his uniform.

Due to the excitement caused by undue violence, a crowd of shoppers and vendors encircled Luc and Viviane. The crowd burst out with applause.

Not quite understanding where the gratitude came from, Luc and Viviane just stood there with blank stares on their faces. Kylian, who observed everything as a member of the crowd, joined Viviane and Luc in the center of the circle. He frowned upon the use of violence.