Hours passed as Vessa read through the entire file three times, almost. The politics were messy and the magic confusing, but Vessa was pretty sure she could make her way around the capital city, not any of the other ones, but none of the targets were outside of the capital.
The ship landed and Vessa stayed seated as she stared down at the file on her lap. The pilot was clicking buttons, and the engine was settling down and still she stayed seated.
“Don’t know how much you magic types know, but you can get off now.” The man said and Vessa looked at the many boxes strapped down. He shook his head.
“Don’t need your help for that.” He said it pleasantly enough, but Vessa felt her number be nudged and his own drop.
Male 38: 76%
Vessa nodded rose from her seat and watched as the ship’s bottom opened up and turned into a ramp that lead into an empty warehouse, except for one man waiting at the bottom of the ramp with a smile that made Vessa’s teeth grind.
Never the less Vessa walked down to him as he was presumably her escort from the Umbaan. Brown hair and eyes dressed completely in black. Despite this Vessa felt if she squinted really hard, there would be orange somewhere on his person. She’d have to double check, but she was almost positive orange was not one of the colors mention for these Painters.
“Vessa it’s so nice to meet you. I’m the Umbaan representative assigned to you and I’m sure you would like to get settled in. We have a big day tomorrow with a meeting and me showing you around the city; but until then, I’d love to answer any questions you might have.” He said cheerfully and gestured for her to walk with him towards an opening with what seemed a balcony.
“Eh!” The pilot called to them. The Umbaan rep turned around and his smile was brittle and numbers shifted. Vessa smelled some type of flower.
“Do not worry, your payment is on the table over there.” The Umbaan rep pointed to a table that had not been there a second ago and the pilot startled and then nodded. The rep turned to her and gestured to the opening.
“Shall we go?” He asked, and Vessa nodded as she decided she didn’t like him, not that it mattered. The Umbaan rep walked onto the balcony, the sky setting in blue and purple with silver spires surrounding them. Some were short and others towered above her, though all were silver and copies of each other. Ships were flying all around and parts of the spires would open. The ships would fly in with the silver doors closing behind them.
The spires shone with their own glory as well reflecting the sunset so everything to seemed to be a mirage of blue and purple with bits of gleaming silver thrown in. And the people. The millions of people that were rushing about. Most so much younger than she was used to. She didn’t think there was anyone older than seven hundred years with most much younger.
All the numbers spiraled around Vessa and she wondered where all her targets were in the city. Her homicidal nature raised its head and hungered, salivating after them. She could just kill them all. No building dread over the child, no Umbaan rep and no haunting dreams of the Learning Center. Vessa could just let go and it would all be over.
“A bit over the top, if you ask me. I personally like more traditional sunsets.” The Umbaan rep said as he turned to Vessa with a smile that she was already tired of, but his voice helped Vessa pull herself away from her carnal nature.
Vessa looked up to see other balconies on their spires. Mainly with working men moving cargo from the bays to spaceships that latched on the balconies. She looked down at the floor to see multiple rivets spaced further and further apart to accommodate different sized spaceships. A part of her, opposite from the carnal side wanted to run back in or make her way up and ask for a ride out and away from this planet.
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“Shall we be going?” He asked and Vessa looked into the hanger and then back to him, and passed out into the air where there were no spaceships to carry to their destination.
“Are we jumping?” Vessa asked, even though she was sure they weren’t. He laughed and shook his head.
“No, of course not.” He said with another wide smile and gestured to the air passed the balcony.
“There’s an invisible portal. Wouldn’t want those to see it, that shouldn’t. You have been informed of Umbaan laws, have you not?” He asked, and Vessa merely nodded before walking for it. Her number was stable, so it was deeply unlikely he was lying to get her to jump.
“Not a talker, I see.” He said, and they walked out passed the balcony, gone before she could look down.
Polished grey marble walls surrounded her with people walking by in formal attire.
“Welcome to the Umbaan’s home here on Esaul. This is the foray, so it is a bit less homey. Follow me and I will show you to where you’ll be staying during your time here.” The Umbaan rep said and Vessa complied. He began chatting about various things which she listened to well enough to reply. Somewhere out there was a child whose days were numbered. Vessa’s fingers grasped the file tighter. She was fine with that. It was what she was trained for, and Maggie and Douwell were wrong.
Even if they weren’t; there was always letting go. Vessa hated that option. She had no control and there was almost always collateral, but she knew some used it. Manell who wouldn’t be able to complete his assignments otherwise, or Casem who just didn’t want to remember.
The talking stopped. Vessa realized she actually hadn’t been paying that much attention, and while the walls were still made of marble, there were expensive brown carpets and the lighting had changed.
“I simply ask because if it is of your work here with us, then it will be outdated and I am here to correct any misinformation.” He said, his voice almost apologetic. Vessa shook her head, at least the conversation was easy to guess at.
“No, it is not your work here with us?” He said, his smile still on full display, but his eyes were harder.
“I do not need any help, as I am sure the meeting you mentioned will go over anything important.” Vessa replied and the Umbaan rep’s eyes tightened further as his smile widened, so friendly Vessa checked her number, and grasped his, just in case.
Male 544: 89%
“Of course. Shall we get you settled in a room? You look tired.” He said, gesturing down the hallway to the right, and Vessa nodded again. He gestured with an arm for her to go forward and lead Vessa to a door, opening it for her.
“I’ll be here tomorrow morning to get you bright and early, so be sure to get some sleep.” He said and Vessa nodded before walking in, the door shutting behind her. Her stomach grumbled, and she looked back at the door that she was sure had been locked.
A quick glance around the room showed a desk and a door that led to a bathroom. There was no food, and she wondered if that was intentional. Vessa looked down at the file. What was going on? Why did he want her file?
A yawn broke the silence, and she went to lay on the bed. Vessa had slept hungry before. She shut her eyes and filled her mind with numbers to keep it busy.