Mayor Etaraxis Ginunga-gap studied her
a moment longer, “I may have to extend our contract, Dear. You’re starting to
make yourself indispensable to me.”
Aster Theilen, Consort to the Mayor for
Life, felt the blush on her ears, saying, “I’m doing the job you wanted me to
do. I’m trying to be a good Consort.”
He sniffed then his face fell into a
deadly serious, unguarded mien, saying, “You’re doing more than just being a
good Consort, Aster – you’re becoming a power in the Dome.” He squinted
slightly for an instant then said, “I have to think about this, send some of my
own security snooping,” at her small gasp, she brushed off her concern, “No
torture – actual Service footwork. I need to know clearly what’s going on.” He
pursed his lips, “And you need to actually hire a Service worker – this could
get much worse before it gets any better. Would your friend, FardusAH be
interested in a promotion to your personal Security detachment?”
Aster hummed, nodded, and said, “I’ll ask
her.”
She reached the Mayor’s office shortly
before FardusAH was scheduled to go off duty. Aster was waiting for her two
corridors away, near a restaurant that, while seedy, was well-known for its Old
Earth menu. The Mexican-Amish-Italian fusion at Middle Of The Road was so good
that both Humans and Artificial Humans ate in the same establishment – of
course, not mixed together. Even Opportunity couldn’t buck Martian mores that
far, but there was a bar that ran down the middle of the narrow restaurant so
that friends could sit across from each other and talk. While they had to be
served separately, once the food was on the bar, there was no stopping them
casually sharing their meal.
“Feeling a little Middle Of The Road
tonight, Fardus?”
She grimaced then said, “You know how
much I hate it when you call me that.” She then smiled faintly.
“I call my friends by their names, not
their titles.”
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