"Opportunity strikes once more."
MORNING | OFFICE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR VANDELHELM
Two soldiers stood at attention inside the cold, dark room. The offices of representatives tended to reflect the worlds from which they hailed, a stark reminder of the people they served. The office of the representative for Vandelhelm was no exception. Industrial, practical, and meticulously ordered, the room was a masterpiece of function and control. From a small control panel beneath her desk, the presiding representative could access every function within the chamber. It was a room of grey and shadow, steel lining the walls with care given only to efficiency. There were no windows save for a one-way security viewport leading into the rear observation room where the representative's personal protectors waited, making the layout feel closer to an interrogation chamber than the workspace of a jovial politician.
The soldiers themselves wore the colours of the High Republic, but men always had their masters. For these two, the immortal lure of order had brought them into the distinct service of Elara, who had wasted no time putting the professionals to work gathering rumours, conducting operations, and acting as the subtle hand of Vandelhelm on a world where violence was not often considered by many.
Strong-arming had its place in the world of politics.
Elara herself was finely dressed in her representative's uniform, militaristic in style. Black boots, a dark green shirt, and sharp, immaculate tailoring gave her the appearance of a professional officer far more than that of a political representative. It was the nature of her people to dress in such fashion; they were all cogs within the machine that kept Vandelhelm moving, and that truth was reflected in their attire. The other distinct feature was, of course, the dagger at her right side, secured within its scabbard. Elara was rarely ever seen without it upon her person.
Likely for self-defence in the event of an attack. As a former shockboxer, she understood well the value a pointed object could hold in preserving one's life.
She sat carefully, regarding the two soldiers standing before her. Neither had moved a muscle nor spoken a word yet, Elara savouring the silence until it finally became necessary to break it.
"What news?"
The soldier on the right appeared prepared to speak.
"An organisation representing the interests of the Kenari wishes to speak with you, Senator. One of their ambassadors stopped by your office approximately three hours ago and asked us to relay their interest."
Elara's gaze did not waver.
"What do the Kenari want of Vandelhelm?"
The soldier stiffened slightly.
"Details were vague. I could gather little beyond mention of a deal involving a person of special interest, one apparently key to securing Kenari interests within the High Republic."
Elara moved a hand beneath her desk and pressed a single button. Instantly, a glass of wine was poured and presented atop the worktable, awaiting her attention. When she spoke again, her voice was commanding and stern.
"I assume there is more information than simply 'meet us'?"
The soldier nodded.
"I believe they have sent an email containing further details and instructions. Senator, if I may... this strikes me as exceptionally shady."
Elara finally took a slow sip from the delicate glass. Its design was commercial in appearance, simple and practical, yet the way she held it betrayed the nobility she always carried within herself. It was a posture practiced from birth.
"We have our opportunity."
She placed the glass back down.
"We will organise this meeting, but it will be recorded. I will not allow what appears to be a gift to become a trap in disguise. If the Kenari have an offer to make, it cannot be one that jeopardises my career in the process. What we have today, however, is the first step on a long journey ahead of us."
The other soldier finally spoke.
"And what journey do you have in mind, Senator?"
A small smirk crossed Elara's face. Her eyes shifted toward the other soldier.
"You are both dismissed for today. Excellent work."
A small click was all it took.
The meeting would go ahead. Elara was far too interested in the potential of what this could become. The information already present intrigued her greatly, but much more was destined to come. Something in her gut told her this was going to become remarkably interesting. The dagger at her side felt heavier, as though she stood on the verge of launching the first offensive in a carefully planned war against all who stood before her.
Her eyes slowly lifted toward the insignia of the High Republic emblazoned across her desk, the silver crest gleaming beneath the dim office lights. For a long moment, she simply stared at it in silence.
Then movement caught her attention.
A spider, small and black, emerged from the shadows at the edge of the desk and began to crawl slowly across the Republic insignia itself. Tiny legs moved carefully over polished metal. Elara watched it without blinking.
And slowly, almost imperceptibly, her lips curled into a smile.
