Technological Terror
Location: Coronet, Corellia, in the dining room of Rare Consequence
The weather was foul in Coronet tonight. Sheets of rain battered the reinforced windows of Rare Consequence like the claws of a beast, but if nothing else, it had driven the rats indoors, where they could properly spend their money.
Helix picked his teeth with one expertly-mimicked fingernail, then let out a contented sigh.
It was a shame that his old friend Alisteri had snubbed his dinner invitation all that time ago. Putting aside the political and military consequences, he'd missed out on an excellent meal. Helix flattered himself that he'd become a superb culinary artist these last few months, enough so that many of this restaurant's courses were of his own design.
As the Dzara's influence crept like mold across the galaxy, one of the first things Helix had done was acquire a slew of legitimate businesses, most of them positioned in and around the Galactic Core. Outwardly, of course, these functioned normally, perhaps a little too normally. Most were mildly profitable, but their true purpose was information. People talked at restaurants and bars, particularly when the alcohol started flowing. So far, this one had been particularly successful, enough so that it made real money.
In the interest of not sticking out like a sore thumb, Helix had come out tonight in one of his favorite molecular configurations. He resembled a human male of early middle age, smartly dressed, impeccably groomed, and projecting an air of mingled contempt and self-satisfaction. Helix ran a hand through his silver-flecked black hair, blinked his eyes experimentally, and flicked his gaze around the room.
He sat alone at a table that cost more than most beings made in a year, enjoying a dinner that cost many times more than that. Not that Helix paid, of course. The Dzara's flunkies knew their masters well, and it had only taken a short conversation with the restaurant's manager to secure a free meal. This was one of the cheaper options on offer, a grilled steak cut from some exotic Outer Rim predator that Helix couldn't be bothered to identify. In truth, it was only a side bonus. He was here to observe and inspect.
Few of the Dzara's lowlier minions had any idea who called the shots at the top, as many layers of diffuse, indirect hierarchy lay between he and they. Still, people talked, and criminals were especially talkative under the right conditions. They had heard the stories of the shapeless horror that stood in the Dzara's uppermost echelon.
That horror could be anyone, anywhere, at any time. Watching, listening, judging. Of course, Helix could only be in one place at one time, or most of him. Still, the prospect of winding up a meal at one of these tables was one that often put pause to thoughts of treason.
Unlike many of his fellows, Helix occasionally took it upon himself to slither through the lower levels of the cartel he'd helped build. Fear now mingled with greed. The Dzara's rules were simple ones; play ball, and get your own small cut of the pie. Get too ambitious, skim off the top, act out of turn, and...
Well. Being subjected to Helix's supernaturally-creative attentions ranked among the worse possible fates, to be sure, but particularly egregious offenses might earn one a trip to Anoat. There were worse ways to die, but not many.
Of course, none of this ugliness ever showed on the surface. To all appearances, the restaurant was immaculate, as prim and as perfect as its owner. The lights were relatively dim tonight, and the setting quiet and unobtrusive. The sort of environment that drew the idle rich in droves. After all, few others could secure a table here. Despite that, it was getting close to the end of normal business hours.
A gentle electronic chime sounded, almost lost amidst the buzz of idle conversation that filled the restaurant. Helix knew it well: the door. Despite some objections from the restaurant's manager, that small addition had been one Helix insisted upon. No surprise visits, at least through the front entrance.
Helix looked up with mild interest, still chewing his steak. No one had entered in quite some time. If anything, the late hour ensured that the establishment was slowly emptying, despite the raging tempest outside. A new arrival at this time of night was unusual. They either really needed a bite to eat, or they were here for him.
