On the edge of the dry, breezy plain that hosted Querylwan's spaceport, a Human man and woman strolled. They stretched their spaceship-dulled limbs and climbed the protective earthen berm that formed the border of the safe landing area. From the top of the berm they looked beyond the down-sloping land, over a lush, green, wide misty valley, across to another high table of land scattered with structures typical of Human cities. Most were typically indistinct, but one grouping stood out from the rest.
For one, its scale was massive, its architecture uniform, its style futuristic, a drastic departure from the other buildings erected by simple farming types, few of which went beyond ten stories. Then there were the pair of towers crowning the complex, pushing so far into the sky that their lines were broken two-thirds of the way up by a band of haze passing through on the winds, making their logical continuity a confounding visual illusion.
"There it is," the raven-haired woman said, pointing, "the jewel of the quadrant, the great achievement of Querylwan, Tarrason Central."
"It's beautiful," said the sharp-featured almond-haired man, "and big."
"Besides the two towers, there are two other mid-rise office buildings, a hotel, an apartment building, a convention and exhibit center, a multi-media production center, ultra-high bandwidth network servers and switchers, a medium-duty warehouse and shipping center, full satellite up-link facilities, and an underground shopping mall."
"Everything Bey said it was."
"And more. The whole complex is operated by two artificial intelligences that are highly integrated into the building infrastructure. They are not some slapdash droid-brain solutions. They were specifically designed for this purpose, and their mainframes alone have enough multiprocessing power to make even the most sophisticated droid seem like the village idiot. Nor are their thoughts confined to their mainframes. There are several dozen auxiliary computers wired up throughout the complex, some assigned to one AI or the other, some interchangeable."
"You're not thinking you can take them, are you?"
"No. Of course not. That was Bey's mistake. You can't outwit them in their own domain. We've got to work with them, understand them as they are. Sooner or later, we'll worm their command codes out of Biku Ard'lya and then simply turn their loyalty from him to us. Biku is the weak link, not the AIs. After we have their loyalty, we'll get the deed for the complex and dispose of the Bothan. In the meantime, I'm going to go get us some office space for our branch of First Corporate Colonial Ventures. It cost us plenty for the franchise but with some halfway decent effort, we should be able to turn a profit on that too. Find us a place to stay that isn't in Tarrason Central in case we have to discuss sensitive business."
The man nodded, and both members of the pair about-faced and returned to the spaceport.
The rented landspeeder was bigger, bulkier, and more difficult to control than the custom models she was used to. If it weren't for Tarrason Central, she mused, she'd have to get used to roughing it here.
She steered her way into the underground lot besides Tarrason Central. Above it were recreational facilities for hotel guests and apartment and office tenants. At one end was a convenient underground passageway, which led right into the Tarrason Central mall. As she walked through the tunnel, she noted the climate control taking effect in zones. The lighting was bright, but not harsh, and if there were cameras or other sensors, she couldn't spot them through the ads, art, and maps.
Automatic doors admitted her to the mall. Droid workers polished the floor and shined store windows. The woman stopped briefly here and there to sample various goods. The foodstuffs were amply diverse, but the other wares ranged from the ordinary to the handcrafted. There was nothing exquisite, and many storefronts were still vacant or abandoned. Clearly, the rebounding had a way to go before a return to normal. The place was still a little too quiet, but otherwise clean and welcoming.
She took an escalator up into the main lobby where she met sunshine again through tall windows, reflective steel trim, and white marble all around. She saw clearly across the plaza with buildings 5,6,and 7 in the background, placing her on the north side with the hotel and apartment building. A handful of people sat around the fountain on the plaza, perhaps office workers having a snack. Only the bases of the two towers were visible from here.
The lobby itself was still fairly empty and quiet, except for the occasional sounds of elevators on the move and a red-jacketed security guard making his rounds. The woman stepped away from the escalator and strolled toward the plaza entrance, looking up, admiring the high ceilings and craftsmanship and the way technology seemingly blended in with the decor. Not so seamlessly, though, that she couldn't spot a camera. When she did, she smiled and looked around. Nobody was nearby.
"Yoo-hoo," she trilled, "Agents, where are you? I've heard so much about you."
A brief sound of static and a colorful flash of light led to the appearance of a clean-shaven blond-haired man with orange eyes, dressed in full, flowing business attire about 8 feet in front of her. The holographic image was sharp, realistic, and surprisingly attractive, with his dark green long coat showing off chiseled features on warmly tanned skin and, of course, an ideal, muscular frame. The freshly constituted man placed his hands on his hips and tilted his head slightly, as if he were studying her.
For a moment, knowing there were two, she wondered where the other was. Then she heard the same sound of static behind her. She turned to her left and then turned completely around to see the second. He was identical to the first, save for the sideburns and faint mustache and goatee. Already in motion, he walked a clean arc, just over 120 degrees counterclockwise, to stand next to the first. Both were 6'5", well taller than her 5'6".
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," the first said, "my name is East," he nodded his head and waved his left hand, "and this is my brother, West."
The second nodded his head.
She smiled as she realized why West appeared behind her. Since the two stood closely now, it wasn't a concern about loading down a holo-projector. No, by showing up behind her, West made her turn completely around so the camera and scanners got an ideal view of whatever she had on her, in case she was armed, which she wasn't. Clever. Very clever. Few men had such striking good looks and ample brains that remained nimble around her.
"I am Leiara, of First Corporate Colonial Ventures."
"Welcome to Tarrason Central," said East as first he, then West, brought their right fists over to where their hearts would be, "We had some small concerns because most newcomers usually don't know to ask for us directly, away from the information kiosks we operate."
"Now, what can we do for you today?" West held out his arms, palms up, and bowed subtly from the waist.
"Well, if you were real, there'd be a few things I could ask for," Leiara briefly licked her lower lip, "but I guess I'll have to settle for some office space."
"We can show you to our Management Office-" East started.
"No, no, not yet. I'm not at that stage," which did have some truth to it, but she was more worried about raising the Bothan's suspicions just yet. Eventually, Biku would run a background check on her, but she wanted to build a little more rapport with the agents, "I know Tarrason Central has had some problems lately, and I don't want the hard sell. You don't hard sell, do you?"
"No," said West, "though we want to encourage you to stay with us."
"Good enough. I don't want to be pushed into signing any contracts."
"Do you see any contracts on us?" East playfully fanned out his jacket, "Now what size office are you looking for?"
"Something in the lower-middle range. There should be about 15-20 of us once we're up and running."
The two agents looked at each other and nodded. "How do you feel about tall buildings?" asked West.
"Rather not go there," she replied, "if you have anything closer to the ground."
East seemed disappointed, but West seamlessly picked up the slack, walking over to a map of the complex mounted on a freestanding display, "Perhaps something in Buildings 5 or 7?" He pointed to them on the map, and their pictures lit up. "We're trying to keep the first twenty stories open to companies that will use the warehouse and shipping facilities in Building 6, but there's plenty available 21st floor and up."
"I've always felt lucky with 21," she said.
East stepped over to the display with West and Leiara, "We have a nice corner suite in 7 that's just your size. We usually charge more for those, but since you're an early adopter, maybe we can get most of that waived." East glanced over to West, who briefly closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He opened his eyes, then spun 90 degrees to his right. In a move that could only be described as graceful, he swung his straight right arm in a broad arc over his head, creating a new holo-image behind him, of the corner suite that East was speaking of.
"Nice. Real nice. I'm duly impressed. But holo-tours don't seal deals. Real ones do. Can you take me? I'd like to scope out the vista from the windows myself."
Again, the twins glanced at each other and nodded. West snapped his fingers, shutting down the image behind him. East bowed and waved her towards the doors leading to the plaza. As she stepped forward, the closest door slid open. She was surprised to find East and West right behind her then at her sides.
"Wow. Now there's a nice trick. Outdoor holo-projectors?"
"We helped design them," said West.
"Actually, it was mostly number crunching," corrected East, facing West's glare.
She couldn't help pausing for a moment to stare up. She could barely make out the tops of the towers. She let out her breath in a slow whistle.
"Even if you can't handle my Topside Deck, I still hope you'll come visit the High Lounge," said East, leaning in closer to her.
"Maybe someday," Leiara gasped, "Not for a while." She resigned herself for now to enjoying the image of having two hunky male escorts, one on each side, as she strolled across the plaza.
East and West greeted and waved to many of the workers near the fountain. The men politely returned the gestures but seemed more interested in the pony-tailed woman in the tight burgundy dress. She nodded to them, feeling glad the agents were there.
Again, the doors of the building opened as they approached, and an elevator was already waiting for them. She had to admit the agents were smooth. Before stepping into the elevator, Leiara took a quick look around. Building 7 seemed sturdy and clean enough though its lobby was nowhere near as impressive. Inside the elevator, the 21st floor was already on the destination screen. She stepped to the rear to allow West and East to enter.
"We'll meet you up there," said East.
"No holo-projectors in the elevators. Would've added too much weight," explained West.
"We can still hear you though," finished East. Extending his index finger into the air and giving it a playful twirl, the elevator doors shut.
The raven-haired beauty felt herself be whisked upwards with barely an aberrant motion. And when the doors opened again, her pair of virtual escorts were already waiting.
"We've already unlocked the door for you," said East as he pointed the way.
Leiara smiled, "Nothing like prompt service."
"Plus, this building has a shared control infrastructure," said West, "If you have a concern that needs addressing, either of us might respond, or perhaps both."
"That would be nice," she said as she entered the office and began her inspection of the place. When she was done, she perched on a windowsill, bringing one foot up and resting her right wrist on her bent knee. Leiara let her sightline drift out the window to the plaza below and then to the two towers that served as bookends to the view. "Yeah, I could feel at home here," she glanced at the exposed skin of her leg, revealed by the slit in her dress, then faced the agents, "Have you two ever wished you were real?"
Confused, the agents turned to each other again. Some time elapsed before East replied, "We are real. These holographic icons are just one small element of our true selves."
"And not even a very significant element," added West.
The woman smiled and shook her head; "I've been in space too long. Forgive me," she watched as the pair nervously faced each other again, "Let me go talk to my partner. I'll get back to you," she pushed herself off the window sill, "soon. Keep the office warm for me."
"Shall we have our manager draw up the necessary leases?" asked East.
"Not yet. There's no rush."
"We also have arrangements with office supply and setup companies if you need further assistance."
She approached the agents, making direct eye contact with East, "I said, 'I'll get back to you.'" East managed a shy grin. Leiara then reached out, intending to place her index finger under West's chin, but he reflexively pulled back. She chuckled, then sashayed out of the office.
Moments later, as the holographic icons were escorting Leiara back downstairs and through the mall, the original image they took of her in the lobby appeared on Biku's screen.
"She was adamant about not seeing you. She asked for no literature, no floor plans, no services brochures, just a little tour with us. Mildly unusual, I know, so I just decided to send you the referral in case you want to start the background check early, " came the disembodied voice from the ceiling speakers.
"Are you trying to say you had a hunch, West?" replied the Bothan as he typed away, "because if you did it was dead on. Do you know who this is?"
"Leiara of First Corporate Colonial Ventures."
"Well, that's what she told you. What she didn't tell you and what I already knew is that she's Bey's little sister."
"Do you think she knows her brother tried to attack us?"
"They didn't have to communicate like you and your brother to know that. Hmm. At least her company checks out. Her franchise is legitimate. Talk about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. The question is, 'Who is she trying to get closer to?'"
"You are making an unfounded assumption, that she is an enemy."
"I hope so, but you know your prime operating principles. 'Always err on the side of caution.' Did she mention anything about getting an apartment?"
"No."
"Then where is she living? There's a clue right there."
"I don't know."
"Find out. And if she doesn't tell you the truth right away, keep your eyes on her."
Tarrason Central Manager Biku Ard'lya," she read off the door before entering the office.
The Bothan, conscious of his height, waved her to a seat to avoid having to stand.
"Long time, no see," Leiara continued as she settled down comfortably.
"Small galaxy," he said.
"Not small enough to keep you close to family and loved ones," she replied.
"Let me just clear the air first by saying I'm real sorry about what happened to your brother, but the agents and I weren't responsible. In fact, I nearly died as well. I hope we can let bygones be bygones. You've got a good business behind you and with some decent effort should produce well for you."
"True, but I have to admit I was flabbergasted when Bey told me who Gell chose to inherit this complex."
"Yeah," Biku laughed, measuring his response, "Gell beat us all out, but he knew what he was doing."
"What I want to know is," she smiled, leaning back in the chair and bringing her index finger to her lips, "if the agents are loyal to you, how come you haven't asked them for the deed?"
"I thought it was important for them to have it," Biku replied after some consideration, "Besides, what would I do with it? We're not profitable, so any sale would be at a loss, and I think raw wealth is overrated. It's more important to be treated like a king than live like one, and where else would I ever have it as good as I have it here?"
"Querylwan won't be a backwater forever."
"No, especially not with Tarrason Central here," Biku passed over a datapad with a lease for her chosen office, and a place for her to scan her thumbprint, "so there's enough profit potential for all of us."
"I guess you're right," she scanned through the document, "Gell raised two fine young boys. They've been most helpful to me," she pressed her thumb to the scanner.
"They're not your average 7-year-olds," Biku's fur ruffled as he took back the datapad, "Just be careful with them," he warned, only half-playfully.
