Contacts (Malik's Tales - 11)

The liquid had barely cooled to a drinkable temperature before the remaining parties arrived at the office door.
Malik kept to her seat, her attention focussed seemingly on some spec of interest out beyond the stations walls as Kueres hurried to play host and welcome in her guests.

‘Miss Tay, may I present Admiral Kesihico Retalk’

The man smiled in response, inclining his head in thanks as he stepped past his host and crossed the threshold from reception to office.

A second uniformed man followed the first as Kueres moved to resume her seat.

Declining the offer of refreshment Kesihico took a moment to straighten his uniform while he made his initial assessments. The capsuleer had declined to stand as he was introduced, and continued to maintain a fixed gaze out of the window as if completely divorced from the small courtesies expected from a polite introduction.
Taking the initiative Kesihico removed his cap and handed it to his Adjutant, before striding purposely forward, his hand extended in greeting ‘A pleasure to meet you again Malikora’

Tea glass balanced on crossed leg Malik dissected the new arrivals via their reflections.

‘Lokrajalok to the bone, I bet if we cut them they’d bleed green.’

Agreeing with the description, she continued her observation.
Two Gallente naval officers. The admiral, gaunt almost to the grotesque, fixed her with a calculating gaze, grey eyes firm in dark sockets bordered with sallow skin. His second, taking up a position close to the door, avoided looking directly her way, preferring to shield his expression with the peak of his cap.

‘Only one of them armed? I’m almost insulted.’

The second man’s muscular frame was clear through the fabric of his uniform, and had the unfortunate effect of making his superior look even more skeletal in comparison. The standard issue sidearm he bore looked serviceable but was currently secured in its holster with its snap strap.

‘So neither represent a threat yes?’

She turned back to the room as the Admiral approached, hand extended. Remaining in her seat, legs demurely crossed, she carefully placed her glass and saucer down at her side as before she extended a gloved hand to meet his advance.

‘Namas paysurisha Kesihico…….to what do I owe this…..honour?’

He accepted her hand and nodded once in reply to her thickly accented greeting. A brief contact and she returned her hand to rest in the fur of the tail that was curled from her rear to her lap.

Releasing the lower button of his jacket Kesihico sank down into the settee positioned perpendicular to the capsuleers seat. ‘We have actually met before my dear, though you would have been too young to remember’ he remarked as he made himself comfortable. ‘I was a guest of your mothers at one of your sisters recitals…..I remember you as the fractious little girl unable to sit still. You had ribbons in your hair that matched your dress, both of which you seemed determined to spoil if I remember. He watched carefully for a reaction but nothing was forthcoming, so he continued ‘You had such beautiful hair, almost long enough for you to sit on……when did you decide to wear it short?’

His familiarity was purposeful, his comment phrased to establish the superior position in this interview, if that was what you would call it.

‘Careful kaintra, this lokrajalok is a sly one’

Malik brushed a stray hair from her eyes and smiled sweetly ‘My apologise Sri, but I do not recall our encounter, so must admit you have me at a disadvantage’ Her face remained open but her eyes hardened as she continued ‘though I expect from you’re opening line coupled with the presence of my former squadron leader and, as you surely know, occasional lover, that that was you’re full intention’

So still a sharp one, in one sentence she had derailed his position by admitting to the past relationship.
‘In light of current events the Federation feels it is prudent to reach out to some of our most dedicated pilots to see if a closer relationship can be…..fostered’

No, she had not expected that one and stared at him for a second before responding, again in Intaki to distance herself from her company he noticed.
‘Vayam anerva sri……..I don’t work for you.’

‘Really? Are you sure? Where do you think you’re agents get their missions from? When you accept a contract you are committed to working for the people of the Federation. Ironically, you have probably done more for the Gallente since resigning your commission then you ever achieved under our banner.’

Her face remained impassive but her mood was betrayed by the increased sideways tick from the tail she now wore.
‘Then perhaps we should seek other means of employment?’

Oh, so simple she could be played he almost smiled.

‘You could my dear, but anything you do that does not aid the Federation will effectively weaken it just as surely.’

‘And you feel we should consider that a bad thing?

‘Come now, I know some of Kora’s wisdom must have seeded itself in there somewhere Mottie’
The use of her mother’s pet name for her struck just the right cord.
‘Intaki only thrives as long as the Federation maintains the power to protect her.’

She straightened then, the hint of a threat perhaps? Rellan must have sensed it too Kesihico noted, as his aid widened his stance and brought his hands forward to rest at his sides. The briefings prior to this encounter had been worth the time it seemed….little pieces of information all had their uses.

‘Intaki does not need your……navrastav….your brand of safety.’ she replied

‘Now you are letting emotion cloud your intellect Malikora, though that always was your problem. Without a Strong Federation how long do you think Intaki could hold onto her core systems or any sense of individuality before being swallowed again by the Caldari or the next power

‘Arrogant pv'foga!’ she screamed internally to that.

Her hands had closed into fists he noted but she maintained an outward appearance of calm
‘You’re home world is too great a prize to not be snapped up if available. No, the best you or you’re ILF associates can hope for is a level of self-government within the greater Federation…..a fact even you’re mother realises…..all be it reluctantly’
‘Besides…..even when not engaged in empire sponsored contracts you continue to aid our position through you’re frankly sociopathic pursuit of Serpentis and, by extension, Angel cartel assets.’

He glanced round at his companion before continuing, as if seeking confirmation. ‘What was it you used to call her Rellan? When she flew under your authority?’

‘Nakuul sir’

‘Nakuul lieutenant?’

‘Uzobiif Nakuul actually sir’

‘Ah yes…..our little crazy mongoose. A ferocious hunter of snake’s hmmmm…..so very apt’
He returned his gaze to those hard blue green eyes that regarded him now with almost tangible venom.

‘Now, even if you left our indirect employment, apart from denting Kueres’s commission, your psych profile clearly shows you would likely continue in your mongoose roll Malikora……and for that you again earn the Federations thanks.’

She remained silent for a moment as he watched her carefully strip away her hand coverings and fold them carefully over her knee.

‘You flatter us so sri…..though I doubt you came all this way to heap unsolicited praise on a single capsuleer.’
Apparently satisfied with the neatness of the gloves folding she rested her hands on the green fabric before continuing
‘Do you desire to continue demonstrating just how much you know about me or would you like to get to the point and tell me why I am currently enjoying this…..reunion?’

Changing tack he held up his hands in appeasement before sitting forward to better hold her attention.
‘Put away your claws Mottie, there is no need to feel threatened….I wish only to present you with the opportunity to aid the Federation and, by extension, Intaki by answering a few simple questions for me.’

‘And what is it you wish to know?’ she asked quietly.

‘Tell me all about your Night Ravens’ he replied simply.

Nice read, especially liked this comment "‘Intaki does not need your navrastav your brand of safety.’ she replied" I will look forward to reading more in the future you show those dirty Federation Military who's boss.