[b]Kangchai, Silver Pagoda[/b]

The doors slid open with the wet relaxed glide that was afforded to them, letting out the director's chambers. One by one the director's, the officers of Kangchai walked out into the warmly lit hallway, attended to by the regiment of identical, young servants. Their faces pale and flat they followed suit or moved alongside their masters as they traded hushed words between each other. Less of a means of keeping secrets, and more a practice of culture. The Silver Pagoda was a naturally quiet building. In its mirror and white halls it was warm and silent. It seemed to take everyone in awe.

It was only compounded by the keepers of the building, who held all words and made none. Deaf, dumb, and ignorant to all truths. And all lies.

The last to leave to were Mobuntui Hou and Cai Mi. They walked side by side as their silent guardians kept to their sides, ready to receive whichever order they were to receive.

“I must say by far it's one of the best thought out proposals I have heard.” Hou said with a polite nod, “But I'm still concerned with the complexity of it. Who yourself even bring up the doubt over the number of factors.

“Remember, we deal in absolutes here.” he added.

“I only have doubts through lack of information.” Mi smiled. He walked alongside the Executive Officer with his arms wrapped behind his back. He moved with his head down, watching the shiny mirror floor pass underneath him. It wasn't a perfect image, being walked on and deformed the surface in uncountable places, and scuffs remained in the steel. All the same, he could see himself stair back from a blurry painting, framed in white lines and sun rays. “You would say that's a legitimate excuse, wouldn't you?

“And besides, if the plan was absolute to the letter what's not to say it can be adapted? Being absolute about your intentions may work well in the business world where our computers can run all the probable economic outcomes and calculate the next best course. But for all they can do they can't calculate human intention, or Tkrai.”

“That is true.” Mobuntui laughed, “A computer can help cure us of Alzheimers and congenital, cognitive defects. But it can't calculate whether or not I want catfish stir fry or Rominfi Sky Deer cooked in a mango sauce.”

“Your honor, don't make me hungry, I haven't had that great a breakfast.” he laughed heartily.

“Then you should look into eating more.” Mobuntui Hou sighed, “Morning is the best time of day, when the sun is at its warmest glow, the taste of fresh juice from the dispenser is at its sweetest.”

“That's another thing computers can do.” Ci sighed, “Prepare us our meals and leave us looking ahead.”

“I can't imagine living in the barbarism that was the 2000's.” Hou snorted, “And to think the IU fleet still functions in some ways like that.

“I hear they still have Barmen. They are centuries behind, between you and me.”

“Well they are our line between us and the Listener. I don't imagine they got the time to think about how to refine themselves with automation. Got to give some of them something to do.”

“I guess that is a point.” Hou conceded.

“I assume on the matter at hand we will need to adapt to the situation.” the Executive Officer said, roaming back to the original topic, if disgruntled, “Would you be open to a private meeting then to go over the terms before I give the formal order? We'll also need to reconvene the Director's again once the final word is had. This sort of thing is shared jurisdiction, the diplomacy elements.

“I can call the Tkrai operations myself easily enough. But I'll treat this as a joint venture. So we'll go over candidates to lead that.”

“We'll also need to reach out to the Tkrai hippies for a guide. With hold information of course.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Hou grumbled dissatsified, “They will help, for as far as they can. They won't like it one way or the other. But they got no real power.”

“If you wouldn't mind, I could speak with the local chapter myself.” Ci offered, stopping in the middle of the hall. They had turned several corners and were not firmly on the outside face of the Pagoda. Deeper in the lighting was more sterile. And the desire for mirrored services had waned. What was there now were soft marbled surfaces. White walls, trimmed with forested greens and deep crimson reds.

“That would be appreciated.” Hou beamed, “And I appreciate your enthusiasm on this. With energy like that, we can do a lot more. It's a breath of fresh air.” he complimented.

“Oh... Oh thank you, your honor.” Ci bowed energetically.

“18:00 then, my estate?” Hou asked.

“I'll be there.” Ci nodded.

“Excellent.” Hou cheered, turning away, “I shall see you shortly. Bring developments.” he laughed, walking off. His foot steps echoed down the barren white, red, and green hallway. Following around him the handful of silent servants. And again, Ci was alone.

Ci turned his way to leave. Listening to the absolute perfect nothing that rules the halls. Only the sound of his feet echoed sharply on the laminated, stone walls. But, there was something off about the echo he observed as he walked. A misstep. An off rhythm.

Puzzled, the director turned to meet the source of this off beat. Only to hand a cold embrace fall onto his shoulder, shuddering him to a shocked hault. “Funny, how things work.” a cold voice said into his eye as he was held back. Ci turned his head around to find himself looking into the face of his shadow. Hou Tsieng. He pitted wrinkled face all the more scarred as he stared frowning into his. He was close enough he could smell the metallic sour breath as it rolled off his tongue.

“Mr. Hou.” Ci said restrained. His heat beat fast in him. Whether it was still an effect of being snuck up on, or having someone so close to him. He could quiet tell, not yet. “What do you want?” he said, nervously. His cold exterior was something in itself to be worried about. He his many stories behind those implants and prosthesis, and the wrinkles, and lines, and liver-spots.

“To just say, don't get to ambitious. Yes, comrade?” he said, releasing his hand.

“Ambitious?” Ci said shocked, “What do you mean?”

“Ambition.” Tsieng nodded, “I wouldn't get too much of it. It can be dangerous.

“It once got a man thrown off the edge, I do believe.”

“I don't think I understand.” Ci protested. Tsieng stood unflinching as he wrapped his hands in front of him. He scowled, from eyes to lips as he scanned his contemporary up.

“Ambition has gotten a lot of good people killed, Mr. Cao.” Tsieng warned in a grueling, aggressive tone, “Others, themselves....” he said trailing off, “It got a planet destroyed once too. I don't fancy that, Cao.”

“Look, I don't think I understand.” Tsieng said, raising his tone of voice, “What the Hell is going on?”

“I think you're capable of figuring that one out.” Hou bowed, walking away. His feet squeaked on the polished floor as he turned his back on Cao. Raising a hand to wave good bye he parted. “See you next meeting.” he said dryly.