[b]Kangchai, Upper Quarter[/b]

The warm evening sun fell in through the windows, illuminating the extravagant dining hall in a soft warm glow. On the edge of the horizon the swirling halo that was Brahmapura danced in the clear skies like a foreboding beast rising up from some gate to Hell to devour the world humans now called home. But the languid silent beast – despite its size and dominance in the sky – was serene in its movement. Its own dancing and fluid skies tinted deep maroon and lavender from the low light as Epsilon Indi sank to meet the rising giant. In its darker currents, the storms that were the norm in its atmosphere flashed softly.

The evening light brought a soothing calm upon the city. High up the traffic thinned as workmen and trade from the surface and beyond fell silent. The automatic air taxis and mass transit shifting their focus to the mid quarter as returning work men made way to the bars on Lychee Avenue or Whiskey Street. Even the glimmering silver lights of the taxis and air cars rose up to the docking streets of the Upper Quarter, if infrequent.

Though in this hall, the interests were not being put towards the outside. But rather invested inward. Silent and fluid in formality shaved and straight-faced men went about duties in preparing the chamber for dining. Heavy curtains were drawn close across the windows to where only a bare sliver of golden light fought through. Glass and silverware was laid out on a small table for three, twinkling sharply in the overhead crystalline light.

Stepping to the side one of the black-suited servants stepped away from the table. He looked no different from the rest. Shaved bald, hairless. Identical features. As mute and refined in practice as the rest. He was a man without a face, even without eyebrows. A clone one of a thousand. Engineered just right. There was nothing to this man to differentiate him from the rest of humanity, but so little individuality that even amongst proper men he was an alien.

Set inlaid into the wall was a gilded computer terminal. Its screen holographic onto itself. It was crisp and it was pure. The projection infinitely deep in two-dimensional space. As if it were a window into a dimension all its own. It swirled and danced with clouds vibrant in color and depth as Brahmapura. And with a gesture of a white-gloved hand it was brushed aside, as if a god had summoned a wind to sweep it away.

The gloom dissipating symbols and icons arose from the gloom. Like fish rising out of a deep still pond. They rose up to the surface, pressing against the edge of cyberspace. With a practiced and trained hand the man pressed his finger down onto the display, activating with a chirp the sound of music. [url=http://youtu.be/nDbeqj-1XOo]A soft breath rolled out of hidden speakers in the golden and marble corners[/url] to serenade the chamber.

The music was like a que, summoning out from the doors a cart laden with food alien and familiar to the human race. A silver platter with a honey glazed turkey, garnished with strange purple, spiky herbs. A dish of sweet aromatic nuts as large as a fist and woven with golden brown and green hues. A small bowl of fruit salad, and a nest of salad mixed from native Brahaman plant life and Earthly lettuce.

The smells of the food rose to the air in a sweet dance of sweet scents and glazed scents. Nothing was said as the food was carried out and the table was set. The men acting on almost robotic training. Nothing was said either as Mobuntui Hou stepped through the door. He smiled wide at the smell of food, and the sound of music.

“Our guests will be here in just a minute.” he said to no one in particular, walking around to the back of his chair, “And we make good progress.”

The waiters looked up at him, nodding silently. It was one of the few methods they had in impartial communication.

The last plate went down as a silver note chimed in the dining room, bringing Mobuntui's attention upright as he looked to the door. “Let him in.” he called out. A nearby servant bowed and reached out to the door, opening it. Letting it Cai Mi. Behind him Mary Dullard.

“Brother Mi!” Mobontui exclaimed loudly, holding out his arms as he walked across the room to meet the director, “And guest.” he smiled, bowing to Mary. “How have been today?”

“I have done well.” Mi smiled, “And I see the dinner arrangement was made.” he nodded, pointing to the table of food as the servants stepped back from their work.

“Yes, it is.” Mobontui grinned, “And from the smell I must say Quangxi did good, especially on such short notice. So, come on. Let's sit.” the executive offered. His steps were timed and well paced as he rounded the table, the guests following.

Mary Dullard regarded the spacious room with the decorative and polished marbled and limestone with a distant expression of awe tempering a disgust. To one who had seen living creatures and men living in tepid squalor, it was almost appalling that somewhere there were men who lived in gilded palaces up high.

There was no valid reason to keep Tkrai so low. They were just at capable at managing such wealth as man was. But she dare not express it. “So, I hear you like twentieth century music.” she said nervously as she took her seat.

“Well, not exclusively.” Mobuntui laughed, “But I do enjoy Pink Floyd from time to time. I must say that as an artist, Roger Waters is on par to the league of Mozart and Beethoven centuries before him. And I imagine they must have listened to them in much the same way we listen to his compositions now!” he said laughing softly, as the soft melodies of Us and Them and panned out.

“I am more pertinent to Mumford and Sons myself when it comes to classical.” Cai Mi added as he took his seat. “You listen to much of it?”

“I'm afraid I don't...” Mary said hesitantly.

“Well I imagine we're not here to talk about music.” Mobuntui laughed, “Help yourselves brothers, so we might proceed to the matter at hand.”

Mi nodded, “Certainly.” he said as he took utensils in hand, taking what he could of the food prepared in front of him.

“Oh by the way, try the fruit salad.” Mobuntui invited, “It's particularly fresh.”

“Oh, I will.” Mi chuckled, placing his fingers to the table and giving it a light spin. The turntable inside clicking softly as he turned the meal about.

“I gather you're looking to mount an expedition out across the mountains.” Mary said, starting the conversation, “At least that's what I'm getting out of Director Mi. Though, I do have to ask: why? We've ignored the region for so long what's with the sudden interest?” she asked.

“To cut it flat and straight,” Mobuntui began before Cai Mi could speak, “there's something in the area that we'd like.” Mary Dullard cut a cold hard stare against the executive officer now the truth was out. But Mobuntui wasn't blind to it. “But we're not blind to who's there.” he comforted.

“We're well aware there are tribes of Tkrai in the region. Quiet a few refugee groups from when our father's landed on this planet. I – we – merely wish to foster some relationship of mutual benefit. And we need expertise for that.”

“In what way?” Mary asked, she kept her plate empty as she leaned over the table.

“Well,” Mobuntui continued, taking a slice of turkey, “I don't wish to see our interests complicate the situation further. And if we're going to act in the area: then we do want peace. It's assuring to have peace, and if we can make that with the tribes and between the tribes then there won't be any more harm done. We might in the process enhance their quality of life.

“First and foremost, we do need to know what they want. And we need someone down there with a certain connection to the Tkrai. Or, an organization. As I am lead to believe you are a lady with connections?”

“I am.” Mary said, leaning back.

“Then why not use them to advance greater good.” Mobuntui smiled. Mi looked up from his plate. There was a subtle sliminess to it that he recognized. The same smile the directors gave to each other when making promises. It wasn't an implication of a lie, or a lie at all. But in his political experience, a holding out of information. He didn't suspect a little league woman from the Low Quarter would get the subtly.

But then again, Mary was cynical.

“It does come as a surprise to me that out of the blue Kangchai would care so much for the well being of the Tkrai. Or really, many of the politicians on this planet right now. After all, they're just rats with wings. Wasn't that said by one of your types before?” she offered aggressively. “So why the change of face?”

Mobuntui laughed, it was a soft polite laugh. Like hearing a joke. Not a particularly good one, but not terrible. “That's well and good.” the executive invited with a patient tone, “And probably true somewhere down the line. But not at where I'm linked to the chain.

“There are certain facts, complex facts I could talk about for well over a day about why we should do something like this. I'll be willing to reach a deal, all I need is your service as someone with connections, and a particularly well respected expert in this field.”

“What if I said I don't have a price?” Mary asked.

“Who said I'm bidding on you?” Mobuntui shrugged, spinning the table gently, “I can give it to the Tkrai of the Under Quarter. What do they want?”

“Just like that?” Mary asked, “And again, why the sudden interest?”

Mobuntui nodded, it was his turn to straighten his old back. “Because of one of the duties I have to Kangchai is the upholding of order within the city, the state.” he said, “And though I am perched high, I do have a good view of the Under Quarter. I do see what's going on down there. And if the protection of stability and safety for all the city's residents is part of my mission, then you must known more intimately than I do that Under Quarter is something of a powder keg. Hell, my predecessors did so wisely put it under our feet!” he added with a laugh, “I doubt any of us would want to loose our foundations. What do they need, want?”

Mary sat back, silent. She eyed the table full of food with suspicion, and hunger. “They could use higher raises.” she said, “Obviously... And they want to see Epsilon Indi. They want to see their sun again.”

“Doubly noted, both.” Mobuntui said, “This, and of course wage compensation for yourself. Maybe a donation to the foundation?”

“Maybe...” Mary nodded, “Maybe.” she repeated, biting her lip.

“Good. Good!” Mobuntui cheered. The light in his eyes suggested he had victory, “Then I will put this on paper.

“And if we're serious on this I would appreciate some numbers and information down. What exactly is needed. A bit of a census. We serious?” Mobuntui asked.

“I guess I'll humor you: yes. We are.” Mary nodded.

The Executive Officer nodded, clapping his hands together, “I will have this written on paper then. And I'll even sign it.” he said, shooting a look to his clone servants, “Just so we know I'm serious about this. You'll have my word, on writing.”

“So what are you going to do?” Mary asked.

“Well, I might have a few ideas but I'm not the one with the ultimate authority on this matter. Some of this may extend out to the council. So I'll need to put it by them. But I got a few ideas for a start, but the numbers will see how this end.

“So, Mrs. Dullard. How about that food? You haven't had a bite at all!

“I can even ask for some of that boxed up for you to take home as left overs if you want. I know I'll have enough to eat for the next couple days myself.”