Sieurs, Dames et Inconnus

[Emissary]

Contemplating on what to do and when to expect the visitors Anje decided it was best to take a walk around. Nevers fit the description of top class resort, even in times like these with conflicts sprawling all across the Sirius there had to be places where one would be able to go and for a while forget about all that everyday hassle. With all the work done and so much ahead she thought she deserved to rest for a little while and Nevers seem perfect for such opportunity.

The central marketplace. Traders, merchants, customers, a buzzing hive always full of people and countless offers, whether it be goods or information, and for a right price almost anything can be sold and bought. Quietly melding with the crowd Anje bypassed two bored types at the entrance, no doubt assigned to keep an eye on her. She imagined what if Giroux would catch them daydreaming like that, wouldn't be a nice sight.

Back a while ago she remembered a conversation with an old smuggler from Gallia who once served royal navy, he couldn't stop talking about wonderful meals served in luxurious restaurants at Nevers. Remembering this Anje thought it would be an excellent moment to see if smugglers' lengthy, verbosely descriptive and very appetizing tale was true.

But the enjoyable moment quickly ended as a man entered the restaurant. Colonel Giroux, he seemed tired, exhausted.

Giroux approached the table, sat down in front.

"I told you to keep a low profile in that Junker spaceport and you almost scared one of my Sous-Lieutenants, then, we give you an excellent apartment here at Nevers so you wouldn't have to complain about those noisy Junkers and you decide to vanish. You're not making things easy, mademoiselle." He said in a forced calm tone. Then, he took a deep breath. [color=white]"Oui, I'm the colonel you met in Lorraine space, Aubert Giroux."

"All in a day's work, colonel. A pleasure to meet you finally face to face." - Anje pretended like nothing happened. Giroux wanted to reply but caught himself before a would-be regrettable remark could make out. "No doubt you have been busy, meanwhile I have decided to take a look around, enjoying hospitality of your people. Nevers has a reputation, a place where people go to enjoy the life. This is certainly better than walking around the gloomy space station, unable to sleep with all those machines constantly clanking and humming. Wondering how that place still manages to hold up and if it's going to fall apart any moment. I appreciate the change."

A waiter appeared out of nowhere with two glasses of wine and put them in front of Giroux and Anje, he quietly disappeared the next moment.

"As for your Sous-Lieutenant. I think his name was Rene. It wasn't my intention to scare him but to his credit he performed his duties well given the unusual situation."

Giroux looked down on the glass near him. 'Has to be something redeeming for this day...'