[Humans for Hire] - Part 209

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*Author Note:* And holy heck an award. I'm...mystified and pleased that this happens. Thank you!

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*New Casablanca, Skunkworks Insurance Corporation*

Llensi had been walking around New Casa for several hours alone. It was precautionary, and also a farewell of sorts. If this didn't go well, she was going to have to make plans rapidly. It was risky enough that she would almost have to exile herself to Homeplate completely in a worst-case. Finally she made her way carefully to the glass doors of Skunkworks Insurance. There was a moment's consideration given to the statue in the foyer before she was approached by a Terran wearing the crisp dark suit that was the uniform of Skunkworks.

"Hello, Miss. I'm Agent Smith, is there a particular policy you're interested in today?"

Llensi frowned for a moment, trying to decide how to phrase this. "Well, I'm investigating the possibility of...employment insurance, with additional indemnity against death and-or dismemberment."

There was a light eyebrow flick from Agent Smith, and a motion. "Do follow me, then."

One thing Llensi could say was that the lighting was slightly off-putting, and the scents were uncomfortably sterile in contrast to normal Terran-dominated establishments. Agent Smith settled behind his desk and pointed Llensi to a chair that didn't look entirely comfortable.

"Before we begin, we will require your identification chip."

Llensi nodded, offering the card and allowing it to be scanned. After a few moments, there was another eyebrow lift.

"Apologies, I should have specified. Your *real* ident."

Llensi's ears flattened against her head, but the second ident was proffered. After another scan, there was a nod from Agent Smith.

"Better. Now tell me Smokey, why are you here?"

"It is as I said. I require a measure of security in my life."

"Security from whom?"

There was a hesitation. "From people who would wish me to take actions that I would rather not take."

Agent Smith exhaled softly. "I understand that this is a difficult venture. But for this to be executed properly, there must be a measure of trust and communication." A control was tapped and a holographic readout was displayed. "From our own investigation, it seems you have been living two lives. In one life, you are Llensi of Clan Obrad; a clan dedicated to cargo and logistics with only minimal contact with the grayer areas that your homeworld is known for. You pay your taxes, you help your roommates with the cooking, and you help your captain take out the garbage. Llensi has precisely two vices in her pursuit of being as average as possible. One is your earnest betting on any sport that has a scoring system, and the other is that you are rather intimately involved with Orile from the Vilantian Clan A'Silov, which would seem to be mildly scandalous were it not for current events. Beyond that, dedicated to being unremarkable, unambitious, and unimportant. But there is another life, lived by one Enafi of Clan Darbo."

There was a light scroll and a tap. "Enafi has lived...a very interesting life. She's been spotted in several places - a peace conference two years ago, several diplomats becoming violently ill, derailing the negotiations. Before that, working as a junior secretary on several agreements and treaties that all fell apart at the last minute. Diplomacy does not appear to be her strong suit. There's even been some corporate espionage in her life - curiously, Enafi was reportedly married." The holo changed, showing an image of Ramelod and causing Llensi to flinch. "Divorced, I presume. Perhaps he wants to reconcile? Someone matching that description enlisted with the Foreign Legion of Terra some time ago. Though he may be seeking something other than reconciliation..." Agent Smith shrugged. "In any event - one of these lives, has a future. The other one does not and we both know which is which. So tell me, Llensi. What are you bringing, and why do you expect us to believe a consummate liar."

Llensi looked around, checking her own table for a moment. "What I'm bringing is extensive knowledge of intelligence-gathering methods on Hurdop. Why is simple." She moved her hand, bringing the holostill of Orile to the fore. "When you realize you love someone. In the truest depths, telling them will not wait. Even when that epiphany is the result of a firefight where he was injured. I never wanted to hurt him, but I thought that I would have to. Then I saw him get hurt, and realized I never wanted to take in his scent filled with pain. Ever." She laughed softly. "All my training, all my life. Everything gone in a moment." She shook her head at her own foolishness.

"So who else knows? I presume you've been discussing it with Balto and Rosie."

"The discussion has happened with Freelord Gryzzk, yes." She looked down. "I don't know what happened - but I should very much prefer Enafi cease to be. I'd like to know what you think that will cost."

Agent Smith pursed his lips slightly. "I'd like to know more about what you have to offer."

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*Homeplate, Alpha Company HQ*

Gryzzk glanced at his wives before returning his gaze to the Ministers staring at him awkwardly. "I promise that does not occur often, Ministers. But I would...like to borrow a moment of your time..." Gryzzk's voice trailed off as he noticed Minister Larine's nostrils flaring and sniffing toward the door. "Perhaps tomorrow." Gryzzk tapped his tablet. "Larion, could you report to the Commander's office? Indel and Minister Larine need an escort to the VIP quarters on the *Twilight Rose*."

Larion's voice seemed a bit confused. "An escort, Freelord?"

"Yes. Quickly."

Larion showed up looking a touch confused, and Gryzzk had just enough time to wonder what manner of amusement the gods had planned as the sensation of matching scents came to his nose. It was certainly far from expected, as Grezzk and Kiole both had the same look and scent as they leaned forward to make sure their noses weren't playing a cosmic prank.

Gryzzk finally cleared his throat. "I. The gods appear to be in a mood. Minister Aa'Fidri - could we impose upon you for assistance?"

The minister withheld his amusement and simply lifted Larine's arm, sniffed, and repeated the process with Larion before nodding. "The gods are in a very good mood it seems."

Gryzzk pinched the bridge of his nose. "Very well. Ministers, I would respectfully recommend we cancel the rest of the formalities for today and find appropriate quarters for the minister and her...well, her husbands, I suppose. Lady Warrior, if you would be so kind as to provide an escort - I believe there are other discussions to be had."

Kiole smirked. "Minister, Corporal. Follow me." The three left and Gryzzk settled back into his chair with a light groan before holding Glaud closely.

Aa'Fidri flicked an ear slowly. "Complications."

"Quite, Minister. Larion has fathered children with two Hurdop women who may not fully appreciate our...processes. And that is in addition to the unusual nature of two scent-matches happening within minutes of each other. This company appears to be marked by the gods to do what is rarely done as a matter of course." Gryzzk leaned his head back before another thought crossed his mind. "XO?"

Rosie's image appeared from his tablet. The XO was wearing casual clothing but was also carrying a ridiculously large bucket of popcorn and a soda. "Spit it out already, the show's about to start titfucker."

"Yes, about that. All recording devices in the VIP quarters are to be disabled until noon tomorrow."

"Fer *what*?"

Gryzzk's voice took a slightly cautionary tone. "Rosie..."

The XO's form sniffed. "You are a wet blanket, Freelord."

"Yes, and we will have enough to deal with without having salacious rumors spread regarding the company activities."

"They're not rumors if they're true."

"Stipulated - you have heard my orders. Please carry them out, XO."

"Done. We'd make bank if we could sell that."

"There are certain things we do not trade in. The fact that the fanfiction exists is quite awkward enough."

"You're killin' me, Smalls." Rosie pouted as her form dissipated.

Gryzzk shook his head as he retrieved a reclining carrier that had been stashed under the desk for Glaud to nap in. "Apologies, Minister - I had hoped to speak with both of you. Perhaps on the morrow."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs seemed curious and amused. "Your XO. I had heard rumors..."

"She is all that you have heard and more." Gryzzk shook his head as Kiole returned with amusement writ large across her scent. "In any event - I would like to ask your thoughts on something...well, it's important to our systems."

The Minister frowned. "Is it something negative?"