Serving a Princess 2
23 Jun 2020Prochaska
Zoe was initially preoccupied with herself and her pain in the cell. She lay still on the primitive couch that served as a bed, and with every breath she took her ribs ached. The only thing that raced were her thoughts. Feverishly she searched for an answer, for the why. Why did everything around her just collapse? The familiarity of this feeling had a devastating effect on Zoe. She was lying there in this condition for a while.In the hallway she heard footsteps approaching. The door was opened, and princess Aisling Duval entered the room alone. Zoe stood up, but bent noticeably to the pallid left side while standing. Zoe looked at the princess and tried to read her expression, but could make nothing out of it. Aisling went up to Zoe and looked at her inquiringly for a moment. "Zoraya, why don't you sit back down, I can see that you're in pain," and added, "Good morning, my guards informed me that warnings have been received regarding your background. Care to tell me about it?"
Zoe looked confused. "What? My background? No one has bothered to explain to me even remotely what I'm being held for," it burst out of her.
Aisling pulled out a dataslate and skimmed some records. Then she looked at Zoe again and asked "Arissa Lavigny Duval ordered it personally, I had no control over it. There have been reports of your membership in an association.”
Zoe told her about her work at Universal Cartographics for the last two years, and described her duties there. Then she expressed her astonishment at the allegations.
Aisling was getting closer and said: “I'd like to know that too, and Universal Carthographics is harmless, after all.”
Zoe was avoiding Aisling's gaze and replied: “I've worked there for over two years.” Then she thought carefully and added: “A friend alerted me to the job posting at the time.”
Aisling sat down next to Zoe and looked at her: “But why would a cartographer be wanted, pray tell?”
Zoe answered: “I initially worked as a transport pilot for the logistics department, and exploration jobs I only started late, around the middle of last year.”
What did the princess know, Zoe asked herself? She was in a quandary; on the one hand, she didn't want to betray the princess, but to mention the OSA would be a serious betrayal. Her thoughts were racing to find a way out. Had Aisling noticed how Zoe's right hand began to shake? This fear was in Zoe's mind. She still looked for signs of sympathy or distrust in Aisling's face, but found no answers there. Zoes eyes seemed to be searching the ground frantically.
Aisling turned closer to her: “Look me in the eye, as your new leader I expect honesty and loyalty. We have official sources that clearly indicate that you have connections with enemies of the Empire. According to this report, you are a danger to my personal safety." Zoe looked up, highly alerted. "I am not here to spy! Nor am I here as a saboteur, and certainly not to harm you!” she said excitedly. Aisling followed up:“Tell me. I'm not angry with you.”
Zoe answered her hastily:”Thank you... I...I'm actually forbidden to talk about it. UC's office in Bluford is shared by another organization. We do intelligence work, but not against the Empire. I don't quite know what to say, I think it all sounds very implausible.... but I have never spied on behalf of the Federation against the Empire!”
Aisling looked at her dataslate again for some time. Then she looked up and replied, "Your account is consistent with our investigation, and I believe you. Do you swear to serve me faithfully?" Zoe swore it. "I would never want any harm to come to you", Zoe added. With a ceremonial gesture, Aisling deleted the suspect file from her slate. She extended her hand and invited Zoe to declare her allegiance, and Zoe grasps the hand, insecurely at first. “I would like to be allowed to stay in your service”, she said, now with a firm look. The tension drains from Zoe's face, and she adds:”I'm very happy to have been accepted here. Thank you for keeping all I said confidential, I'm totally overwhelmed right now”. “It is my pleasure to welcome you.”, Aisling replied, and smiled slightly. Again she apologized for the rough action of the guards, and asked Zoe for understanding of the security measures. Then she stepped outside the door and handed out instructions: Zoe was to be released from custody and was free to go wherever she wished and a doctor was to be called immediately. The princess looked back at Zoe for a moment and nodded goodbye, then retired in haste. Zoe, for her part, sank back onto the bed and took a deep breath of relief.
After this event, Zoe was assigned to the wing for special use, with Emily as her immediate superior. But this condition should not last long, very soon Aisling's priorities changed. It quickly became apparent that her responsibilities would leave her no time at all to lead a squadron. The command of the squadron was transferred to one of the subordinates.