Written by Shelonei
"Agent Stoneringer, please take a seat," Cracken said blandly.
She looked to Senshu, and he smiled disarmingly. "It's alright, Estra.
He won't bite you."
She nodded and smiled nerviously at the raised eyebrow she saw Cracken give
Senshu, then took a seat, giving both her undivided attention.
"Just before I called you, a ship was intercepted bearing two technical
agents of an Imperial Admiral. These people, according to my sources,
were being sent to Warlord Ralos to be instructed about some sort of device
his people have developed in an attempt to carve out his own personal Empire."
She nodded, as yet unsure what he was getting at.
Senshu broke in, taking over the 'briefing'. "These two techs need
to be back on their way to the Warlord in short order, or the switch will
go noticed." He looked at her kindly, "One of these techs was a female
human -"
Cracken broke in, "And you're the only agent we have free right now who
matches her perfectly in height and build."
Estra's eyes widened as realisation dawned. "You can't possibly think
that-"
"Agent Stoneringer, it is your Duty to-"
"One moment, Airen," Senshu broke in. "Let me speak with her
a moment." At Cracken's curt nod as he turned back to watch the small
furry animals playing in their wall of cages, Senshu motioned Estra closer
to speak to her quietly.
"You're frightened, you don't think you're ready." These were statements,
not questions.
"I'm a secretary, sir - I can't do something like this," Estra explained
nervously.
"Estra, dear, You've been trained for exactly this sort of thing.
I don't know if you realise it, but most secretaries in Intel don't get any
training, yet you've been fully trained and have even sat in on some intelligence
planning sessions. You're ready for this, girl, I know you are."
She sighed, still looking a bit worried. "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," he smiled warmly.
"Alright then," she sighed. "I guess I'll have to do it."
"That a girl." He grinned and looked up, seeing that Cracken had turned
and had obviously been listening.
"Good. Now, Agent Stoneringer," the head of Intelligence began, "take
this still-holo, and bring it to room 4D5R. They will have to change
your appearance slightly and implant a small device to change your vocal timbre.
Once they've finished, please report straight back here."
She took the holo nervously, and looked to see the image of a young woman
with black hair and dark purplish diamond tatoos down her right cheek.
Her upper lip was dyed this colour as well. She looked over quickly
at Senshu.
He smiled, "Don't worry, when you get back the markings will be painlessly
removed and your hair returned to it's original colour."
She sighed, "Well, here I go." With a halfhearted salute to her superiors,
she left.
