Norsel – A Set Course
Robin Hopper
((Norsel Corp. Building – North Oparis Branch Settlement, Uwe II))
Elarrapal took a step back – a sign that the conversation was swinging in his favour, perhaps? Or she was trying to subtly lure him into a false sense of security. He wasn’t about to take the bait. He stood his ground… oO Test her, Oo he thought. oO See if you can get her to reveal anything further. Oo
Norsel: Speaking of the council – there were unusual visitors from the government at the project’s facility this morning as well. My contacts there reported they had forged documentation but gained access anyhow–
The guards he’d paid off to feed him information about the project – and to help him acquire certain assets from the project site.
Norsel: They were posing as government officials. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?
Elarrapal: No. I’m afraid that seems to be a common problem these days.
His lips shaped a subtle frown of disappointment.
Norsel: I’m sure. Well, then consider that information a token of my good will. After all, we are on the ‘same side’, are we not?
She inclined her head, just a little.
Elarrapal: We share the same enemies, often enough.
An easy feat when one was so adept at making enemies as she was – or Norsel was. But he didn’t care about who approved of him or his methods. He knew that what he was doing was for the betterment of the Uwezo people – even if they were all too blind to see it themselves.
With a grunt of disapproval, he motioned for the two larger individuals accompanying him to step forward. Elarrapal was, as usual, trying his patience… and he had business with Vaarig Greeta that couldn’t wait. Not with what he knew.
Norsel: Now, Elarrapal, I’d suggest you go scurrying off. I have an important meeting to attend and I can’t delay any longer. My two associates here can help to escort you off the premises if you don’t know the way out.
Elarrapal: I can find my way well enough. May your dreams be ever-blessed with true insight.
Norsel refrained from laughing – but only barely. Instead, he simply turned and walked away, further into the complex. He passed through a secure inner door and stepped into the lift on the other side with a guttural sigh… How the ignorant ate away at his patience.
Pressing one palm against the bio-scanner, he used his other hand to select his private secured level. Just then, a crackle emanated from the internal speakerbox. One of his guards.
Guard: That crazy prophet lady just tore her arm off and smashed the front door. What should we do?
Norsel: ::Pressing the talk button on the lift control panel:: Call the police – but get her as far away from the business as possible. I don’t want any more attention on us.
Releasing the button he did allow himself to chuckle at Elarrapal’s intensity. What fervor the religious nut could have. Maybe she was doing him a favour, at long last. The crazier she looked, the more guilty the authorities would think she was.
As the lift slowed and stopped, the door slid open. Norsel walked down the empty corridor until he reached another door. Gripping the handle released the lock as it scanned his palm once again. Pulling it open, he was met with the sight of his comfortable secluded living space below the surface – the only place on the planet he could be himself. His true inner self…
Greeta: I don’t like this… Norsel, you’ve gone too far. Helping us move the project along faster was one thing, but I don’t see how this– blowing up our work –is supposed to help.
Vaarig Greeta. Smart man. For an Uwezo, at least. But still so blind.
Norsel: Of course you don’t… Sit down, you’re making me nervous.
Greeta did not as he was told (what else was new?) and stayed standing, looming tall in his agitated state. Norsel moved to the bar, began pouring himself a drink.
Norsel: I had to accelerate plans. Yes, I know this seems like a backwards way to do it, but you have to understand the way these things play out… You’re a great mechanic, Greeta, you really are, but you don’t understand the politics like I do.
Greeta: Then explain it to me.
Norsel: My men detected aliens on the planet, Greeta. At your warp site. They’re here – and there’s no doubt in my mind what they’re up to.
Taking a sip of his drink, Norsel let out another guttural sigh.
Greeta: They’re trying to stop the experiment. Stop us from achieving warp.
Norsel: And now they’re not. Because they think the Uwezo people are doing that themselves… But of course, that won’t happen. The Government will see this as an escalation of public disobedience and crack down harder. Security will tighten. In a day or two, we’ll send you back, just a little roughed up – but more resolute to complete the project than ever after your “harrowing experience in the protestors’ clutches…” Besides, nothing mission critical was damaged in the blast, was it?
Greeta shook his head. Of course not. Norsel had seen to that.
Norsel: The engine we designed was nowhere near the explosion, the aliens are on a wild goose chase, and before you know it you’ll be right back on schedule. If I’m right, the Government might even increase your funding in hopes of getting it done even faster now that they see how things are spiraling… Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone get in the way.
TBC