In Locke Step

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“You’re not having fun.”

It took a beat for Locke to realize the voice was addressing him. He turned to see a rather striking blue skinned woman with golden tattoos on her face and Locke wondered where else they might be located. “I apologize, I’m not being a very good host.”

“On the contrary, you haven’t told one boring story.” She sipped a peach colored libation from an ornate crystal goblet. Calming music wafted in the air on the same currents that carried the smell of sweets and meats from a dozen worlds.

“I haven’t told any stories.” Fluzhi locked eyes with the Pantoran. Apparently it was an unofficial tradition for new Senators to host a party as soon as possible once they arrived on planet. The more important the guests, the more influential, the better. The politicking began in earnest and would never let up. Some droid somewhere was supposedly keeping track of who came, who stayed, and who of the invited did not come. Those that did, were instant allies, those that didn’t well that was a much more interesting outcome.

“The view is fantastic.” The female Pantoran moved a bit closer to the window.

“Breathtakingly gorgeous, I would say.” Locke commented, never taking his eyes off of her. She smiled. “I meant all this.” She gestured to the city-scape outside. The architecture and engineering on display were unrivaled. Her words broke the spell for a moment. Locke’s thoughts returned to Cantonica.

“It’s nothing like Home.” Locke closed his eyes for a moment. In his mind he was back on the scarlet and magenta sands. Sure the lavish pleasure grounds of the city and the light that glistened off the man-made lake were impressive, but nothing beat the cleansing purity of Cantonica’s desert sands. Locke loved the sand, so pure and ubiquitous, it was a warm caress, an ever-present reminder of who he was and where he had started.

“I like this home. Perhaps you could give me a private tour?”

“That.” Locke said after finishing the last bit of his drink, “Can be arranged.”

][

Once the door to his private bedroom closed Locke offered, “Would you like a drink? I keep the best in here anyway.” He turned to find his visitor right beside him. In an amazing quick move, she put her hand on his mouth, and with her other hand held one finger to her lips.

Her next words came at the softest whisper. “We’re alone?”

Locke considered this carefully. His body guards were always close, although they knew when he entertained someone here they were to provide privacy. All visiors had been scanned for weapons, but of course almost anything could be a weapon. Locke decided she wasn’t going to attack, she would have already done that. He nodded slowly to answer her question.

She continued in hushed tones. “You will learn quickly things are not what they seem. I want you to be careful, and think about this, how much do you know of your predecessor? I will be in touch.”

Stunned by this quick turn of events, Locke said nothing as she left. His goals and plans had not extended much past what he would do with her body and she with his. Now all of a sudden he was in the middle of a cloak-and-blade story. He returned to the party, but she was nowhere to be found. He didn’t even know her name, but that was part of the fun, or at least what he thought was going to be fun. Fortunately at these types of parties there was no end of beautiful women eager for some attention.