The Hourglass

The boisterous sound unmistakable but for that of a casino floor flooded Locke’s ears and made him even more nostalgic for home. He had organized that a major section of the Cantonica embassy be refitted from boring office and storage space into a near-perfect recreation of a Canto Bight gaming center. Since this perfectly reflected the spirit and culture of his home planet (and not to mention the generous bribes) he was able to easily get permission to open the establishment. He had hoped this little slice of home would help quell his desire to return, but if anything it strengthened it.

The place was called the hourglass and sand-powered hourglasses were the main theme of decoration. They all poured automatically at various speeds, each filled with sand from Locke’s homeworld. Casinos were notorious for not having clocks inside, but inaccurate and competing time pieces did the same trick. Patrons lost track of time and therefore spent more time and money than they originally intended. The hourglass was also becoming so much more for Locke. Since he didn’t have to spend any of his time with actual political issues he could spend his non-Senate chamber time however he saw fit. That meant making all kinds of friends and contacts.

The adjoined bar also became a hub of activity drawing the wealthy on the planet more than any politically charged party. This was a place Locke could build influence and hopefully power. He had a favorite seat, reserved for only him, he was the owner after all, and usually in the company of very attractive women. Obscured from view and with the casino’s very high-tech anti-recording technology in place, Locke could meet with anyone he wanted to and not worry the conversation was being overheard or recorded. To his left and right sat the beauties from earlier in the Senate, and across the table sat Kube.

“I appreciate the message you sent earlier.” Locke poured himself a double.

“You really think she is reading your messages?” Kube did not drink and did not move much at all. He remained firmly in the shadows.

“If not, no harm done, if she is, then she’ll think me blocked, defeated, and at a loss.” Locke took a sip of the pan-galactic gargle blaster. “I’ll appear helpless, and play the part of giving up. So what did you find on her?”

“Lots.”

“Well?” Locke held out a hand.

“You first.”

Locke smiled, “Ah, a negotiator.” He handed over a few tokens. “You can cash these out for any denomination you want.” It was the perfect means of transferring money with no paper trail. Kube would get paid, and Locke would get the actual intel on Halcyon. Kube handed over a data chip.

“Oh… wow…” Kube’s voice took on an innocence of pure wonder. He was completely transfixed, so Locke turned to see what had so completely taken ahold of his associate’s attention.

Walking, no, floating toward Locke was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She literally floated angelic-like, her flowing white robes just touching the ground. The woman wore only white and literally glowed, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Locke didn’t like any break in the gambling action but found himself unable to say or do anything other than stare like a juvenile seeing his first heart-crush for the first time. She stopped at his table and opened her hand to reveal a single, blank, white card. Locke accepted and continued mute as she left the casino in the same reverent manner she had entered.

“That was a thing.” one of the women accompanying Locke finally said. It broke the spell and Locke looked at the card. It felt odd in the hand but had no writing on it.

“It’s a puzzle.” Locke smiled again. “I know just the droid for this.”