Page 97 of Right Next Door
The High Imperium was in here. Standing within this dim backroom like someone had stored them here for later. They were surrounded on all sides by big, metal cases. Servers, she thought distantly. This must be a server room for the scanner. A place for all those scans to be stored and start the actual matching process. It wasn’t a huge room, but it was big enough that the High Imperium, as tall as they were, still had plenty of room. Their cloak wasn’t even scrunched up.
But there was something weird, something…
As Misty watched, the High Imperium unplugged something from the server. It retreated, like an odd limb, back under the black shroud that concealed them. They’d plugged something into the servers. Like a wire or a USB or something – she didn't actually see what it was. Or even what it was attached to. And it was gone now. Concealed under the heavy fabrics that covered the Imperium’s body. It was the first time she’d ever even seen any indication that there was something under that heavy cloak and shroud at all.
Then, they turned. Their entire body rotating in the air. Their combot, its usual colors dimmed, still floating beside them.
Misty couldn’t catch a breath. She’d definitely just seen something she wasn’t meant to. She didn't know what just happened, but it clearly was supposed to be private.
And, she realized, was probably the real reason the Imperium was here in the first place. She’d been so confused about whysomeone of such importance would come here. Just to ask her opinion on their personal project? That was a stretch. Especially considering she was just a hairdresser.
But if she was just a cover. If they had some other intention in mind…
“Hello, Misty,” the Imperium greeted calmly. Sounding just as jovial as usual.
For a brief moment, Misty considered playing dumb. Acting like she didn't realize she’d stumbled upon something not meant for her eyes. But the urge passed quickly. She wasn’t the type to not face things like this head on.
“Vigo doesn’t know you’re back here, does he?” She asked, crossing her arms as she blocked the doorway. She was pretty sure the Imperium could force their way past her if they really wanted to, but they made no attempts to do so.
“You already know that he does not.”
“Are you trying to sabotage the True Match system or something?”
The Imperium chuckled at her. “So distrustful you are.”
“You’re literally skulking about in a private back room, doing something weird to the servers.”
“Nothing damaging, I assure you.”
“And I’m just supposed to trust that?”
“Everyone else in the Coalition would.”
“Yeah, well, humans aren’t technically part of the Coalition, are we?” She frowned, eyes narrowing on them. “And you’re not making a good case for you not doing anything bad.”
The Imperium just chuckled again. So completely unconcerned about the fact that she had caught them doing… something. Honestly, she didn't know what.
“I give you my word, I’ve not harmed the system in any way. It will continue to function flawlessly.”
“So, what were you doing then?”
“Ah, let me keep some secrets. You’ll ruin all the mystery.”
“I think the last thing you need ismoremystery,” she frowned. “You aren’t threatening me to keep quiet or anything. Why not?”
“You can tell whoever you want that I was back here.”
“And you don’t care? You clearly were trying to do this secretly.”
The Imperium laughed. “Yes. And I did what I needed to do. So, if you tell them I was here, I’ll simply tell them what I told you. That I’ve done nothing damaging to the system. And, as I already said, they will all believe me. One of the advantages of being the Imperium. I’ve thousands of years of reliable neutrality and dependability behind my title.”
Misty blinked. It took her a second to realize why she suddenly felt so odd. It was the first time that the Imperium had ever referred to themselves. Not the High Imperium, but whoever bore that title. Right, atitle. Because, despite everyone calling them that, they weren’t named Imperium. It was a position they filled. There was a person underneath that title.
And for the first time, she felt like she was actually meeting that person.
“So?” She cocked her head. “What now? You going to take me out to keep me quiet?”
The High Imperium laughed as they floated her way. Slow and friendly. “My goodness. Why would I do that? I still haven’t even gotten your opinion for my chat room. And I happen to like you. You’re so feisty. It seems to be a trait of human females.”
