ToGL6

frameless|right|300px
==Tales from the Golden Lion AUKatya’s Quest - Chapter 6==
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
----
12/01/3051 - Antares, Contested World
----
Zettle Bancorp’s Lobby was as still, dark, and cold as the Nero Marquina marble floors that clicked under Katya’s boot. The heavy metal door leading into the safety deposit box and vault was open an oasis of light that caused the white inclusions in the marble to shimmer like stars beneath it. She walked over to see an older man hunched over an immense ledger with three sets of computers running numbers beside him. He looked up to see Katya above him, “Finally a customer. What can I do to help you, Star Captain?” 
“Are you, Deputy Phillip?”
He adjusted the lights to more clearly illuminate the name stitched over her left breast, “Deputy and present Acting Bank Manager Phillip at your service, Star Captain Kerensky.”
“I require cash and possess the Coregn’s preapproval.”
Phillip typed something into one of the computer screens, “So you do. How much would you like?”
Katya paused for a moment and looked down at her canvas backpack. She lifted it placing it on the table then opened the front pocket's flap to gesture toward its interior. “This much.”
An awkward silence grew between them, his hands hovered over the register drawer. “Small bills or big ones?”
Her eyebrows furrowed, “I do not understand your question, Deputy Phillip. I am told that I should use cash to purchase supplies from the civilian population for my mission.”
“Well as long as you can count.
Ten thousand Kroner in miscellaneous bills and coins it is then.” 
A wad of rubber banded cash bearing the faces of dead Archons and lost Heroes was pulled out from beneath the bench followed by a collection of coins in a cloth pouch, the front pocket bulged as Katya secured the flap. “Will that be sufficient?”
“Depends on what manner of supplies you require, Star Captain. If you run out feel free to come back. As you can imagine I do not get many customers. 
Pleasure doing business with you.”
One of the computers registered an error, its cursor blinked furiously across a string of abstract characters. “Now if you will excuse me Star Captain. I have to handle some more of COMSTAR’s code traps.”
She waited for a moment before returning her pack to its rightful place on her back and her rifle to her hands. Outside a chill wind blew off the reservoir just behind the Triad causing her to tuck into her coat and adjust her burgundy beret. 
Only the faintest spicy smell of CS gas could be detected as the Star Adder’s cleaned up the square and began to unload the shipping container that her Anhur had brought. Ration boxes were distributed to the Patrolmen and civilians that had accepted the Sheriff’s offer of employment.
Katya watched the unloading breaking down the outer packaging to more easily stuff the ration components into her pack. Sheriff Jason waited for her near the same command vehicle. “You should be clear to head into the city Star Captain. Stick to the upper level for now until you acquire civilian clothes. We can keep that area reasonably secure now that the mob has dispersed. 
The lower level and outskirts however are too broad for us to maintain a presence. We have a rapid response unit, but a lot can happen before we can reach you.”
“I can take care of myself, Sheriff.”
Jason nodded and pointed toward the East, “The department store I was talking about is that way, about three blocks,” he handed her a map, “This is a Transit Map. The City Manager has somehow managed to keep it operational. It is crowded however with so many more people here than it was designed to handle.”
An orthogonal view of Alba City showed the multiple tramways that crisscrossed a city which spanned rivers and canyons with multiple industrial and commercial zones. The City Triad and Government Square sat on the highest ridge-point making it the least accessible and thus most defensible sector. Katya walked downhill pass Alba’s Grand Interstellar Hotel which now served as Patrol headquarters. Its first two stories were protected by metal gates and sandbag walls protected a mortar pit where a fountain once flowed. Blue and Black MRAPs coiled around its formerly grand entranceway under the watchful eye of Patrolmen enjoying sunshine and a well-earned drink.
She walked down a litter-strew boulevard filled with broken safety glass and boarded up display windows. Three blocks passed with little more than hushed voices and rushed shuffling at the sight of a armed Clan Warrior on Patrol. Katya paused beneath a large sign with a bold Gothic W&W with a whimsical scrip below spelling out, ‘Willow and Wigburg’s.’ “This must be the place he was talking about.”
The revolving door was still and heavy, but the side doors opened with a touch to reveal a grandiose lobby complete with a grand staircase leading to the upper level. Above her was a shimmering chandelier that caught and refracted the light on the central domed ceiling. Katya followed an arrow pointing to ‘Women’s Fashions/Frauenmode.’ She passed through endless racks of brightly colored clothes in every conceivable configuration but was completely lost. Her hand rifled through the clothes comparing them to her frame, but the sizes made no sense.
“Can I help you?” A young woman peeked up from one of the racks. She squeaked out a “Miss,” before dropping the merchandise on the floor upon seeing Katya’s uniform and weapons. Her eyes went wide and skin pale, “I’m sorry. Please excuse me.”
“I require assistance and have money.”
“You want to pay? 
And my help. 
With what?”
“I am looking for a dress.” Katya held out the closest dress to her frame that she could find by eye.
The girl took a deep breath, “Do you know your measurements?”
“Measurements?” Her hand reached out to another dress, “My size is medium."
----
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
6