𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇.

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

“It is for your safety.” He says harshly, the white lenses of his helm staying upon her.

“Greens.” He says simply.

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

A clue to his origin? Or, more likely, the programming beaten into him.

"If you wish," she concedes gently, before offering a reassurance. "I Have been privy to far greater secrets..."

After all... she has seen the face of his Master.
--

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

Sixteen moves to the seat, and it’s like he’s trained to even know how to sit. Precise, direct —- boots forth, hands upon his knees.

“I cannot have you here while I eat.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

With a nod, she gestures into the office space, where the sofas seem to call to him.

"I can have something brought up for you... anything you'd like. I won't have you go hungry."

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

His shoulders, that raise so tensely and sit on edge, begin to relax —- as the does his demeanor entirely. He moves, always the first to make one, taking a step towards her.

“I. .will rest.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

"Sit, at least... let my usual guard take over. My day is primarily here in the tower, so... you may take the time to eat, and rest."

She offers the smallest smile toward his helmed face.

"Your stewardship of me need not be a trial. It seems safe enough now."

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

@ReineCorlis When he feels tiredness within. Like someone had grabbed hold of his brain, and refused to let go.

“What would you have me do.”

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

@ReineCorlis She makes a point. Although exhaustion is something of a stranger to him —- with the enhancements and scientific prodding he’s gone through, his stamina last longer than the average man.

But his mind. . .what they’ve done to him, what they still do —- it comes in waves (c)

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

No. He is no droid. But a memory of one comes over him, prodding and poking —- wires and metals. And the sinister laugh of the hooded man.

“. .I. .understand. Do you have. .a balcony. I will wait there.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

"I understand, but there is presently no danger," she chides softly. "And you are no droid... or am I mistaken?"

She needs to understand how far her authority will go.

"Will you do as I ask, for my sake? After all... the mission is my safety."

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

Sixteen moves —- but he doesn’t sit, he stands now next to the seat, hands clasped behind his back. “I do not rest.” His says, the voice modulated and almost cold, void of emotion.

“You must. I am to keep watch.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

"... it would be foolish for them to try," she says softly. "They know my wares service the public And the military... to threaten me is to threaten the well being of millions."

She takes a breath, and gestures to offer him a seat.

"Very well... will you require lodgings?"

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

“Lord Vader. .” The word is like a sore. “Wishes for me to take watch. If the Rebels make a move against you —- I will kill them.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

"Then one must ask, what do you offer as a guardian?"

She lifts a hand as though to calm any insult.

"I don't demean... but my life is often under threat. Some months ago, my guard thwarted an abduction. I only wish to understand Lord Vader's intention..."

A smile.

"Please."

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

“Broken.” He says, admittedly. “But I do not need it as often as my —- family does.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

... Ah. So they just want eyes on her.

Another trial to survive.

Her head tilts gently, as if curious.

"How Does it call to you, Sixteenth Brother?"

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

He doesn’t move, but the motion of his hand is a wave that would look someone using the Force —- however nothing happens. “It does not call to me. Like that.”

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

Two thoughts cross her mind.

One, that a rebel cell that doesn't know of her ties to the greater Alliance is working with bad information.

Or two, and more likely, the ISB, and perhaps Vader, wants her isolated.

"I see... and this threat requires a Force user to safeguard me?"

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

“Sixteenth Brother.” He says plainly.

“Lord. . .Vader —- commanded. ISB details, Director Reine Corlis has become a target by the Alliance. Considered in danger.” The detailing was long, but Sixteen thought it best to keep himself short. “Guard.” He said, pointing at himself.

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

That... is certainly an improvement from the last time the Inquisitorius darkened her door.

She turns a ring on her finger thoughtfully.

"Your identification, then. And your purpose."

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

The helmeted stranger stands at attention. As if she were someone in command —- some high ranking ISB official. The way Vader spoke of her to him —- it seemed like it.

“Sent. By Lord Vader.” He spoke, in a modulated voice behind the red dome.

[ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ ʀᴇɪɴᴇ ᴄᴏʀʟɪꜱ @ReineCorlis]

Her signal to her employees and guards are enough to clear his way... she would rather they not risk themselves against this stranger.

When he is admitted, the Director is standing with her head held high, curious.

"... your order was warned to be cautious here."

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

The tower of @ReineCorlis.

The helmeted figure moves to the entry way not a word to the guard outside her door.

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

@UNQUISITOR Hm.

. .Someday.

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

@UNQUISITOR Where?

[𝑆𝗂𝗑𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇. @beuntostone]

@UNQUISITOR . .can’t think. Too long of thinking. Start to suffer. Must always move.