Noia zips up the pocket she opened and does a quick check to make sure everything on the table is back in place. She has just turned to the window when the door opens and Crevan and Deline enter.

Crevan smiles at her. “Well? How do you feel? Informed?”

Noia blinks at him. “Not…entirely. But it is a start. Thank you.”

There is another quick flash of emotion Crevan’s eyes but he turns to Deline and says, “Well, ladies, as wonderful as it would be to keep your company I believe it we should call it a night. It is long past operating hours and if we stay here rumors may start to circulate.”

Deline raises her eyes to the ceiling, a half roll.

“Rumors?” Noia asks.

Deline snorts. “Two beautiful women in the CEO of ETHR’s office at night is the least of the more detrimental rumors circulating around you and this company, Almira. Though, you’re right, every resistance after you would have a parade with this one.”

Noia blanches and a corner of her lip peels up.

Deline chuckles deep in her throat, drawing a surprised look from Crevan.

“Was that at my expense?”

“You bet every last greenback you pay for my time it was.” She tidies the files on the coffee table but takes only the journal and the mobile phone. “If that will be all? You know how to reach me.”

“Indeed. Have a lovely evening my dear!”

Deline touches two fingers to her temple and exits the office.

Crevan turns to Noia. “Well, if you will come with me, lady guardian, I will show you to your accommodations.”

Noia waits just outside the office door as Crevan sets the electronics to sleep and packs a few things into a briefcase. Slinging the bag’s strap over one shoulder he beckons for her to follow him.

They walk out of ETHR headquarters and Crevan settles her into a dark passenger car parked in the next door garage. He chatters after he starts the car, a little about the world, a little about what he hopes Noia can do to help humanity. Noia only half listens and mostly stares out the window at the crumbled, melted, and half-rebuilt structures of the downtown zone. Solar panels reflect the day’s last kiss of sunlight and Noia rests her chin on her palm. The ride is smooth and though there are still some cracks left over from The End Wars across the asphalt Noia barely feels any jostling. There are few vehicles on the streets, far less than she would have expected for a state capital at this time of night. A little over a half hour later by the dashboard clock and Crevan turns them towards another building. This one is not as looming as the ETHR offices and there is more brick supporting it. After about fifty stories only half of it continues to rise then ends in an open-top roof.

Crevan turns the car into an entrance where a sticker on his windshield is scanned and they are allowed in past a gate guard, who waves at them from inside his station. The entrance descends into a private basement garage where Crevan parks an aisle away from the elevator. In the lobby Crevan waves to the receptionist who smiles, greets him, and passes him something. They enter the elevator where he inserts a card into a slot and selects the top floor.

“We’ll get you official access Monday morning but for now this,” he presents Noia with a second key card, “will give you entrance into the building and your suite. If you desire to go anywhere else just call me with this,” he offers her a phone similar in size and weight to Deline’s. “It has been set up with web access, more files that may interest you, high capacity operation and storage, and a few fun apps for you to distract yourself with. When you turn it on it will walk you through the prompts to set up thumbprint and passcode security.”

The elevator dings and Crevan escorts her into the penthouse suite. Before she can be overwhelmed by the grandeur of it even in the dim lighting Crevan hands her the large ziplock bag containing the old clothes she had been found in.

“I know they’re worn through but…I thought it would be best to leave these with you. They are yours, after all.”

Noia accepts the bag and is struck by sentiment. She wonders again about the blood stains but the thought is interrupted.

“There are fresh clothes in the master bedroom closet, most should be your size. There is food in the fridge, alcohol at the bar, and should you need or want for anything else just call down to the lobby – they have an app on your phone. If you wish to explore just know that this building has more than just living accommodations. There is a spa on the lower floors and there is a club somewhere…Ah, I digress. I leave you to relax and let all that information settle. I hope you can consider this home sweet home. If you have any problems please call me or come to me directly. I will be just on the floor below.”

He stands, smiling and waiting, until Noia finally nods awkwardly. “Thank you, Mr. Almira.”

“Oh god, please don’t call me that. Just Crevan if you would lady Noia. Are there any other questions I may answer for you at the moment?”

Noia, mind a-whirl and noisy with all the new information acquired over the last twenty-four hours, shakes her head.

“Then I will see you tomorrow.” He bows again and steps back into the elevator but she doesn’t miss the long look he gives her before the doors close.

She sighs and activates the phone to set up the security before she forgets. As the device saves her information she looks down at the package of her old clothes. Crevan had indicated that she should end the night with sleep but centuries of shut-eye makes her recoil from the idea.

One thing was for sure: if she was going to consider this for her home base it needed to be properly assessed.

She holds up the key card Crevan had given her and then looks at the elevator.

First step to establishing a home base: security. Where do you want to explore first?

BONUS: you have the chance to meet AT LEAST ONE new major character with your choices in this survey and further your alliance with AT LEAST ONE already known character.

NEW FEATURE: you can still vote via Survey Monkey OR comment below with your choice!