Seignur Veeoni’s Private Workroom
Even the best laid plan may go awry.
Nobody is omniscient.
It was, Delia Bell told herself, good to occasionally be reminded of these particular truths, though preferably not while she was working.
She’d been blindsided, plainly said, and now she was playing catch-up, not her favorite position in the race, and she wasn’t looking forward to her probable reception. Still, it could have been worse.
It was good to occasionally be reminded of that, too.
She pressed the button next to the door, composing herself to wait.
To her surprise, however, her ring was answered at once.
“Who is it?”
“My name is Delia Bell. I’m a rack-and-tile specialist. I’m told my supply box was delivered here—that is, to Researcher Veeoni. I’d like to reclaim it.”
All true. That was worrisome.
“One moment.”
Ah, now she would wait.
But again she was surprised. The voice was back almost immediately.
“Researcher Veeoni will see you. Door opening.”
She was allowed so far as the foyer, the door to the hall at her back, and the door to what must be the main laboratory before her.
That door opened and a woman wearing a lab coat stepped through.
Researcher Veeoni was tall and thin. She frowned down at Delia, possibly attempting to intimidate her. Briefly, Delia weighed the value of being intimidated, but then Seignur Veeoni spoke.
“You are a rack-and-tile specialist?”
“Yes, Researcher.” More truth.
“It is a small field, and I am always pleased to welcome a colleague. Where are you based?”
“Hacienda Repair. I got separated from my kit in the rush.” Truth again. She was getting seriously worried.
“I wonder what you thought you would be doing here?”
Delia spread her hands, and smiled, noting with interest that Seignur Veeoni seemed immune to her charm.
“I thought I’d be rehabilitating old systems, and building new, as needed. Wasn’t aware there was another specialist already at work,” she said, which was…almost true. “Now that I know you’re here, set up and working, I offer my assistance.”
“Of course,” Researcher Veeoni said. “We put your crate into its own work space in the general workroom near the core. Consider that space your own. Once you have assured yourself that your equipment is intact, come to me so that we might see where best to apply your skills.”
Was it going to be this easy? Delia wondered, even as she bowed slightly in thanks.
Seignur Veeoni looked over her head to the woman who had opened the door.
“Show Technician Bell to her work space, M Traven,” she said, and turned away, the interior door opening to her.
“Yes, Researcher. Specialist, this way, please.”
Delia turned and followed M Traven out into the hall.