Ancient Hunter

The cab pulled up in front of an imposing marble, steel and glass edifice. I’d been here three times before. It was supposed to be the best hotel on Saros. Once to book a room when I first arrived on Saros. The second time as a ‘Guest’ of Xenai’s Investigation Team. That was only because they had thought I had a link to Vanessa. I had but not in the way they had thought. The third time was to attend a Gala. It had been a trap to capture Black Stripe sympathisers but it turned out the Black Stripes were going to rig the building with explosives. It would have made martyrs of the sympathisers. That was after their plot to attack Xenai’s ship and the city and blame it on the Alliance failed. I’d been nearly killed when the Black Stripes had decided to try and kill me first. Had they not decided to go after me they might have succeeded but their hatred of Imperials had got the better of them. I put the emphasis on ‘try’ again they failed. I got out of the cab dragging my bags with me. There were two guards on the gates. Human’s with green enamelled breastplates and holsters on their hips. Mercs, they had been here on that night. They had failed to spot the Black Stripes and in my mind were a waste of time. They merely glanced at me as I climbed the marble steps to the foyer. Obviously they thought I wasn’t a threat. If they had known how dangerous I could be they wouldn’t have taken that approach. Inside was luxurious a burgundy carpet dotted with gold stars that adorned the floor. Coloured Marble columns held up a white ceiling. There were a number of tables and chairs around the foyer. At the far end was a marble and wood reception desk. To the left side of the foyer was a small exclusive boutique. The hotel had been kind enough to replace my blood stained clothes with new ones from the boutique. I didn’t know what happened to them. I was sure they had been taken for forensic examination. On the right side were the ornate double doors leading to the ballroom. Here two Valkyrie guards blocked Ljufu’s entrance to the Gala until I had intervened. They had issues with the fact the Ljufu was in love with a Human woman. It was one of the things I had issues with myself about Valkyrie double standards. If you loved someone it didn’t matter who they were. I’d loved Jervic a half T’Arni but he had ended that. I would have been more heartbroken over it but I was too busy trying to stay alive. I straightened up I had to keep myself in the present.

I headed towards the reception desk weaving my way through the few people seated at the tables. Mostly Humans in bright dresses and sombre business suits. I noted them eyeing my appearance as I walked up the reception desk. A lone Human woman stood behind the desk immaculately dressed in a silver shirt with a red vest over it. I was tempted to ask why she was wearing Clan Martin colours but held my tongue. She was shorter than I with wavy black hair and a pinched expression on her face. To the left of was a door leading to manager’s office I’d been in there to change out of my bloodstained clothes as one of Ljufu’s officers took them and bagged them.

“You have a reservation?” I could hear a supercilious sneer in her voice.

“No I’m looking for a room,” I replied.

“There are none available for the likes of you!” the receptionist snapped as if my appearance was an affront to her.

The door behind her slid open and another Human woman exited dressed in the same colours as the receptionist. She was taller with lighter hair. She shoved the other woman out of the way in the haste to stand in front of me. The other woman gaped at her in shock.

“Miss or is it Lieutenant Hunter how can we be of service?” the newcomer said with a beaming smile.

The other receptionist just stared at her dumbfounded. I recognised the lighter haired one as the helpful receptionist from the night of the Gala. I was rather surprised she recognised me. I’d changed a bit since the last time I was on Saros I couldn’t say if was for the better. Her nametag stated that her name was Chloe.

“I was asking if a room was available?” I replied.

Chloe glanced at the holo terminal in front on her and tapped on the holo keyboard. “Penthouse suite for how many nights?”

The other receptionist gasped. “You can’t just give out the penthouse suite like that it’s reserved for special guests!”

“Gwen Hunter is a ‘Special Guest’. She saved this hotel and the city from danger. So be nice!” Chloe smiled at me and handed over a flat piece of plastic the length of my fingers and as wide as two of them together. “This is your keycard if you lose it or it gets stolen inform us immediately and we’ll issue you a replacement.” She gestured to my case. “I’ll get someone to pick up your luggage.”

“That won’t be necessary I’ll take them myself.”

Chloe smiled again. “Thank you and enjoy your stay at the Excelsior.”

I left the two arguing and headed for the elevator.

The elevator was a shiny polished steel and mirrored box. There were no buttons for floors only a sensor for a keycard. I did vaguely wonder how any staff got to other floors. I flashed my card at the sensor and the elevator rose smoothly. It didn’t take long for it to reach the top floor. There was a ding and the door opened into a bright corridor with a blue carpet and pastel green walls with dark wood trimming around the wall. There were five doors one marked as a fire exit. I knew exactly where it led a back alley behind the hotel. I’d used when I had escaped from Xenai’s investigation team. Well they let me escape and had put a tracker on my clothes. I was glad they did I was captured by Vanessa’s lackeys and nearly died. I pushed the thought from my mind it wasn’t time to think of that now. 12-1 was my room and it opened to reveal a luxurious room the carpet teal matching the upholstery on the chairs. Floor to ceiling windows covered the wall opposite and overlooked the city. By the window were a dark wood table with a gold trim and four chairs matching the table. It was within easy reach of the windows. To my right from the door was a double bed with a teal covered comforter on the top and flanking it was a pair of ornate night tables. To my left were the facilities containing a shower, bath and toilet all in marble. On the far wall was a floor to ceiling mirror. Next to the door to the bathroom was a walk in wardrobe. Opposite the bed was a desk and terminal combination with an excellent view of both the balcony outside the windows and the door in. A clever tactical placing in my eyes.

The bed itself was huge I reckon I could have at least slept six in it. I walked into the room the door closing quietly behind me and went over to the bed and pressed the comforter on top of the mattress. It was soft possibly a little too soft for me since I was used to hard Valkyrie beds. Sleeping on the ground was only slightly worse than a Valkyrie bed. I opened my case depositing my Seven Double ‘M’ under the pillow and placed my case and holdall in the wardrobe. I hated to admit it but they did look forlorn in there. I moved to the desk and examined it. The holo screen and terminal were standard. Beside the terminal was a datapad with a list of the hotel rules and functions. I tapped an icon that stated room service and ordered some food. I’d spent the last few weeks eating on ration packs, any other food would taste like heaven compared to that. As soon as I put the datapad down the door chimed. I didn’t believe room service was that fast. I was tempted to grab my gun but that would have made things awkward if it was one of the hotel staff.