Fiction Activity

Competition
SRI Research Project #3 - Multi-Objective Fiction Prompt
Textual submission

Prompt #1

Ahh… such an uncivilized place. Joe sighed to himself as he stood, in the dark and pouring rain, outside the cantina. “Yep this is the place.” He said as he checked the information on his data pad. He pulled the hood of his black cloak over his head and walked into the cantina. Once inside, he began to, what appeared to others, aimlessly wander through the cantina. In reality he knew exactly where he was going. Rather than follow the directions he was given on the datapad, Joe decided to follow his instincts and they were telling him to go up to the third level of the cantina and into the back storage room. There he would find the information broker he came to find. Found it. Joe thought to himself as he stood in front of the storage room door. Joe quickly looked around making sure he was alone in the hallway before he reached out to the Force and with a wave of his hand the door slid open and Joe entered. “Hold it right there, pal!” Said a green, male Rodian as he held a blaster pointed at Joe. Typical alien scum. Joe thought amused as he held his empty hands above his head. “Password now!” Demanded the Rodian. “Six-Six-Seven-Four-Zero.” Joe said. “You’re late!” The Rodian said as he holstered his blaster. “Am I?” Joe stated nonchalantly as he walked over to the empty chair next to the Rodian. “Enough of this chit chat onto business.” Joe ordered. “Fine, but credits first.” The Rodian insisted holding out his palm. Joe placed a small bag full of credits into his palm. “That’s more like it. Now Morgath has agreed to meet at a party in an apartment complex seven blocks away from here in three hours. I’ve already sent the address to your datapad.” The Rodian explained to Joe. “Then that concludes our business here.” Joe said getting up. “Oh and there’s something you should know about those credits you’ve just acquired, they belonged to a man who was robbed and murdered last night.” Joe said walking out of the dark, empty room. “Money is money…it doesn’t matter where it comes from!” The Rodian said as he left the room after Joe. We’ll see about that. Joe thought as he headed back down stairs to get a drink. Now they should be here at any moment. Joe thought to himself as he sat in a booth adjacent to the one the Rodian was in. What Joe hadn’t told the Rodian information broker was that, before meeting him, Joe had called anonymously and told the police where they could trace the stolen money and find the perpetrator of the recent murder. Suddenly five police officers entered the cantina and surrounded the booth the Rodian was drinking in. “You are under arrest!” An officer said. Realizing he had been set up, the Rodian simply stared at Joe as the police led him,in cuffs, out of the cantina. Nothing personal “pal”. My orders were to leave no evidence and you were just a loose end that needed to be tied. Joe thought as he took one last sip of his Corellian Ale and left the cantina.

Three hours later on the top level of an apartment complex, stood Torin Morgath waiting with a drink in her hand. Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder come from behind her. She turned quickly to find a figure whose face and body was concealed by a large black cloak. If Morgath hadn’t known better she would’ve sworn she was imagining things. “Is this real or am I just really drunk right now!” Said Morgath over the loud music. “So we finally meet..Morgath.” Said the figure. “So it is real.” Morgath said. “Tell me why would someone like you be willing to betray what’s left of the Collective?” The figure asked. “Believe me I wasn’t until recently when I realized how much suffering the Collective has caused.” Morgath said. “It’s time they pay for their many atrocities. Including me too.” Morgath said and Joe could actually sense a feelings of remorse in her. “ Besides with Shi’s Syndicate gone I’m in need of some new... friends.” She slurred, placing her hand on Joe’s chest. “You’ve had too much to drink.” Joe said taking her glass away from her. “That is the only thing that helps me sleep at night.” Morgath said. “ Come on we’ve got to go.” Joe said taking her hand and walking out into the elevator. “So I guess this means I’m in the SRI now.” She slurred. “And that makes us partners.” She continued as she placed her arms around Joe’s waist. “O...our relationship is strictly business!” Joe blushed as they left the apartment complex and headed to the SRI headquarters.