Kerrigan ended her day as she ended all days, returning to her quarter’s outside the Hall of Abraxas, in the chambers of the Kendov. She knew Zadok had to have debated for months over giving her these suites, but in the end, he had little choice once Abraxas’s pendant was noticed around her neck. He had done his best to downplay it of course. He had claimed she was to be a sacrificial virgin to Abraxas as his new priestess after the earthquake. Zadok had a way of spinning everything to be degrading, making the tale about the earthquake as heroic for him as possible, and crediting her with saving Abraxas’s pendant. At least his tales gave her some well deserved lavish rooms. When she opened the doors, a solum face greeted her.      

Kerrigan was greeted at the entrance to Dragon Corporation by Natalie and handed her normal morning roster. “Today is not as busy, but you still have a full schedule. The drones from marketing want you to approve a new ad campaign for Pinon Province. I have a phone conference scheduled for you with a Mr. Nuri at Dreadnaught Law firm at 11. There is a women’s axillary conference at 12:30 that would like you to stop in. They promised to feed you lunch, and we earn a 20,000 dragon fee for you to show your face there.” “Am I expected to speak? You didn’t tell me I had to speak today!” Kerrigan said as they stepped into the elevator.

When Natalie stepped out, Kerrigan whirred to face… she wanted to face Abraxas but found herself staring at her office wall. She turned her attention inward, frustration bubbling over, “What the hell was that?” she demanded aloud.             The gentle brush against her mental walls attempted to sooth her, ‘Peace, Priya.’             “Don’t call me that. Right now I am not anyone’s beloved, you long dead lizard.”

When Kerrigan got back to Dragon Corporation, Natalie was waiting in her office with a thick packet of papers. “I have the Jinstain report ready, ma’am.”             Kerrigan reached for the folder absently but paused when she noticed the nervous look on Natalie’s face. “What is it, Natalie?”             “Miss, I am getting reports that the Benedict group has started making moves to counter some of our latest projects. Things they should not even be aware of yet.”

Later that week, Mr. Nuri called Conor, “Sir are you in the office?”             “Yes, what’s up?”             “If you don’t mind, I will be over shortly.”             “Sure, door is open.”