Act 1-2: Roger the Negotiator

[Roger Smith]

As short as the drive from the fountain to the gate to Coruscant had been, the drive which lead him through that gate, and into a designated parking area was even shorter. Only a minute, maybe two, when time for waiting and directions was factored in. Beyond there, it had been a lot of waiting and following simple instructions and further directions to see him to a proper screening and welcome center.

To such an end, when he finally reached the front of the queue and met the bored-looking face of the man standing there, his own expression had glazed over into restless boredom.

"Hello, welcome to Coruscant," the man droned, visibly fighting down a sigh. "New arrival or returning visitor?"

Roger forced a smile as he spoke up. "You could say I'm a new arrival. I've been in this Omniverse only for a short while now."

"Right...so new arrival to Coruscant. Freshly arrived to the Omniverse." He made some notes on a device in his hand. Like a metal clipboard, but with no paper, only some kind of screen and...projected image. Made of light, if Roger's senses weren't failing him. Holograms? Bizarre. The bored man looked up again. "Just a few more questions to get you on file..." he monotoned. "Name?"

"Roger Smith."

More notes. "Former occupation?"

For a moment, Roger debated his answer to that one, before deciding to leave out any mention of Big O for now. He was pretty sure it hadn't followed him here anyway, and trying to summon something like that seemed...out of his league. "Negotiator," he finally answered.

The man just stared at him for a moment before shrugging and applying further notes. "I can take a guess...but what skills does that entail? And any other notable skills you might possess?"

Roger sighed at that. "I was a neutral party sent in to handle negotiations and delicate situations. Arranging safe return or trade for hostages, transporting the money or requested items and delivering them back to the ones they were taken from. Arranging and presiding over other matters and disputes. Occasionally detective work when the job at hand necessitated it." He shrugged. "Any task that could be solved with words, for anyone who paid the right price."

"Uh-huh..." The man just kept a neutral expression there, further noting down this information.

"As for other skills..." Roger paused again. "...a long time ago, I was a member of the Military Police. I left employment there over personal matters. My skills may be a little rusty, but...I did receive training in combat. Unarmed and basic knife skills, as well as firearms." He paused, looking away. "...and I'm also a skilled driver and pilot."

The man simply nodded again. "Right...fairly standard then." There was a tinge of relief in his voice, the first trace of genuine emotion he'd shown thus far. "Thank you for your cooperation, mister..." He fiddled with the strange clipboard-device in his hand. "...Smith." He looked back up and offered a forced, tired smile. "Just a few more questions. Then we can show you to someone who can answer any questions you have and direct you to a suitable location for getting you sorted into the city."

Roger just cracked the faintest hint of a smirk. "Of course, of course." Finally...getting somewhere. Just had to suffer through this stifling security and introduction. Paperwork was everywhere, even when paper itself wasn't, it seemed...