MESH

[Samus Aran]

The two knights share a glance, the movement of their heads almost imperceptible. One of them steps up. “Wait here,” he says, placing a hand firmly in front of me. The other seems to be operating something that I can’t quite see.

I nod and am patient. Yet it only takes a minute or so for the guard to stand aside and the doorway to open. Inside there are more guards wearing the same black armour with their eyes hidden deep in shadow. One of them leads me deeper into the palace while the others watch from the sides. I’d known that the King had to be well protected, but somehow I hadn’t expected it to be so … oppressive-feeling. My feeling of nakedness without my armour is amplified like I’m under a spotlight.

We take a straight line up through the palace and every time I think we’re about to reach the throne room it’s simply another room more grandiose than the last. But finally we reach the summit and he’s there. King Aragorn.

After a moment’s scrutiny he waves the guard aside and steps forward, extending a hand. I take it and shake it, bowing my head customarily. “Sir,” I fumble, “King … sir.”

He actually laughs, squeezing my hand before breaking the handshake. “Your reputation precedes you, Miss Aran.” Yes. “I had not been keeping up on Dante’s Abyss, but I did catch word of your exit from Coruscant. Lively.”

A-am I blushing? While the speaking part of my brain plays catch-up, I nod furiously. What am I doing?

With grace the King fills the silence. “So, do you have business in Camelot?”

I nod. “Yes. That’s why I’m here.” I clear my throat. “I’ve come representing a new organisation, MESH.” Aragorn’s face seemed impassive as I continued. “The aim of the organisation is to be a source of humanitarian aid to the many citizens of the Omniverse.” I struggle to remember what Adam had told me. “That’s … We want to help people. We want to help people who are governments.” I shake my head. “We want to help people in governments … Who are part of governments … Or, I mean, they’re suffering under governments.” An I allowed to mention Coruscant directly? Is that bad form? The tunic itches and I pull at the collar.

I take a deep breath. I put it in my own words. “We’ve seen what happens to people who oppose the Empire. We’ve seen what things are like. I have.” I fix him in the eyes. “First-hand.” I breathe and continue. “And I know things like that are happening in the rest of the Omniverse. I feel like … we can’t do it alone. We need to work together, as a team. And that’s why we’re MESH.” I fold my fingers together and feel silly as I’m doing it. Aragorn catches my embarrassed smile and I see the corner of his lips curl up.

After a moment he speaks. “It is an admirable goal,” he admits. He paces slowly around until his back is to me. Then he turns and looks back over his shoulder. “You have your work cut out for you.”

“Yes,” I say, the words escaping my chest with the realisation I’d been holding my breath. “So … will you help us?”

“Help you how? If it is a question of jurisdiction, I cannot give you that. As noble as your goals are, I do not know you, nor your organisation. You’re new.” He states this as a matter of fact. “I cannot give every prime who walks in here special access and privileges. And believe me,” he says, “You are not the first. The only reason I consented to meet with you is because I know of your reputation. And even that gives me question. For example, why would someone who claims to uphold justice want to represent themselves in a killing competition?” He holds his palms out and again, it’s a simple question, but I feel the weight of his consideration, his opinions, like gravity upon my shoulders.

It’s not an easy question to answer, either. I have my reasons but I don’t think Aragorn will like them. The image of Cindy is burned into my mind and I have to force myself to feel the diplomat, to say something rational. It’s never been my first instinct but I give it a try. “I saw that there were others entering the competition who had … broken laws. My intent was not to enter the competition but to apprehend them while I had the opportunity. It did not go as planned.”

Aragorn shows no outward sign of his opinion but resumes pacing. “Have you reached out to anyone else about this?”

“Not yet. At least, I haven’t personally. I know Adam, the administrator, is in contact with a few other primes. They’re all friends of mine. People we met together, some of them in the competition and some of them before. But we plan to try and reach out to anyone who shares our aims.”

Aragorn moves a finger to and fro, as though envisualising some invisible net. He’s not looking at me. “Yes. That makes sense.” But he still looks cautious.

I wait patiently.

After some time he comes to a conclusion. “I would like to help you. And in fact, I admire your goals. But the fact remains we are acquaintances. Perhaps once you are more established, things can happen. But either way, I am glad you came to see me today.” He extends a hand.

My heart stops. I reach out to take his hand and then stop myself. “What do we need to do to prove ourselves?”

“If you are that determined, I am sure you will find a way.” He smiles. “Are you going to leave a King hanging?”

No. I take his hand and shake it. And a smile crosses my lips. “We’ll be doing business soon,” I say.

He laughs. “Well, I hope you are right. And I hope for the best for your organisation.”

I bow down on one knee. “It’s been a pleasure making your acquaintance, my lord.”

He nods and the guard comes to take my way.