Lord Sazet's new quarters

The attendant stood nervously before Lord Sazet. He was nearly the same height, but something about the way the boss carried himself, made him feel small, almost insignificant. He feigned looking at the data pad while he watched Lord Sazet finish his teleconference. He talked about planetary operations, controlling markets in whole sectors and suggested the removal of the highest ranking officials as if he was ordering a meal. Casual. Controlled. With Lady Mazet gone, he would likely run the house one day, so even this, a simple review of his quarters, had to go well. A tone rang out drawing the attendants attention, the conference had ended meaning it was time.

"Xad," Lord Sazet said with a smile, "How is your wife and daughter?"

It had been six months since he had done any work for Lord Sazet, but he seemed to know him, know his name. Even know of his wife and daughter. Had he ever mentioned them? How had he known of them? "They are fine, sir. Is there anything you would like to do before we inspect your new quarters?"

Lord Sazet stood from his chair, straightened his suit and pulled his top knot tight. His slipped the data pad he had been using into the top drawer of the desk and looked at the cup, a crystal tea cup, which only by the faintest discoloration could you tell it had been used. "Please send for housekeeping while we are out. You know I can't stand all this clutter." Only the tea cup kept the surface of his desk from being immaculate.

Housekeeping called, the two of them took the elevator to the nearly top floor penthouse which Lord Sazet had acquired with his position. In the elevator Xad placed the datapad he was carrying against the dataport, underneath the numerical keypad beside the door and, access granted, the car moved toward the refurbished penthouse.

When the doors opened the lights automatically came on in the foyer. It was a square room of marble floors surrounded by mirrors and frosted glass. In the room, already in position, was a security officer. He stood at attention and said nothing. His only break in protocol was a small nod to Lord Sazet, which, for the moment, he would forgive. As requested, there was no place to sit in here. Any guest not brought into his residence immediately could wait on their feet. "Very good," he said simply.

A click could be heard from the frosted glass wall opposite the elevator, just beside where the guard stood, and the door, an invisible sliding door, slid left revealing the space beyond. The room was massive, with twelve foot ceilings, fifty feet of windows on the far wall, six separate seating areas, a fireplace and a bar, which was stocked with the most expensive spirits and wines available. The couches and chairs were hand upholstered with fine black Corellian leather, which he had hand selected to go with the bluish, white Kuati marble. He looked around the room. Lady Mazet's fireplace had been brought here, just as he had instructed, a token memory of his former boss. She loved that fireplace, it was only fitting he should have it.

Xad stood silently as Lord Sazet smiled, a genuine smile, and ran his green fingers over the mantle. He watched him look to the strategically placed security cameras and to the positions of the doors to the other parts of the penthouse. Then his smile faltered, and his violet eyes became those of a hawk. Slowly, he stepped around the couch by the fireplace and made his way over to the bar.

"Whose collection stocks this bar?" Sazet asked walking slowing towards it across the massive room.

"Yours, Lord Sazet."

"Did you inspect this bar before it was stocked?"

"Yes, Lord Sazet."

He had gotten right up to the bar. "Do you see this?" He asked pressing his finger into the faint blue wood of one of the overhead cabinets. It had been polished to a shine, the gold hinges looked perfect, it was as spectacular as a cabinet door could be.

"The wood you ordered, which I think goes nicely with the... " Xad shut his mouth when The Lord turned toward him. He burned with embarrassment.

"Do you not see how the gap on the left of the door is smaller than the right? Do you not understand what that means about the construction of this whole piece? Why would you bring me here to show me this, if it was not done? Why would you waste my time? Why risk my goods, my.." Sazet closed his eyes and withdrew his jabbing finger.

"Sloppy, Xad." Lord Sazet was done, he was not going to look at any more. He turned on his heels and walked back towards the foyer.

He stopped when he got to the frosted glass door. "Please send the name if the craftsman to my quarters." Then, he was gone.