The group drove past the entrances to many loud and shiny Districts and drove towards a point where the tops of a number of statues could be seen. Due to Relovan mostly looking out of the window, the conversation was kept to a minimum, and they reached Union House relatively quickly. The motorcade parked and the doors were opened for both Relovan and Nura. As they stepped out, Relovan looked at the statues, which were of a bunch of people of different races shaking hands. Once again, Relovan and Nura were escorted by four Marshals as they walked towards Union House, which was likely the most guarded building on Gaia. The amount of security gates, booths and checks that were present inside were astounding, although by virtue of walking around with Marshals and Nura, the group breezed past all of them and walked into an office. Inside the office was somebody dressed in a suit with the Council Insignia on the breast pocket, a beret as well as six long, hairy arms that were each doing something. This person looked up at the group that entered his office, and immediately after seeing Nura, he looked back down to monitor the many, many things his hands were doing.
"Nurari Hyonto." He said in a gruff voice. "I heard you were coming back, but I didn't believe it."
"Well here I am in the flesh, so you may as well believe it now." Nura responded.
"What's the point in believing it after the fact?"
"I don't know, you tell me."
The strange exchange made very little sense to Relovan, who looked at the two and quickly surmised that they knew each other.
"We're here to check in." Nura stated.
One of the many arms stopped what it was doing and moved to a panel before rapidly tapping away.
"Surely, you could have just left it to the Marshals to report for you."
"We could have, but considering how squishy the Lawman here is, I would rather we do so personally."
The man looked up once more and looked at Relovan. He had sunglasses on, and his cigar smoked away gently. He didn't even bother taking the glasses off and then looked back down.
"Yeah, especially considering that he's a Human and everything. What do they say on Earth again? Ekse, sharp hoezit?"
"I wouldn't know." Relovan said with a sigh. "I'm not from Earth, after all."
A panel on the wall slid open just after Relovan finished speaking, and a console popped out of it. Nura sighed as it came out, before walking over to it and placing his hand on a large scanner.
"Acting Police Chief Nurari Hyonto, temporary badge number 0785734224, signing in. I have brought Enforcer Relovan, who is due to testify, along with me. On my authority, I would like to initiate Protection Protocol 544-V as well as change the Enforcer's lodgings to the Langeni Hotel, within the Gateway District."
Relovan just looked at Nura, making a personal note of the fact that he referred to himself as an 'acting' Chief. Before he could think of much else though, a voice spoke through the console, much to Relovan's surprise.
"Nura… so you actually have returned after having rejected all the Council's attempts to coax you back. It says this Relovan is one of only two witnesses to testify at the Hearings – along with you. Are you sure such a lax protocol such as 544-V is the best way forward?"
"I will be with him." Nura replied instantly.
"I see… there probably is no place safer than being by your side for him, so we will allow it. Have the Enforcer check in as well."
"Roger." Nura said before removing his hand and looking at Relovan. "Lawman, come over and do what I did."
Relovan walked over to Nura, who stepped aside, and then he placed his hand on the scanner as well.
"Go ahead and speak, stating your name, rank and badge number."
"First Rank Police Enforcer Relovan, badge number 0796210200. Not sure if I should 'sign in' because I don't work here, and never have. But I am here to testify."
Nura chuckled and nodded at Relovan, placing his hand on the Enforcer's shoulder.
"That will do, Lawman. Let's go."
Relovan pulled his hand off of the scanner, and the group moved towards the door. Nura was seemingly going to leave without saying goodbye to the six-armed man, and this looked like it was going to cause yet another scuffle. This didn't happen however, and the cigar smoking man looked up from everything he was doing and grinned.
"By the way, Nuri…"
"Hm? What?"
"Squishy may have heard that you were going to be in town, so…"
"What?!" Nura boomed as he looked at the guy behind the desk. "How the fuck does Squishy know I'm here?!"
"Is that really what's important in this scenario?"
"No! What's important is that I avoid contact with Squishy until we leave!"
"That's gonna be tough, Nuri… you know how Squishy loves to search for you when you're around."
Nura, who was visibly flustered, looked at Relovan and gestured with his head.
"Let's go, Lawman. The longer we stay here, the higher the chances of that bastard finding me."
"…there are beings that exist that make you this flustered, Chief?"
Nura didn't respond and the group left the office, and eventually, Union House. Soon afterwards, the cars were back on the road, with the Gateway District their destination. Nura continued to look flustered, prompting Relovan to speak.
"…who is this Squishy, Chief? Why did the mere mention of their name make you react like this?"
Nura looked at Relovan in silence for a while, before sighing and looking out the window.
"Squishy is… an acquaintance that I had a brief dalliance with. A Megilah."
"Megilah?"
"A cephalopodic race that come from Megala. Immensely powerful Shapeshifters that are gifted both in Essence usage, as well as shapeshifting. Squishy is one of the most talented, to the point where they can create working male and female reproductive organs, AND split into two or more versions. But Squishy prefers to use their genderless, squishy, blob-like form. That bastard is the epitome of gender fluid."
"…so what's the problem?" Relovan asked.
"The problem is that ever since we rutted, they won't leave me alone!"
"…was the sex bad?"
"…it was weird, Lawman… too weird. That squishy blob kept morphing and changing shape mid-pump. Needless to say, the orifices would change at the drop of a hat, and—"
"Chief, we are entering a realm here which really is none of my business. I get the gist of it – I don't need details."
Nura swallowed a lump in his throat as he continued to stare out of the window, and Relovan decided to end the conversation there. Luckily, the Gateway District and Langeni Hotel were close, which meant the trip was short enough. When they arrived at the hotel, Nura and the Marshals escorted Relovan inside and much to his surprise, his hotel room was already booked and fully paid up. They walked him to his room, and after agreeing to meet in the lobby in the morning, Nura and Relovan parted. Relovan sought out the hotel gym, had an unsatisfactory workout, and retired for the night after showering and eating.
The next morning, Relovan dressed in his police uniform again, complete with hat and cape, and made his way down to the lobby. Chie Nura was already down there, only this time, he was alone.
"Chief." Relovan greeted.
"Lawman." Nura answered with a nod.
"Where are the Top Hats?"
"Protection Protocol 544-V was approved, so they have been left behind."
"So that Protocol was to get rid of them?"
"Exactly – how could you enjoy the sights of the Capital with them hovering about?" Nura asked with a shrug and a shake of the head.
"Wait a minute, you actually… this isn't a vacation, Sir!' Relovan pointed out, but Nura was having none of it, completely ignoring Relovan.
"Let's go get something to eat, then we can go browse!"
"Browse? What are you talking about, Chief?"