Agree To Go

“No, I want to see my fathers company.” Liz nodded.

“You mean your company now my Lady?” Paige replied. Liz was no where near educated enough to run a company. Mister Mercer had been the initial investor and handled the business side of things while her dad had handled the manufacturing and production. “I will call his office back and let them know.”

Liz got dressed up though in something a little more sensible compared to yesterday, Something that she could move in if needed not wanting a repeat of yesterday.

Liz killed time by taking a tour of the house which Xavier seemed more then happy to provide. The study, a place Liz saw herself spending a lot of time at, was well stocked with a large assortment of books. Including texts books for her classes which Xavier had already procured for her. Liz didn't know where to begin. She would need to read up on witchcraft but she would do that in her private time in her room. Liz favorite room was her dads old workshop though it was more of a wing then an actual room. Her father had shelves stacked with parts and projects that he never completed or maybe they didn't work. Liz would have more then enough stuff to keep herself entertained with until the start of the school year at least.

Almost on the chime of the clock a bell rang at the door. Liz made her way to the door where she saw a young woman who Paige was greeting.

“Princess Fairchild, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Diana Mercer. Head of security at Fairchild Industries.” The woman smiled. She was older then Liz by several years but still looked fairly young, much younger then Liz would have pictured for head of security though she looked the part. Diffidently ex-military from her poster.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Liz felt it as she approached. A small tingle ran down the spine. Dianna was a witch. Liz couldn't say how but she could sense it. Liz just hoped that the serum blocked her own powers enough to hide the fact that Liz was one as well.

“I was glad to hear you where okay after what happened at the spire.” Diana smiled.

“You and me both.” Liz smiled.

“How do you feel?”

“A little bruised but still alive.” Elizabeth shrugged.

“I hope you do not mind but I have increased security at the company for your visit as well as have an escort waiting outside.”

“Not at all, its a little comforting actually.” Liz replied. She was still a little rattled after yesterdays events.

“Per your fathers orders, this is for you.” She said holding out a crystal. “A complete run down of the company. Everything from payroll and billing to shipping and delivery. Projects, personal and everything pertinent about the company.”

“Thank you.” Liz nodded and Paige took it for her. “So you took over Mister Locke's old job.”

“In a sense though I do not handle the logistics side of things like he did during the war. I never made it past corporal so they don't give me many details as to where the golems are going and such once they leave the factory.”

“You served?” Liz said trying to feel her out.

“A little, I caught a bullet my second tour out. I got a medal and kicked to the curb, it felt a shame to waste all that training so I figured why not try personal security. Speaking of which how are you holding up after yesterday? I wanted to have a detail to greet you but your uncle is... protective.” Diana said seeming to quickly change the subject.

“A little battered and bruised but still alive.” Liz replied.

“I am glad to hear that. Pardon me for a second Miss Paige but I need to talk to Miss Fairchild alone.” She replied and pulled out a small device and pushed a button.

“What is that?”

“It emits a signal that effects Automata and other machines hearing but not humans. You might want to keep it. Xavier only ever listened to your father or your uncle.” She smiled as she handed it over. “I did some digging into the attack yesterday through some friends. The Justiciars found evidence of a small bomb planted on the gangway. The man who they think planted the bomb died in his apartment from unknown causes. He was an Ex-military demolition expert so odds are high it was him. He used a small charge to weaken the support beams. Who ever hired him went to a great length to cover their tracks.”

“How did you find this out so quickly?”

“I have a few friends I served with in the Justiciars office. Given who you are the Justiciars office was quick to launch an investigation into the matter. I put it in with all the other company information and will keep you apprised if I learn anything else.”

“I will assume Mister Mercy does not know about this?”

“No. I don't work for my father. Your father was the one who hired me, and helped me get back on my feet after I came back from the war. I was in a bad place back then. He helped me and gave me a job. If you ever need anything while you are here in town all you have to do is ask.”

“Thank you.” Liz nodded and pressed the button on the device. “I suppose we should be going.” They headed out to the auto that was parked in the driveway with a golem standing guard.

“This is a guardian class Golem built for personal security. Many of the design elements came from your fathers design specifications for your handmaiden. Smaller and lighter then the original centurion class built for the war but they can still hold there own in a fight.” Diana smiled.

The Golem opened the door for them and they climbed in with the golem entering last and the auto began to move. The company main offices where located just outside of town. Producing the Golems close to the spire meant that they could be shipped quickly by land, sea, or air not to mention proximity to Ravencraft University allowed Fairchild Industries to hand pick the best and brightest before they ever graduated.

Liz and Diana talked on the way about the company, mostly security. Liz could look it all over later on the crystal but she liked hearing things spoken out-loud. Liz sometimes read things out aloud to herself to better remember it.

Liz really had no idea of what the place looked like but as they pulled up it looked more modernized office building then she would have expected though she supposed this was just the office side of things where potential buyers and investors would come. As the car stopped a guardian opened the door and held out its hand for Liz though she didn't take it remembering that she had to pretend that her hands where still hurt worst then what they where. The other guardian got out and walked around the backside of the car as they both flanked them. One stopped to open the door for them as they headed into to a large atrium where several Automata where on display. Liz smiled as she took a closer look at the models.

“They are beauties though these are straight off the floor, truth be told they are all show. Just empty tin cans to impress guest.” Diana said over Liz's shoulder.

“That's the Juggernaut model?” Liz looked at the largest one.

“Yes, we called them tank smashers in the lines, they could do some serious damage but they proved to be to expensive for mass production. No more then a couple of dozen where ever made.”

“Yes I would imagine maintenance and upkeep as well would be a nightmare.”

“The only thing that cost more would be your handmaiden. Most of her parts where machined here as well by different people but Lord Fairchild handled her construction himself at his manor house.”

“Princess Fairchild. I am so glad to see you where able to make it.” A doll said as she came over. She was hard to miss with most of her outer shell pieces being gold plated. She was very pretty for a doll. Liz thought she could see parts of her fathers work in her as well though her dad would have never used gold plating meaning it was probably more towards Mister Mercers preferences that went into making her. “My name is Melody. I am mister Mercers personal assistant.” Liz didn't know why but she got a strange feeling from the doll. Almost as if it was human. Its mannerisms where very life like. Even on par with Paige's.

“Melody oversees the day to day operations and communications between the department heads and Mister Mercer. She keeps all of the parts running smoothly.”

“Among other things, Mister Mercer is expecting you. He is very excited to meet you. If you would follow me please I will take you to his office.” The doll said as it held out an arm towards the elevators. Liz gladly nodded and followed behind as the elevator doors opened. Liz had a feeling it was keyed to Melody's command instead of automatically. Otherwise the doors would open and close anytime someone walked by. She stepped aside for Liz to enter first followed by the others. The Guardians stopped at the elevator doors and turned to stand guard over the elevator as the doors closed.

“I trust you are settling into the house okay princess?” Melody asked.

“Well enough, Xavier and Paige spent last night unpacking my stuff but it will take a while for it to feel like home.”

“Understandable, if you ever need any extra hands we can gladly send over some extra personal or golems.”

“I think Xavier might not like that, he took offense to me cooking breakfast this morning.” Paige chimed in. He did seem overly happy to have people in the house again to serve.

“Still, the offer stands. The same goes for any extra security. The company will gladly send as many units as you need.”

“I will keep that in mind.” Liz smiled. Truthfully Liz wasn't sure how much she could trust any constructs that her dad didn't build personally.

“Ah, here we are.” Melody chimed as the elevator doors opened. Liz was surprised to see two actually security guards instead of golems. But the guardians would be slightly out of place here where people moved about the open office space. Pencil pushers as Liz's dad would call them. He was never much of one for math when it came to money. The place was very spacious for an office building. The room that Melody lead them to had frosted glass windows that light shine through but no one could see inside.

“Princess Fairchild. We are so glad to have you here. Mister Mercer is expecting you.” The secretary smiled as she stood up and held out her hand toward the the open office door.

“Your highness.” Liz was greeted by Mister Mercer who was already at the door as he did a slight bow. Liz felt a little like she was on a ride, being guided from one person to the next.

“I would offer you my hand but...” Liz replied.

“Ah, of course. I was glad to hear you where not seriously injured yesterday. Terrible mess what happened. Please come in.” He smiled and held out a hand toward a set of couches set against the frosted glass walls. She noticed a pot of tea, tea cups and small snacks laid out on the table.

“Thank you mister Mercer. It is good to finally see you in person.” Liz smiled and headed over and took a seat.

“You as well, would you like some tea Ms. Fairchild?” He smiled as he came over.

“Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.”

“You can leave us for now Diana.” He smiled as he looked up from the cup he was pouring..

“Me and Paige will be right outside my lady.” Diana nodded as she closed the door.

“So Miss Fairchild, how do you like the city so far?”Mister Mercer asked as he handed her cup on a platter before he poured one for himself. Liz felt like all this was for show that he did to make people feel comfortable as they talked business.

“Its so big, I could spend months here just seeing all of the sights. Not that I will have much time to do so once school starts.”

“I imagine not. Though if you are anything like your father you will want to spend all your time there.” He smiled and took a sip. “So I imagine you have a million questions about the company.”