10-27-2026, 01:45 AM
Sebastian adjusted the cuff of his tailored evening jacket, settling comfortably into the role of a well-to-do casino patron enjoying a night out. The holodeck had done an impressive job recreating the atmosphere of an exclusive casino at the turn of the twentieth century, from the polished wood and brass fixtures to the impeccably dressed clientele. The subdued lighting, clinking glasses, and murmured conversations made it remarkably easy to forget that none of the other patrons were real.
Well, almost.
His luck at the table had been reasonably good. He was a little ahead, nothing spectacular, but enough to keep the dealer and the surrounding patrons accustomed to his presence. He made a point of treating the dealer and servers courteously, tipping appropriately and engaging in the occasional bit of harmless conversation. It was a small investment in remaining inconspicuous, and perhaps it might pay dividends in information.
Sebastian collected his cards and studied them, though part of his attention remained on the casino floor. He had noticed something interesting about the staff's movements. The ordinary servers and floor attendants followed predictable routes, but those who appeared to handle the casino's money seemed to use different exits. They disappeared through discreet doors and returned by routes that did not seem to be part of the normal circulation of staff.
*An interesting distinction. Separate routes might indicate separate responsibilities, or perhaps access to facilities the casino doesn't want ordinary employees wandering into.*
He glanced toward Luna Hernández, his girlfriend, who was also taking part in the celebration. Her Security training made her a natural person to consult about the practical implications of what he was observing. Keeping his voice low enough that it would not carry beyond their table, he spoke without turning fully toward her.
"Luna, have you noticed the staff using those side exits? The people handling the money seem to have a different set of routes from everyone else. I'm wondering whether those corridors connect to a counting room or perhaps the casino's more restricted floors."
He placed his bet and gave the dealer an easy smile, maintaining the appearance of a gentleman whose only concern was whether his luck would hold.
"From what I've seen, the staff movements aren't random. There's a pattern to them, and if we can identify where those routes lead, we might get a better idea of how the building is organized. We should compare what happens on this floor with the activity upstairs before we decide where to look next."
His expression remained pleasant, though his eyes briefly followed a casino employee as the man slipped through one of the less conspicuous doors.
"Ava's attempt to infiltrate the staff has probably made things more difficult. A'Kilees and Charlotte know what we're doing, and now they've had reason to put security on alert. We should assume that the obvious approaches are going to be watched."
Sebastian leaned back as the dealer revealed the next card, taking a moment to consider his hand before pushing a few chips forward.
"I can keep watching the staff and see if I can work out the pattern. You might be able to tell us more about the security arrangements themselves. If the money handlers have access to different exits, there may be a reason those routes are separated from the ordinary staff traffic."
He offered Luna a slight, conspiratorial smile.
"Of course, we are merely two respectable patrons enjoying an evening at the tables. It would be terribly embarrassing if anyone suspected us of having an ulterior motive."
He turned his attention back to the game, looking every inch the relaxed gentleman in his evening clothes. Beneath that composed exterior, however, his mind was working through the possibilities. The Aurelian Orison was somewhere in this casino, and the people protecting it might have already provided the crew with their first useful clue.
They just needed to follow it without looking as though they were looking for anything at all.
== Tag All. ==
Well, almost.
His luck at the table had been reasonably good. He was a little ahead, nothing spectacular, but enough to keep the dealer and the surrounding patrons accustomed to his presence. He made a point of treating the dealer and servers courteously, tipping appropriately and engaging in the occasional bit of harmless conversation. It was a small investment in remaining inconspicuous, and perhaps it might pay dividends in information.
Sebastian collected his cards and studied them, though part of his attention remained on the casino floor. He had noticed something interesting about the staff's movements. The ordinary servers and floor attendants followed predictable routes, but those who appeared to handle the casino's money seemed to use different exits. They disappeared through discreet doors and returned by routes that did not seem to be part of the normal circulation of staff.
*An interesting distinction. Separate routes might indicate separate responsibilities, or perhaps access to facilities the casino doesn't want ordinary employees wandering into.*
He glanced toward Luna Hernández, his girlfriend, who was also taking part in the celebration. Her Security training made her a natural person to consult about the practical implications of what he was observing. Keeping his voice low enough that it would not carry beyond their table, he spoke without turning fully toward her.
"Luna, have you noticed the staff using those side exits? The people handling the money seem to have a different set of routes from everyone else. I'm wondering whether those corridors connect to a counting room or perhaps the casino's more restricted floors."
He placed his bet and gave the dealer an easy smile, maintaining the appearance of a gentleman whose only concern was whether his luck would hold.
"From what I've seen, the staff movements aren't random. There's a pattern to them, and if we can identify where those routes lead, we might get a better idea of how the building is organized. We should compare what happens on this floor with the activity upstairs before we decide where to look next."
His expression remained pleasant, though his eyes briefly followed a casino employee as the man slipped through one of the less conspicuous doors.
"Ava's attempt to infiltrate the staff has probably made things more difficult. A'Kilees and Charlotte know what we're doing, and now they've had reason to put security on alert. We should assume that the obvious approaches are going to be watched."
Sebastian leaned back as the dealer revealed the next card, taking a moment to consider his hand before pushing a few chips forward.
"I can keep watching the staff and see if I can work out the pattern. You might be able to tell us more about the security arrangements themselves. If the money handlers have access to different exits, there may be a reason those routes are separated from the ordinary staff traffic."
He offered Luna a slight, conspiratorial smile.
"Of course, we are merely two respectable patrons enjoying an evening at the tables. It would be terribly embarrassing if anyone suspected us of having an ulterior motive."
He turned his attention back to the game, looking every inch the relaxed gentleman in his evening clothes. Beneath that composed exterior, however, his mind was working through the possibilities. The Aurelian Orison was somewhere in this casino, and the people protecting it might have already provided the crew with their first useful clue.
They just needed to follow it without looking as though they were looking for anything at all.
== Tag All. ==