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"No," Serai Laqqal breathed. "Not again."
Her architect archnemesis lounged against something that could have been called a wall had it, well, been a wall instead of an architectural element. "It's not like falling will kill you," Alh Orep claimed.
"I have studies that prove otherwise!" Serai yelled, stepping gingerly into the chamber. It was vast and echoey, a dodecahedron of sterile white panels with polished bronze joins between them. Around the middle there was a suspended catwalk, also in bronze, that was completely lacking in railings, save for one decorative wall panel seemingly installed just so that Alh had something to lean against. There was a drop of at least thirty meters to the bottom.
Alh waved a hand dismissively. "You know how the institutes have been captured by commercial interests. All those studies you cite were funded by Big Railing."
Serai bit down the urge to argue and instead knelt to inspect the welding. "Where is the bronze sourced? Who did the welding?"
"It's from Korriban, actually! You see, we discovered twin veins of copper and tin beneath the tomb of Marka Ragnos-"
Serai listened to the explanation with half of a very alarmed ear – tombs? Had they had mining permits? – when her datapad confirmed what she had suspected: Korriban (now Moraband) was not on the list of approved metals suppliers. Alh must be a glutton for punishment.
Serai sighed and clipped the datapad back to her belt. "Yet another violation of the railing safety code and unauthorized construction materials that might as well have been looted from an archaeological site? You know what this means, Alh."
"Another paltry fine? Just send it to the family villa; my mother will pay it."
"A fine, yes, but as per Section 13.62b of the Civil Code, the State has the right to assign corporal punishment." Serai unclipped her electrowhip. "Do you submit to your lashes now?"
Alh raised herself from the wall panel and knelt, back to Serai. "I do love your correctional hand, however misguided it may be," she louchely purred, then lowered herself down to her elbows, butt up in the air.
However annoying Alh might be, this was her favorite part of dealing with her: absolutely no whining. "I will show no mercy," she warned.
Alh raised her butt up higher. Serai smiled as she brought down the electrowhip. No reaction from Alh, but from experience, she knew there wouldn't be any until the eighth at earliest.
Not that she intended to stop at eight lashes. Oh no. As a repeat offender, Alh deserved more. Serai had very intentionally cleared her calendar for the day.
She raised the electrowhip again and relished in the sound of it crackling through the air. Today would be a very satisfying day.