Of Dust and Bones Chapter 2

   Chapter 2
   
   The Professor woke early the next morning, eager to break ground at the new site. She prepared for the day, packing up a second set of clothing. Rigel was going to be at the groundbreaking and she knew that there would be cameras set up. So she put on one of her nicer dresses for the photo shoot. The second set of clothing was so that she could be in the dirt with her students.
   Many of the students and workers had stayed the night at the new site, mapping and preparing for the excavations. Challinka knew that she was needed here, at least until she could move the entire operations center to the Western Plaza. Her car sputtered and clanked to the site, when she arrived she saw the shiny vehicle of Rigel, as well as the more subdued trucks and cars of the media. She had dealt with both versions of pests before, and knew that ignoring them tended to make them go away.
   She stopped the car near the location of the groundbreaking and began looking around the ruins, mapping again the entire site, when she heard Rigel come up behind her.
   This time dressed in a rather over-the-top burgundy velvet suit, she could see that he had obviously learn't something from yesterday. "Miss Oidea! What a sight this fine morning!" He said, remembering to offer his hand for a shake.
   She took his hand, though she had a look on her face like it was a viper, "Good morning Mister Maarnsturm, are you ready to finish this circus and get to work? And please, in this setting call me Professor Oidea."
    He firmly shook her hand, "Oh do pardon my manners Professor, it would appear I have left them at home today!" He chuckled. "Please come with me, we have already set up everything to go! We are just waiting for your word!"
   Challinka followed the Vult businessman to the low podium. The stand was simple, made of oak with the Royal Academy coat of arms engraved on the front. She stood behind it and looked at the students, reporters and well wishers.
   "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here today in the ruins of the City of the Creators to break ground on a new excavation site. We hope to find a part of the ruins that have been untouched by any race since the time of the Creators themselves. Several earth sensitives have located a cave deep underground, and we are going to dig our way down there and uncover it." Challinka's voice grew stronger and more excited with each sentence.
   One of the reporters held up her hand, "What about the concerns from the religions that you are desecrating the land of the Creators?"
   "I only have one thing to say, those that hold back progress and knowledge of our past keep us from realising our glorious future. The past is a book for all to read and learn from, not a secret to hide in the darkness for a few to interpret. If there are no more questions then we should get this show on the road."
   Challinka stepped off the podium and grabbed one of the shovels, Rigel also grabbed one as well as several other men. Challinka stepped on the shovel, breaking the grass as the cameras flashed.
   After the cameras and officials left the real work began. Dozens of workers swarmed the hillside, digging and sifting the dirt, looking for artifacts. The work on demolishing an entire hill of earth and rock had begun. Professor Challinka hiked the hill to the south with her own camera and took a few pictures of the work beginning. She wanted to see the progress of the dig over time, as she took the pictures Rigel snuck up behind her.
   "Pssst, Professor!" He called. "Would you mind if we had a conversation in a slightly more secluded area?" His face had desperation written all over it.
   "Mr. Maarnstrum, are you trying to seduce me again?" This time Challinka was in the mood to play a little with the man, after all the dig wouldn't need her for a few hours.
   He went pale with embarrassment, "N-no of course not! Please, I think you'll be quite happy!" He said trying to keep his voice down.
   Challinka looked over her shoulder at him, "All the guys say that, you have something special for me that the others don't?"
   "Yes, I nice big cheque!" He said, seemingly ticked off.
   Knowing full well that he didn't mean anything untowards her with that she decided to run with the slip of the tongue anyways, "Rigel, you know that I'm not that type of girl."
   His brow fell flat for the first time and his features seemed to sink, he grabbed his brow and thoroughly rubbed it with his forefinger and thumb, "Why must I be so easy to play? Any man would think I was a piano." He muttered.
   Challinka laughed, "Don't worry Mr. Maarnstrum, I knew what you were intending the entire time, you just caught me in a bit of a playful mood. If you really desire privacy we can just walk down the back side of this hill, all my students are busy with the excavation and I doubt that there will be anyone in need of us for a while." She packed up the camera and started moving to the peak of the hill.
   "I only wish to speak to you without having to pass it by my alter ego first professor. Anyways, I have here in my hand what I felt should be delivered personally to your hand!" Said the vult handing me a parchment letter with a fine wax stamp pressed over the lip.
   "I think you'll find the raised percentages to be to your liking." He said with a grin. She looked at the envelope suspiciously.
   "Is there going to be strings attached with this 'gift'?" She asked, leary of the money. She had been burned before by other investors that had demanded the results of her expeditions at the end for the "help" that they had provided.
   "Professor Oidea, history is a big part of my life too, and it's honestly the best place for my money to go other than the Gifted and Talented programme and my charity organisations." He explained. "There is but one thing I ask of you; will you join me for dinner at a little get together not too far away from here?"
   Challinka groaned inwardly, but it was only one dinner. And if this was all that he was going to ask her for then it was worth it. "Very well Mr. Maarnstrum. I accept your demands. I'll go and be your pretty face for an evening. And you can even show me off to your friends if you wish." She slipped the cheque into one of her pockets inside her jacket.
   "Splendid!" He said, hopping and clapping with excitement. "Meet me in the area where you parked your car not too long ago at 5pm, I'll pick you up and we can travel in true style!"
   "Wait, you want to go now?"
   "There's no better time than the present Professor!"
   Challinka's ears turned red in her blush, "Well then, I'll need to leave some instructions for my students, and your workers while we are gone. I'll meet you in the parking Area in a half hour."
   "You only need to worry about bringing yourself Professor, be aware that I have arranged a room for you to stay where we are going if you wish. Don't bother packing an overnight bag, I've had my assistant arrange clothes for the morning for you already."
   Challinka hit him on the shoulder, "You cheeky little tod, you had this planned for the entire day didn't you?"    
   Rigel raised his hand, "These events can be rather drab when I'm by myself, I'd much prefer to be in the company of a beautiful young lady such as yourself to save my eyes from the tired, old faces of my hosts!"
   She smiled, "Well you do have a certain charm, let me give the assignments to my students and then we will be on our way."
   "Brilliant! I'll just finish up business here and send these paps on their jolly way home!"