Office Politics

[Redmerc]

Boz Pity - Darstev's Resort

Boz Pity really was it's namesake, a pitiful planet. It's climate was dry and hot, with little to offer resource wise, in fact the biggest revenue stream was the collection of the dead's belongings coupled with a few iron mines scattered around for good measure. It was no wonder that the Empire allowed a Hutt to reside over operations here, because even if it was ineffectively managed, no major detriment would occur. Darstev's Resort, named after the former Moff of the planet, was one of few, if not the only place where any sentient inhabitants resided. Not many people wished to live on an over-glorified graveyard, much less anyone of note.

Klombus, however, took a liking to the planet over his near century of residing on it. The climate never really bothered him due to his physiology and he relied on the graveyard stigma of the planet to generate revenue, if people stopped dumping their bodies, then there was a chance that their major income source would dry up, although not for another half-century or so. He also thought that it was rather poetic that he over watched the planet, his own ilk having exterminated the native inhabitants centuries before.

In recent months since Klombus's appointment to Moff, he had taken to reconfiguring his mentor's resort into a stronghold which would provide a garrison for the troops stationed there, as well as providing a pivotal point of defence should the ever-closing Mandalorian Dominion set their eyes on his prize. Today, however, he had invited one of his counterparts, the Moff of Coruscant to both discuss politics and expand his network of contacts, after all, now that he himself was a Moff, it was going to be an uphill battle from here on out.

< Is everything ready? > the Hutt demanded to know, one of his own 'employees', a thin Weequay man offering a bow before replying "Yes my Lorda." Klombus would offer him a simple dip of his head before the servant would scurry inside, making sure he had not missed anything.

Everything was in place, DeWitt was due to arrive soon and Klombus was eagerly awaiting at the landing pad so that the pair of them could get underway.

​

@Ecclessey

​

 

[Eccles]

His Icarus-class Star Courier had started its descent a few minutes ago, causing one of Sey's assistents to anxiously grab her seat as the ship rocked about due to the turbulence of the desert world. Seated right next to her, Echo Company's military attache could only barely suppress a smile as he rolled his eyes towards the Moff seated in front of him. Sey shook his head disapprovingly and took a sip of his Corellian whiskey, "Never thought I'd be going to Boz Pity to meet with a Hutt Moff."

"Neither did I," the attache said and emptied his bottle of Raxus beer. "Never thought you'd give up command of Echo Company to become a Moff either." Now Sey shrugged and emptied his own glass of whiskey, "After Bandomeer I felt I could do more as Governor than I ever could as a Commander."

The pilot interrupted them with a message that the landing gear was now extended and Moff Klombus seemed to personally await him at the landing pad. "Do we know anything about the military operations here?" Sey inquired with his assistant, who was only now started to feel somewhat at ease again. "It's a backwater world," she said in perhaps a bit too familiar a tone, "-so its not where the Empire's finest are send." He eyes widened as she realized her mistake, "Sir."

"Neither is Coruscant," Sey sighed, "-too far from the frontlines."

When the ship had finally touched down and the ramp was lowered, Sey exited together with his attache, the assitent and a tech-clerk who carried with him a rather hefty password-protected suitcase. The sickly green Hutt who was his Boz Pity counterpart was easily recognizable and thus Sey pretended to be surprised by seeing him on the landing pad, "Moff Krek," he said when he appraoched the overly sized slug, "I must say I was positively surprised when my office received your invitation." his hand disappeared into his Moff uniform and pulled out a few Desilijic Casino credits, "It's been a while since I've been this close to Nar Shaddaa, too."

 

[Redmerc]

Klombus's vision was immediately pinned to the vessel as it came into view, watching it descend as he sat only mere inches away from the landing pad. As the landing gear extended from the craft, Klombus's fat head would swivel around behind him, double checking that two Imperial privates were standing directly behind him, serving as bodyguards. Although they were more just for show than anything else, Klombus had his suspicions about the Commander stationed on the planet and his mind briefly wondered if they were serving as informants.

However, the Hutt's thoughts were quickly interrupted. As the ramp extended revealing the figures on board, the slug's slimy maw formed into that of a smile, taking note of each of the individual figures before his gaze remained stagnant on his counterpart, Dewitt. Dipping his head Klombus would acknowledge his arrival < Moff Dewitt > before listening to what he had to say.

< And I am ecstatic that you have not only answered, but came >, the Hutt slightly overjoyed by Dewitt's arrival. Looking at the Desilijic Casino credits the over sized slug frowned slightly before returning his attention towards the Coruscantii Moff, his large grin quickly returning < Perhaps you can plan an excursion there after you get bored of my hospitality! > The Hutt would let out a mighty chuckle before lugging his huge body mass 180 degrees, beginning to slither down the landing pad.

As the group presumably approached the large gates of the resort they would find that they had been left open, two more soldiers standing guard duty at the entrance would sluggishly salute before dropping at ease. Klombus, not having an eye for military procedure himself would continue to slither onwards into the large gardens of the Resort's courtyard, a stark contrast to the wasteland outside as various shades of green, purple, blue and other vibrant colours healthily dotted the courtyard by way of many types of flora and fauna. In the centre of the courtyard would be a figure of a man in an Imperial uniform saluting, a plague below dictating it to be 'Moff and former Commander Darstev'. Pausing at the statue Klombus would turn to DeWitt, his deep blue eyes scanning his form once more < It is my pleasure to have you here, Moff Dewitt. But I must ask, why did you accept my invitation? It is not common for Moffs of the more 'established' planets to visit worlds like this one. > the Hutt queried, an eyebrow arch raised.

​

 

[Eccles]

The interior of Darstev's Resort positively surprised Sey, who nudged his assistant to make a note of it. His military attache replied to the salute from the two guards and Sey had some trouble fighting the urge to do it himself, but knew that it was no longer his place now that he was a civilian."Nice place you've got here, Moff Krek" Sey complimented his Hutt counterpart as they walked up to the statue of his predecessor, "All I've got is an apartment on the mid-level of the Republica 500." It being the Republic 500 that meant it was still a six-bedroom penthouse, but as the Empire had forbidden him any hobbies during his re-education, Sey only ever saw his bedroom and his office.

When they paused at the statue the Hutt turned towards him and inquired as to his reply to the invitation. Sey knew it had been a bit odd, especially since he had been working non-stop during his flight to Boz Pity and had still been forced to postpone several important issues because he was unable to discuss it with the sentients involved via Holo-call due to the sensitivity of the information. "Well, he began, smiling slightly because of the Hutt's raised eyebrow, "-I was intrigued when I learned a Hutt had been made Moff." It helped that the Crime Boss of Coruscant, Vesper Jame, had asked her enforcer Kal Titch, which was actually Sey in disguise, to relay a message to her own counterpart on Nar Shaddaa and that visiting Boz Pity was the perfect excuse for his absence from his own planet. It seemed she had known about the meeting between the Empire and the Shadow Syndicate on the Smuggler's Moon and Sey was very eager to get closer to her informant because his intelligence heart beat a little faster for catching traitors. "-and I was hoping you could help me figure out how the Hutt council works." He shrugged, "I'd like to understand how their alliance with the 'Army of the Light' became possible and how we'd have to go about dissolving it."

 

[Redmerc]

A sense of pride flickered in the Hutt as his counterpart complimented his abode. < Moff Darstev had an eye for decor, he always reasoned that just because the rest of the planet was a solemn graveyard it did not mean that he could not carve out a piece of life for himself > the Hutt replied, speaking in that slow, monotonous tone that his kind often spoke in. His smile would once again retract for a moment as he looked solemnly at the bronze depiction of his former mentor, becoming lost in thought for a few moments.

Taking note of the slight delay in Dewitt's words Klombus simply brushed it to the side as he paid attention to what Sey had to say, his big blue eyes not faltering once as his stare was pinned against the other Moff as he spoke, dipping his head in a nod at various intervals where appropriate but otherwise remaining silent. The only other sound of note was the Weequay slaves that tended to the gardens, pulling out weeds and watering the various plants which were spread out amongst the various lanes of the courtyard.

< The Hutt council? > Klombus asked, reiterating the question simply for the sake of it. < I only know what Imperial records tell us. For the most part it works like the Moff council in a sense. The various planets - or in this case, families, work together to achieve common goals, in their case mostly crime and other debauchery. It also acts as a measure to prevent infighting. Although, like any collection of individuals, infighting still manages to occur. I can only imagine the conflicting opinions and arguments spurring in their council chambers as a result of the Jedi conquering their world. > The Hutt would let out a roaring chuckle at the thought of it, thinking on the next question for a few seconds. < Im not sure of the specifics of their alliance, I'm even less sure why the Hutts would willingly submit to this 'alliance'. As for dissolving their alliance, I do have an idea, although it is slightly unethical... >

Purposely not shedding light on his plan as of yet, the Hutt offered a devious grin before slithering down the courtyard towards a gazebo where several scantily clothed Twi'lek slaves stood at attendance with various platters, jugs of various liquids and large handheld fans. In the open area would be several cushions positioned in such a way to allow the Hutt to sit (stand?) more comfortably while there would also be a several chairs for the Moff and his counterparts. Slithering on to the cushions his hand would then extend to the chairs < Please, be my guest and take a seat. I thought we could conduct this meeting in an area outside, a nice change from cramped offices, wouldn't you say? >

Grabbing a rather large glass, clearly designed for a large creature such as himself, he would peer at the Coruscantii red wine inside before taking a long sip before promptly placing it down on a table beside him. < I have a question of my own, if you don't mind. What's it like governing a planet with a civilian populous? I have long since wondered since my own appointment, I imagine it is quite a different ballpark. > As Klombus queried his various servants would approach Dewitt's party, offering them both wine and various platters of finger foods mainly consisting cheese, crackers and a variety of different exotic fruits. At the same time, one would begin fanning the party, neglecting the Hutt for the time being. ​

 

[Eccles]

Sey's assistant was translating all the words that were said into an encrypted file on her datapad just so that Sey could revisit the discussion at a later point and not suffer from an imperfect memory. The attache from Echo Company excused himself once they had the gazebo in sight, Sey knew he would want to talk with the garrisoned officers and drink another Raxus beer instead of sitting silently through hours of political dabble. Sey himself was quite surprised to see the scantilly clad Twi'leks, although he knew he shouldn't have been, and wondered if the Hutt could obey Imperial law despite being unable to see the morality behind law and order.

"Much more agreeable than the office, indeed." the human Moff replied, making a show of looking at the many colored plants. He still preferred his office because of its proximity to the lifelines of his own planet and the workload he already had. Boz Pity seemed to have a more relaxed pace to it. "Coruscant- Sey began in reply to the Hutt's question, "-is very different from Boz Pity, but I think the basic principles are still the same. He paused to accept a drink from one of the Twi'leks and was about to take a sip when he seemed to consider something of importance,
"you're not subordinate to a Grand Moff though, are you? That must give you quite the breather over here.

 

[Redmerc]

< No, we are not. There is no Grand Moff of Hutt space as of present, I assume that will change when the Empire decide to conquer it. >

Offering a grin at the prospect of the Empire taking more territories the Hutt would tilt his head back, slurping up the entirety of the Coruscantii wine in one gulp before tapping at his glass. < As for breathing room...I am bound to Imperial law and jurisdiction, same as you. > One of the Twi'lek women would then approach with a jug, filling his glass which was roughly the same size as the jug with wine before running off to fetch some more. < Of course, while my leash is technically looser than other Moffs, only a fool would try and take advantage of it, and I wouldn't consider myself a fool. >

The Hutt would let out a long drawn sigh, the stench of a dead cat circulating around the nearby air for a moment before disintegrating, swirling his wine within his cup, noting the stickiness and consistency of it before taking another large gulp. < I quite enjoy the absence of civilian populace. There is no threat of rebellion, I don't receive unpleasant letters from upset citizens who vie for the Republic's return, and, of course, no press. > The Hutt's slimy lips would form into a grin comparable to that of a Cheshire's before a deep bellowing laugh would escape. < To be completely honest, this planet is run more like a business. I oversee the Empire's various operations on the planet's such as mining facilities and the trade which occurs on the orbital space station. As I'm sure you know we are quite close to the Kessel Run which is good...for trade. >

< Tell me, why did you give up your rank within the Imperial Legion? What's it like fighting on the front lines? I am intrigued by your history, Moff Dewitt. > the Hutt queried, his eyelids squinted as he awaited a response.

 

[Eccles]

The assistant coughed almost unremarkable as the Hutt professed his obedience to law and order, making it difficult for Sey to suppress a frown of his own. The Moff of Boz Pity was something else, that was something Sey didn't need eyes for to ascertain. Still, he seemed to have his affairs in order and better so than a Grand Moff from recent memory had, which in on itself said something even though it wasn't much. "The letters are annoying," he sighed with a smile and put down his glass, "-and one gets used to the constant threats of invasion and rebellion, I suppose."

It was hard to imagine Coruscant being run like a business, for it had the tendency to run out of control and peacekeeping on the lower levels was a futile attempt. Bounties did the job, mostly, and specially trained underworld policing units that knew the terrain and the crowd better than any soldier ever would. Combine that with the administrative lump of governing a city-world, trying to prevent tax evasion by the corporations and paying your own hefty taxes to the Imperial war machine it became a headache Sey was sure he would take with him into his grave. No, right now he envied Moff Krek. That, or he simply desired to return to simpler times. "I did not choose to become Moff," he said sorrowfully, "but I was assigned to it. They needed someone who could effectively work with the garrisoned generals while still not overstepping his boundaries." he paused as the image of Grand Moff Solomon Lok came into mind's view. The late Grand Moff of the Core Worlds had assigned himself a legion despite having had no military training nor experience, personally commanded raids on the lower levels and then died embarrassingly on Ithor when he charged a Jedi knight with just his blaster. "That I was born, raised and previously stationed on Coruscant seemed to have convinced them I had to become a civilian." He waved his hand as if to shoo someone away, "It is much safer than the front," he somehow regretted that fact, "-but at least I don't see the people I work with die violently, nor will I get tortured for failing to defend them." His assistant hesitated to write that down, imagining how she'd be killed by a blasterbolt in the gut while the Governor watched. Sey had been referring to the Battle for Chandrila, where he fell with his unit as Sith Marauders slaughtered their way through the Republic ranks. They had kept him alive and tortured him for the better part of a year before calling him 're-educated' and assigning him command of Echo company. "The front isn't pretty, Moff Krek, it is nothing to look forward to. Still it was all I knew and trained for until my appointment to own appointment to Moff. Eager to change the subject, Sey tried to sink his hooks into something the Hutt had said earlier, "so what is so unethical about your plans to ruin the relationship between the Jedi and the Hutt Council?"

 

[Redmerc]

The Hutt once again remained respectfully quiet as the Moff spoke, not wishing to interrupt as he spoke of the various strifes of war with what he assumed was a touch of his own personal experience. After he finished the Hutt slowly nodded, as if he were processing all that was said for a moment. < Ahh > Krek would simply reply, not having anything else to add to add on. Seconds later two lanky Weequay males would carefully place down a large urn of contained water with two pipes connected, offering one towards both of the Moffs. Klombus would gladly snatch at the pipe, placing it in his mouth and immediately taking a long inhale. Allowing the smoke to circulate around his polluted insides for a moment he would then tilt his head slightly to right, exhaling the smoke the size of a small cloud towards one of the Twi'lek woman who for a moment would become shrouded in a veil of Bilaberry-scented smoke. Immediately after this he would quickly down some wine to chase after the flavour which had been set in his mouth.

Returning his attention to Dewitt he would then speak < The Jedai and the Hutt Council's relationship is most likely a shaky one at best. If you want the Hutts to rebel you need to give them a better alternative, a better option. Under the Jedi they are probably sitting comfortable under the fact that Republic law is relatively lax compared to the Dominion or Imperium. If you can convince the Hutts beyond all reasonable doubt that you will give them free reign over their territories on the condition they help the Empire remove the Jedai from their territories, then their relationship will break and the Empire shall gain a temporary ally. > The Hutt would grin before taking another slurp of his wine, twirling the Hookah pipe in between his slimy fingers < Of course after the Jedi are removed, there is nothing from stopping the Empire from then usurping control afterwards. > After he finished discussing the details of his plan his warty tongue would snatch out from his maw to the slimy dribble which had been traversing down his blubbery front during the conversation, stopping it from impacting the ground, however, not being thorough enough to completely remove it.

 

[Eccles]

Sey frowned, "So you want us to convince the Hutts to stab the Jedi in the back only to betray them once they've done so?" he summarized and his frown deepened, "-and who do you suppose would then rule Nal Hutta and its moon?" Sey assumed that the new ruler of those two profitable orbs would be the individual sitting in front of him and somehow that just didn't feel right. Jumping to conclusions, Sey signalled his assistant to stop recording the conversation and moved to the edge of his seat, "Do not overstep your position, Moff Krek. The Emperor will more likely want to see one of his own generals promoted to Moff than that a Hutt gets to oversee the famous credit transactions of the Smuggler's Moon."

Irritation was suddenly visible on DeWitt's countenance as he waved for the assistant to continue her recording. While he had acted purely on assumption, viewing the Hutts as extremely untrustworthy, his eyes shifted from the servant girls to the lavish surroundings and it all worked to reaffirm his suspicions that the Hutt was up to no good. After a moment that seemed to go on for hours yet only lasted two seconds, the Moff of Coruscant let out a forced laughed and clenched his right fist shut, "You wouldn't have been an ill fit for the Sith Order, Moff Krek," his laugh now dying down, betraying that it had been faked, "-if only you were Force sensitive."

As if on cue the military attache from Echo Company re-entered the courtyard and approached Sey to whisper something in his ear. "Very well, prepare the ship." Sey told him in a low voice before giving the Hutt another of his fake smiles, "It seems duty calls, my fellow Moff." Word had reached his attache that Imperial forces had attacked both Jedha and Onderon, which meant repercussions aimed at Coruscant were a distinct possibility. If that happened, Sey didn't want to be anywhere else than in his office planetside.

 

[Redmerc]

< I did not take you as one to jump to conclusions, Moff Dewitt. >

Whether or not the Moff's assumption was true or not, Klombus had no intention of revealing his actual intentions. As the Hutt's grin continued to widen he would then immediately down the rest of his wine, making audible clicking noises with his tongue as if he were some experienced wine connoisseur in order to fill in the gap of the conversation. < As I said beforehand, I quite like the absence of a true civilian populous. Of course, if the Emperor commanded otherwise, I would happily oblige. > Lightly placing down his wine glass on the tray despite the tense situation he would then raise himself from his array of cushions, using a nearby ornate cloth to wipe the dribble from his front quickly while his deep stare remained pinned on the Moff as he remarked < Indeed, duty calls. >


Turning towards his two guards which were stationed behind him he then beckoned them forward before returning his attention to the Moff, his stare less intense as the situation once again died down. < Please, escort Moff Dewitt back to his ship > he loudly demanded before his tone dropped, now talking to Dewitt < I thank you for enjoying my hospitality, this discussion was... insightful. > And with that he would then begin to slither back towards the compound, ready to take up his own arms, a ballpoint pen.

(Fin)