Ask Sullust A Kind-Of New Deal

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Now that the Mandalorians had abandoned much of their former conquested space, Sullust now, amongst other planets, stood ripe for the picking to join the Consortium. With their shipyard prowess and their positioning, it would be an ideal point to join the ISC planetary roster, and a mutually beneficial addition to prevent such future invasions to happen easily in the future.

Silvi Velt had volunteered this mission, along with Ranger Yuuta Graves(@Forsythe Crowholde) and the well-known Anat Asteria(@GABA). It would be a good test for her; after all, it was Sullust that she had initially planned to bring to the fold in the first place, not only for its' shipyards, but another resource of near infinite amounts.

Kolto.

The precursor to bacta and its' widespread use, perhaps this two-pronged resourceful planet would prove a jewel in the ISC metaphorical crown; she would have to wait and see what her companions thought.

Descending down in her inherited Ranger IV class scout ship, she could already see three dignitaries waiting at the landing pad, both for herself and her companions, which she hoped would arrive shortly.

The first, a blonde-haired humanoid, was the dignitary Sacha Fresia, representative of the Sullustian Shipwright Guild. The second was a massive Wookie dressed in long purple robes, was Kysaaanka, her fur brushed back and partially braided in a coronet. The third, standing between them, was a native to this planet, a male Sullustian named the Governor transitorial, Kelsten Moorin, dressed simply in robes less ornate than Kysaaanka, his standing only noted by the planetary pin on his dark blue robes.

All details depended on how the three of them would handle this interesting situation.

@GABA @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Yuuta Graves]

Sullust was karking hot.

It was as hot as anyone could guess when mentions of planets with volcanic, molten surfaces crop up. But the dark-haired male found no issue being on one when it was duty that called him there. The ISC Ranger was clad in his typical attire of loose, white long-sleeved uniform jacket and a pair of slender blue jeans that tucked into white combat boots. Beneath the jacket he wore a blast vest (though he really didn’t expect trouble devolving into a shootout on a diplomatic mission). Slung on one shoulder was his cortosis-woven vibrosword secured in its bag, and on his hip was his trusty DG-34 Peacemaker.

Still, the Ranger knew not to let anything distract him from the task at hand. He was told to escort the ISC’s chief astro-engineer Anat Asteria and one senatorial intern- what was her name again?

Yuuta felt bad for forgetting. Making a quick check on his datapad as he disembarked from the ship, the dark-haired Ranger approached the intern, Silvi-Velt Morata, mindful of his distance from Miss Asteria given the fact that he was supposed to be escorting both ISC dignitaries. Giving the Arkanian Offshoot a warm, open smile in lieu of a verbal greeting, he then turned to face their counterpart and offered them a polite and respectful bow. Other than that the Ranger remained quiet for now, leaving the floor to his superiors.

@GABA @Killa Ree

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The woman sat quietly on their transport as they waited to touchdown at their rendevous point to meet with the delegates of Sullust. It had felt like ages since she had set foot on Sullust, remembering back to her years as an acolyte when she attended her first social gathering. There had been a victory of some sort, but she had made her debut to so many others in that time; what was hard to accept was how many who attended the Sullust social, were no longer present, many dead, others missing.

Regardless, it was the past, and presently she had to bring her diplomacy skills as they would meet with several individuals to discuss the future of Sullust and their involvement with the ISC. Particularly, the woman hoped they would agree, Sullustian ship designs were hardy and she would like to see more into the fold of fleets.

With her though were two individuals she had never met before: a ranger, who looked like he took his job too seriously, and a senator intern who seemed to show initiative in this matter. For now, Anat would let her lead, she would of course speak when needed, especially if she started to notice any slips. She stood beside Silvi as they approached the three, a small smile, her red hair tied behind her head with a decorative barrette. She immediately wished she worn something cooler despite already in a relaxed skirt and a light-weight blouse.

"Hello," she greeted, "Thank you for having us today."

@Killa Ree @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

This was it, her first true assignment as a member of the ISC.

Standing tall, she was grateful for Anat to be standing alongside her with the stranger Ranger Graves; though she had initially felt some anxiety, seeing the familiar skyline of Sullust merely soothed rather than ramped up. A long ago memory of riding along the skylanes, and holding onto Ezra as they raced brought a small smile to her face, but it was quickly masked by a stern, serious expression.

Short snowy white hair pulled back from her features, tall slim figure dressed in pale lavender robes that revealed black leggings and boots, along with a long dark jacket, was the only uniform she wore, meant to emulate the old, more ornate style of Senate dress in a more simplistic manner. Striding towards the landing deck from the exit ramp, she glanced back towards Anat to make sure she wasn't overstepping her boundaries, and giving a slight nod to Ranger Graves, before making her way towards the three dignitaries that waited before them.

Offering a bow to all three, she pressed a hand over her heart as she did so, her voice light against the sound of the ship's engines dying down.

"We thank you for your audiences, council of Sullust," she spoke up, firstly settling her gaze on Kelsten Moorin, then on Sacha, and Kysaaanka, the first of the three to respond in kind was the Wookie dignitary, offering a nod as a faint grin placed on her lips, followed by a lazy nod from Sacha and an answering bow from Dignitary Moorin.

"The pleasure is ours," he responded, large eyes focusing instead on Anat, stroking a hand over his face folds. "Indeed, an honor," he continued, but Sacha for now stood silently, eyeing the Ranger, before lazily offering up a hand.

"Yes, well, pleasantries aside," he drawled, "standing here will achieve nothing. Shall we escort you to the council chamber?"

Though only one of them would be attuned in the Force, all three would sense a thin current of anxiety, humming at the edges of their senses. Something that felt almost... hungrily watchful. Yet even as the local guard would lock into step around and behind the small group, those alert enough would notice how some of the dignitaries exchanged glances, or glanced about them, yet said nothing as they began to escort the group from the ship, and towards a speeder transport.

Though Silvi wasn't attuned, she couldn't help but feel that edge of anxiety touch the back of her mind.

@GABA @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Yuuta Graves]

Meeting with dignitaries never failed to prompt a hint of nervousness from Yuuta. He wasn't too presumptuous nor arrogant to call himself a diplomat, but he guessed that being on a mission of such nature was not just a change of pace but also a rather welcome one. His wife often worried about the more action-oriented side of his job, but they both knew that this was what he wanted ever since they were children: To serve and protect. Even if it meant feeling a little suffocated in a place full of dignitaries, the Ranger wouldn't trade his job for anything else.

Well, farming was also always an option...

Having already offered a respectful bow to the dignitaries earlier, Yuuta settled for yet another open and sincere smile after Miss Asteria and Miss Morata exchanged pleasantries with the council. He half-expected for one of the local guards to ask for his weapons to be taken for safe-keeping but more so security reasons, but no such request came (for now). Though he tried not to do so, he could not help but meet Sacha Fresia's gaze when the latter's eyes lingered momentarily upon the Ranger. It was nothing new, Yuuta was so used to being stared at given how he looked on the brink of sleep deprivation more often than not. Cleaned up as he was now, the briefest flash of self-consciousness rose in his chest--

A sliver of anxiety that was not his own cut through Yuuta through the Force, and while it would have given him considerable pause in the past he had long since learned to control such outward reactions. The smile on his face never faltered, but the warmth in them was belied by the steadily growing sharpness that pervaded his charcoal gaze. Maybe he was just beginning to overthink, but Sullust was known to be one of the planets under Sith control years ago, so he guessed he could be forgiven for entertaining the littlest of what ifs that surfaced in his mind. It was his main task to protect the ISC dignitaries - everyone else were placed below his priorities if or when trouble cropped up - and as much as he wished for this meeting to be smooth-sailing all throughout, his instincts from years of being a Ranger couldn't shut up about being a little paranoid.

Exchanging glances between colleagues was nothing new, even more so glancing at the people you have only just met. He allowed his gaze to wander as he let his fellow ISC dignitaries board the speeder transport first, and when he glanced at Miss Asteria he completely missed the way the local guard signal subtly at another guard who nodded in return and let one hand hover over their blaster, stationed a few feet behind the Ranger.

@GABA @Killa Ree

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Watching Silvi, Tiamat had to give the young woman praise for refined finesse in greeting the representatives. There were times one could pick up on the inexperience, but Silvi had it down no doubt. She tried to imagine her own daughter having such grace, but she wouldn't hold her breath. She was a talented dancer, fluid, controlled motions were not a problem, though when it came to greeting others, Tia was lucky if Theia only burped in their face and hog tied them before saying hello. Internally, the woman shook the thoughts, not because she didn't want to think about her daughter, but there was another feeling she hand.

The woman's blue eyes flickered from each of the representatives, looking for clues or hints of something that would give her the slightest feeling that something was...off.

She tilted her head in an endearing manner and nodded as the trio directed their guests to the meeting chamber. Tia glanced over her shoulder, seeing the local guard fall into step behind them before sharing a glance with their Ranger escort and flashed a frown of discomfort. Hopefully he was able to notice something the rest of them would miss.

"How has morale been among the citizens here?" Tiamat asked as she entered the speeder with the others.

@Killa Ree @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Silvi looked to her two fellow advocates, and felt it too. Tensing slightly, she found she couldn't fully settle when she caught a glance of Sacha and Kysaaanka glancing towards each other as they all stepped within the speeder. Kelsten Moorin blinked at Anat's words, offering a wide smile, the edges of which almost seemed too wide; his voice was the one that came up first, as the doors hissed to a close and the four guards around them settled at the four corners.

"Of course, morale," he nodded, stroking a hand over his facial folds. "All has been well here; but of course, we can discuss business and pleasure... after all, SoroSuub is honored by your presence, Miss Asteria."

Large dark eyes watched, the smile remaining. An R2 unit wheeled from the front of the dignitary speeder, and he extended a hand, watching the trio hungrily. Sacha, on the other hand, merely watched Yuuta Graves, toying with his necklace, and Kysaaanka tensed, as though expecting something from the trio.

"Would you care for a drink?" the Sullustian continued, reaching over to grasp the drink with a polite smile. The other two did the same, offering a toast.

Once again, a sense of something would overcome Silvi and her companions. The hungry gaze seemed sharper, more intense. It would almost feel like the skimming of a canine against the throat; Silvi's throat tightened as her hand slipped into her robe, feeling the familiar weight of her stun blaster in her coat pocket. Not sure why, but... its' weight was a hidden comfort.

"No thanks, I'm not thirsty."

@Forsythe Crowholde @GABA

 

[The Storyteller]

The air grows still with the refusal to drink as the transport's engines suddenly become the loudest sound in the immediate area. Indeed, it appears as though the entire population of the speeder, outside of the outsiders, has taken a breath as a collective and seem to be watching for the result. Kelsten's offered drink remains extended and as one, all of the delegates for the planet Sullust look to the drink before their eyes dart up to the one who had refused to partake.

Sacha's incessant toying with his necklace continues and the gem twists in an odd angle as the man seems entranced by the drink offering for a moment. The twist spins the crystal in a way contrary to it's previous, carefully controlled, movement and ranger Graves would be able to see, for just a moment, a perfectly clean line that bisects the crystal horizontally. A line that is almost clearly a seam of some kind.

Kelsten reaches for the drink, taking it off the platter to hold it out for Silvi to take, more insistent this time and with all eyes on the motion.

"Please... I insist. It is customary on our planet to begin bargaining with a toast - you would not insult my people, would you?"

It was not, in fact, Sullustian custom.

As Kelsten pushes the drink closer to Silvi, she would be able to see how the content bubbles slightly just beneath the rim, the trio would be able to catch movement from one side as one of the guards lunges across the distance. With a wide swing, the Sullustian swipes the offered drink, sending it tumbling over the side of the speeder.

In the background another guard, a human, is instead throwing a punch into the nose of one of his supposed allies. The Sullustian guard who had slapped aside the drink grabs at Silvi's shoulder as the three local dignataries open their mouths wide and screech in inhuman fury, the sound and action matched by the two remaining guards. The guard grabbing Silvi's shoulder shakes her hard.

"Come with us if you want to make it off this planet alive! There's a low rise coming up ahead - we need to jump or you're all going to end up worse than dead!"

@Forsythe Crowholde @GABA @Killa Ree

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Maybe they were just nervous? Certainly meeting representatives from one of the remaining collective governments in the galaxy had to hold some weight; in addition to meeting with the woman who owned the stars. The woman nodded as the Sullustian thanked her for being present today. However, there it was again, the feeling, Tiamat did not think something was quite right as the Sullustian kept his gaze on her for a little longer than what Tia thought would be socially appropriate.

As drinks were brought out by the droid and Sacha spoke, offering the three of them a drink. She glanced at the glass and then back at Sacha and shook her head, "No thank you, I prefer to wait until after talks." she stated, though had no interest in having a beverage whatsoever.

Though the refusal of the drink revealed what she had been feeling. There was a change in demeanor by the dignitaries, Pushing the drink on Silvi even more and Tiamat leaned forward, feeling a sense of protection over the young politician. She was uncertain if it was because of the maternal instinct she developed over the years, or perhaps the feeling of dread of having to explain what happened if anything did expire the senatorial intern. Maybe it was a little bit of both for the woman.

Regardless, things seemed to happen rather quickly as the drink was knocked from the representative's grasp and a loud scream was projected from their Sullustian hosts. The guard made it clear to go with them, and Tiamat knew now why she had felt unease, it was joiners, and they would need to get to safety quickly. Tiamat's senses flared, feeling the words from the guard as he spoke about jumping, it was crazy risky, but there was truth as Tiamat chose to follow the guard to hopefully safety.

@Nefieslab @Killa Ree @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Yuuta Graves]

Why wasn't anyone else entering the speeder?

These prolonged pleasantries felt like the Sullustian dignitaries were... stalling for something. Yuuta himself couldn't keep the warning bells from blaring incessantly from the back of his mind. He knew he couldn't simply act out of suspicion lest it jeopardize the diplomatic talk. Still, he knew not to shake the way the hairs on the back of his neck rose with both anticipation and paranoia the more the other three dignitaries continued to display bits of odd behavior here and there. It was his job to be paranoid, Force be damned.

Charcoal gaze lingered around Sacha and the necklace the latter seemed to be unconsciously transfixed towards. The Ranger took note of the crystal pendant but did not stare for longer than necessary. His focus soon shifted over to the drinks offered to Miss Velt-Morata and Miss Asteria, and when a third glass was practically shoved his way Yuuta accepted it with a polite smile but did not drink. At Kelsten's insistence, however, one dark brow shot up. The dark-haired Ranger, eyeing the drink that seemed to bubble rather ominously, cracked the most respectful smile he could muster and tipped his glass to let the drink pour steadily on the ground before him.

"It's a custom from Lianna to pour a shot out for our forebears," he announced decorously, uncaring of the looks he was receiving.

Like his counterpart's claim, it was not a Liannan custom.

The telltale sign of flesh meeting flesh in a punch delivered with the exact aim to hurt caused the Ranger to look at the direction of the fistfight. The drink was slapped from Miss Vel-Morata's hand by a Sullustan guard, and all hell broke loose.

The three dignitaries and two of their guards' piercing, inhuman shrieks caused Yuuta to flinch but his training kept him moving just as the same Sullustan guard began to direct the three ISC dignitaries to safety. Putting his trust on the guard, Yuuta let him take the lead while putting himself rearguard to protect the two women. He followed after them, drawing his blaster at the ready.

He would jump right after Anat, Silvi, and the guard, knowing well the risks but taking them anyway. The jump was much preferable than sticking alongside the presumed Joiners.

@Nefieslab @Killa Ree @GABA

 

[Silvi Velt-Morata]

Things happened so fast, was grateful for her father's training and her mother's, to a degree.

When the guards began to react, she pulled out her blaster, pointing it at Kelsten with teeth bared and pale blue eyes wide, hand clearly trembling, when the other guard grabbed her by the shoulders. Flinching with the teeth-rattling shake he gave her, she pressed the blaster at his chest, when she registered his words.

Her hand tightened a moment, finger off the trigger, before she nodded.

"Let's go, now!"

As she jumped up and rushed for the door, the one guard skidding aside to let the three of them past. Sure enough, a low rise came ahead. Wind rushed through the door, whipping short white hair out of her face, and she swallowed, steeling every nerve.

It would be a painful, but livable, jump.

Sacha lunged forward just as she began to move forward, but his fingers closed on air. As the other two would follow her, the Sullustian guard would as well, but a scream was let out in the cabin just as he made to follow them.

Even from their distance, they would see a truly horrific sight.

Rather unlike Kilik Joiners once their true natures were revealed, there was something to them. Something more... animalistic. The dignitaries shambled forward, almost reminiscient of another type of plague, one they would be all too familiar with. But none of them would be able to finish the thought, before grasping hands grabbed the human guard, dragging him back as he let out a cry of alarm, and began savagely biting down and tearing into his flesh.

As the guard downed with a gurgle, a mist of blood would explode out, and the other guard flinched with a whimpered sob of grief, before he too jumped with the trio of now stranded dignitaries.

As Silvi fell, she angled her body to roll forward, but the impact jarred one of her legs intensely, and she bit back a scream as it jolted through her leg, up into her hip, but she managed the rest of the fall with a bit more grace.

Gripping her blaster still, blue eyes tracked as the speeder kept going, on to its course, but pain swam up to the surface, dizzying her for a moment as she sucked in a breath.

Whatever that was... they would have to figure a way out, and the ship was some distance away. The only one left who could provide answers was with them, but he stood for a moment, staring stunned at the speeder as it sped away, the shrieks of the Joiners still shrilling.

"What the hell was that?" She hissed, glaring at the male. She hadn't lifted her blaster to him... yet. But if this was what she suspected it was, they needed answers quickly, and they would have to mobilize quickly. She was fairly certain her leg wasn't broken, but running with it could prove difficult.

@GABA @Forsythe Crowholde @Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

The guard took in a shaky, deep breath.

For a few heartbeats, there wasn't a sound beyond the whining engines as the transport flew on, the shrieks of the dignitaries and their guards fading off into the distance. However, when he rose, large dark eyes addressed them all, and he offered a low bow to the group, which ended with him kneeling to them all.

"Please... help us," he spoke up hoarsely, body beginning to shake.

"We first noticed... when children started going missing. Then, women. Then our leaders... they didn't listen." When he looked up to the group, large tears were rolling down his face. "Those that vanished had returned, but they were changed. Almost like animals. My wife--"

He suddenly cut off, letting out a choked gasp as he savagely wiped away the rolling tears.

"Please... help my people. The Joiners... something's changed about them. They were starting to act like animals. We need help, but the Resistance can't hold back from them forever."

Fear radiated out of him in waves, but he looked to each of them, sorrow and pity mingling as well.

"I'm sorry for putting on such a heavy burden on your shoulders, but we need aid. Please, if you get intervention... we will gladly accept any deal if you can save our planet. Just help us get our loved ones back."

@GABA @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Darth Tiamat]

A rough jump but they seemed to be in the clear of safety for the moment. Tiamat was not liking this, though the tendrils of darkness seeped through her thoughts as she could feel the fear and despair from the guard. He begged for their help, eventually falling to his knees and Tiamat had to push herself to act surprise; she felt on edge, uncertain of who to trust now on Sullust, but what she felt was genuine and despite the façade of the politics she had to show, internally she felt disgusted by his act of desperation.

He went on to describe what was happening to Sullust's citizens; first they had been collateral in the brief war between the ISC and former Sith Empire, nearly wiping out all critical infrastructure, and without any oversight, it seemed they became victims of the Killiks who still roamed through the galaxy. However, as he pointed out and from what she observed from the three dignitaries, the killiks must have been upping their game and adding a new threat to their strategy.

Tia looked at Silvi, she didn't have much say in what the ISC could and could not do. She hoped this guy didn't expect the small group to save their entire world right then and there. With her gaze still on Silvi, Tia spoke, "Regardless what the ISC if anything is going to help you and Sullust, then we need to get off this world alive and unjoined." she paused glancing over her shoulder, ensuring the shuttle wasn't on their tails. "Sullust is an ally worth interest, or else we wouldn't be here.

@Killa Ree