A Meeting with Cedos

[Santoro]

It was early morning on Nal Hutta- the always-awake city was beginning to hit one of its travel peaks. The government especially was busy during these hours, as it was the typical time for the Emperor and his staff to awaken and work in full force- one such worker was waiting patiently.

Cedos Sola, the Darksaber himself, stood quietly in one of his half-dozen Nal Hutta apartments. It was a relatively low-class version, somewhat dirty and in a 'ghetto', a perfect place for the Imperial Dark Jedi.

"Sir, the Count is on his way." Sola nodded and looked about the room- entirely bare, save a table and two chairs. Two doors exited the room aside the main entrance- one to the bathroom, one to the bedroom... Bare bones apartment. Cedos sat at the table- when his guest arrived, he would see him immediately.

So he waited.

 

[Count Sam]

As usual Eduardo was wearing his elegant robes and made sure to look as elegant as possible. Although he was not that much elegant considering that he did not get enough time to rest, but well after all he always did his best to look as good as possible before any meeting. No matter what place it was taking place in, or who exactly was he meeting.

Of course Eduardo wanted a meeting with Tusa, but for some reason Tusa sent a representative. Of course it was clear to Eduardo that Tusa did not trust him, or maybe the Emperor was busy planning for the war with his commanders;however, that was not important since today he was present to speak to the Emperor's representative about how his meeting with the Count of Serenno went, and hopefully get the Emperor to change his mind about attacking the Bogan.

"Greetings...I assume you are his highness representative right?" Eduardo said as soon as he was escorted into the low flat which was technically not the kind of place that Eduardo had in his mind. Also Eduardo told his guards to stay outside since he always hated it when he had his personal bodyguards with him during any meeting.

((This thread takes place before the nobility meeting...just so no one would get confused))

 

[Santoro]

Cedos nodded a hello at the Count, not making the slightest move to stand. While his reputation was largely under his codename 'The Darksaber', members of the Imperial House had learned to not question the actions of Cedos Sola. He waved a gloved hand at the seat in front of him. He waited until the Count sat then pulled his datapad from his pocket, resting it on the table. He hit a key, and a noiseless, invisible electronic bubble enveloped the two. No recordings would be made of their conversations- devices inside the bubble would be scrambled, while devices outside would hear only white noise.

"Count of the Empire. Quite a title if I do say so myself.. I don't think I'd want the responsibility. A lot rests on the nobility's cooperation with the Imperial Household." It appeared that the Darksaber didn't have time to waste.

I won't mince words, Count. The Emperor is aware of your crusade to find out the 'truth' behind the assassination- you know it. There are no secrets to be found in already confiscated security tapes. The Emperor wishes for you to stop your investigation immediately and break all ties with the Count of Serenno."

 

[Count Sam]

Eduardo was somewhat shocked, and he could not figure out how the Emperor would have known about it, but of Course Tusa was paranoid and he knew that Eduardo did not want to go to war with his ex comrade and the powerful Bogan Empire.

"His highness wish shall be granted...but I assure you my thrive for peace with the Bogan would never make me do such a taboo thing like doing some illegal investigations to try to prove that the Bogans are innocent.." Eduardo said, making sure to maintain his calmness and attitude as he spoke to Cedos.

"Although I would like to request that you inform his highness with the fact that Banik is no longer the Bogan leader and that the Count Arathilion is thriving for peace...I know it might be to late too talk about it but I believe that we can still use Arathilion and the Bogan to our advantage in the war against the Republic rather than fight with them."With that Eduardo stood up and looked directly into the eyes of Cedos.

"If you would excuse me I would like to go and get ready for the nobility session...I also hope that his highness would reconsider this war against the Bogan since the only ones benefiting from it are the Republic and the Jedi who I am sure have a huge part to do in the whole matter."

 

[Santoro]

An ominous click from behind the Count. A simple trick in the Force, turning the door's lock, but effective in adding a lethal undertone to the conversation.

"The nobility session isn't for many hours, Count." Cedos smiled an odd, forced smile that under other circumstances would be considered polite.

"Allow me to clarify the Emperor's reasoning. As you know, we are in a total war with the Republic- our greatest enemy, and easily the most powerful enemy our Empire will ever face. To counter them we need to work at full capacity. No threats. No variables. No wild cards. The Bogan Empire was the largest wild card- a cancer deep within the heart of the Empire. We allowed them to exist on the pretense they stay out of our way- peaceful negotiations with the Republic opened the door to friendly negotiations, which opened the door to allowing ships in our formerly safe world. This is a preemptive strike against a threat, and it must be complete." He looked directly into the Count's eyes to fully capture his attention.

"Are you a wild card, Eduardo?"

 

[Count Sam]

Eduardo made sure to keep himself calm as Darksaber locked the doors. After all, from his experience he knew well that force sensitive people had the ability to sense the feelings of others, and that was something that Eduardo did not want to happen because it always made him look weak.

"Well even the wildest cards can be tamed if you used the right whip to hit them with... also if I am not mistaken you could always make a cure out of the most dangerous poisonous and use it to fight another poison as well." Eduardo said as he grinned cunningly.

"You see I have known Nescius for so long and I am sure that if I played my cards right I could get him to fight against the Republic and even if he did not fight against the Republic we can at least give him a chance to fight the Jedi...this way we will be able to weaken two of our most dangerous enemies without having to spill the blood of our precious soldiers." Eduardo said as he gave a chance for Cedos to absorb what he was saying.

"Also during my meeting with Nescius he made it clear to me that he not interested in taking sides but he is willing to make a treaty with us with benefits for both sides...I am sure maybe we could use the Bogan for the time being and worn them out with the fight against the Jedi. After that, I am sure they would not be as powerful as they are now after their fight with the Jedi. Also Nescius does not have simply the Bogan with him...he is also the Count of Serenno and he and his family got a lot of ties with a lot of powerful figures outside the Bogan Empire." Eduardo said as he looked at the elegant ring he was wearing which had his family banner on it.

"I am not a wild card...I am simply one of the Emperor's loyal men who is willing to prove himself if he is given the chance to."

 

[Santoro]

"Then prove your loyalty to the Emperor today- the investigation into Bothawui must stop. The Empire has no intention to harm the Bogan citizens or the noncombatants. The only way this war will end today is if the Bogan Empire bows to the Hutt Empire- if they allow themselves to be assimilated into our culture, their troops to join ours. As it stands, the Bogan will never agree to such a deal." Cedos stood slowly, eyeing the Count- eyes of a predator.

"Once the Bogan see the Emperor's strength, we can negotiate a safer deal for the Empire." Cedos reached in his belt for a tense moment and withdrew an Imperial signet ring- a rare gift that Tusa had handed out on only a handful of occasions. While it granted no significant privileges, it indicated a higher status- a member of Tusa's elite.

"Tusa's not as greedy of a Hutt as the Republic or the Bogan would have you believe. He knows loyalty when he sees it, and rewards loyalty when it's shown. If you play our game, I can see a new title for you... Marquis Eduardo Vandergraff, ruler of the Malastare system. Fitting." The Darksaber tossed the ring to the Count.

"When the day comes to talk peace with the Bogan, we hope you are still on our side."

The door unlocked.

 

[Count Sam]

"I assure you I will do whatever the Emperors wish me to do. I am also sure that his highness forgiveness knowns no boundaries, and I know well that the time will come when we and the whole galaxy will live in peace under his command and under the banner of the great Hutts clans." Eduardo spoke in a polite tone as he looked at Cedos who stood up, and took a ring from his belt.

"We can now only hope that the Bogan will realize fast our power and agree to serve under his highness before a lot of lives are lost in the process. Also I would like to inform his highness that I am honored by this great ring and I should always wear until I die." Eduardo said as he took a few steps backward and gave a slight bow to Cedos as a sign of respect. He then putted on the ring as he finally spoke again.

"I will always be by his highness side...after all my whole life is dedicated to serving him and the citizens of the Hutt Empire" Eduardo then turned to the now unlocked door. It seems that unlocking the doors a gain was sign for him to leave, and thus he decided not to waste time and walk toward the door.

Eduardo glared at the two rings that he was wearing as he did that. One belonged to his Serenno elite noble family, and the other was from lord Tusa as well. These two rings were a sign of pride and power to Eduardo.