Deal with the Devil

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Eddard and Rowan waited patiently for a representative of the Kuat Drive Yards to meet with them, waiting in one of the many fancy waiting rooms that the company had at their disposal. There was even decent caf, which was a staple of good waiting rooms.

You could tell if they were bad by the taste of their caf.

Usually, Eddard would be smoking at this point but the company had a strike no smoking rule while on the station and he would respect that. If he didn't he was sure that they were going to be more awkward to convince to agree to their requests.

If they were just here to buy the spaceships on their own then there wouldn't be an issue at all but they weren't just here for that. It would be down to Eddard and Rowan to convince them that it was in their best interests to not only make the ships for them but to install the modifications that they had lined up as well.

They didn't HAVE those modifications yet but that was alright - it would take time for them to make the ships for them after all.

Eddard shared a glance with Rowan.

"We are going to be meeting with the head of special orders for the Kuat Drive Yards... anything you feel I should know going into this?"

He had done research but there was no point bringing in someone to assist if you didn't ask for their assistance.

@Insalius

 

[Rowan Harlow]

As they waited, Rowan had been idly spending his time rolling his hat from arm to arm, going behind his head via his shoulders as he extended his limbs. It was part to pass the time and part to keep himself limber, as he never knew what to expect from meeting to meeting. Of course Kuat was a loyal part of the Empire, yet with what he knew of the intrigue between the different Houses he wouldn't put it past anyone trying to do something unexpected. And incredibly stupid. The fact that Eddard was here would mean that any plot they might have would be for naught, as he felt nothing could catch the man by surprise. The Harlow prided himself on always been a step ahead of people, yet Eddard was usually three steps ahead. That was something he greatly respected in the man.

"I don't know anyone from Kuat personally, so anything I have to say is conjecture at best. Still, from what I know of their society, their shipyards are the pride of the planet. They are a proud people, so feed into that ego. If they seem hesitant, drop some hints that a rival shipyard might do just fine instead. Perhaps making it a kind of challenge against their honor and pride will swing their decision. Or they could just be right on board from the beginning. Regardless, I'll have your back as always." He flipped his hat back up onto his head while kicking his cane into his hand. He felt they were about to begin so it was time to be serious. He gave Eddard a smile and nod as he fell into place, ready for the battle of words that was about to begin.

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Rowan said nothing that he did not already know but that was fine - that was exactly what Eddard wanted. If Rowan had something that he didn't then that would have been a failing on his own part in researching this better. As it was, his own initial findings were just the same as Rowan's and that was good. Either they were both wrong - which was unlikely - or they were right and this meeting was going to go in a particular direction.

One that Eddard had some experience with in the past.

"Thank you kindly, Rowan." he acknowledged as he straightened out his attire as the secretary mentioned that two of the representatives were ready to see them and were coming here to meet with them instead, "Interesting. They may not be too receptive."

The two businessmen who appeared were twin brothers and, other than that, Eddard would be hard pressed to describe what they actually looked like. It was as if someone had taken two people and moulded their faces and their bodies to be so boring, so bland, that they were hardly worth remembering.

"Messers Thul-Drast and Harlow - our apologies for keeping you waiting." One of them said, "We understand that you are in the market to purchase a small number of our Crux Starfighters."

Eddard nodded simply.

"Indeed, we are in the market to buy five of your fighters, while looking to have your drive yards also fit these same starfighters with some modifications that we shall, of course, source ourselves."

The other twin frowned and spoke, while the other looked slightly more thoughtful.

"Are you trying to imply that our fighters need to be modified to be good enough for you?"

If Eddard was being honest? Yes. But he would let Rowan field this one.

@Insalius

 

[Rowan Harlow]

Well, this whole affair had managed to start swimmingly. Seemed that the representatives they were meeting were a bit prickly. He wondered who had pissed in their morning meal to have had them start off the day in a foul mood. Oh well, it was of no matter. This would be a battlefield of words instead of weapons, one which the noble upbringing Rowan had gone through had prepared him for. He tapped Eddard on the shoulder to let him take the field. He cleared his throat, giving a deep and reverent bow to the two representatives to try to assuage their seemingly wounded egos. He had to repair the inadvertent damage first, then he could start the negotiations proper. He knew just what to say, giving a small smile as he spoke.

"On the contrary, it is BECAUSE of their quality that we seek modification. We are both agents of his Imperial Majesty, given direct orders to perform in his name. As a matter of fact, I have a need to visit Manaan for just such a command in the coming days. We would only go to the best of the best, which is why we are here. As for the modifications, we know to only trust you and yours for such work, so that we can carry out our duties to the Emperor as efficiently as possible. I am certain that he would be glad to hear that you were able to afford us the highest quality and customization to this end. Perhaps enough so to send others of his trusted men to purchase similar vessels."

@Nefieslab

 

[Eddard Thul Drast]

Eddard was thinking of ways to kill both twins - not because he was annoyed but because that was just something he tended to do when he was just hanging around. It was probably not the most healthy of hobbies but it was something that helped him manage his paranoia so it was something he was going to keep on doing.

And if worst came to worst then he could still see about killing them.

The mention of the Emperor's weight behind this request seemed to make the difficult twin feel uncomfortable and made the one who had been slightly more accommodating smile a little bit nervously as he stepped forward.

"Of course, we are at the Emperor's disposal and serve at his pleasure."

It looked like it might have pained them to admit that and that gave Eddard a vicious sort of pleasure. Time to see about ramming this home. He tilted his head to the side slightly.

"The Empire needs quality vessels and it needs people who can make those vessels even better. If you are unable to do this then we have an appointment with the Corellian Engineering Corporation." he nodded to the twins, both of whom had gone pale at the thought, "Good day gentlemen."

He gestured for Rowan to follow and turned on his heel. He got less than two steps before they spoke again.

"Wait!"

Eddard glanced over his shoulder and the main twin swallowed thickly before smiling wide, a fake thing but one that clearly showed that he was ready to play ball as it were.

"Where parts would you be looking to add on?"

Hook. Line. Sinker.

"Rowan, please be so kind as to pass the datapad with the order instructions to our friends here."

@Insalius

 

[Rowan Harlow]

There was no such thing as an impregnable fortress. Every defense had it's weakness, especially when that defense was as organic as mortal will. The Kuati had come out ready to fight, which they had the advantage of being on their home turf in their company and on their planet. Despite that, though, Rowan and Eddard had managed to find that chink in the defense that the other men probably thought was absolute. Once they were in, with mentions of the Emperor and his grace, it didn't take much for the expert diplomats that the Sith were to go in for the swift kill. Now the battle was over, moments after it had begun, and the defeated now had to perform to the whims of the victors. A beautiful victory, all in the name of the Greater Good.

With a small smile, Rowan reached in to his jacket for the datapad that had all the plans for their starfighters. He turned it on and handed it to the Kuati, amused at how their faces blanched slightly at the specifications. They weren't exactly standard on the ships in question, and it would take expert technicians to install them once they had been supplied. Still, that was their problem, they were committed now to the work in the name of the Emperor. Staying silent, Rowan took a step back into his position just behind Eddard. His part in this was finished, his companion could complete the rest of the task. His mind was already taking apart this interaction and learning what he could from it to better himself. He was never satisfied with what he did, he could always be better.

@Nefieslab