Ask [D'ian] I'm Playing Both Sides

[Hergalor]

​

D'ian. A world known for its wealth, its wine, and its balmy climate. A perfect spot for a several week long "business meeting" on the company card. It was one of the things that made the Corporate Sector so bearable for the rest of the galaxy; a welcoming climate and placid attitudes made the worlds seem, at times, like a safe haven. It made the art of business that much better.

Its varied corporate campus adjoined resorts, further blurring the line between business and pleasure. Hergalor lounged by the pool at one of these lakeside office-hotels, gently twirling a glass of Ithorian Mist in his hands. He sipped from a long, strange, two-pronged straw that fed into both of his mouths. A curiosity, perhaps, to a non-Ithorian; it was as simple and painless a way to enjoy a drink on an alien world. The rest of the pool was conveniently empty, fully reserved for the Senator's business today; not the cheapest way to have a private meeting, but hey, when on D'ian...

As he drank, he thought to the day's affairs. So far, mundanity; Tanaab was a breadbasket for much of the Mid and Outer Rims. It produced an enormous amount of food relative to its own consumption, largely in meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains. A shifting quantity each year, as droid labor and satellite weaponry helped to aggressively, constantly, terraform the world to fit an evershifting markets' needs. As a representative of this breadbasket, he was often carted around from world to hungry world, being wooed at dinners, brought to ribbon cuttings, and celebrating years of 'peace and friendship,' so as to keep the grain flowing. It was dull.

But today would turn exciting. For today, Hergalor waited for an entirely different kind of clientele: A representative of the Sith Empire. The war was growing detestable, both in its cost to trade and its increasing scope. Former trade partners like Denon, Taris, and Felucia were now forcibly cut off from the Taanabian agricultural industry by overbearing embargos and sanctions, refugees were wandering from planet to planet, possibly inspired by the Jedi Order's own campaign of hoboing across the galaxy, begging worlds for assistance in their wars. And now, in the greatest of ironies, members of the Free Worlds Alliance bandied about fantasies of building a unified army and sacrificing the diplomatic voice of each world. Yes, an all together detestable situation to be in. All Hergalor wanted was peace, quiet, and a little bit of the Mist to help out.

It was enough to make one's head spin. But, in the Corporate Sector, such problems were easily, legally, solvable; another one of the Sector's beauties. Today, corporate partners had helped to arrange a neutral meeting; worlds unfettered by the Galactic Senate's unbridled attempts to regulate every planet into poverty. Hergalor sighed, dejected at the state of the galaxy around him as he looked into the pristine, crystal-clear waters of the pool in front of him. The galaxy was just such a harsh place, these days.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

D’ian – nor any of the Corporate Sector, really – was a place that Jaikus visited often, but he certainly had enough of a reason to do so now. While intrigued enough to accept the invitation, the Axxilan couldn’t help but be slightly surprised by the invitation from the Senator of Tanaab.

While Jaikus had his suspicions, but the man hadn’t done into much detail about what this mysterious meeting was about. Nevertheless, the location – far outside of FWA and very much beneath the public eye - spoke volumes to the fact that this was meant to be a discrete affair.

Jaikus arrived at the lakeside office-hotel before long, stepping down the ramp of his transport and beginning to make his way towards the rendezvous location. The Axxilan had no desire to draw unnecessary attention to himself, and thus opted to dress in common clothes for the occasion – donning a pair of dress pants and snug-fitting blue button-up. As was his style, the ensemble was accessorized with a chrono and a beaded bracelet on his wrist.

The Axxilan eventually made his way to the poolside where Hergalor lounged, clearly noting that the rest of the location had been cleared out for just the two of them. As he walked, Jaikus casually swiped a glass of champagne from a passing tray, taking a small sip before moving in to greet the Ithorian politican.

“Senator Hergalor,” Jaikus offered the man a polite smile, one arm sweeping out in front of him and dipping into a bow. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

"To what I do owe this gracious invitation?”

 

[Hergalor]

Hergalor's contact arrived. Or, he assumed he was; there was only one other invitation. The man in front of him had declined to introduce himself - perhaps a part of Sith religious protocol? - but he opted not to take it personally. He had bowed, after all. And, Hergalor had done his homework. He stood before a scion of the Altaris family, one of the gilded ruling families of the Axxila. A younger man, to be sure, but Hergalor was certain his early years on Axxila had taught him a proper amount of political decorum. Again, he had bowed.

Hergalor raised a hand to his guest, taking a moment to don his bulky translator. An absolute pain, but far superior to having a protocol droid. It was better to completely control one's voice, especially in delicate arrangements. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Altaris." Hergalor stood to his feet and swirled his glass. "Or is it Lord Altaris? I fear I am unpracticed with your Empire's titling." Since the Empire had revealed itself in earnest, there were so few opportunities to actually speak to the other side. Sure, one could watch the dramatic swordfights

"I won't waste your time. We can talk first, and then celebrate good conversation with a good drink on a good world." He set his drink down on a table beside his chair. "I'm here to talk business." It was all business, wasn't it? The business of war, the business of peace; what they had in common was ones and zeroes filling bank accounts across the galaxy. And while war had its profits, one could not ignore a burgeoning market, a massive opportunity, indefinitely.

"You may know that the Free Worlds Alliance is not all the same, unlike the ISC and the New Republic. Each world is capable of its own diplomacy, not as a representative of our conglomeration." Meaning, he was there representing only Taanab. Or, perhaps just a small subsection of Taanab's interests. "I've looked the Sith portfolio. A wide range of worlds, a growing list." Much of the Empire's economic base was mysterious, lying shrouded in magical worlds and myth. As the Sith had begun to take a more diplomatic approach to acquire neutral worlds, though, one could learn a great deal about the Empire if they knew where to look.

"Arms manufactories, ecumenopoles, desert worlds; quite a diverse arrangement. Such a great amount of worlds surely need a great amount of food? Greater than the miniscule farms of Felucia can provide, at any rate." He took an opportunity to take a wide bow, a hand covering his chest as he did. "This is where an interlocutor such as myself steps in. Taanab has for years been a breadbasket of the Mid and Outer Rim. With your growing influence in the regions, there are many reputable businesses from Taanab who could supply your growing need." An opportunity for profit, an opportunity for mutual benefit. Taanab had long played the field; a diverse arrangement of businesses was essential for an agriculturally-focused world. They had traded with the Republic and the CIS, the Empire and the Rebellion. Now, it was time to trade with the Empire.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

"Please, Senator," Jaikus raised a hand in front of him. “Mr. Altaris will do just fine. I am no Lord.” He replied smoothly, a polite smile brushing against his lips. Despite his skills as a Diplomat, he was after all only a Champion of their Order. And despite his noble upbringing, the Axxilan had never been one to insist upon fanciful titles, unlike some Sith he knew.

“Let us get to business then,” The Axxilan said with a nod. As the Ithorian began to speak, He kept one hand folded against the small of his back while the other casually held his glass – gently swirling the carbonated beverage as he listened.

If the Axxilan was surprised by the proposal, he certainly didn’t allow it to manifest on his face. Taanab had a reputation as one of the great Agri-worlds of the galaxy, and Jaikus suspected that this meeting was likely to involve an attempt to cut some kind of agricultural trade deal for his planet. Unlike figures such as the Senator of Lothal, it seemed that the Ithorian truly valued the interests of his own world above the rest of the FWA.

Or perhaps more likely, his own pockets. It didn’t matter to Jaikus either way.

Jaikus paused for a long while before he opted to respond, gently tapping his finger against the side of his glass. It was clear that he was giving the proposal quite a bit of thought, his face difficult to read even as he maintained a politician’s smile.

“You are quite right, Senator.” He finally spoke, gently swirling the glass in his hands. “The Empire is rapidly expanding its portfolio – bringing new worlds and sectors under our banner across the galaxy. And as you say, this rapid expansion necessitates a need for a growing amount of food.”

He tipped his glass towards the Ithorian. “Taanab’s reputation is well known to all. You’re planet has served as a breadbasket for much of the Mid and Outer Rim for centuries. Many of the worlds that now comprise the Empire – including my own Axxila - once maintained lucrative Agricultural deals with Taanab in years past.” Trade deals, no doubt, that Hergalor wished to rekindle. “As such, the Empire would be honored to do business with Taanab.”

“However,” He interjected, continuing without giving Hergalor a chance to speak.

“While it is true that each world of the FWA is capable of his own diplomacy – Taanab included – you are still beholden to regulations imposed by your own government and the Galactic Senate. For example, the recent sanctions that have been levied against the Empire.” It was the proverbial Bantha in the room, and Jaikus had no issues pointing it out. The Axxilan was well aware of the sanctions that had been passed by the Galactic Senate, and just how unpopular they were with some FWA worlds.

“Any open attempt to trade with the Empire, with whom your government is engaging in open hostilities with,” Importantly, not necessarily Tanaab itself, “..Would surely be scrutinized.” Jaikus paused, taking a moment to allow his words to hang in the air. “There is, of course, a way around this issue.”

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Hergalor]

"Mister Ataris it is, then." Hergalor paused to listen to his colleague as he spoke. He was glad to be afforded such courtesy, but was there a hint of skepticism that he sensed in Jalkus's voice? He supposed it was fair - turncoat antics never afforded one true trust from the new regime. But this was just business, trust was never on the table. Or, loyalty to the flow of credits superseded all other attachments. This arrangement would work because both parties stood to gain.

Hergalor paused to reflect on the problem Jalkus posed. He was always an opponent of the sanctions against the Sith Empire; they were developing rapidly booming population centers across the galactic North. They were two systems away from uniting an entire quadrant of the galaxy. And they were hungry. Not just literally, but proverbially; they had an ever-expanding sphere of influence, while their enemies lay divided and paranoid by their mere existence.

He had found the golden goose. An Empire, large and growing, that had no internal supply of food. Even if the Empire was defeated, it would take years; during which their rapid programs of industrialization would produce more and more hungry mouths. If the Sith and the broader galaxy normalized relations, what he thought was the more likely scenario, then Taanab was at the ground floor of a massive investment. A win/win.

"Yes, of course; the law is always slow to catch up with innovation, with radical visions for prosperity?" A diplomatic way of saying 'I don't care.' "I am aware of two viable solutions. There is, of course, the de jure route. Send our supplies to a world like D'ian, a corporate world unfettered by the heavy-handed rulings of Senate." A possibility, but one he wished to avoid. It would divert trade from the Perlimian route and fatten the already considerable profitable Corporate Worlds. If they were a middleman now, they stood the greatest chance of reaping the profits of this trade boom. And while shortchanged Core Worlders eyed openings in the market like starving wolves, the Corporate Sector was likely seeing a bubbling sea of desperate investors.

"However, there is a more direct route." Flagrantly violating the law. What could go wrong? "Trade continues down the Perlimian Trade Route, as is traditional. However, at the closest border stop-off to the Sith Border. Somewhere between Rhen Vhar and Felucia. There are many businesses still...confused by the changing of hands happening along the border; it provides a perfect cloak."

It was hard to be both clandestine and direct. He opted for the latter. The sanction was, in his opinion, a temporary measure; the upcoming Senatorial session had its elimination on the agenda. And what would the FWA do, really? They couldn't even stop the hemorrhaging of territory from their borders. It would feel rather excited to flagrantly disregard an ineffective law. "We use out-of-work shipping companies, at the border, to smuggle the goods down the rest of the Perliminian Route. We don't even need to change crews; we could merely change captains from a FWA-associated one to a Sith-associated one at a designated drop-off point. We could even hire the more independent," Criminal, "traders to carry the goods, so it reflects on neither of our records. The goods would be legally sold within the FWA, and then just disappear into your territories. Poof." He gave his best spirit fingers to illustrate the effect.

"Of course, I am open to other suggestions. The Perlimian Trade Route just provides such a well-excavated, well-traveled route that I am loathe to leave it behind."

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Unsurprisingly, Jaikus remained silent the entire time that Hergalor spoke – allowing him to lay out his proposal without every interjecting. The Axxilan occasionally nodded his head a few times or furrowed his brow, but otherwise manifested little external reaction to anything that was said. Instead, he maintained that faint, polite smile - the unwavering expression looking had been etched into stone.

It was trained and practiced in every sense of the word – very clearly the mask of a politican, and it was expression that never quite reached his eyes. It made deciphering the Axxilan’s thoughts nearly impossible, and he was clearly in no rush to give his answer – allowing the silence to linger in the air for several seconds after Hergalor finished.

“Moving trade along the Perlimian would be the most direct route,” He finally spoke, his words smooth and calculated. “But for that very reason, it is the largest risk. The Perlimian is well-excavated and well-traveled, and it is also well monitored.” He drummed his finger against his glass, pausing for a moment before continuing. “While out-of-work shipping companies receiving an influx of business isn’t suspicious in of itself, any cargo freighters moving along the Perlimian – into Sith space – are unlikely to pass without inspection. After all, the systems and worlds of the FWA have agreed to uphold these sanctions.”

Unlike Hergalor, Jaikus saw no quick end to the sanctions. Even if the Senate voted to repeal the ability to levy such measures, those already passed would remain on the books. It would take each individual government voting to repeal said sanctions, something that was unlikely to gain much traction within the FWA Senate – not with the war rapidly escalating. “If it were as simple as being able to ignore these laws entirely, I am sure companies like Blackwell, Czerka and others would be doing so.” He shook his head. “No, we must be far more creative if we wish to avoid scrutiny. One exposed shipment, and our happy little arrangement falls apart.” He shrugged. “Imperial losses would be minimal, in any event - we would lose a valued trading partner, but there are other Agri-worlds with whom we can do business. But Tanaab? Your planet – and your business, more importantly – stand to lose far more if things come to light.”

Jaikus finally polished off the contents of his champagne flute, resting the empty glass on a nearby tray before looking back to the Ithorian. “We eliminate this problem entirely, however, by moving goods into independent territory first. Thus, I propose a different approach all together.”

With that, the Axxilan reached into his back pocket – pulling out a datapad. After a few moments of tapping the screen, Jaikus placed the device down onto a nearby end table – which immediately began to project the holographic logo of a specific company. “Rather than flagrantly violating the law, I propose using a middle man to handle the changing of hands. Canto Hyperspace Distributors – operating out of the Corporate Sector – would be the company of choice.” Of course, Jaikus had his own reasons for selecting that company in particular, but it made no difference for Hergalor.

“Everything would happen – on the surface – above board. Tanaab would sell its good directly to CHD, and therefore, your paper-tail ends there – sparing your planet any risk of being in violation of sanctions. From there, the Empire would buy the goods from this company, which would be officially listed as a bundled CHD product.” It would remove any and all risk for those involved, while also funneling millions of credits worth of business through a company that the Axxilan was partial to.

“This, would be a far better solution.” While that smile never quite faded, there was a definitiveness to the Axxilan’s words. This was Jaikus’ offer, and it was incumbent upon Hergalor whether or not he chose to take it or leave it.

Jaikus folded his hands in front of him, tilting his head to the side slightly. “Of course, Tanaab stands to gain more than credits, should you accept this arrangement.” His smile tugged a bit wider. “Naturally, the Empire would have no desire to engage in hostilities with a valued trading partner – unofficial or otherwise.”

“If you agree to this arrangement as I have laid it out, whatever direction this conflict goes, the Empire will not target your planet in any way – be it through military strikes or occupation.”

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Hergalor]

Hergalor appraised his colleague as he spoke. It was, of course, the sensible plan. The problems Altaris lay out before him were tremendous, almost impossible to overcome. While Hergalor would have enjoyed a great "fuck you" moment to central government and border enforcement, perhaps the more restrained and legal approach the Sith diplomat posited would be worth it. If the Sith would carry the extra cost of transit, of course. "I have been sent here to secure an arrangement, and I will do just that. I find your terms incredibly agreeable. I only ask this, Mr. Altaris: Consider us closer partners than just food suppliers. As you may know, the Taanab Agroecological Cooperative provides not only foodstuffs, but also, land development, ecological restoration, and terraforming services. We could turn worlds like Felucia and Ajan Kloss into breadbaskets, producing enormous quantities of food for your Empire. We could restore the landscapes of the planets you win through war, speeding up your recovery process rapidly." The Sith would be an amazing trading partner for all of TAC's services, all things considered; a large enough client that there's an endless stream of work, but still needy enough that TAC could have an independent, and important, niche. He would be remiss if he didn't at least pitch the idea.

He waved his hands to dismiss anymore conversation. "For now, please keep us in mind. We can work on a more formal proposal in the future." If Hergalor had lips to smile, now would be the time. "The other logistical questions can be answered at a later date. We do regular business in the Corporate Sector," he gestured to the stunning, corporate landscape around them. "And will be more than happy to do more business here, if that is your wish." A business arrangement and a secret peace treaty with the Sith Empire? It was a good day already.

"Perhaps now we can have those drinks, Mr. Altaris?" He jauntily grabbed his glass of Ithorian Mist from the table. "Cheers." Hergalor raised his glass to clink. "To a new and prosperous friendship." And to the bonus Hergalor was about to receive. That was certainly a cause for celebration.


/exit thread (unless there are some hanging points we need to address?)

@Altaris