Ask Tatooine Diplomatic Drilling

[Derna Lorso]

<<"Luxury transport with designator ISC-dash-452, this is Anchorhead spaceport. You're not cleared. I repeat. You're not cleared for landing.">>

Sitting in the cockpit, Derna didn't have time to curse the man out as she gentle veered the yacht to the left as not to burden her boss and his retinue with sudden flight maneuvers. She didn't know what was going on down there, but- "I cleared our permits pre-flight, damnit. Did we miss a report beacon going into the sector?" she asked her co-pilot, who had come with the rental yacht and he did nothing but shrug awkwardly. "These Outer Rim planets don't usually have beacons like that, so I didn't really check." Well, Kriff be Karked. Derna had graduated a Coreworld pilot school and worked for Blackwell freight as a co-pilot for years before she worked up the confidence to apply for a proper first pilot position that paid a little bit better than dirt and what does she get? A kriffing baffoon for a co-pilot. By Preef-kriffing-Callo she was not in the mood for this shit.

Switching the comm unit from the co-pilot's headset to her own, Derna searched for the address of her employer's regional office and decided to just take a gamble. "Anchorhead spaceport, this is ISC-452, diverting to alternative location near Blackwell regional office 52."

Her co-pilot looked at her in some shock, "You're just going to land our yacht out there in the street?" he asked in a voice that betrayed he was slightly panicking at the prospect. Derna meanwhile began landing procedures and gently slowed the ship down to a near-stop, again as not to inconvenience the people on board. "Wouldn't need to if you had just done your job, now keep an eye out of the starboard sensors." the ship was going into a slow and controlled descent, but there wasn't much room to fit a fifty meters long vessel and one landing outside the spaceport was so rare that onlookers already started to gather a bit too close to Derna's liking. "Kark, you see that? That's kriffing press!" the co-pilot cried. The Luxury 3000 space yacht was rented for the occasion and the poor guy was no doubt thinking this landing and all the attention it brought with it would be a PR nightmare for his company. Derna wasn't worried about that one bit.. she was worried with the schedule she had to keep and seeing as her boss was supposed to be meeting with the Queen of Naboo, well.. then he couldn't be kriffing late now could he?

It took three minutes, but then the co-pilot could finally being the post-flight checklist to shut the engines down and that meant Derna got up from her comfy chair and straightened her fancy, tight-fitting, tunic. "Wish me luck," she whispered, but the co-pilot was to caught up in his own yammering to hear, "It's no big deal, Dern. You had to land in the street to keep to the schedule. A crowd has gathered that might or might not recognize a galactic celebrity. No biggie."

Not quite feeling the confidence, she opened the cockpit door and went over to the main entertainment area where her boss was spending most of his time. "Mister Thorne, sir-" Kark why did her tunic suddenly feel so snug around the chest? "-we've landed successfully and are ready to prepare disembarkation at your leisure."

@Sreeya @Rhogar @Nefieslab

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

Vrash was at his post down the hall from the cabin that Mr. Thorne was currently inhabiting. He stood outside the door, gaze fixed on the Huttball game going on. And there it was, another Bom Trady TD for the win. He hated the possible android but boy was he good for Vrash's gambling. One hand would extend towards the others "Alright boys, give it here."

Some of the other guards cursed as the tossed creds to the old reptile. "Kriff you, Vrash."

"No can do, kid. That would make for an awkward conversation for me and your mother." he laughed as did some of the other guards. Pocketing his winnings he glanced outside the nearby viewport. Odd. They weren't landing in the Space Port. If something was wrong, surely he would have been notified by the new pilot.

Cursing he would step away from the other guards. "We're landing. Get ready." He would arrive back at the cabin, knocking on it. "Kid, we're landing now." he'd say through the door. He wasn't sure what the young man did on his own time and quite frankly, he didn't care.

And that's when he saw the new pilot, his staff moving to block her path to the door. "We deviated from the landing plans. Why?" he asked, he was clad in his full kit, covered by a cloak.

@Sreeya @Nefieslab @Eccles

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Queen Emilia did not arrive in the same yacht as Emryc and his entourage – instead she arrived in the royal Naboo yacht with her own. As the sovereign of a wealthy planet, her security team had viciously stamped down on the offer to have her ride with the representative of the Independent planets. Emilia herself had sent a much nicer message when she had joked that no smart woman would go to a rough planet with her date as her only ride home.

No hard feelings were had over the miscommunication but it did result in the Queen landing in the actual spaceport rather than the street as Mr Thorne’s yacht did; the royal pilots found it distasteful but they knew the Game well enough to quietly bribe the docking officials to “remember” the Queen’s landing privileges.

“My Queen, we’ve landed. Our man on the ground informs us that Mr Thorne had to make a different landing outside the city itself, closer to a facility owned by Blackwell it looks like.” The head guard spoke curtly, “There appears to be a gathering of press.”

Emilia set her now empty tea cup down and stood from her seat with an easy smile.

“Then prepare the speeders, Mr Lancer.” She instructed her head guard with a smile, “I believe it may be my chance to ride to Mr Thorne’s aid against the ravenous hoards of the press.”

Two speeders of decent quality were secured for the day by the liberal application of credits and thoroughly checked by her security team before they were ready to get moving. Sitting in the rear of one with a driver and guard upfront in the same speeder, Emilia was followed by another speeder with only a driver so Emryc could bring along three of his own security detail while he rode along with her.

Mr Lancer, of course, wanted to bring more men but Emilia was of the opinion that three Royal Guard with her, another squad in the yacht and the six fighters that had followed them was enough. One of the fighters had taken a docking bay of it’s own, while the other five stayed in orbit; paranoia over a Sith Starfighter attack was, understandably, at an all-time high.

**

At the landing place Emryc’s pilot had chosen, the press would push to try and gain access to the ship with very minimal interference from the local militia. They were paid to take bribes and to stop bar fights – they weren’t going to get too involved with the press unless it was for the pleasure of bashing skulls in.

Among the throng of reporters, a Naboo Royal Guard stuck out like a sore thumb as he kept himself steady amidst a sea of shoving. He was there to advise Mr Thorne that the Queen was on her way but he wasn’t going to just start shouting that when they were in a crowd this large of reporters.

“Mr Thorne, what is the nature of your relationship with the Queen of Naboo?!”

“Emryc is it true you’re having a steamy affair with your Kaleesh savior? Mr Thorne!”

“Is it true that you sponsor JJ’s show?!”

“That is SLANDER!”

Two reporters got into a small fistfight over JJ’s honor.

@Sreeya @Rhogar @Eccles

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc wasn’t used to having people around him at all times when he worked. He operated alone and he piloted his own ship. When he was on his campaign, he was almost constantly surrounded by chatter and banter. Though he seldom joined in, he was getting used to the noise. It certainly paled in comparison to the echoes of a hallikset, but it created a lively atmosphere around him.

He was by himself in a cabin towards the entertainment wing of the yacht, watching the same Huttball game Vrash was watching on a giant screen. He tended to watch the games by himself to allow him space to express his frustrations. Whenever Bom Trady showed up, the desire to put his fist through the nearest object bubbled to the surface. He had to remind himself that he couldn’t tap into the Force, and he actively reeled himself back in.

Emryc switched to a different channel out of spite when Trady’s team scored yet again. A cursory glance out the window suggested that they had flown directly past the spaceport, and it certainly gave him pause. He was already dressed in a suit for landing, and he rose to stand, straightening out his attire. Emryc stopped in front of his mirror to check his hair, teeth, breath, underarms before deciding he was good to go.

Opening the door brought him to Vrash eyeing his pilot suspiciously while blocking her. Emryc could already hear the crowds outside and he offered a grin as he looked over the Kaleesh’s shoulder and at Deena. His silver eyes were as piercing as ever, “I trust her reasonings. Now, let’s not waste more time.”

With that, he motioned for them to get out of the way to allow him to step out. Emryc threw on his sunglasses, stepping down the ramp into a throng of reporters. He allowed room for Vrash to push them back, “Don't kriff anyone up,” He warned quietly so only the Kaleesh could hear. All of this was being recorded, and he didn’t need a PR disaster about his bodyguard beating a reporter to a bloody pulp.

He casually kept walking, ignoring the barrage of questions and keeping a perfect poker face. He heard the one asking about him and the Queen. It was then that the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. It was engineered, just subtle enough to be unclear whether it was from amusement or something else. It was just mysterious enough before he spoke, “No comment.”

Emryc kept walking, recognizing a Naboo Royal Guard standing amidst the crowds. He signaled for Vrash to help clear a path as he made his way over to meet the man.

@Rhogar @Nefieslab @Eccles

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

Vrash would glance back at his employer as the door opened. "If ya say so, but don't let the face be why ya trust her. Or.. anything else." he'd say with a laugh. He would step aside to allow Emryc to pass, his staff moving Derna to the side as well. Once he reached the ramp, Vrash would descend before him, staff out horizontally and used to create some space between Thorne and the masses.

It would be a lie if he said he found no enjoyment in the reporters. They asked some of the damndest things and at the question posed about him and Emryc, the old reptile would give them a wink would send some of them in the crowd wild with hoots and hollering. "Understood." he would say to his charge at the order and luckily the heavy armor and the fact he was a Kaleesh seemed to be enough to get some to step aside with ease. "Back away, let him through."

He was close to reaching the Naboo guards when one of the press would step in the path. One he would recognize. Legendary Trash Talker JJ Johnson.

 

[JJ Johnson]

Now why on earth would JJ be on a dirt ball planet you ask? It wasn't everyday the Queen would suddenly depart the world to go on some possibly romantic retreat. So when you couldn't trust your staff, you could only trust yourself. As he cut his way through to Mr. Thorne, a small dispute would erupt amongst the reporters.

“Mr Thorne, what is the nature of your relationship with the Queen of Naboo?!”

“Emryc is it true you’re having a steamy affair with your Kaleesh savior? Mr Thorne!”

“Is it true that you sponsor JJ’s show?!”

“That is SLANDER!”

Two reporters got into a small fistfight over JJ’s honor. JJ wasn't sure who this new reporter was defending his honor, but he just found himself a job. After the two broke up, he would look to his right. "Hoffman, two things: show this reporter how to hit, then get him a job!"

Hoffman would move forward and hit the challenger of JJ's honor, obscured from view, and drop him. Then he crossed to the reporter. "Hey, you want a job with JJ?"

As that transpired, JJ would step into the path of Mr. Thorne and his escort, perfectly placed between them and the Naboo guard. The Nabooian local would put his hands on his hips. "Mister Thorne! I have come here personally to invite you to an interview with Senator York!"

@Nefieslab @Eccles @Sreeya

 

[Derna Lorso]

Perks about the job? Responsibility, good pay, good hours and the status of a first pilot to a galactic celebrity. Downsides, did it have any? Yes, Vrashinal Karzinkaal. For some reason the Kaleesh thought he was more than just a bodyguard and physically demanded Derna to stop before she reached her employer. She was about to bite back and chew him out when Emryc Thorne himself opened the door and with a short comment not only spoke out his trust in her skills, but also waved away any authority the Kaleesh thought he had over the pilot. And yet, that kriffing Kaleesh had to make another comment..

Holding one hand in front of her dominant eye, she turned to face him just as he was removing his staff from her way. "Yeah use your staff to lead the way, blind man." she internally cursed herself for the weak comeback, but then Vrashinal did only have one functional eye and pointed that staff everywhere he was intending to go. Derna waited for both him and her employer to pass, considered saying something about him stooping so low to go from 'accomplished warrior' to 'old man bodyguard of politicians' but she didn't want to risk insulting Emryc Thorne.

and that's how a few moments later she had become the 'ranking officer' onboard a Luxury 3000 Pleasure Yacht. She smiled as she walked back to the cockpit and was remembered of the many perks this job had over her previous one as a co-pilot on a kolto-freighter. "Dann," the co-pilot from the rental company was somewhat startled as he had been enjoying the spectacle of journalists fighting each other in the hot Tatooine sands, "Who is that blind Kaleesh, anyway?" he asked, not having spend much time outside the cockpit and their 'between-shifts' time was filled in with paperwork and sleep. Derna shrugged, "Just some blind old warrior mister Thorne keeps around," she walked over to the logging system and started checking the logs to see if the co-pilot didn't mess up his 'post-flight checklist log'. "I'd just buy a droid or hire a Blackwell professional, but then I'm biased-" she turned towards the co-pilot and pointed at the Blackwell logo on her tunic, "I come from a long line of Blackwell professionals." The longest, most likely, going all the way back to its founding.

The next couple of hours would be rather hectic onboard the ship. The cleaning crew would be changing sheets and frantically cleaning the entire interior while a duo of droids did their best to wash off all the sands from the ship to make sure that when their employer returned the ship was clean and shining and guaranteed to impress on everyone that saw it basking in the twin suns. Derna and the co-pilot used this moment to relax a bit, get some coffee and start plotting their next hyperspace courses to make sure there wouldn't be any delays.. and this time, she made sure to plan their shifts in such a way she'd be in the cockpit for when they passed reporting beacons.

@Sreeya @Rhogar

 

[The Gatekeeper]

The Royal Guard in the crowd had been down on the surface of Tatooine for a few days at this point as the advance scout for the whole adventure. Theo had long since decided that he preferred the lush greens of his homeworld but he had found a certain rustic charm in the sands of Tatooine. He had interacted with a lot of the locals to try and get a good view of what the situation on the ground was like both for the visit itself and for any potential business deals the Queen was likely to engage in with Mr Thorne as her business partner.

Of course Mr Thorne spotted him straight away and made a bee-line for him before someone got between them. It was only when he heard the man talk that Theo recognized the bloated windbag for who he was. As a native of Naboo, JJ was widely ridiculed as being both uncouth and astoundingly stupid. It would have been forgiven if he'd ever looped back round into being a parody of himself but, no, it seemed he was stuck attempting to be a sincere political reporter.

While JJ was stepping up to Emryc, a trio of the Tatooine local militia stepped forward, pushing their way through the crowd. They were two large humans and an even large Trandoshan - people took notice. Even more took notice when two of them laid hands on Hoffman.

"Hey buddy, that's enough. We literally all saw you knock that guy out - good punch, shrak decision. Come quietly to the brig." one of the humans said, gesturing to his even larger Trandoshan friend, "Or big Green here will break your legs and drag you there. Your call."

It was Tatooine... it was considerate and rather polite of the guards to be talking rather than shooting at this point. The press had done what the press did and taken pictures and video - all of which showed the Bugle cameraman knock a man out for daring to speak ill of his boss. While everyone was looking at something actually newsworthy, no one was looking at JJ, so Theo made a move.

He would jab the unprepared, unarmored and distracted old man in the right kidney with his stun baton, letting the old man twitch for a second as he was stunned before grabbing him as though he had caught him.

"Hey this old man has fainted from heat-stroke!" he called out loudly, the stun baton back on his belt, "Somebody help him!"

The Trandoshan (who was probably not called Big Green) would be the one to pick up JJ to take to the local medical facility as Theo addressed Emryc.

"Mr Thorne - I'm glad you landed safely, you must have one hell of a pilot." he greeted the man, suddenly the consummate professional, "The Queen is on her way and she has instructed me to inform you that she has two speeder cars available. She ah..."

He shuffled slightly awkwardly.

"Also wanted me to compliment you so..." he coughed, his cheeks reddening slightly, "You look very dashing, sir, I'm sure the Queen will say so as well."

Such a clear abuse of royal power if he had ever seen it.

@Rhogar @Sreeya @Eccles

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc fixed Vrash with a frosty stare at his words, his face impassive as he spoke, “I trust her because of her exceptional track record of piloting,” His tone dripped with ice, “And you will not question my hiring choices in front of me again,” He said flatly, giving no opportunity for the man to respond before he stepped off the ship.

He wasn’t concerned about the crowds as he made his way through. To his surprise, the reporter that often showed support for him on media sprang out of seemingly nowhere. While Emryc was a fan, he couldn’t exactly show that he was partial to any media outlet. He simply gave a polite nod and wave, indicating that he would follow up for an interview. His focus remained on making his way over to the guard.

Emryc was perceptive enough to pick up on what happened, but he wasn’t about to say anything. He simply fixed Theo with a charming smile, reaching a hand to shake his in greeting. As the guard fumbled his way through a compliment, Emryc chuckled quietly before giving a confident wink, “I’ll accept your compliment if it comes from you,” He released the hand after that.

“Just my bodyguard and I for the speeder,” He announced as he was led to said speeder.

Once he slid into the luxury speeder, he exhaled, “You will have to pass on my abundance of gratitude for the Queen sending a rescue party for me.”

@Rhogar @Eccles @Nefieslab

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

Unfortunately for the Naboo guard, with Vrash already watching JJ he'd catch a flash of movement. Reacting, he go to push JJ out of the way, but he wasn't quick enough as the elderly journalist caught a stun baton to the back. Holding the man upright, he'd snarl at the guard. "Do the Royal guards normally take to zapping old men from behind?" he said, his voice laced with disgust. Dishonorable. Pathetic really when a Pirate had more honor. He turned to some of the other guards with Emryc. "We will go on ahead, take him and his crew to their ship." he would remove a bag of credits and toss it to the militiaman. "I've been on this world many times and a single punch has never been arrest worthy. Assaulting someone with a baton, however is." his gaze fixed on the guard before shifting back to the militia. "Now move along."


@Nefieslab @Sreeya

 

[JJ Johnson]

Surprise would mark JJ's face as the pain of a stun baton lanced up his back. As his knees buckled, the hand of the Kaleesh guard would catch him, holding him upright. He lost feeling of everything as consciousness left him. Twilight dreams could have made him hear mutterings all around him, most of the words incoherent. The cameras would be drawn to the commotion by Vrash, something for him to watch later.

Unbeknownst to him, a scion of the Naboo people was just attacked by a Naboo Royal Guard. Betrayed by the very leadership he loved. Despicable. Legs weak, Hoffman and other guards in Emryc's retinue would provide them safe passage back to the Bugle ship. As they drew closer to the Bugle ship, he could hear Hoffmans outrage as he began to come back from the daze. "Did you see that?! That was one of the Queens Guards!"

All sets of hands would help the aged Editor into the ship. One moment, Mister Thorne had been agreeing to the interview and the next he was hit by something? Confusion would wash over his features as they got him water. An agent of the Queen had assaulted a Naboo native, a patriot, and a champion of the planet. He had been betrayed. There would be a storm coming and he knew, even in his dazed state that it could likely lead to him being banished from his newfound home. But he had the power of right on his side.

Mr. Thorne had agreed to an interview and now he had some damning footage on the Queens royal guard. Never make an enemy of the Press.

/Thread Exit

 

[The Gatekeeper]

The guard, Theo, just stared at Vrash with a placid smile, his stun prod back away by the time the pirate started showing his teeth off. Press and militiamen were still dealing with the situation with the reporter going down but became more aware of the situation as it unfolded. Theo just shrugged.

"Awful big accusation coming from a suspected pirate." he shot back without missing a beat, "All I see is an old man having an issue with sun stroke. Good job catching him, I wasn't fast enough to do it myself."

Again, none of the cameras had been pointed at JJ but rather the arrest of his camera man instead. Which was going rather poorly as the man, Hoffman was now resisting arrest. Worse still, Vrash was attempting to bribe local militia right in front of cameras that WERE now pointed at the man.

"Maybe your boss ain't telling you - or maybe you're shrak at listening but Tatooine is getting downright respectable. Bribes ain't welcome and disturbing the peace gets a drunk tank visit, before being released in the morning." the lead militaman said, catching the bag of credits before tossing them to the ground and spitting on them, "You're lucky your boss is a big shot around here."

The militiamen would, in fact, arrest Hoffman for the night and drag him to the drunk tank to cool off for disturbing the peace. JJ would be allowed to leave, of course, but he would do so without his camera man. Several of the reporters surged forward.

"Mr Thorne! Mr Thorne! Does this Kaleesh work for your office?!"

"Mr Thorne what do you have to say to address this blatant display of corruption?!"

"Mr Thorne is there any truth to the rumors that you and Senator Drast spent a night of passion together at the Coruscant Plaza Hotel?!"

There was always one tabloid reporter.

Theo would push through the crowd to hop into the driver's seat of the waiting speeder and allow for Emryc to make is way over. He nodded to the politician at his remark about the Queen sending a rescue party, his cheeks still red as he chose NOT to comment on where the earlier compliment came from. The general gist of it had come from the Queen but the actual compliment had come from Theo on the fly... probably bad form to flirt with the Queen's date though so he was going to try and forget that he'd immediately though of 'dashing' when catching sight of Emryc.

"The press are savage animals at the best of times, sir." he agreed as he started up the speeder and pulled away, slowly at first to make sure not to hit any of the press, before speeding up, "We'll be meeting up with the Queen shortly. Would you like for any particular refreshments to be made available, sir?"

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc kept his cool as a series of very unfortunate events took place. The reporters were in his face again, but he kept a steely resolve. However, he knew he had to take action here. Between this and the incident back on Naboo where Vrash made a scene at the gate, the man was becoming a liability. Even if he owed the man his life, Emryc wasn't going to allow repeat offenses.

“No need to join us,” He said curtly to the Kaleesh, “I’ll pay you a generous severance package and a way off the planet, but you’re relieved of duty,” Emryc had little desire to be dragged into drama and entertain the opinions of a bodyguard that didn’t know when to stay silent. He said nothing more as he got into the speeder, knowing full well that the Kaleesh wouldn’t be taken seriously if he attempted a smear campaign as a result. Emryc had been completely guarded against all his employees and no one had anything to pin on him.

The half Sephi kept a completely relaxed demeanor as he slid into the speeder. He was silent for a few moments when the Naboo guard spoke. He glanced into the rearview mirror, his piercing silver eyes flicking to look at the man.

“Whatever the locals drink,” Emryc said, “I’d be a hypocrite to indulge in luxury on a poverty stricken planet.”

@Nefieslab @Rhogar

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Theo didn't make a comment on how Emryc dealt with his security chief because, well, it wasn't any of his business. The Kaleesh was something of a person of interest for the Royal Guard as a whole but only when it came to how he could possibly be a threat to the Queen. How Emryc Thorne organized his own staff was entirely up to him after all. Pulling away easily and smoothly, Theo smiled a little bit about drinking what the locals drank.

Most of the locals drank paint-stripper levels of moonshine but he didn't think Mr Thorne would appreciate that so he decided to go down the other route.

"Having been on planet for a week, I'd say blue milkshake is the best local drink by a parsec." he confirmed for the politician with a smile into the rear-view mirror, "I'll send the message on ahead."

**

Said message was received loud and clear by Lancer, head of the Queen's guard, as the Queen and her small entourage stopped at a local diner on the outskirts of the town. It had an outside seating area and Lancer made sure that his Queen would have a table with a large parasol. Of course he also made sure that the next closest table was occupied by himself so as to keep people from keeping too close.

He bought a drink himself to make sure it wasn't a net loss for the business to lose out on a table due to security procedures.

"I don't like this your highness - already things have become chaotic."

Emilia just hummed a little bit as she played with the straw in the blue-milkshake that was currently sat on the table. By some amusing quirk of the owner, the milkshake was comically large for one person... which was why there was another straw apparently waiting for someone who was going to share it.

How cute, it reminded her of some of the corny holoshows she occasionally caught up with.

"Lancer, you believe anything that isn't a gated compound is rife with chaos." she teased him a little bit, "Besides - I do believe that is Mr Thorne pulling up now. Do behave yourself, yes?"

Lancer nodded once.

"I shall act entirely as my station requires me, your Highness."

Yes she had been afraid that wouldn't be enough to remove the stick from his arse but she supposed it was half the reason why he was such an effective head of security.

"Mr Thorne... I was beginning to think I'd have to drink this milkshake all by myself." she called out to Emryc as Theo escorted the man closer, rising from her seat to meet him, "What do you think? Amidala-chic enough?"

@Sreeya