Ask Dolla Dolla Bill Y'all

[Zeyt Wic]

A young boy yearns to be King. Use him. Take Dolla for the Sith.

These were the instructions given to the small crew of Sith shipped off to the planet of Dolla. Zeyt, alongside two acolytes, was the leading this crew. A few troops and ships waited for their signal to swoop in as well. Their transport in was civilian and meant to get them in without raising too many questions. Military invasion was hardly the way to go according to instructions from up top. This planet was independent and ruled by a king who was experienced. The Sith could take the planet by pure force, but that would be so much more expensive and attention-grabbing than they needed while the galaxy was focused on the Zaa Fenn.

"I'm Zeyt, don't believe I've worked with either of you before..., what are your specialties?" Zeyt, who was in his main human form, asked of his companions as they landed.

The Clawdite Sith Champion had his usual set of equipment on him when acting as Zeyt the human. His lightsaber was clipped under his robes as to not be obvious in the city here and his flash pistol was hidden in a pocket. At a glance, the only weapon he had was a small vibroblade sheathed at his side which was fairly normal to see anywhere in the galaxy. Dolla's capital city was nothing too special when it came to urban areas. It had cramped streets, speeder traffic, many buildings, and a big palace alongside the government complexes. Sentients of many types were in the streets but most were human.

"Our contacts say the young prince attends a youth academy in the city. Might be easier to approach from there than break into a palace."

@Tom @Versok

 

[Anai Skhess]

Dolla was a small planet, not important in the grand scheme of things, but it had it's uses all the same. Bringing the planet to the sith's fold meant it would become the bridge between Eriadu and close territories they would want to conquer. Not only that, but it had valuable information gained from wars a long, long time ago. Every small conquest was a step closer to achieving their endgoals as a faction, so Anai gladly decided to take part of this mission, something important but not too vital, something that could make her prove herself, as it was her first task under the sith.

Wearing robes over her traditional clothes and her mask under her face, the Kaleesh acolyte followed the champion that would no doubt lead the mission, lightsaber and a small blade hidden under her clothing as she listened carefully anything he had to say. As a champion, he was the most experienced one in here, so Anai would decide to simply listen to the adult for now "I can sneak around...I can scout, I can track targets...And I can capture or hurt people, if we end up needing that." Abilities she had learnt since she was little from hunting and fighting for her tribe, thinks that she hoped would come in handy for the situation.

"I-huh...I am not good at talking, not used to the galaxy's...customs. I should probably leave that to you if it comes to it, sir." Of course, after the party fiasco, Anai had come to the conclusion that she really had no clue about how to handle such social situations, she was insecure about it before, but a kick on the head for reasons she didn't understand sure did make her feel like she didn't belong. It was surely better for her to stay out of the way and keep quiet unless she needed to strike someone.

@Tom @Oreus

 

[Alexios De'jaal]

​

Alexios had joined up on this mission on quite short notice. He hadn't really known what he was getting himself into when he'd first offered up his aid, but to be perfectly frank, he couldn't care less. The young aristocrat had spent years on Dromund Kaas, and any break from boring lessons and abysmal weather were a welcome respite. As it turned out, he wasn't expected to go and fight a legion of Jedi or bring back the head of a rancor (thankfully). No, it was to make an alliance with a child.

Though, it might not have been as difficult as he initially thought. He himself was barely 16, while the champion with him looked to be in his 20's... and he couldn't really tell when looking at the other acolyte. Even after spending years surrounded by aliens of all kinds, he had no clue as to what the girl next to him even was. It didn't help that her face was concealed by a mask... or was that her face? "Should I ask?" He thought to himself, considering it for a total of two seconds, before dismissing the idea outright.

The champion introduced himself, and the boy had a brief distraction from the awkwardness he'd imposed on himself. Quickly regaining his composure, he replied, "We have not; I've yet to see any indication that it will be less than a privilege to serve alongside you." The boy replied. Flattery was almost always effective, at least with some of the instructors at the academy. "I am Alexios De'jaal Eirene filias secundas-- but Alex works."

The alien woman took a different approach to answering the question, skipping all the social niceties and getting straight to what she was good at-- and admitting that she wasn't exactly cut out for diplomacy. Quickly, the boy replied, "If fortune favors us, your skills won't be necessary-- but it's reassuring to know that we're in capable... " He paused, before glancing down at the appendages that were at the end of her arms. "...claws."

Allowing only a moment of awkward silence, Alexios would add, "I've spent much of my education on diplomatic conduct. Should my assistance in that matter be required, or desired, I will be at your disposal." He said, referring to the champion. He was juggling with how the man preferred to style himself; whether they were comrades or subordinates might not matter to the mission, but when it came to interactions like these, social roles were very important to establish.

​

@Oreus @Versok

 

[Anai Skhess]

The Kaleesh listened as Alexios explained his strengths...Which were pretty much the opposite of hers. Well, that was nice, it meant that they had all their bases covered. The two acolytes walked towards their destination: The most expensive private academy in the whole galaxy, there the heir to the throne would be found getting a proper education, it wouldn't be too hard to get inside if they played their cards right...Convincing the boy would be the difficult part of it.

"So..." Anai looked at Alexios and then at the academy, just realizing how big it was...It was almost as big as the sith ones even though only a small amount nobles attended there, she didn't understand why the leaders of these planets had to waste so many resources like that "Should I stay by your side while you do the walking acting like a bodyguard?" The Kaleesh acolyte asked, the straight course of action that would make Alexios look like something more important than a simple acolyte...She just wondered if she should take off her mask if they went along with that, bone masks had no place in civilized discussions...Or so she had been told by all the people that also called her an uncivilized alien.

"I could also remain hidden so I can surprise them if things go haywire for any reason...Your call" Which one was the better option? She didn't know, would she even have a place to hide inside that academy? Whatever his choice was, it probably needed to be done now before she was actually spotted and left with only one option

@Tom

 

[Alexios De'jaal]

​

The alien's words were precise, and, as he was beginning to realize, to the point. She didn't beat around the bush-- something he could appreciate in her. He was skilled in the art of Euphemism and discussion, but it was refreshing when such a veil was pulled back and they could speak frankly. They had two primary options; openness, or concealment. There were advantages to both, and they mainly relied on how they wanted to go about the mission.

"I believe that in effective diplomacy, it's best if we don't lay all our cards out on the table." He began, before adding, "But hiding a member of our delegation for a potential combat situation would be dishonest, and I don't think the combat situation will be serious enough to warrant such an extreme. That isn't to mention that the possible ramifications of failure will be magnified if it's discovered that we brought one of our own anticipating conflict." He explained, laying out his reasoning rather quickly.

"In otherwords, whether we succeed or fail, we ought to come openly-- and not by stealth." He finished on his tangent. "That isn't to mention the benefits of keeping you with us. Your mere presence is a display of our strength-- a show of our ability to provide the prince with power." He explained. The boy was letting his education show with how flowery his language was. He... usually didn't talk like this, all things considered, so he'd add "...you're a better asset to us in the open than in the shadows. At least right now." Just to make sure she didn't think he was some uptight bookworm.

As they approached the academy, he glanced at their superior one time before he looked at his fellow acolyte once again. "I believe we'll go ahead immediately-- as long as you're comfotable."

​

@Oreus @Versok

 

[Anai Skhess]

Anai listened intently as Alexios started to say his piece, his way to putting words reminding her of the elders of the tribe back then, a lot of words that sounded pretty but could get the point across...He was definitely the one that was more adept at speaking out of the two, and so she nodded when he explained his reasoning "Being upfront about it will probably be wiser if we go in expecting to talk it out, I suppose...I understand." Would they even have a problem if it ended up with a fight? There couldn't possibly be enough guards in there to stop three siths, acolytes or not...Right?

"I'm ready, let's go." Anai said, leading the front as she made her way inside the academy. The entrance itself was guarded, but other than a cautious glance, the guards didn't seem to bother them. The reason for it being that just after entering they would encounter a desk with an old lady managing things while a few other guards patrolled the zone.

"...I suppose that's some sort of secretary or recepcionist?" Anai leaned in to whisper at Alexios, the woman taking her gaze off her computer after noticing the two acolytes as the guards gave them an odd look. "I think we're supposed to talk to her before trying to search for the prince." The Kaleesh acolyte stopped leaning and did her best to imitate the mannerisms of the tribe leader's bodyguards back home, her stoic gaze meeting that of the guards while she let Alexios do the talking.

@Tom

 

[Alexios De'jaal]

​

His fellow acolyte understood his position, which was a relief. Conflict this early on in the mission would be a bad sign of things to come. "Very well." he replied to her statement, turning forward as the two would head inside. He allowed the taller woman to take the lead, and quite a pair they looked-- some tall, muscular alien in a bone mask, and a short, diminutive human right behind her. One dressed in finery and silk, the other wearing traditional garbs.

It was no wonder that the old woman regarded them with such a curious, confused expression. Alexios gave Anai a silent nod, before taking the lead as he'd walk forward. The older woman regarded him alone, and gave a passing glance to his companion before refocusing on him. "What is your business?" She'd ask in an old, sour tone, clearly worn down by the years. Alexios would bow his head, take hold of the flowing silk robes before him, and bow from the hips, keep the silks from hitting the floor.

"Dia Chaírete, pulchra femina. I am called Alexios Ja'deel. I've come to inquire on one of your students, that being the young prince." He explained, the only lie in the statement being his identity. The older woman raised an eyebrow at his greeting in his native language, but she wasn't very much flattered over it. She glanced over at the Kaleesh, eyes narrowing slightly before turning back to Alexios.

"And what business does she have here? What relation has she to you?" She'd ask, specifying with the final touch. The boy pursed his lips, glancing back at his comrade before turning to address the woman again. "She... is my companion and protector. While your city is extravagant and it's people virtuous... there are always degenerate elements, even in the finest of urban centers." He explained, being about as charitable as he could in his description.

"...Annee..." He began, trying to remember the names written out on the mission debriefing. "You're definitely butchering that-- stop before she decides to butcher you." He thought to himself. "...my companion is simply here to make sure I am not harmed over the duration of our stay." He finally stated, stepping back. The older woman's expression seemed to relax a bit, but she would respond, "...and... what is it you wish to... inquire about?" she'd press further.

"...that would be something I can only speak to him specifically on. I and my associate are under specific instructions in that matter. Our... employers... have a very specific interest, and we would not like to see it... compromised." He explained, sanitizing every bit of his statement and leaving the rest open for interpretation.

"...well, usually such meetings are arranged several days in advance. I'm not sure I can simply wheel you in during the middle of class to meet a student-- much less the prince." She replied, reclining in her chair. "I believe I can accommodate you in 2-3 business days-- though seeing as that's over the weekend, you can be here first thing at the start of the next school week." She went on in a neutral drawl-- the most friendly she'd sounded the entire time. Alexios stood there, lips pursed, before he'd nod.

"Very well. Might I inquire as to the location of your rest rooms?" He'd ask. She'd casually point behind her. Alexios would nod to Anai, waving for her to follow once he'd moved past her.

They weren't going to wait the better part of a week. They would see the prince today.

​

@Versok