Ask Fool Me Twice

[Renfry]

The Arbiter and Pursuer combination was likely going to become a regular acquisition of the Empress as her rule continued. Having a mobile city at your command was useful, though she found herself longing for the plants and jungles of home. Or even any planet. The myriad of plants that she had had placed in her personal room simply didn't cut it for her.

She pulled her thoughts free from random and unproductive musings as her eyes flicked back to the briefing in front of her. It was round two of trying to meet with the Syndicates, and unfortunately, Renfry was not in as positive of a mood this time.

Imperial Intelligence had compiled a report of the man she was to meet, and this time she was taking no chances. She wouldn't be going into another penthouse packed with enemies, but instead the meeting would be held aboard the Arbiter floating in dead space at prearranged coordinates just outside Southern Imperial territory.

Shane Covax. Member of the Zaa Fenn. Enforcer, she mumble-read to herself. She'd been informed that was somewhat equivalent to a Commander of the Empire, which gave her a better understanding of what she was dealing with.

But the situation was changing. Public declarations of war by the ISC against the pirates involved put optics on this little alliance under further scrutiny. There was much to consider.

As for Covax, he would be allowed to land his ship in the hangar and any members of his crew or retinue would be allowed to remain in relative comfort aboard the ship while he was escorted up to a large conference room where the Empress sat at a table. There were a lot of plants at the edges of the room, which was highly unusual for most conference rooms, but to each their own. She was dressed in simply red and black robes with a saber hanging from her belt and a datapad and several pieces of paper in front of her, awaiting his arrival.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax approached the Sith destroyers with caution. Checking and re-checking the systems as he came into the hanger of the massive vessel. The old tub was completely out of place among the rank and file of Imperial Ties and Shuttles. As out of place as he felt.

He was surprised the Sith Empress accepted his request for an audience. Among the Crymorah, it was assumed war was coming. That red laser sword swinging wizards would be on their doorstep before the end of the year's cycle. It was the Enforcer's hope to avoid that. With the ISC declaration of war the family would need allies. Or at the very lease not to face an enemy on two fronts.

It was also a power move for the former soldier, turned merc, and now syndicate made man. He was an Enforce now, but he had plans, ideas. Fixing this uneasy alliance would place him firmly on the path to those goals.

The Enforce took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly as he lowered the ramp of the old ship to a welcoming party a four black armored Stormstroopers. He walked until he found himself among them and then was suddenly marching in lockstep with them toward the Empress' chamber.

The towering human was dressed in all black, a fitted t-shirt, utility pants, knee length coat, and boots. Along with his utility belt and his hand cannon. Not that he had any intention of using it. As the group approached the open door of the room the troopers stood at attention. Covax walked in as far as mid way to her desk, far as he'd dare. He was suddenly very glad for the coat.

"Empress Andruil, it's an honor to finally meet you."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

The door slid open and she quickly let her eyes run over the man. He looked like a soldier. He was large and athletic, practically dwarfing the much smaller Empress who was still sitting at the table.

She motioned toward one of the chairs to indicate he was welcome to take a seat. I'm a bit surprised you were interested in having this meeting, she said honestly. Her tone was neutral, giving neither the impression of warmth nor confrontation.

She let her mind melt into the Shadow, feeling the way it ebbed and flowed through the room and picking up hints of the man's thoughts and intentions. It wasn't an invasive action, but one that was simply a passive side effect of her connection to the Shadow.

Who exactly do you speak for? she asked. It was quite obvious that as Empress she spoke for the Empire, but he was more vague. Had he assumed Preef's position on his death? Was he a single warlord vying for power like the Sith Lords had been under the Eternal? Did he represent more individuals than simply Crymorah?

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax raised an eyebrow as she watched her eye him. Perhaps equally surprised at the other's appearance. He did not doubt her abilities, or willingness to use them if it mood suddenly stuck her. But, still. She was so tiny.

The Enforcer would give a polite nod of acceptance as she motioned for him to sit. He would then take a few more measured steps and sit in the chair before her desk. Even sitting, he was more then a head above her. "I'm more surprised you accepted," he freely admitted. His tone, like her own was neutral.

He was not trained in mental defense from the force, so her passive probing would open him to her much like a book. He did not fear her, but rather embraced the possibility of death if it came. He also had no ill will or thoughts or revenge on behalf of anyone. What she wouldn't see is a clear idea of what he wanted, because even he wasn't completely sure what it was he was looking for.

"I'm speak for myself, and for the Zaa Fenn family." he replied. He was not a boss or crime lord, yet. But he had just as much right to speak for them. As the sudden loss of Callo left their organization reeling.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She nodded slightly as he said that he was surprised she took the meeting. She still wasn't sure it was the right decision, but a war with the Syndicates really wasn't what she had intended when she met with Preef either. Sometimes life surprised you in the worst possible ways.

Contrary to what I've allowed the galaxy to think, war with the Syndicates was not my agenda in meeting with your former boss, she said. The truth was that the way that things had changed she was also doubtful an alliance would be had, but it wasn't impossible. Just more difficult for everyone involved.

So were you and I to come to terms today, the rest of Zaa Fenn would follow your lead? she asked. She wondered how precisely he exerted his control. At the end of a blaster? It certainly wouldn't have been out of place. The Syndicates weren't entirely different from the Sith, and that was why she knew that in order to truly make a deal, he needed the leverage over the others within his organization.

And the rest of Crymorah? she asked. She couldn't expect him to have control over the entirety of all the Syndicates, but even his own would be a start.

And what is it that you hope to accomplish here today, Mr. Covax? she asked. She didn't ask how long until he tried to put a knife in her back. In truth, she had expected to hear word from some of the others - the Hutt Cartel for instance - but hadn't expected a peace offer from the very Syndicate she had moved against. Perhaps it was a sign of unrest "at home." Or perhaps it was simply concern about the rather large stick the Empire was walking around with these days. The truth was that she didn't really want another war either.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax sat back a little and allowed his body to ease as the she spoke. "No. No, if I had to guess you wanted to assure him nothing had to change, perhaps even make a new deal. And Preef fired off his mouth just a quick as he did that hand cannon? Sound about right?" He said with a measured tone. The former merc hand a lot of respect for the rodian, but he had an ego bigger than a Hutt.

"I'm taking point on behalf of those who will lead. We will continue to run Zaa Fenn, and thus the Crymorah. So yes, the terms we agree to will be held up by our syndicate." he replied. He understood the question in her tone. To her his title was little more than another of her Champions. However in killing Callo she had caused a shift in power. But again her passive ability to read him would tell her he spoke the truth.

"I want what you want Empress, not to fight a war on multiple fronts. What I need is a mutually beneficial alliance." he replied. It didn't ask for any more or any less. He knew she didn't completely trust him, but also understood my her tone thus far that she could not afford to be surrounded by enemies anymore then he and his faction could.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She nodded thoughtfully at his reply to her question, and mused momentarily on his own assertions on what had happened between she and Mr. Callo. He was so on point that she almost wondered if he had had some sort of recording device set up in the room, and the possibility that he knew Emryc's secret momentarily flitted through her mind as well.

Either that or he knew Preef quite well. The two options were too close to call in terms of likelihood. But if he knew Preef that well, then one thing still stuck out in her mind.

You don't seem terribly distraught over Mr. Callo's death, she said, one part question one part statement. Though, again, if it was like the Sith perhaps she shouldn't be shocked.

I can't support you in a war against the ISC. They're one of the few entities we're not currently at war with, she said, which was a true statement. In this case, it actually wasn't because of Emryc, but a sheerly practical standpoint. She was dubious about the Syndicate's ability to win a war against the ISC, and if they fell, it would be the entire galaxy against the Empire.

But you're not incorrect, I did offer a deal to your former boss, she said. Though, the truth was that she was no longer confident in whether that deal was something she was interested in. Still, it might be worth it for a number of reasons.

What does a mutually beneficial alliance look like to your mind? she asked. Though she already had something in mind, she put the ball in his court. Yes, she was full of insufferable tests, but it was in her nature and the nature of her position within the Empire to test everyone. The galaxy was a dangerous place, and missteps could not be afforded.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

The Queen as a near perfect Sabacc face, but eve the former merc caught the slighted narrowing of the eyes as his words about Preef struck her ears. He was either on point, or at the very least in the black. But the Rodian wasn't a hard man to read, even in the short time Covax knew him.

"I respected the Rodian, but without his number two he was slipping. It was only a matter of time before his number came up." he said. His tone and expression mostly unchanged. It would be clear the two were not friends. In truth Callo needed fresh blood in the family, and after the hit on Durr he gave the merc a shot. Nothing more, surely nothing less.

"Truth, ISC was a surprise. I only heard the broadcast on the way here. But considering the hits you've taken recently I can understand not wanting to make more enemies. It is after all the biggest reason I asked for this meeting. We, don't need any more enemies." he said. The family on it's heels, he really didn't want to worry about ISC or Sith. Bringing the other Syndicates to heel was where he wanted to focus, where he intended to focus. Until Thorne declared open season.

Covax took a measured moment then as Andruil ask his option. He was a mercenary and a former soldier, so of course his thoughts went to what made the most tactical sense. Keep the spice flowing. "Allow Zaa Fenn to build production facilities on the Northern Edge of Sith space and control distribution in Sith space. You get a percentage of the profits or production, and access to our future supply routes in and out of the core. Allowing you to move to move men and material without moving your fleets." he said finally.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

That stone-cold face she had was one she had been forced to learn over the years. A gradual progression she had learned from none other than the President of the ISC himself. Of course, that wasn't going to be something that she would say here and now. That topic was what had caused such a falling out in the last meeting...

She nodded as he went on to talk about what was going on in the galaxy, and she briefly wondered what exactly would end up happening with this war between the Syndicates and the ISC. She supposed it made sense that they were both looking to decrease their number of enemies.

If I legalize spice trade in the Empire, it will be regulated by the Empire, she said. That has its pros and cons for you, but the rest of crime in the galaxy will not be a free for all, she said. The rule of law was still something the Empire would enforce. Protection rackets, flesh trade, and other operations were still bad for the health of the fledgling government.

We can support your expansion into the Inner Rim and Core Worlds for a cost, she said. Legalizing spice trade was still a questionable decision, but one that many in the Empire would support. She hoped it wouldn't come back to bite her in the end.

Proxy attacks against FWA and Republic space from time to time, overseen by a member of the Imperial Council, she said. She wasn't even sure he had the authority to be putting people on any kind of a Council within the Syndicates, but he was here when no one else was.

And what of the other Syndicates? Rumor has it there's trouble between the groups, she said, wondering just what she was getting out of this. Making a deal with Crymorah that wouldn't be honored by the others was only of so much benefit to her.

@Taz