Ask Friends In High Places

[Darth Arcanos]

Roman Kallo (@Alhon )was proving to be an exceptional apprentice. Not only had he blown up Imperial Czerka, but he assisted in obtaining some crucial blueprints for a star destroyer. The acolyte’s devotion to the Sith and Azar’s teachings ensured he had a bright future ahead of him. In turn, Azar rewarded him in kind by giving him a sizable chunk of income from the deathstick factory that was granted to the pureblood for the Czerka job.

Azar had the blueprints reviewed and tweaked by an engineer he mentally corrupted to add a few vulnerabilities for insurance purposes. The Kressh was entirely too calculating to give away such a prize without a way to dismantle it just as easily. The blueprints were requested by Skelgok originally, but in reality the Hutt had little direct assets to control. The highest bidder was Nor’baal, someone Azar had already worked with before.

He contacted the Hutt by Holonet, giving him a smile, “The great and illustrious Emperor Nor’baal,” Azar announced, doing the usual rituals to butter up the entity that was making big moves across the galaxy, “I bring you interesting news and something to trade,” Azar said, “Your subordinate Skelgok - the one that imprisoned one of my colleagues - was seeking blueprints for some curiously large ships. I’m certain you were aware of such things,” Azar smiled sweetly, “But I am a businessman and I need to think of where I can get the best possible price. So I came to the highest potential bidder. What can you offer me in exchange for the blueprints for a Venator class destroyer and information you perhaps didn’t have before.”

@Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Nor'baal was eating, and he did not like being interrupted when doing so. With a mouth full of happabore meat, pulled together into some form of noxious broth, he shooed away his discerning majordomo as the Hutt answered the Holocall. Azar was proving to be a relatively ambitious newcomer to the galactic stage, and Nor'baal was interested to hear what he had to offer and what he wanted in return.

These days, people view Nor'baal as a dispenser of favours and a giver of wealth. But that was not a shock to the Hutt; after all, people will want some of it when you sit atop a mountain of gold.

As Azar praised and flattered him, Nor'baal nodded, a globule of saliva fermenting at the corner of his mouth. Skelgok's imprisonment of one of Azars's colleagues was quite entertaining and an impressive move from a Hutt of his Clan. <It isn't easy, what you ask. Skelgok's prisoner is, by rights, his property. It is," he waved his hand as if trying to discern how appropriate the term he used was <-unseemly for me to intervene in his business.>. Whilst Nor'baal could just demand the lesser Hutt give him the prisoner, he would need to sweeten the deal himself, to ensure a good trade for all.

Plus he could always just take the designs and then demand Skelgoks tribute increase if he wanted those designs himself?

<Tell me, why is this prisoner of my cousins so important to you? If you need a new slave, I can always have one sent to you from my collection?>

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Nor’baal’s answer drew out a chuckle before Azar could help it. He politely covered his mouth like a prim and proper prince, but the amusement couldn’t be helped, “Your eminence, the relationship I seek to forge with you is far too valuable for me to waste any favors unless it is of critical importance,” He shook his head, “I have already negotiated the release of said prisoner, but thought you may wish to know that the reward for going over to collect a prize for the successful defense of Kessel is imprisonment,” Azar said, his tone returning to serious, “It’s the kind of thing that can make others…nervous about ever assisting your clan on future endeavors.”

He paused there to let Nor’baal react before moving on, “No, I come to you solely to conduct business on the destroyer blueprints. Unless, of course, I am mistaken and you are not interested nor the highest bidder…” He trailed off there.

@Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

The Hutts' eyes narrowed.

Whilst Azar could not see it, as they communicated via holo, those in Nor'baals throne room stopped what they where doing. A palpable sense of unease washed across the room. <Clear the room.> the Supreme Mogul instructed with a cold menace in his tone. He waited for a handful of moments as his guards saw the room empty, before stepping outside themselves. In the background of the holocomm a loud thud would signal the blast doors to his room and slammed shut.

<I will deal with this myself.> Nor'baal retorted in a tone that required no reply. If Skelgok had failed to pay his mercenaries, Nor'baal would know the truth. It was unconscionable that a Hutt would welch on a deal of such importance; payment of mercenaries was a sacred law, the Desilijic always paid their debts. <Whatever payment is owed to the mercenary, I shall meet from my own pocket. If you friend-> Nor'baal spat the word, unused to saying it himself <Provides proof of an agreed payment, it will be paid in full.> the Hutt moved on to the other matter, as he considered how best to ensure Skelgok learned his lesson.

He waited to respond to the man's second point.

<Do not mistake my generosity for friendship.> the Hutts eyes narrowed, his fat tongue lapping across his dry bottom lip as he pondered this deal. <None can outbid the House of Desilijic, and you show a foresight usually beyond the grasping of your kind in coming before me.> he drummed his fingers on the arm of is throne. He given the man an income beyond the reach of most already - Nor'baal saw no need to offer mere credits in payment; such things were beneath them both.

<You have ambition. The likes of which I have not seen in decades.> Nor'baal thought out loud <So tell me, if I continue to do business with you, how can we both stand to prosper from your rise? What is is your desire? It cannot be mere credits - those you have, and more you can always acquire. What truly do you seek from your business with the Clan?> Nor'baal looked at the man as he awaited his answer.

There was opportunity here, for more than an exchange of goods - perhaps there was a chance to build something greater?

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar was unfazed by the subtle jabs thrown by Nor’baal at the Sith. After all, he was aware of the stories of the past, namely Darth Draugr and then the former Imperial Knight Lord Commander. Nor’baal had dealt with many Forcer users and most of them had the mental capacity of a pile of rocks.

“I wish to survive and thrive regardless of how the galaxy changes and takes shape,” He said, “Which means coexisting with a potential Hutt Empire,” He explained, “I have a powerbase I’m creating adjacent to the coveted Imperial Eastern front,” Azar said with a smile, “Perhaps we can come to a mutual understanding that advances our respective ambitions.”

He paused there, “For the immediate terms, however, the Sith Order can benefit from a strike fleet. We have no need for a destroyer and other such ships, but a fleet composition of battle carriers with accompanying loadout, frigates and corvettes seems like a fair trade for the ability to churn out your own destroyers.”

Azar rubbed his chin in thought, “Perhaps as a token of our not-friendship, you would allow me to invest for profit in Hutt Czerka?” He wasn’t stupid, he knew it was only a matter of time till that corporation recovered with rebranding that was ultimately controlled by the Hutts. Azar had credits to play with and the cause was mutual. He knew Nor’baal would have the ability to make him a lot of consistent income, just as he would do the same in return.

@Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Hutt Czerka? Nor'baal smiled to himself, a hideous action that looked profoundly unnatural for a Hutt to perform. With the changes guaranteed under the Concordat, Nor'baal could not invest handsomely in Imperial businesses - although he had yet to enact it fully. Plus, having an ally positioned near the Imperial Eastern Front would be helpful should he choose to reignite the conflict at a time more suitable to his needs.

Parting with ships was something he was loathe to do, but he could do so this time. That, however, would not stop Nor'baal from playing hard to get <You ask a lot from me, Azar—a fleet, sharing in business ventures.> he waxed heavy, pretending this was all some great chore for him.

<But, you do bring much to the table. An alliance with your fledgling Kingdom, one which will expand thanks to Hutt provided ships, and credits from business ventures we share, that is something I endorse.> his smile grew as he nodded sagely. <Ships, yes - this we will provide. In return, our alliance will grow deeper, and we both can embark on ensuring 'Imperial' Czerka falls beneath our thumbs.> he added, with finality, proposing a deal to Azar directly.

@Sreeya