Ask Me, You, and the Black Sun

Bel

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ORD MANTELL | Worlport City




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Bel was more than happy to hit up his favorite woman for yet another 'date' on Ord Mantell. The previous endeavor resulted in a few tight fights with crazy plot twists and turns. This day was going to be hopefully more straight forward than the last. Lonely Horde Incorporated was a huge multipurpose casino in Worlport City, and Bel had gotten a meeting with one of the owners. Bel had been a private investor for a while, and his guise as a Private Investigator gave him opportunities like this one.

Xur Grunseit had asked for the undercover Agent to attend a meeting in the upper levels of the casino. Bel had yet to know what the meeting was for, but he was aloud a plus one. Bring in Cheriss Ktrame- the woman who stole Bel's heart, according to his friends and sources. Her shared ownership of Tonica Corp had given her status a bump since the medical institution's prices for supplies had gone back down to reasonable amounts. With Bel on the business council, he, too, had a good grip on Avok and wasn't afraid to crack down on the CEO if he tried anything stupid.

But, back to the Grand Casino; It's lower levels served as just a basic party palace, the central levels were used for marketing and business endeavors, while the upper levels were reserved for those that help build the company. What secrets were they hiding up there? Bel had yet to find out- but maybe this meeting could share a little insight into what the Horde was investing in.

The Nightbrother awaited the arrival of his companion outside a fancy bar. He was dressed in a fairly nice all-black suit with flecks of crimson red and silver on his vest. Instead of a landspeeder, Bel had cleaned up a swoop bike he had acquired on Dromund Kaas. It, too, was glossy black so that it matched Bel's attire.

"C'mon, Ktrame... don't keep me waitin'..." Bel muttered to himself with a giddy smile.




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Cheriss Ktrame

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The call from Bel about helping him infiltrate a casino had been rather… unexpected. Granted, Cheriss hadn’t planned on returning to Ord Mantell so soon, but the message had sounded urgent, even if it was a bit vague. After the somewhat last minute request she’d given him last time, she felt that she could at least help him with this one small favor, despite his insistence on this being yet another fake date. That approach was quite unconventional, in her view.

Their meeting place was a bar a short walk away from the casino itself, and when the neon bright light marking it came into view, the very next thing Cheriss noticed was the Zabrak standing underneath it, a sleek black swoop bike next to him. He was quite well-dressed too, fitting for the occasion.

“Good afternoon, Bel,” Cheriss said with a hint of a smile when she approached him. She too had opted for mostly black attire— a simple dress that likely wouldn’t draw any attention. Of course, with it being somewhat tight-fitting around the waistline she hadn’t brought her lightsaber. Where they were going, she doubted she would need it, and she trusted herself to do fine without it anyway.

“Avock has been cooperating, I hope.”
It was more of a rhetorical statement— the pair kept him on a tight leash. “However I do have a feeling that you called for a different reason this time. Care to enlighten me on what this meeting will be about?”

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Bel

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"To you as well, Cheriss," Cheriss looked beautiful as always and Bel found the fact that she made any simple dress look good a little amusing. "Mostly, the casino calls me in to round up idiots trying to get away with a few extra pocketed credits. This time..." Bel shrugged. If Cheriss thought that Bel's initial message was vague, then she wasn't going to love the information Bel received either. "...I'm not sure. They wanted me to attend a board meeting...but they asked for me to bring a friend." The Agent assumed that Xur expected Bel to bring some sort of side-chick to show off, but the Zabrak decided to take a smarter approach.

"You're clever, so I thought it would be easier to bring you along. It's nice having someone around that can keep up with me." He shot her a sly grin before putting on a full-face biker helmet and then offered another one to Cheriss. "The Horde isn't too far away." Bel then revved the engine up and waited for the Champion to take her seat behind him. "You look stunning, by the way." He shouted through his helmet.

Once she was on, Bel wouldn't wait to take off, speeding through the city streets towards a huge building complex. The outside was lined with huge holoscreens that were changing from credits raining down on outstretched hands, silhouettes of exotic dancers, expensive speeders in a drag race, Huttball highlights, and then finally the owner of the casino; Sloan Maifus. A stocky Falleen business man who looked like he could be the next president of the ISC- or at least Bel thought so. Big neon letters seemed to float off the building spelling out, Lonely Horde Incorporated - Where Your Fortune is Just Beyond the Horizon.

After arriving, a chauffer greeted the pair, took their helmets and then drove the Swoop bike away so the two could make their way inside. The inside of the casino was just as grand and bougie as the outside, if not more so already. It was bustling with activity as humanoids from all over the galaxy tried their luck at the many slot machines and betting tables. Lavish bars had holotelevisions of ongoing Huttball matches in the arena room and live recordings of the current musical shows held in the theater. A familiar Falleen then approached the two with open arms that pulled Bel into a tight hug.

"Ohohohooo! Bel, it's good to see ya'! The meeting will start in just a few minutes, we'll head up their now." Xur let the Zabrak go and then turned to meet Cheriss. "Oh, but who did you manage to steal aside for this occasion, huh? She's gorgeous!" Xur would then gently take Cheriss by the hand and kiss it. "But I bet you were the one to sweep the devil off his feet, ey?" Xur grinned friendly and chuckled heartily.
Xur, along with an escort of equally intimidating Falleen security, guided the undercover Sith through the crowds of people to an elevator. However, Xur had to scan one of his eyes before the elevator began going up.

"To the top?" Bel asked. "To the top." Xur said with sudden seriousness.

The long and awkward quiet was interrupted by the ding and opening of the doors, to which the security team stayed inside, allowing for Xur, Bel, and Cheriss to get out. The hallways were lit by low-light ceiling lights while the carpet was a beautiful mottled pattern of golden and red. One-way windows to several office rooms were tinted so well that Bel thought thermal vision might not even be able to see what was happening inside those walls.

"Wait here." Was all Xur said before quickly making his way down one of the corridors. "Yeah...This is probably going to be bigger business than a band of rebels." Bel muttered to Cheriss.



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Cheriss Ktrame

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The news that this was some type of board meeting didn’t surprise her that much. Of course they’d kept it vague, especially when he was allowed to bring a plus one. But when Bel suddenly handed her a helmet?

“You’re serious.”
Cheriss arched her brow. She looked from the Zabrak to the bike, realized that she’d have to go on it either way, then stifled a sigh. All that time spent doing her hair… it was for nothing! Helmet or not, it would be messed up either way. Left with no other option, she put on her helmet and scowled as she reluctantly climbed on behind him. Just like how he’d invited himself into her personal space the first time they’d met, this time she realized that she’d have to hold onto him if she even wanted to stay on the bike. He is definitely doing this on purpose. Left with no other option, she placed her hands on his shoulder as the engine started.

He called her stunning? “I certainly won’t be after this,” she muttered under her breath just before Bel took off.

At the end, she was more than glad to get off the bike. Once the chauffeur took the helmets, Cheriss would quickly fix what she could of her hair and go in after Bel in time to see a Falleen wrapping him in a hug as if they were old friends. Maybe they were, maybe not, but Cheriss would only give a smile that didn’t reach her eyes when the man turned to her and gave her a compliment. As if she hadn’t heard that one a million times before. She would allow the man to take her hand, but when he kissed it, she made a mental note to stop by the restroom next time they passed one.

Soon, when they had arrived Inside the hallway of the top floor with the tinted windows, Cheriss would turn to look at Bel as the Falleen left.

“Hm. You don’t say,” she responded with a wry smile before glancing down the hallway. It would be disappointing if this ended up being less than a few rebels. “Who is he, by the way? You seem to know each other well,” she commented, just as the Falleen came back out.

“They’re ready to see you. Come on in!” He gave the pair a friendly smile before gesturing toward a door, beckoning for them to enter. Here goes.

@Charles
 

Bel

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"His name is Xur Grunseit, the only son of one of the nine Vigo." Bel said curtly. "I did a few jobs for him, and we ended up getting along pretty well." Or getting along enough to be aloud to know of Xur's ancestry or even the fact that he was Black Sun. This was something that always gave Bel a little bit of guilt. He made good relationships with some of these people and sometimes we wasn't sure if he wanted to betray them to the Empire. Those feelings were carefully kept track of and never left the Agent's mouth, but he had them nonetheless.

After Xur came back, he led the two into a full conference room filled with Falleen. At the head of the table sat Maifus. Xur was technically Sloan's second in command, but everyone knew they were both equally in charge of this place. The Falleen had actually explained the reason why Xur acted as a kind of secretary, and it was so that if anything happened to Sloan, they'd have a bigger giant to deal with.

"Welcome back, Bel." Sloan gave the two a slow bow of his head, gesturing for them to take the two open seats on Sloan's left. "Now that our detective is present, we will jump straight into the frying pan..." A hologram in the center of the table activated, showing a 3D rendition of a Trandoshan. It was none other than Yul Reech, the head of security. "Yul, you're live. Tell everyone the same thing you told Xur and I." The female Trandoshan gave a nod before speaking.


"Operation Dark Horizon was a success," This earned a few gasps and murmurs from the others. Bel only shrugged at Cheriss; he had no idea what was happening. "Any and all potential threats that could pose as candidates as leaders of Ord Mantell have been dealt with. Sloan, you have the power to elect yourself or someone else to speak on behalf of the planet. However, the threat of the Hutt Clans is still upon us. I suggest we take action quickly or we risk being expulsed yet again."

Now Bel was catching up. Ever since the death of Phineas Hawthorne, the planet essentially belonged to his murderer, which was Morgaal the Hutt. This operation of theirs must have allowed them to buy off any other aspiring politicians so they could keep a close eye on the Hutt.

"Good. Thank you, Yul." The holo disappeared and Sloan glanced around the table. "Ord Mantell is close to being back in our hands, brothers and sisters. But, this next chapter is going to require a bit more of a violent solution. The Hutt Clans think this planet belongs to them. After losing Mustafar to the Sith..." This earned growls and grumbles from the others, giving Bel a sinking feeling. "And then the purging of the Grunseit family... Black Sun has suffered enough. Now it is our turn to strike back." The board members were all nodding in agreement.


"Thanks to Bel, we've been able to take a choke hold on our rivals. Almost every Casino on this planet is owned by Black Sun, whether or not they compete with this fine establishment. Now, we seek to send a message back to the Hutts. We won't go down quietly." Xur then turned to face Bel and Cheriss. "Bel... Maybe the lady should take a-"

"She stays." Bel interjected, unintentionally placing a hand on Cheriss' thigh. "I can trust her, and so will you." Xur only smiled warmly and bowed his head to Cheriss for forgiveness. "Good. I'm aware that you aren't much of a politician, but while Sloan and I run the underground business, we'll need a face for the Free Trade Corporation. But, you'll have to get your face out there. We know what you're capable of, but the rest of the planet doesn't. Can you do one final favor for the family, old friend?"

Bel looked at Cheriss with an otherwise blank expression, but he poured out his feelings of ambition and motivation through the Force. But, bits of regret and betrayal struck him, too. The Empire was better off than the Syndicates... but these people were like family to the Nightbrother- in some ways more so than his actual family on Dathomir. Would Cheriss understand the conflict he was caught in? Would she scorn him for his weakening loyalty? Bel wanted to run away with her- but he had a feeling Cheriss would've rather she walked.

"What's the job?" Bel looked back at Xur with a stern expression, though he felt like he wanted to fall apart. "This building is both a trade center and an entertainment center. We help start-up organizations, like Tonica Corps, get what they need while swearing fealty to the Suns. The Horde needs more assets. Convince dwindling companies that'll benefit our family to join us and we'll fill the void that's been left by Senator Hawthorne's wake."


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Cheriss Ktrame

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Son of a Vigo? Cheriss didn’t like the sound of that, and she wondered what Bel had gotten himself into if they trusted him to this extent to even bring in a stranger, and if he knew the gravity of the situation at all. She didn’t voice her thoughts out loud as they were escorted into the meeting room filled with Falleen. Yet another warning bell went off. Giving those already seated a polite nod, she would sit down next to Bel and turn her attention to the speaker.

When the Trandoshan appeared through a holocall and the others revealed nearly all their plans, her suspicions were confirmed. This was the Black Sun. They spoke of striking back against the Hutts, and Cheriss found herself getting a little more interested. Back on Gravenell, the Hutt she’d met had mentioned a Falleen, and she wondered if that one had anything to do with what was going on here. It was unlikely that they wanted revenge for the one incident there of a nobody underling, but this spoke of a greater rift between the syndicates than she would have imagined.

With that, maybe she looked like she was paying a little too much attention. Xur even cut himself off trying to get rid of her, to which Bel quickly objected. That she could appreciate, though at the same moment Cheriss felt some movement in the Force. Before Bel’s hand would make contact with her thigh, she would grab his wrist and push his arm back, giving him a hard look before turning back for a quick smile in Xur’s direction as he apologized.

Do not do that again, she warned him telepathically as the Falleen went on and the attention was taken off of the two Sith. She’d already had enough of physical contact from the bike ride than having to deal with it now. In any case, the Black Sun had soon given Bel a clear task— to convince lowly corporations to swear loyalty to the syndicate. But there was no way that Cheriss would let Tonica fall into their dirty hands— she wanted Avock’s commitment to no one but her. And Bel, depending on where his loyalties laid. She could feel the emotions he was relaying to her through the Force, but she couldn’t care less right now. Maintaining control of Tonica was her only priority.

“You provide a generous offer.” She smiled as she turned to Sloan and Xur, making sure to look them in the eye as she went on. “However, Tonica Corp is already doing well in the drug industry, and, I’m rather pleased to say, does not need outside help.” As for other companies, Black Sun could take them if they wanted. If they would become as influential as they made themselves sound, it wouldn’t be difficult to move Tonica’s headquarters off of Ord Mantell and relocate elsewhere. But she would not have the company she and Bel had just acquired so freely given away to a group of criminals. Wasn’t that what they had stopped in the first place?

“I am certain that Bel will make the informed and wise decision once he thinks about the benefits and risks of taking such an action.” Her words were neutral, but she was sure that Bel could make out the icy undertone. If he was questioning his loyalty, she would have none of it.

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Bel

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Bel winced slightly at the threatening message Cheriss sent. He didn't even realized what he was doing before she interrupted his motion. Then, her next words struck him like poison because he loved her. Oh, he simply loved this woman- and he had no idea why. She practically hated everything he did, and yet he still obsessed over whether or not she thought his jokes were funny, or that her words- no matter how cold -always put him at ease.

"I agree with Cheriss," He said with a warm smile that said, I'd do anything for you. "Tonica Corp will be fine for now, seeing as I have my own seat within the corporate's council. But, these other lowly companies you speak of... I will spread the word. Maybe you'll find yourself new assets." Sloan nodded and then looked at Xur. "Well said, friend. Now you two may take your leave. Be quick. Black Sun has no more time to spare."

---

"My apologies, Cheriss," Bel and Cheriss would be back in the bar, enjoying a drink or two paid for by the Agent himself. "For not letting you know how deep I've been swimming..." He did not smile. Only guilt and frustration could be seen in his eyes.


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Cheriss Ktrame

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Cheriss fought the urge to roll her eyes at Xur’s final comment. If Black Sun had no time to spare, that was their problem, not hers. Bel seemed willing to do what they asked, however, minus giving them Tonica Corp, and she found herself wondering yet again who or what he was truly loyal to. Sooner or later he would end up having to make that decision, and if he made the wrong one, well… there would be consequences.

“Thank you for your time.” She smiled at Xur and the other Falleen before making her way out with Bel. She’d look forward to the talk they were going to have later.
---
At the bar, Cheriss opted for a small glass of blossom wine. As she took a sip, she heard Bel talking in the background, but she wouldn’t look at him until he finished. When he did, she would set her glass down on the bartop, her gaze lingering on it for a moment afterwards.

“You should have informed me beforehand,” she agreed before her eyes finally met Bel’s. The emotions behind them were pretty much what she’d expected, and he did look like he meant what he was saying. That didn’t change what had happened, though. “You know I don’t like being kept in the dark.” She didn’t miss the irony there.

“However, I trust you’ll learn from this. Criminals are not ones to be reasoned with— you only go to them when you have to.” Even she wasn’t fond of the likes of them. They were the scum of the galaxy— their visions were limited to how much money they would make the next day. “With the Empire at your back, agent, why lean on the syndicates?” She kept her voice low so that no one around could hear, but she wanted to hear this from Bel. “What do they offer that the Empire doesn’t?”

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Bel downed his glass of ice water after Cheriss spoke, keeping his eyes down on the table. At first the mission was simple; get in league with the Syndicates, giving the Empire a foothold in the criminal underworld. But, as Bel had gotten to know Xur and his friends, he had found the spark of something he had never had before- something he had desperately tried to find but never could. So, he slowly looked up into the Champion's eyes, hoping she'd understand what he was to say next.

"Because they gave me something the Empire never could," He began, his tone somber and bland. "Companionship... Family..." Then his eyes would finally meet hers. "Love... The Empire doesn't have any of that. If they do... I must not be enough to have it." He clenched his fingers into a fist. "My loyalty still remains to the Empire, however. I'm just not sure for how much longer..." Then, his eyes broke off from hers and he settled for staring at the table again.



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Cheriss Ktrame

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This was the most serious Cheriss had ever seen Bel, and when he met her eyes she could tell he was being genuine. The things he mentioned, though… how was it that he found them in criminals? They were nothing more than pirates and smugglers, albeit with some kind of order. Their skills could always be put to better use, but they chose to do nothing of value with them.

“Careful about what you say out here.” Cheriss tipped her head lightly in the direction of the others at the bar. None of them looked like imperials, but neither did she or Bel, and in this day and age one never knew where one’s allegiances lay or who would rat you out. And even though the Empire wasn’t her top priority right now, she still didn’t want to be caught sympathizing with someone who questioned his loyalty. However, she would still add, “A life in the syndicates means a life on the run. They’ll cast you aside as soon as you lose your value. At least the Empire won’t hunt you down after you retire.” As far as she knew, anyway.

She took another drink, setting her glass down as she looked at Bel again.

“You never did say why you chose to become an agent rather than a champion,” she said idly. “That isn’t the typical route to go.”

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Cheriss didn't understand the relationship Bel had with those men. Was it because she never had something like that, too? Or was she trying to keep Bel away from making a mistake in leaving the Empire? The Agent thought it was the latter. Either way, Bel knew she was wrong in more ways than one. The Empire was just as willing to exterminate failures as the Syndicates, the only difference was that they did it publicly to humiliate the accused and to send a message to everyone else. Caelian had lost his ear and his tongue and nearly his life for his failure on Onderon- which was a Sith victory, nonetheless.

"The Empire doesn't let anyone retire, Cheriss. Once you aren't fit to serve, they make you disappear." Bel grumbled in a hushed tone. "What do you think happens to us if we no longer serve a purpose, huh? We're expendable. Numbers on a screen... At least..." Bel sighed with grief. "...At least Black Sun calls me by my name." Then, Cheriss had asked why Bel had taken the path of the ISB Agent. It was fairly simple; Becoming an undercover Agent allowed for one to slowly slip under the radar. The Darkside hated Bel and he hated the Darkside, anyway. The way it seemed to corrode his very being, egging him on to commit heinous actions... It made Bel feel sick.

"At first, this was apart of the mission. Get in good with one of the Syndicates and give the Empire a good foothold on the criminal underworld." And that much was true. Bel wasn't here to become the next senator of Ord Mantell. "I hate using the Darkside, Cheriss. I want to keep being me...and...and using it feels as if I'm slowly losing myself to something darker." His tone was more anxious and worried now. "Look... You want to ensure I stay loyal? Prove to me that the Sith are more than bloodthirsty skulkers who want nothing do with anyone but themselves. Prove to me that the Empire is worth fighting for." Prove to me that you can love me, the way I love you.


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So it was fear. Fear of the dark side that had caused Bel to be an agent instead of a Sith. Cheriss could feel it too— the corruption that came with using the dark side. Sometimes it was enough to make her lose control, but that was something that could be fixed through the proper training. Everything had its cost, anyway, and she hadn’t changed much since the first day she’d discovered its power. At least, she didn’t feel like she’d changed.

“To each their own. And I may not be empress, but I do call you by your name.” Cheriss shrugged and gave an amused smile at that, finishing up the last of her wine before letting the bartender take the empty glass away. But then Bel went on, and his tone changed too. She frowned slightly at the look in his eyes once he finished. It was the same look he’d given her after they’d defeated Azura, and it made her question things again.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not proving anything to you about the Empire, my dear. It is merely a means to an end, if you care for my opinion.” She kept her voice low so that only Bel would be able to hear. He wasn’t wrong that the punishments could be considered a little extreme by some, but such was the way of the dark side. There was great risk and great reward if one chose to go that route.

“As for the Sith, what can I say except we’re just the same as everyone else? Like you, Bel, and every other being in the galaxy, we have our own ambitions. No one is truly altruistic, not even the Jedi, as much as they claim to be.” At the thought of the Jedi, her smile faded as she remembered the Togruta girl who had resorted to name-calling before she’d put the Padawan in her place. “So, yes. I think we are more than just bloodthirsty skulkers, if that’s your concern.”

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Bel sighed. Again. And broke eye contact with Cheriss, swirling the last of his drink in it's glass. She was right, as per usual, but Bel was still frustrated with himself. Why couldn't he act the way the Empire needed him to act? Why was the Darkside such a pain in the ass for him? Could he be Sith without using the Darkside? He didn't think so. But, he knew he was capable of getting a good enough grasp on the Syndicates to give the Empire the edge they needed. So, he'd take little steps at a time, and as Cheriss said, build his own ambitions that aligned with his devotion to the Empire.

"I see..." Bel admitted. "You continue to surprise me, Cheriss." He gave her a wiry smile before standing up. "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

---

The first target was a slowly diminishing swoop-shop where they did everything from repairs to full on construction of new swoop-bike speeders. It was owned by an older Quarren by the name of Shank. Shank's business was going pretty good up until a few years ago when the Hutts took control of the planet. Since then, Shank has been replaced by loyalists of the Hutt Clans, which is still slowly putting him out of business.


"This should be easy," Bel said to Cheriss before entering the shop. "He hates the Hutts and needs money. Black Sun can use him as a valuable asset." Of course, the Agent was still loyal to the Empire, but as far as everyone else was concerned, he was new member of the Syndicates. "Tonica Corps will stay out of the way, but we need a medical corporation after this place to make up for it." He was assuming the Champion would be okay with that, seeing as Tonica Corp was more or less under Cheriss' control.


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Cheriss Ktrame

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Cheriss smiled back at Bel as the pair got up from the bar. It would be nice to get moving, but the information she’d learned about the Zabrak today was more valuable than any company they could get under the Black Sun’s thumb.

“I could say the same for you, Bel.”
---
At first glance, Cheriss wondered why they were even bothering with a small shop like this one. But upon closer inspection, she could see the reasoning behind it— the owner was already discontent with the Hutts in charge and would make easy prey for the Black Sun. However, even more attractive were the connections the man probably had to others like him, those who were cast aside by the Hutts in favor of their own cronies and puppets. Might as well start small before they made their way to the larger corporations.

“I see where you’re going,” she responded, pursing her lips as she glanced at the store. “As long as Tonica doesn’t get involved, I won’t stop you.” She wasn’t exactly going to help either— this wasn’t her fight. However, should the store owner prove to be difficult in any sense of the word, she might consider stepping in to move things along for the sake of wasting everyone’s time.

“Ah! New customers. Haven’t seen you two around here before,” said a bare-chested Quarren with a screwdriver once the pair entered the shop. Cheriss’ brow went up at the sight. He was working on some speeder part that she didn’t recognize, and he had a cheery smile on his face.

“So how can I help you?”

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"Actually," Bel began, giving the Quarren a cheeky smile. "We're looking to help you." Shank looked taken aback and a little flustered, not sure how to respond except with a few confused grunts and stutters. "More specifically, the Maifus family wants to help you, Shank." Shank paused, giving the two Sith a hopeful look before shaking it off and throwing his hands up. "If you're not here for swoops then get out! I will have no more dealings with the Syndicates!" He squandered, making himself busy by grabbing a few spare parts and walking away.

"Maifus wants your swoops, Shank. Your craftsmanship is like no other, and he appreciates a job done right." This made the Quarren mechanic pause yet again. "Why should I put my trust in an organization that'll cut me off as soon as I'm not valuable, hm?" Shank retorted, facing the two again. Didn't Bel and Cheriss just have this same conversation? The Zabrak felt empathy for the shop owner, knowing what the cost of loyalty could be. "Black Sun isn't the Hutt Clans, and you know it. Your business is struggling, Shank. How much longer do you plan on lasting by your lonesome?"

Shank sighed, his posture sagged, and he set the spare parts down before gesturing for the two follow him. Bel and Cheriss would wind their way through the shop, passing racks of repair kits and spare parts for speeders. Then, they entered the actually production line of the shop that nailed all kinds of speeders together like a fancy factory. Eventually, they would find themselves in a quieter and more enclosed space away from the noise of the swoop factory.

"Alright... What's Maifus want now?"


@Sicadorito
 

Cheriss Ktrame

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Frankly, Cheriss could understand Shank’s point of view more than the Syndicates’. He brought up the exact argument she and Bel had been talking about earlier, and she couldn’t help exchanging a look with the Zabrak when he did.

Soon the Quarren thankfully threw on a shirt and brought the pair through the production line and to his office towards the back. On the way, Cheriss would hang back a little behind Bel and Shank to look over the bikes. They seemed to be of decent quality, and she could imagine why Black Sun would want some of these. Even if they weren’t able to use them themselves, they would probably make quite a bit of money selling them… with the right connections.

She took a seat next to Bel and across from Shank. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to know more about the Maifus family and what they wanted with him— she’d have liked some more information too. But she decided to help Bel along with this one, though she was careful not to make it appear as if she were allied with the syndicate.

“In accordance with what my… friend was saying, I believe what they want is a longtime business deal with your establishment,” she said, folding her hands in her lap. “From what I hear they’re interested in your products, and they’d like to sponsor you.” That didn’t mean that there wasn’t a catch, however, and she was content to let Bel explain that. He was the one who’d gotten them into this in the first place, but she would add one more thing.

“The Syndicates may be Syndicates, but they also have credits. If those are what you need…” she shrugged lightly, “you may want to consider it.”

@Charles
 

Bel

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Shank sighed and gave a few nods of his head as he considered the offer. Bel could sense that he already wanted this, but he was slightly upset with himself for having to ask for help.

"Yeah, alright, sure- you tell Maifus I'm in. He gives me customers, I'll give him bikes." And that was an easy job for someone of Xur and Sloan's prestige. A simple shoutout from the holonet could get just about anyone up and running these days. "You've got yourself a deal." Bel then shook the Quarren's hand and made his leave with Cheriss. The next target was going to be a little harder as they were doing fairly well on their own, but the owner owed Xur a few loans worth of credits.

"Next guy on the list is a Zeltron who owns a bar-casino hybrid sort of joint. He owes my friends money, but he's stubborn and prideful as hell." The streets on Ord Mantel were as lively as ever this time of hour, but once the two got on Bel's speeder, it would be smoothing flying from there. "He can pick up on our emotions, too, being a pinky and all that. So you gotta be very convincing." Bel wasn't worried about Cheriss, but it would still be a precaution worthy of note. "I hope you understand that I'm doing this for the Empire, Cheriss. If all goes as planned, I'll be in charge of Black Sun."


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Cheriss Ktrame

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Cheriss gave Shank a nod as he finally agreed to the terms. She had never been a fan of any of the Syndicates, but if this would keep them off of Tonica, it was a small price to pay. Shank didn’t seem the type to step too far out of line either, so she imagined that Black Sun wouldn’t have much of a problem with him.

As they walked out, Cheriss would take note of their next target. From what it sounded like, they would have to step a bit carefully around this one, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle.

“Zeltrons can be tricky,” she agreed before cracking a small smile. “Just be careful to make him fall for you instead of the other way around. They tend to make themselves look… appealing.” It was quite an impressive ability, if she were being honest.

As for Bel’s plans, Cheriss couldn’t say that she’d expected anything less. Even though she’d only worked with him once, his request to join the council that day had more than hinted at his ambition.

“For the Empire, for yourself, it’s none of my concern.” She shrugged. “I’ll help you. So long as Tonica doesn’t get involved.” She would leave it at that.

Soon, they’d arrived at the bar-casino. It was already bustling with life, and whatever this was was a far cry from Shank’s swoop bike factory. This was going to be a challenge, indeed.

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Bel

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It wasn't hard to find the owner of the place, and it was mainly because Bel thought the guy wanted to be hard to miss. His outfit was exotic as hell but he still looked like a million bucks. But, those credits he used to by the suit came from Maifus, and he wanted his money back. Even if the Zeltron didn't want to join Sloan and Xur, Bel was determined to come back with at least the couple thousands of credits this guy owed them.

"You two must be new!" Greeted the Zeltron. "I am the marvelous Kell Howak, at your service. Feel free to let me know if there's anything I can do for you." But before Kell could leave, Bel placed a hand on the guy's shoulder. "Actually, if we could meet in your office, there's something we need to speak to you about." Kell considered it for a moment, but happily decided to lead the two to his own private quarters.

"Well? What's the meaning of all this?" Kell anticipated with a cheeky grin, but what Bel said next seemed to make him lose his cool. "You owe the Horde a lot of money, Kell. Maifus either wants you and your place under his thumb, or all of his credits back. Your choice- and choose quickly. I don't have all day." Bel folded his arms and waited for a response, but Kell only seemed to scowl and clench his jaw. "I don't own that snake anything. Now get out of my casino before I remove you myself!" The Zeltron hissed. "Do you want to go to war with Sloan? Do you really think you could beat him at his own game? The game he let you play?" The Zabrak shot back with a snarl. "The money, Mister Howak. Now."


@Sicadorito
 

Cheriss Ktrame

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Despite his obvious self-inflated ego, the Zeltron seemed more than willing to humor them by taking them to his office. Almost as soon as they were inside, Bel jumped to it. Cheriss would take her place a couple feet away from the door, partly because no one was sitting down, and partly to quickly move in should Kell try to escape. By his tone, she could tell with amusement that the Zabrak was losing patience with trying to win the man over.

At Bel’s insistence, Kell would only withdraw farther, reaching over to the buzzer on his desk. Before he would be able to press it though, he would feel his hand and arm freeze in midair, no matter how much he tried to move it. His eyes widened comically he struggled to push down, and Cheriss took a step toward him.

“I would take his advice if I were you,” she said. “I’m certain that you’ve already made more than enough credits to repay your debt.” With that, she threw his arm back with a flick of her wrist, sending him staggering backwards towards the wall before he caught himself, looking incredulously at her and Bel.

“Who are you people?” He didn’t look happy, but he seemed wise enough to not outwardly deny them anymore.

“The credits, please.” Looking warily at her, Kell would make his way to his commlink, picking it up slowly and making a call under the careful eyes of the two Sith.

“It’s me… yes. I need you to bring—” He glanced at Bel, got the amount of credits he needed, and finished his sentence. “Yes… right away. Thank you.” He put the comms down, raising his hands and backing away from it afterwards.

Within a few minutes, the case of credits would arrive in the hands of a Weequay security guard. When he handed it over to Bel, Cheriss would offer him a wordless nod of acknowledgement.

“There’s your money. Now get out of my casino.”

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