[OE Taris] Enemy of my Enemy

[Malius Vanis]

Malius removed his mask and downed his hood before exiting his freighter. He had arrived on Taris, a planet with plenty of urban sprawl and a population of about 60 billion beings. This planet would be the Old Empire's next target for expansion, and Malius was eager to be a part of it and prove himself among his peers.

He walked towards the spaceport's exit, eyeing the beings around him carefully, even though Taris did not belong to the Mandalorians or the Imperial Republica, it never hurt to be careful. Malius walked past some shady Aqualish before finally arriving at the designated meeting zone where he was supposed to meet his companion.

The job was fairly simple really, find the political rivals to the governor of Taris, whom from what Malius had heard was not that liked. Then Malius and his partner were supposed to convince the governor's rivals to join the Old Empire in exchange for their party ruling Taris. Quite a good deal, and something that would not be a problem for Malius, since his noble upbringing had taught him valuable negotiation skills.

Malius leaned against a wall and waited for his companion. Never thought I'd be a damn diplomat...

@Foolish Guac

 

[Lyle Sevanar]

Lyle came from the same port, landing shortly after the other Sith's freighter in his Crux Class. He wore rather traditional robes, with a saber visible at his hip. The crowd parted around him, a typical sight on Republica worlds.
Coming to a stop in front of Malius, Lyle tapped his comms, producing a small map above his hand.

"We've been called to a meeting. They're a mid-Tarisian group, likely to cooperate."
The map showed a location a few levels underground, presumably a dissident group.

 

[Malius Vanis]

Malius observed Lyle for a moment before looking at the map. "Alright, let's move out then." The Anzat looked capable enough, and he got straight down to business, which was something Malius appreciated.

Malius took point and moved through the crowd with ease as most beings parted when they saw a 6'1 feet tall Sith walking towards them. It wasn't long before the two arrived at the meeting, Malius turned to his companion before moving in. "I grew up amongst nobility, I think you should let me do most of the talking."

 

[Lyle Sevanar]

"Do as you please. Just keep in mind we aren't speaking to aristocrats."

The Anzat tapped his comms, and a human woman opened the door shortly thereafter. Like most of the crowd, she was pale from living in the subterranean levels, but clearly healthy. They were still near the top levels after all. Inside the building there were some xenos, still rare, but present. Finally, they were brought to a room with just three people inside. The woman from the door backed off. Two humans, one Barabel. The former two were male, the latter was female.
Lyle took a seat opposite them, letting his hood down. They didn't seem to recognize that he was an Anzat -- Most were unaware of the species, so this was unsurprising.

 

[Malius Vanis]

Malius followed his companion inside and sat down beside him, he had already removed his hood and mask. He had made an effort to look slightly intimidating though and thus was wearing his medium armor out in the open, with his lightsaber clearly visible.

Malius observed the three beings before him, making a note that one was a Barabel, a species known for their aggressive nature. Malius waited several seconds and then spoke in a formal tone. "Thank you for meeting us, I am Malius and this is my associate Lyle. We have come to you today to make you an offer that you might be interested in."

Malius leaned back and waited for their response in order to assess their initial reactions so that he knew in what tone he could proceed.

 

[Lyle Sevanar]

In contrast to Malius, Lyle approached with the Force. Though he did not speak, he pulled on the minds around him, and twisted their perception of him. He became a trusted and strangely alluring figure. The telepathic powers of an Anzat were potent, many had been led to an untimely death by it.
Perhaps it worked so well due to Malius' efforts as well. They were stressed by his presence, eyeing his armor and weapon. Quick, worried glances were exchanged between them. They refocused on him when he spoke, and took some time to reply. The older human took the lead, speaking at a deliberate pace.

"We heard that the Empire is interested in Taris..."
Then, the Barabel cut in.
"Nobody on the top levels will go against the Republica!" She stopped herself there, though it seemed she had intended to say more."

Lyle took the chance to speak. He kept a steady tone, and maintained eye contact with the Barabel.
"Don't worry about the upper levels. for now, lets hear more about your organization."

While the other two hesitated, the impulsive Barabel was swept up in the moment. "We want to remove the current ruling class. Their policies keep Taris in the gutter! With all the crime, no business comes to the lower levels. They keep quiet about it, but many former workers support us..."
She noticed her colleagues stares, and trailed off. Lyle waited for Malius to speak up again.

 

[Malius Vanis]

Malius felt a smile creeping onto his face as he watched the three beings in front of him blurting out all their information and their intentions. He grinned and leaned back in the chair. "That is good to hear. You are indeed correct that the Empire has an interest in Taris, so perhaps we can help each other."

He leaned forward and eyed all three of them for a moment before speaking. "You wish to get rid of the current ruling class, what if the Empire would assist your organization in this matter and put you in power of Taris?" He paused several seconds to let his words sink in before speaking again. "In exchange for this your organization will support the Empire and Taris will become part of it. Off course you will still be in charge of the administration of Taris, but it will be in the name of the Empire. Surely you would be better off with us than with the Republica and the current ruling class."

Malius waited for their answer silently, hoping that Lyle's use of the force and his speechcraft and intimidation would be enough to convince the leaders.

 

[Lyle Sevanar]

"The Empire keeps a firm grasp on its worlds. You won't have to worry about the Imperial Hutta with us backing you."

Lyle was of course referring to their rampant crime problem. The Imperial Hutta was known to be lax with their enforcement. This kept many businesses away from the lower and middle levels of Taris, a major factor contributing to their squalor. The previously silent man to the left shifted when he heard it. Perhaps it was an important issue to him, more so than to the others.

"We can discuss an agreement..."
Said the previously silent human.

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Spoiler: OOC

Due to delays in progression of obtaining an alignment with the Taris locals, Imperial dark council has dispatched Sith Crusader, Arianna Marris to personally deal with the situation.

Arianna Marris was not known for gentle diplomacy, the sultry and seductive sorceress also displayed a ruthless tenacity when it came to completing tasks. And thus as both Lyle and Malius were wasting time, the Crusader had a different agenda as well as intel that could prove useful in this situation. As the group of five were gathered in the small room, they would feel the lights momentarily dimming along with a chilling breeze that carried wails of tortured souls. Doors suddenly flew open as the darkly shrouded form of the dark sorceress was fully present.

Tendrils of force energies wrapped around the Barabel’s throat without any hesitation or provocation, snapping his oversized figure upwards and brought him flying towards Arianna. A wicked grin on her face, as she quickly ignited her saber, allowing his body to slide over the crimson weapon as the saber plunged deep into his belly and out through his back. As life escaped him, hundreds of Republic credits shattered against the ground.

She disengaged the weapon, allowing the corpse to fall onto the ground as she made her way inside. Green eyes slowly shifted to yellow as she turned to glance at the two remaining officials. “Your friend was paid by the Republic to hamper your progress. Perhaps it is time for a switch of allegiance to the true Empire?” Her tone suggestive but reinforced with a rippling cascade of darkness, one that most would not be able to refuse so easily. The other two the room, the human male and the female both nodded in agreement. “Yes, we believe that would be acceptable..”

@Lost Hero

 

[Artarion Sekt]

Artarion had accompanied Arianna to recover the negotiations on Taris. He was not known as a politician by any means, but he would be a good back up for Arianna and her diplomatic skills. With his recent promotion to Crusader, he needed to learn more about diplomacy and negotiations. He was not entirely sure he would learn that rare art on this particular mission. It had stalled and the Empire had sent in its fixers to attempt to bring the situation back into check.

As they walked down the halls towards the negotiation room, Artarion could feel Arianna pulling in the Force. He knew all about her sorceress powers and had no real interest in them. They did appear to have a positive effect for their mission in most cases, but it was certainly not his forte. He preferred to spend his time on blade stances than sorcery. Perhaps it came from his upbringing, he had been brought up in the gladiatorial arenas of his planet, so the blade was second nature to him.

As the doors flew open, he knew his role in this dance immediately. It had been a tactic they had used in the past to great effect. As Arianna revealed the traitor in their midst, Artarion stalked to her side. The Barabel fell lifeless and with a quick swipe, Artarion removed the head from his reptilian shoulders. Artarion grabbed the head and tossed it into the room to land at the feet of the remaining inhabitants. He kept his sabers ignited, stalking in as a dark shadow to Arianna’s flaming fury.

@Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Arianna watched as the other inhabitants seemed to be in accordance with their demands, after all, it was she that found their traitor. "Very well then, our forces will be in contact with yours and with this uprising is completed, we will be sure that extend our gratitude. I trust that from now on, the local citizens will support this rebellion and cheer as our Imperial armies lay waste to your corrupt and dysfunctional governmental leadership?" Her voice and tone were cold but calculating, a sinister look evident in the keen appearance of those piercing, golden orbs.

As the others gulped and nodded in agreement, she chuckled and turned towards Artarion before slowly exiting.

@Critas