Ask Opportunity

[Astria Jerriko]

Under general circumstances, Astria would have never agreed to meet someone on their private ship in the middle of dead space. Given the type of people that ran in her circles, it would be the most clear and obvious trap in the history of time. But this meeting was different - or at least, Astria was willing to silence her red flag alarms and perceive it that way. Because really, would a senator of the illustrious ISC just murder her in cold blood?

Well, maybe - but also probably not.

Astria understood the reason for such shrouded secrecy. She was no stranger to the comfort of plausible deniability. If the senator accepted her proposal, it would be under the pretense that any blowback wouldn't fall into his own lap. You don't shit where you eat, or something like that.

Flanked only by her personal N-Series droid, Jarvis, Astria was lead by Senator Ordalos' security to the lounge area of his ship. Having done some.. mild research into Galek, she had found out he had a penchant for the finer things, sometimes even to the point of being mildly tone deaf. The last part didn't matter much to Astria, of course, it's not like she was a constituent. Hell, she'd never even voted.

In hopes to match the Senator's taste - she could use any leverage she could get, really - Astria was wearing a formal, though still modern looking blouse and pencil skirt.

Senator Ordalos, your appointment has arrived. One of the guards said before leaving and going back to his post, wherever that was.

A pleasure to meet you, Senator Ordalos, Astria said, reaching out her hand to shake Galek's. I appreciate you taking this meeting.

Motioning to Jarvis, the droid would place an ornate looking humidor on the table, opening it to show the various cigars inside.

A gift for your hospitality. Astria's tone was cordial but not overly saccharine. She was here for business, after all. She didn't want to appear as desperate as she may have been.

So tell me, Senator, Astria started, her gaze stony and determined as it hovered on Galek. Are you the type of politician that recognizes opportunity, or the kind that lets it slip through their fingers?

@Altaris

 

[Galek Ordalos]

While Galek had mulled it over in his mind for several hours, the Induparan had ultimately decided to accept Astria’s request for a private meeting. While he maintained a stellar reputation for the public - in no small part due to his humanitarian efforts with ISCRA - the Governor was no stranger to backdoor dealings with less-reputable business partners. And, as a result, was intelligent enough to conduct such affairs far, far from the public eye - forcing Astria to meet him in the dead of space on his own personal yacht.

As she was accepted aboard, the first thing Astria would likely notice was the distinct lack of any other organic lifeforms aboard. That was the wonderful thing about droids - they didn’t ask questions, they didn’t disapprove or clutch their pearls, and most importantly, their memory banks could be wiped whenever convenient. Given the nature of their meeting, one couldn’t really blame Galek for his choice of company.

It didn’t take long for Astria to be led into the lounge of Galek’s yacht - the doors sliding open to reveal the Induparan waiting to greet her. As per usual, the Induparan royal was dressed to the nines in the traditional style of his homeworld - pressed in golden sherwani with polished buttons going down the front, alongside a matching dupatta draped across his shoulder. His outfit was accessorized by a stylish chrono on his wrist and rings on his fingers, while his black hair was neatly combed and styled into place.

Galek stepped forward, a smile spreading tugging at the corners of his lips as he extended a hand to shake Astria’s own. “Miss Jerriko, the pleasure is all mine,” The Induparan said, bringing the Antazi’s hand upwards to graciously plant a kiss to her knuckles.

With introductions out of the way, Galek’s attention promptly shifted to the droid attendant and the gift that had been brought. He arched a brow, taking a step closer to inspect the cigar’s that had been brought. “Cardian,” The Induparan hummed with satisfaction, his gaze lingering for a long moment before he proceeded to close the lid on the humidor once again - turning back to Astria. “You really do spoil me. Thank you for this lovely gift - I rather believe I shall enjoy it,”

“Now then,” He tilted his head ever-so-slightly .”I trust we may conduct our affairs without droids present?” He smiled. “Your assistant may wait directly outside the door.” The Induparan’s voice was singsong-y and light, though Astria would immediately get the impression that he wasn’t particularly asking, either. As if to further encourage her, Galek raised his fingers and made a waving gesture, causing the pair of P1-D3S Blackwell Droids - his primary bodyguards - to wordlessly make for the exit.

Once they were finally alone, Galek jutted his chin towards the private bar at the far side of the lounge - indicating for them to have a seat where the drinks were within reach. He listened as the Anzati spoke, hazel eyes meeting the woman’s stony gaze without flinching. “That largely depends on the merits of the opportunity in question,” He said back smoothly, turning away to begin fixing himself - and Astria, if she requested it - a drink. “Merits which, I presume, are forthcoming.”

@Logan

 

[Astria Jerriko]

Some people might have found Galek's ostentatiousness annoying or off-putting but Astria didn't mind. While she didn't dial it up to eleven in the same way that the Senator did, she did have a penchant for finer things and didn't mind showing off that fact. Though, generally speaking, Astria did it with a little more nuance than the dear Senator.

Of course, Astria replied dryly to Galek's request for her droid to leave. Motioning for Jarvis to follow the instruction and wait outside, Astria was surprised the Senator had all of his own droids leave too. He was brave, or maybe stupid to be alone with a criminal. Of course, his trust wasn't misplaced with Astria, but he didn't know that.

She smiled curtly at Galek's last statement, taking his offered drink and sitting at the table. Her expression and overall demeanor was quite the antithesis to his, though that wasn't uncommon for Astria. A few times in the past she'd been told she had something called "resting bitch face." People said it made her unapproachable and cold, to which Astria always wondered why that would ever be a problem.

A nearby world of Mon Gazza, once owned and operated by the loathsome Pyke Syndicate, is currently doing little but gathering dust as its.. natural resources go to waste. Astria paused for a moment to take a sip from the drink Galek had offered her. Not bad. Of course, the issue lies in the nature of that resource. Many consider it.. unsavory.

Reaching into her pocket, Astria withdrew a thin glass vial and held it vertically between her thumb and index finger to show Galek. Mon Gazzian spice, She said, placing the vial on the table and rolling it towards him. From what I'm told, it rivals even the infamous glitterstim.

Astria would watch Galek in an attempt to gauge his reaction to what she was saying. Not everyone was comfortable with spice, let alone comfortable fielding what was clearly a pitch to acquire more.

You're probably wondering what your part in all of this is or why you should care, Her voice was confident, each word coming out clear and concisely. Indupar also has a vast wealth of untapped resources. Prisons, and penal colonies. With Mon Gazza within spitting distance of ISC territory, your watchful eye would also be the perfect shroud to cover the activities.

Astria finished her drink and placed the glass down on the table, her tawny yellow eyes unblinking as she stared at Galek.

My proposal is this: Discreetly, you provide bodies for the mines. Prisoners, unsuspecting colonists, what have you. The Mon Gazzian spice mines are massive, sourcing enough slave labor on my own would take far too long. Astria was admitting she needed Galek's help on purpose. Some men loved being the savior for the damsel in distress. You can also keep prying ISC eyes away from our activities. In exchange, I cut you in on thirty percent of the profits from the spice operation. I run the entire thing, leaving you to be completely hands off. And most importantly, your name would be nowhere near any of it. You'd have deniability should things go south, able to maintain your reputation. Maybe even grow your voting base by "taking out a spice operation," should it come to that.

For Galek, it was a total fucking sweetheart deal. Outside of the moral ramifications of sending his own people to work and die in spice mines, he had to do almost no work at all and only gain the benefits. Astria was assuming the entirety of the risk The benefits for her were more.. intangible, outside of the obvious credits that would come rolling in. A partnership with an ISC Senator was worth more than money.

What are your thoughts?

@Altaris