Ask Tatooine The Black Sheep

[Grace Zann]

It was a rare occasion Grace found herself on Tatooine. The world was arid, filled with sand, but ripe for criminal activity. Too bad it was already under the control of multiple crime lords. Today, she just so happened to be visiting one of those lords, one with significant pull in the five syndicates. While the Zann Consortium and the hutts never had the best history, their last squabble had been nearly a century ago. She hoped they could bury the hatchet, for both their sakes...

The woman would land her ship a kilometer away from Desilijic Palace, and exit the vessel alongside a repurposed B1-battle Droid and a muscular nikto. Behind them, the nikto would be holding a chain which lead to shackles on the hands of a togruta slave dancer. This was a little gift from her to Nor'baal, a dancer stolen from the Fa'athra clan's ancient rivals, the Nem'ro clan. The mercenary would give a sharp tug to pull the slave along, while he and Grace would speak. "I've made all the proper arrangements to meet with Nor'ball. We've brought a gift, as is the custom... I just hope we have what we need to persuade him..." The mercenary would give a sigh before responding "Relax boss, once he hears that your father is out of the picture and that we want a partnership, I'm sure things will go over well."

As they drew closer to the palace gates, the woman would nudge her droid "B3. You memorized huttese right?" The droid would give a simple nod "Sure have master. I listened to dozens of holovids on the subject." It may not have been a very efficient teaching methods for organics, but for droids it seemed to do the trick.

Grace would eventually find herself at the entrance, met by a Gamorrean holding a clipboard. "My name is Grace Zann, I have a scheduled appointment to meet with the great hutt." She would give a bow. Looking over his list, the guard would usher her inside the palace where she would instantly see a large number of people partying and drinking. This must have been the lounge area.

@Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Since assuming the position of 'Oyabun' of the Hutt Cartel, Nor'baal had been enjoying the great indulgences it afforded him a little too much. To be honest (which was rare for a Hutt), he wasn't even sure he had never left the palace since returning here the data after his accession. The spice, the drink, the food, all had flowed in immense quantities in the past months alone.

Yet now, after months of debauchery, it was back to business.

He said nothing, merely blinking slowly as the recent applicant for his good favour approached. His Majordomo, who stood just behind the Zann member had already informed him who she was. The scion of some long-deceased criminal family, Grace? Galla? Grooba?

Nor'baal had forgotten the woman's name.

"His grand immensity, the most opulent Nor'baal, Oyabun of the Hutt Clans, and Diamyo of Tatooine." his Majordomo entered into an elaborate bow as he introduced his master to the guest. <Zann? Wa peekasa Jee tee babau che mee roy. Toupee mi, haku wohot bu woi sae see Zann sayey doi bu Yih?>

 

[Grace Zann]

The woman and her small crew were taken directly to Nor'baal himself. The throne room was quite immaculate, and Nor'baal himself appeared it be in a good mood at first glance. As the Majordomo introduced her, Grace would give a bow. Both her droid and mercenary would follow suit. With a quick yank of a chain, the mercenary would force their captured dancer to give a bow as well.

As she lifted her head back up, the hutt would express his surprise at seeing a Zann still around. What could she want with a hutt indeed? Grace would reply, "Great Nor'baal, I have come to your palace seeking both your favor and assistance..." The woman attempted to be honest, which would probably be a rarity in these parts of the galaxy.

Grace would wave a hand toward the togruta slave they had brought along with them. "First however, we come bearing a gift. the favorite dancer of No'unth Nem'ro..." Their crew had stolen the dancer from another hutt some time ago, a member of the Nem'ro clan at that. The nikto mercenary would undo the woman's bindings, and hand her off toward the nearest of Nor'baal's bodyguards.

"I understand my family's name is not what it use to be... But, I have recently taken over the family business. I am building up what my father destroyed... I understand that you are a powerful hutt, with considerable influence. I was hoping we could strike a mutually beneficial deal."

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

This Zann woman was already perking his interest. She had come bearing gifts, always an exceptionally good idea when presenting to a Hutt, and lavished on praise in equal measure. Of course, there was something she wanted - wasn't that always the case?

Nor'baal had designs of his own. Ever since he had begun to enjoy the 'increased liquidity that came with his position, the great Hutt had begun to realise that there was a far greater price out there in the galaxy, one that returned stronger profits and power than the petty crime he currently lavished in ever could.

A plan began to formulate in his mind. If he could sponsor the rise of a new Zann Consortium, he could use it to channel his illegal money into more legal ventures. Admittedly, they would be 'morally grey' areas, mining, fuel, weapons, durasteel, high-profit areas currently dominating the more authoritarian worlds of the galaxy, worlds he could very fittingly see himself dominating.

This Zann woman would help him.. <Mee sanog doth tee melaiet. Jee gee babau dee Zanns, an hatkocanh chobaso hoohah bata don bu danko see lou lkele yanee. Toupee mi, haku woy uba gee cuoneke?> the Hutt asked, pushing the newcomer to explain exactly what she had planned, and which markets she was looking to move into.

 

[Grace Zann]

At the end of the day, the criminal underworld was a business. One that let people like Nor'baal and herself become extremely wealthy. It was only natural that the hutt wanted to know their areas of expertise. Hopefully the Zann portfolios would be unique enough to get the hutt's attention. "We will go back to our specialties of course... Many other organizations already deal in spice or slaves. That market has grown too ripe with competition. Upon our return, we've decided the most profitable ventures would be through protection money, privateering, and arms dealing." To Grace's knowledge, their organization would be the first at forming an especially large underground network of arms sellers. The Racketeering and piracy were just sources of extra income.

"Throughout the galaxy, as you may well know might hutt, many planetary governments put harsh restrictions on weaponry their citizens may access. Forming black markets to unload goods like these is a specialty of ours. We could always unload other goods with our markets, but specialized arms dealers is a niche we feel the galactic market could use." the woman had laid down almost all her cards on the table about the consortium's potential business ventures. She had yet to state exactly what she wanted from Nor'baal however, trying to let the hutt take it all in before making decisions. It appeared that she had made good first impressions so far, so hopefully that would lead to a successful negotiation.

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Nor'baal continued to study the young woman as she spoke. In her eyes, he could see the unmistakable fire of ambition, the desperate need to reclaim what she believed to be her family's right - the Consortium. However, in ages past, the Zann and the Hutts had often come to blows, Nor'baal needed to look to his own. <Tee chamana doth bo da chalanh mi. Bu Teshe Nanbaga du paupe lumpa dee Yoskah doth kaa bu johze Benbepoka gee awh cohbana, bai twa voshana Jee hatkocanh mecohpa.> he added, reaching for his fan and gently waving it over his face.

But why had she come all this way? Surely she did not wish to merely inform him of her idea? No - there must be something else she desired. <Doptkee cay fa hee. Haku doth fa mee sayey dee lhonu Nor'baal?> the Hutt arrived at his question, referring to himself in third person, as was tradition.

 

[Grace Zann]

It seemed the hutt had been quite agreeable with her thus far, but of course this was all to meet an end. As he requested her to be direct in her speaking, the woman would indeed comply, "Very well then. I understand you're a powerful man, and have powerful connections to the five syndicates. Here is my proposition: once my organization is fully ready to mobilize, we would like a place in the five syndicates. We wouldn't start with the same renown as the Hutt Cartel of course, but to simply join would be enough... In exchange for this favor, so long as both the Zann Consortium and Hutt Cartel remain part of the Five Syndicates, we will offer you more respect than any other faction in this galaxy. We will never make moves against Hutt space, and we will never interrupt your business dealings. Additionally, your associates may use our black markets to sell any laundered goods, at no commission to us."

Just as she had practiced, the terms of the deal were now put into words. The woman could only hope Nor'baal would accept, then the Consortium would be able to take it's first steps into a new galaxy. The rest of the room would be filled with murmuring at the conclusion of her offer, all wondering if they hutt would accept, or maybe even fire back with a counter offer? Meanwhile, Grace would simply cross her fingers.

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

His eyes narrowed as the Zann scion made her bid. She has an awful lot of backbone, seeking to secure a position on the Syndicate Council so quickly, and in doing so supplanting one of the incumbent members. Did she think her family was one day to be more powerful than the Pykes? The Crimson Dawn - heaven forbid, the Hutts?

Her method of presentation could be interpreted as a threat. After all, who bandied around terms like 'mobilize' in a discussion about securing a powerful position such as a Syndicate member? And what did the Hutts get in return? Platitudes that their assets would not be under strain as a result. Nor'baal would have been a poor Oyabun had he accepted such a trade at face value.

<Kava kouoioy.> Nor'baal sneered. <Uba bahva bai yatuka mee wa pinteba kacdy dee Benbepoka, an du moova mee mo bu Yih tanea um wa sanuba da uba lwaa tee ben kankahcaka du tee bawaha?> the Hutt boomed, ire plain to hear on his voice. The Hutts did not need to avoid 'paying commission' on Black Market sales, they could already launder their considerable returns with ease - what Zann promised was, in the Hutt's eyes, nothing short of insulting.

<Jeejee nah panbana hee yatuka, joppay bu chaweka bai bu Yih doth bom bom kouheve. Ba douapkag ahbeu doth koumhaptece cuee bai tee bacaka.> Nor'baal remarked, making it plain he spoke not just for his family, but for the Hutts as a whole. The Hutt Council had fleets, mercenaries, and much more at their disposal. Should they wish they could remove the Zann family from the Galactic Stage with a gesture of their hands.

<Dokwacha cay ganba.> he boomed, his Majordomo stepping forward to explain "His grand enormity requires the Zann 'Consortium'," the Majordomo gestured to his master " - pay a total of fifty per cent of their takings, hereafter, in return for the patronage of the Hutt Council."

Nor'baal grinned, deeply aware of the unfairness of his offer, and eager to see how the Zann representative would take it.

 

[Grace Zann]

Though it seemed negotiations were going well at first, the hutt was quickly insulted that he wasn't offered something more financially incentivizing. Giving out large amounts of money or assets would be difficult for an organization her size to accomplish. The consortium had but one prominent black market, and while they were currently developing several other ventures, it would take time for them to gain wealth so vast.

Grace would stroke her chin as the hutt explained how poor her offer was. In hindsight, she should have known that the hutts would want something more financially pleasing for a request like this... Then came the counter off, an entire fifty percent of the consortium's profits would go to the hutts. And for how long? Indefinitely? Certainly not the best deal possible, though she would be willing to give some grounds.

The woman would briefly look on in shock as the request was made, but would quickly return to a more stoic and inquisitive gaze. "I wouldn't be here right now if I wasn't looking to negotiate. My intentions are to make the syndicates stronger as a whole, and our organizations are stronger and more profitable together. To counter your deal, I offer twenty-five percent of my first Standard Galactic Year's earnings. You would receive ten percent directly, and the Hutt Cartel would receive fifteen percent. Additionally, I offer you a personal favor. Though I don't know how much that would mean to you, I am willing to do whatever you might need."

There was little else Grace could think to offer at this point. The hutts simply had more than her, and bargaining from a position like this was difficult.

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

The negotiations continued, now well into Nor'baals favourite part of any business deal. He appeared to have the Zann woman on a back foot, and Nor'baal was keen to press the advantage. A singular payment was not what the Hutt wanted, especially after he had asked for fifty per cent of the takings, hereafter. However, they could always meet in the middle. <See bo roy paknee ata? Nobata. Jot mi doth puohe. Heee noa-a nobata bargon koumi tee bu Yih gee wa cag dee yanee, yatuka nudd. Donocha cay ganba dee Zann dauah, vee roy, mo jeejee gee nobata bargon.>

Nor'baal sneered at the woman in front of him. She spoke with grandeur, of 'making the syndicates stronger as a whole'. This did not interest the Hutt in the slightest. No. It suited him quite completely to ensure that the other Syndicate members remained weak, subservient to the Hutts as all should be.

<Mee woiay gee nobata chalanh bai bu Lanka. Ata mee phabeka.> Nor'baal added with a malicious grin, as he invited her to speak once more.

 

[Grace Zann]

Despite trying to create an out to the deal, the hutt was quick to shut down her year offer. At the very least, he countered with a more reasonable percentage. Though it was still twenty percent of all profits, she needed a tad more room than that, but they had just about struck I deal. The woman was out of options, and if all the hutts cared about was credits, then that could be arranged. She didn't have to like it, but it would be necessary.

"Very well. If you want indefinite payment, I'll do fifteen percent, but I cannot offer more than that." She spoke plainly, trying to hide the desperation a bit. fifteen percent of all profits would be significant, but their organization would at least be getting enough credits to start building itself up. Aside from that, getting into the syndicates would mean more jobs and money anyhow. With proper ambition, they could make a little extra to pay the hutts what they were owed when the time came.

More murmuring would come from around the room at this counter offer, some might be thinking that this was the final offer, and it did have potential to be.

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

A low rumbling laugh rumbled out of the Hutts considerable frame as he fanned himself furiously. This was indeed a most generous deal, and Nor'baal stood to profit from it greatly, if the Zann succeeded, of course. <Uba whoma wa koucaue bargon Zann.> he lied.

Nor'baal had no intention of honouring the deal should the Zann become a threat, however, he would deal with that as and when the circumstances arose. Waving his Majordomo forward to finalise the deal on his datapad, Nor'baal chuntered away to himself, marvelling at his own genius.

<Jeejee gee wa bargon Zann, um doth baiahh-> his voice dropped to one of great import as he waved one of his guards forward <.. cha fofo phila mi.> he growled, as his guard grabbed the collar of the 'gift' Zann had presented to him at the commencement of the meeting, and with a brutal shove, sent her sprawling to the floor, on top of a grate before Nor'baals throne.

With a press of a button, the grate opened and the dancer fell, screaming into the pit beneath, where the Hutts Acklay waited. For several minutes the room was hushed, save for the screams of the dancer, and the snaps, chitters and slashing noises of the Acklay dismembering her.

<Bu nem see wa tee- Yih doth koupohe, woy gahke bai cohou bu Gainlei da uba doth ba cheesay.> Nor'baal remarked, dismissing his new business partner with a wave of his hand.

 

[Grace Zann]

The hutt was all too pleased with the agreement of fifteen percent, and it seemed like they had finally come to an agreement. Though it was not the most favorable for Grace, she knew it would lead her to far greater enterprises in the future. She would give Nor'baal a bow as he agreed to the terms, but looked up with concern as the body guard grabbed the dancer.

Before the entire court, she would fall down a large pit to be torn to pieces by some sort of large beast. That was very troublesome, and a pretty clear threat to never double cross the hutt. She had no such plans for the time, should the hutts make good on their end of the bargain.

"As you say mighty Nor'baal. Thank you for this opportunity." The woman would begin walking away, only giving the slightest of smirks as she exited the room. This would be the true beginning of it all...

[Exit thread]