Ask Tatooine The Deadly Alliance

[Anai Skhess]

Set before the events of this thread.

Many dark siders and the Hutts had been doing this song and dance for a while now, with the former failing to keep up with the latter many times in the past. It all started with Darth Draugr, demanding the biggest Hutt in the galaxy to give him resources without much to give in return, which resulted in his death. Then the Imperial Knights came, expecting Nor'baal to play fair not long after. There were many others that had understimated the Hutts besides them, all of them had been greatly punished by this, they all had fumbled the song and dance. But Anai was a better dancer than that.

To parlay with a Hutt you must have something to give to a Hutt, for a species that lived as long as they did, they did not like "lesser creatures" wasting their time. With them waging war against the Empire, they finally had a big reason to listen to the Order: They had an enemy in common, and the enemy of an enemy was a friend, or at least the Hutt would give them the courtesy of listening to them now, he had reason to.

However, while Anai had a good idea, she was not the best at conveying messages, she needed a partner, someone she could relay on to sell their current plan to the leader of the Hutts. For that, of course, she chose her ally and dance partner, Karys (@Apollyon). The man had been adapting to the life of a sith champion really quickly, making a name for himself. Not only that, but the Kaleesh knew he was a charmer, better at sweetening deals than she would ever be, so she needed his help.

Wearing the finer, most decorated traditional sith robes over her armor. Since Karys would be the face out of the two of them, Anai was trying to look like what she truly was: A warrior, ready to parlay with a king. Her gift would also reflect this, A red skinned Reek from the beast's very own homeworld, picked after her last trip there not long ago. The beast, currently caged, was big, powerful and ferocious, great for Nor'baal's arenas or as a ferocious pet, whichever he preferred. For now, she would simply wait until the Hutt was ready to discuss matters, giving Karys a glance when the time came.

@Nor'baal

 

[Karys]

Anai had approached Karys in a dark time. His mind was mired with self-doubt over his decisions, his betrayals, his actions. The road he was walking down felt lonely, it felt etched with paranoia, but he also heard the siren’s song of power at the end. Her proposal to not only aid in negotiations but support her campaign to conquer Ossus gave him a focal point to vent his suffering, his fears, and his hate into something less self-destructive.

He’d agreed with no hesitation.

While Anai had worn ornate robes to act as a shawl over her armor. Karys on the other hand, he hated the heat and Tattooine was an arid, desert world. He wore a light blue set of thin linen dress pants and vest, with a white dress shirts. The sleeves of his shirt had been rolled up to mid forearm, which was as far as his bulk would allow them to go. Even with light weight and breathable clothing, Karys was still hot.

“Why did I let you talk me into this?” Karys whispered to Anai as they walked into the shade of Nor’baal’s palace.

Anai had brought a live gift that sat in a metal crate in a hovering lift which lazily followed behind them. Karys had brought a pair of gifts for the honorable and generous Emperor Nor’baal. First was a sizable shipment of the finest quality and cut gems from his own company, Skye Mining and Refinement Cooperative. The other, was a crate of Param’s Spiced Tea. He’d paid for it himself, the scarcity now created value, something he was sure the great Hutt would appreciate. These too floated behind the pair as they entered Nor’baals audience chambers.

At Anai’s prompting glance Karys would begin with a bow to the newly declared monarch. “Great and mighty Emperor Nor’baal, we are honored to be in your presence.” Karys stated loudly to the master of the clans. “I am Karys of House Sadow and my partner is Anai Skhess, warrior chieftess of her people.” The last part was an embellishment, Karys wasn’t sure if it was the truth or not but it made her sound important. “We’ve come as representatives of the Sith Order and we come bearing gifts as a token of our respect.” As Karys said this the two loaders would float before them for Norbaal to inspect. “And a mutually beneficial offer, one to weaken a common enemy, the Empire while expanding profits to the mighty Clans and our Order as well.” He explained. “Ossus is prime for rebellion mighty Nor’baal, the people there fester with resentment and cry out for vengeance against their oppressors. We seek to give them that revenge and we also seek the sponsorship and protection of the Hutt Clans.” He continued. “We will happily pay your tithes if you’d allow us to pick who leads the freed people once the world has been liberated.”

@Versok @Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Nor'baal had no idea who these people where.

But they brought him presents, and that meant they didn't have to die - yet.

He sat on his throne-sled, shielded as he always way, his Majordomo fluttering at his right shoulder. At his 'feet' in front of the throne could be seen three Corellian Hounds, whilst the room itself was lined with two-dozen Gamorreans, muscled beasts hand-selected for the honour of guarding 'the Boss'. Each was armoured in their clan-livery, and carried an axe in one hand, their other hand resting on a heavy blaster at their hip.

At the back of the room, a Rancor hunched in the shadows - the child of his previous pet, trained to kill the moment its master gave the command.

<Mee sanog tee dotke.> he drooled at the arrivals, seeing them for what they where.

Sith.

He spat on the sand in front of his throne, the spittle seemed to 'sizzle' as it hit the floor.

These lickspittled scum had no doubt come to kill him, just as all the others of their ilk who had come to him had tried. They would make fine additions to his 'collection' if they tried. His Palace swarmed with guards, even the floor upon which they stood was a death trap, the floor covered in tungstoid-steel.

He gestured for his majordomo to speak.

"My master welcomes your gifts." it gestured to the floor "Thank him for his mercy, at letting you address his august personage - prostrate yourself before his serene frame." it instructed, the Toydarian flapping around, as it requested that they fall to their knees, and place their hands, and faces, onto the ground before his masters throne.

 

[Karys]

Karys’ pleasant smile never flitted, it never fell from his lips at Nor’baal’s demand. Other Sith had raged against such empty platitudes, viewing themselves too powerful to swallow their pride. Karys wasn’t that breed of Sith, those Sith died early deaths. He would simply drop to a single knee, still smiling up at his potential patron.

“But of course, Emperor. Let us express our gratitude.” Karys replied cooly as he prostrated himself before Nor’baal’s throne.

It was an empty gesture to Karys, one that stroked the Hutt’s ego and opened the door to greater opportunities and power. Amusing Nor’baal was an expected part of what was to come when courting the ambitious and cunning warlord. The heat from the ground annoyed Karys as he pressed his forehead to the metal grate.

At least one of the Hutt’s traps became clearer to him.

Karys would wait, he would satisfy the Hutt’s thirst for apparent dominance. He wouldn’t stand until Nor’baal had bidden them to do so. Only once bidden would Karys return to his feet. His smile hadn’t faded as he gazed up at the mighty Hutt.

“We thank you for your mercy and your hospitality mighty Nor’baal and allowing us the opportunity to express it.” Karys stated finally. “Should he find it favorable. What would Emperor Nor’baal ask in return for his support in our endeavor?”

@Nor'baal @Versok

 

[Anai Skhess]

"Because" Anai addressed Karys as the man asked why he had allowed himself to agree to this, he obviously had issues dealing with the horrible temperatures of Tatooine, thankfully for Anai, she had grown in the tropical parts of Kalee, not only was she used to high temperatures, but it was usually humid heat, which tended to be more aggravating "You will get nothing done if you don't consistently get out of your zone of comfort" She simply replied back.

Anai would bow at the same time Karys did, letting him do the introductions and the talking at first, but, even though her facial expression would remain unchanging and unreadable, the Kaleesh would feel a pang of sadness for a moment; chieftess of her people, right. All that was left of her people was corpses, with even their holy burial sites desecrated, her family and friends denied the rites that allowed themselves to have a good life after death...And she couldn't even right that wrong, for she had brought Kalee to the Empire before they betrayed the order.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for her to focus back on what was happening in front of her. The Hutt was asking them to prostrate themselves to him and Anai didn't hesitate to do so. She had never been a particularly prideful woman, not only was this something necessary to reach their own goals, Nor'baal's power and strength were genuine, which was enough to gain respect from any sith worth their lightsaber. Just like they had to bow to the Dark Lord of the Sith and show respect to her, they had to show respect to the master of the Hutt clans, at least as long as they didn't approach him as an enemy.

Should the Hutt allow them to get up and speak again, Anai would look at the Hutt, carefully choosing what to say next "The order has culled the kind of sith foolish enough to disrespect you, great Supreme Mogul" Indeed, the order had been forced to adapt and evolve after the civil war, no longer could they afford to allow members within their ranks to make enemies like that "Your might should have never been disrespected, and we wish to correct past mistakes by helping against a foe that we have in common." She would add. Nor'baal was probably distrusting of the order, rightfully so, by addressing that they too were against the current Empire that defied him, he would hopefully realize they had come not to harm him, but to work towards dealing with the same problem.

@Nor'baal @Apollyon

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Nor'baal was shocked. He had expected the Sith to be their usual impulsive and reckless selves. In a way he was a little sad, he'd hoped for some sport. But perhaps they had some to offer him outside the meeting? Asmile cracked across his face - this Sith wished to get his blessing to attack someone else, to go for the throat of his enemies.

The Hutt was interested to hear more of their 'bid'.

"My Master welcomes you. He requests you speak more of your plans, and what you expect from him." the Majordomo instructed, gesturing for them to get to their feet and speak.

The Supreme Mogul watched and considered what next to do.

Ossus was a world that he had spent little time thinking about. It was far from his borders, a trickle of business into the mighty stream that he bestrode. But, that did not mean that a lesser jewel should be left unstolen just because it was lesser.

If someone else wished to take something for him, who was he to say no? Now all he needed was to know what he would be expected to risk, and what he could expect by way of reward.