Ask There isn’t Anything More Evil Than a Politician

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Anaxes, the so-called ‘Defender of the Core’, had a long military history. For centuries, it had been the primary fleet base for the Republic. Even with it now being an independent world, the planet had maintained some of its military power. It turned Anaxes into a powerful ally to any faction that was capable of bringing it to their sides.

In this regard, the Sith seemed to be in a better position. Rumors inside the Order said that the planet’s senator was sympathetic to them. It had been enough to make some Champions to be dispatched here to ascertain if it was true. How they were going to do that was totally up to them.

They only needed to be discreet.

It was because of this mission that Caerllion was on the planet. Seated in a cantina near the spaceport of Pols Anaxes, the Annfyn waited for the arrival of his partner for the day. He only hoped that it wasn’t going to be an idiot.

@Apollyon @Raydo

 

[Karys]

Discretion is what Karys had shown he was capable of. He’d helped bring worlds under the sway of the Sith without ever needing to draw his lightsaber, without spilling blood at all. He hoped Anaxes would follow that pattern.

Karys had arrived on Anaxes relatively recently, he wore a business casual outfit. His lightsaber hilt and blaster pistol were both places within a hidden compartment in a briefcase he carried. The cover was one that Karys usually utilized now when operating in the public eye, a representative of Zygerria Limited. A Labor Acquisition and Investment Firm that represented Zygerrian interests abroad.

Karys knew his partner in this endeavor was supposed to meet him at a cantina near the spaceport. The titanic Pureblood dipped his head to enter the bar and glanced around. He had a feeling whoever his partner was they’d likely spot him long before he spotted them.

Eventually, his golden eyes settled on a familiar face, Caer. He was relieved knowing that his partner was at the very someone he knew. Karys would do his best to creep up behind the Anfynn while he sat at the bar. He’d clap the man on the back with a hand that was more of a bear paw.

When Caer turned he’d see Karys, but even larger. The younger Pureblood now stood at 6’8 and weighed over three hundred pounds of muscle. But Karys beamed at him, happy just to be working alongside a friendly face.

“You never told me who beat the snot out of you Caer!” He said with a smirk. “I can’t whip their ass for you if I can’t find them!”

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

While he waited for his partner, Caerllion had asked the barman for a glass of wine. A part of him hoped that whoever was the person, would arrive late. It had been a long time since he had the opportunity for simple seating in a place by himself to appreciate a good drink. These days he only visited cantinas as a facade for missions.

The Annfyn was happily tasting his wine, describing its taste according to some old classes that he had about that, when he felt a huge hand clap at his back. Caerllion nearly choked with the drink, but years of etiquette made him recover from the fright in a matter of seconds. Then, he slowly turned to look at the person that had scared him, already prepared to start an argument.

Then he saw that it was Karys.

And the Pureblood was bigger than ever, looking like a pile of muscles.

Why did everyone end up becoming bodybuilders while I’m forced to stay like a twink? It wasn’t fair!

“Hey, Karys! Nice to see you.” he smiled friendly at the other Sith, still admiring the Pureblood’s muscles. Would he give me some training tips? he thought, thinking that his genetics would probably never help him with that.

“I couldn’t see well in the middle of the chaos, but I think that the guy was a Pantoran. A very big one.” it still amazed the Annfyn that Karys was really honest and that he couldn’t remember how he had punched his face. The worst part was that the Pureblood was really nice. Due to that, Caerllion decided to not tell what happened that day. Besides, he was afraid that the red-skinned man would punch again.

Even more now that he was bigger. He would probably split the Annfyn’s head in half.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

"I'm glad to see you too man!" Karys replied before casually and absent-mindedly shoving some random Ugnaught from the chair next to Caer. The tiny creature squealed and grunted in protest, that was until it looked up and saw Karys. Then it just scuttled away to a different section of the cantina. Karys slid into the now empty seat and ordered whatever wine Caer was drinking for himself. "A Pantoran huh?" Karys questioned. "Look, you just point him out if he was a Sith and I'll give him the Dalon special, alright bud?" He replied with a smirk.

All the Acolytes and most Champions understood what the Dalon special was at this point. No one wanted that many infirmary visits in a single month. Something that was especially true when the beat down coming from Karys.

"So, what can you tell me of our contact?" Karys asked Caer. "I know this is a diplo mission, we're supposed to secure Anaxes or at least re-establish influence here right?" He asked.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Caerllion watched Karys shove an Ugnaught out of their seat without even looking at them. The tiny creature fled in panic when he saw the behemoth that had pulled him away. Yeah, buddy. Flee before he decides to crush you. the Annfyn thought, feeling a bit sympathetic for the alien’s predicament.

After all, he had been there

”Maybe he was a Sith, I’m not sure. But I’ll tell you if I see him around.” Caerllion smiled at Karys, while thinking that the Pureblood would never know the truth. He doubted that anyone besides him had seen the scene. Everyone was too distracted fighting in the middle of vomit and feces to watch him being punched in the face.

Or at least it was what he wanted to believe.

The mention of the Dalon special caught the Annfyn by surprise. At first, he thought that Karys had been joking about helping him deal with the ‘person’ that punched him on the face. However, the rumors said that this special was something that the Pureblood would do when he was really pissed with someone. If it was the case, then his fellow Champion had been honest the entire time.

It was another reason to not tell Karys, better leave him with these friendly thoughts rather than awkward feelings.

At least the change of the subject to their mission had been a relief. “We are going to meet with a local politician. According to my sourcers, he is sympathetic to our cause. We’ll try to have his total support and have his help to or establish our presence secretly here in Anaxes or co-opt the entire government. I'm aiming for the last one.”

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

“Good!” Karys replied as he slapped a hand onto Caer’s shoulder and gave it a playful squeeze. “Let’s get down to business then.” He continued, a grin etched onto his face.

Karys listened as Caer laid out the situation. A politician that was sympathetic to the Order was rare and usually didn’t come without strings. Which was fine, most of the time one someone had been lured in, they wouldn’t recognize their mistake until it was too late. However, when Caer admitted his plan was to sway the whole government Karys’ grin flickered.

That was unlikely.

“Caer, let’s just start with this politician and work from there.” He replied. “Gaining a foothold and expanding later is the safest options. We can’t afford to expose ourselves to our enemies yet.” He explained. “What time is our meeting at?” He asked as he checked his chrono.

Then Karys’ wine would arrive, he’d take a sip absentmindedly and find it to be bold and strong. He coughed slightly in surprise as he swallowed. “Damn, Caer you drink this regularly? You’re tougher than you look!” He teased the other man playfully.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”I know and you are right. Winning the politician to our side is more important right now.” since the Order was trying to be secretive, bringing an entire planet to their side would be difficult. They couldn’t even offer the benefits of protecting Anaxes against attacks.

He missed the old Sith fleets.

“Our meeting is in five hours. I think that it gives us the opportunity to learn more about the Senator. Knowing details about his life can be useful, if we end up needing to use the good and old tactic of blackmail.” Caerllion wanted to reach a peaceful agreement with the Politician, but he would always be prepared for the worst.

Caerllion smirked with Karys’ comment. “It’s a centenary wine from Annwfyn, made with fruits that already have a strong taste. It was the first alcoholic beverage that I drank when I reached the age.” he could still remember his eighteenth birthday party. He thought that the dance and drinks were the best at the time, but now the Sith celebrations were the best ever.

“I always thought that it was pretty weak. You should try an Annfyn wine that is three hundred years old. This is far stronger than anything that you ever drank.” Caerllion still didn’t know how his father and others could drink that shit. “I also hate it. This one is the maximum that I can drink.” his sipped more of his drink.

It was probably the first time that he had a good conversation with Karys. If he didn’t see the Pureblood punch him, Caerllion would have doubted that they were the same person. The Annfyn stared at him some more, taking on how the red-skinned man was muscled. “Can you help me work out?” he asked, deciding that there wasn’t anything to lose. “I mean, you have practice with it, right?” he gestured at the other Champion’s body. “I don’t want to become a bodybuilder, only enough for me to not be like a twig. Being a bit more toned would be nice.”

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys smirked at Caer’s reply. He patted the lithe elf on the back lightly this time. “There isn’t a right or wrong Caer, there’s just what’s best for the Order.” He whispered in reply. “If the Order is safe, so are we.” He stated, giving his ally a slow nod.

“I think learning the Senator is a good idea, but also we need to understand what we’re bringing to the table here.” Karys started. “We bring the power of labor through Zygerria, protection of assets through Panathan muscle, and financial support through Trokein credits.” Karys pointed out. “Anaxes has a lot to gain from supporting us.” He explained. “We have to spin this as an opportunity for cultural revolution, a new golden age for them.” He continued. “Thoughts?”

As the conversation continued, Caer would explain Annfyn wines and how they were made. He quickly reviewed different varieties and types as well as the aging process. Karys enjoyed wine, so this piqued his interest. He listened intently to Caer as he talked about a piece of his culture.

“Ziost is too cold to grow any sort of grapes. I didn’t have my first glass of wine until I joined the Order as an Acolyte.” He explained. “We have something similar, but it’s made from the fermented juices of a particular root and blood.” He continued. “It isn’t popular with most outsiders…it requires a certain pallet to enjoy.” He said with a knowing smirk.

Then Caer caught Karys truly off guard with his request. He asked for Karys to work out with him. Karys blinked for a moment, surprised by Caer’s request. He mulled it over briefly and then shrugged.

“I mean yeah I guess I have some experience in the gym?” Karys responded in a momentarily confused tone. “But Anai and I usually hit the gym after dance class on Tuesdays.” He continued casually. “You can jump in with us if you want. I’ll send you the time.” He said with a nod. “But you should know, you look great as is. Don’t let someone else change you, only do it if you want to, Caer.”

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

”You are right.” Caerllion said, impressed with Karys devotion to the Sith. It wasn’t everyone that had such visions about their Order, with selfishes desires being more common than the care for collectiveness. The Annfyn himself had thought that the Sith were only the means for an end, but it had been years ago. Now he only wanted to secure its survival.

However, he wondered how long Karys would maintain these thoughts. Personal ambitions could rise at any time.

“Anaxes was always connected with the military. If we find a way of bringing this proud nature back, show the Senator that with our help he can make his world flourish as a military power once again, I believe that it can win him to our side.” Caerllion learned that playing with the ambition of others was always a good strategy.

The Annfyn looked at Karys with curiosity when he mentioned the drink from his homeworld. “Blood? Is it the blood of an animal or of a sentient, like someone of your species?” whatever was the answer, Caerllion was sure that he would never drink it.

“Do you have dance class? This is really nice! I have had those since I was a child, part of my training as part of the nobility.” probably it was the least boring part of all those classes. “Although, I believe that it isn’t the same.” Caerllion’s cheeks got a bit red when Karys said that he looked great. It was so rare for people to say it to him these days that even if the other was only saying it to be polite, the Annfyn decided to simply consider it as a true compliment.

“Thanks! You also look great.” he thought about what Karys said, then decided that he should remain as he was. He liked his appearance. “Maybe you are right, but I still want to work up with you. It’s better than doing it alone.” besides it would make him have more chances of interacting with the Pureblood, meaning that they could become better allies. “And I would like to participate in the dance classes, too. If it isn’t a problem.”

@Apollyon