A Demonstration For The Admiral

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Location: Sriluur
Blood Hunter's Iron Works Test Facilities
0830 Local Time

The sun shone brightly across the open rocky wastes that served as a firing range for clan Vrotoa's aeronautics company. A hot wind scored the wasteland, kicking up dust and debris into small clouds. The sounds of wildlife no longer existed in this region, constant artillery fire and aerial bombardment had eradicated everything except a few stubborn shrubs for kilometers. The only life left in this wretched valley took the form of some hundred or more Zabrak. The majority of them were Zenva's personal death dealers, The Matron's Elites. Recon snipers had spread across the ridge line, watching over every ground approach to the valley. Heavy weapon specialists and groups of riflemen patrolled the area around a large pavilion and a small landing pad. The ten sergeants of the Matron's Elites stood in two crisp rows along the walkway between the LZ and pavilion, waiting in silence.

Zenva Vrotoa paced relentlessly, a mixture of nervousness and excitement as she waited for the shuttle to arrive. With it the Admiral of the Hutt Cartel would be joining her to observe a training exercise. One she hoped would impress [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] into a contract with Blood Hunter's Iron Works.

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

The shuttle landed with a heavy 'click' and 'pop' as a mixture of steam and smoke churned out of the landing equipment, coating the ground in a swirling mass of smog. "Zenva." a voice crooned, testing the word in his theoretical mouth warming to it with a greet. "It is so good to see you."

The cybernetic captain emerged flanked by two IG assassin droids, their cylindrical heads turning on their base the fluorescent bulbs that hummed a soft red glow as they regarded the Zabrak female. "You have much to show me, lets not waste time." the cyborg said the buzz and hum of machinery resonating within his tone.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

The shuttle had finally arrived. Zenva came to a halt at the end of the walkway, her yellow-red eyes swept over the cybernetic pirate and his two guards. One hairless brow rose almost quizzically. It was highly unusual to see the Captain of the infamous Jackels alone. Zenva brushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. She offered up her most charming smile, something easily comparable to a shark's grin, "It is very good to see you as well, mister McNash. I'm pleased you were able to join me."

As the pirate passed each sergeant, the warrior snapped to attention. Each one saluting in the clan's own fashion, a fist held against their breast between their twin hearts. Zenva bowed her head respectfully as Flannigan joined her in the observation area. Two large chairs sat at the far end of the pavilion facing into the valley. Beyond that, the Zabrak matron had provided nothing in the way of luxury typically found during dealings with the Cartel. Zenva gestured toward the seats, though she made no move to sit. One hand rose, keying the comm system built into her Amber colored shadez "Scramble the Half Drives."

Zenva took up a position near the end of the pavilion and turned back to McNash. "I wish to thank you for this opportunity mister McNash. It is my hope that you will see the issue I have seen. One I intend to correct today with this display. To begin allow to introduce a ship you are likely familiar with. At this time it is the Cartel's only small fighter vessel. A fairly simplistic one, I might add."

The air screamed with the roar of engines as ten Half Angel Industries Half Drive Fighters swept into the valley. The fighters flew in a "V" formation, banking along the walls of the valley. "How intimate is your knowledge of these fighters mister McNash?"

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"Quite intimate." he said his back lowering with a mechanical 'creak' and 'buzz', tugging his coat around himself so that only the feat and sudden movements would poke out and into view. "They're nothing special, personally if it weren't for bombers I wouldn't even use them. Not that they're bad fighters mind you, but they're still fighters and your bound to always loose man and machine in combat or even test runs."

"But why do you ask?"​

​

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]​

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva's smile turned fierce, "Your absolutely right mister McNash, they are lackluster. They are modernized TIE fighters with hellishly slow hyper drives. They are cheap to produce and likely considered expendable, nothing more, nothing less."

Her hand came up, once more keying her comm, "Scramble Blood Squadron Alpha." It started as a whine in the distance, growing rapidly into a pitched scream as a dozen X-HKI Interceptors raced into the valley. In moments the nimble Interceptors caught up to, and passed the lackluster Half Drive Fighters.

Zenva flashed a pleased little smile as her ships passed the pavilion, "These on the other hand are something a bit more impressive, if I do say so myself. The X Hunter Killer Interceptor, lovingly termed Blood Darts. These are designed with the sole intention of engaging fighters and bombers that are harassing your fleet."

Zenva paused briefly to admire her crafts once more. Fast, fierce, and perhaps a little flashy with their crimson and gold paint inspired by her clan's insignia. She held no small measure of pride for the vessels she had designed, considering them to be one of the best armed interceptors in production. "First Impressions mister McNash? I could regal you with design features and merits if you wish. Or shall we safe all that for after the fire fight?"

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"They look pointy." he said sharply, it was a bemused expression for as much as a face made of flat metal could acomplish, it was something in the eye's and the pace of his respiration system, a 'Hoo-Ha' or something very similar. "What's the catch. how much is this going to cost us, what are the strings that will hold these ships up?"

"I expect they won't be cheap, or you'll want a favour."​

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva gave a sharp little laugh which she attempted to hide by clearing her throat. Her lips curled in a faint smile as she spoke, "Pointy. Yes they are."

Her amusement faded rapidly however. The mechanical outlaw had unintentionally struck the Zabrak's pride, insulting her self-imposed code of honor in the process. Zenva's expression turned cold. "I do not deal in catches or favours owed, mister McNash. If you recall it was you who has done me a great favour. You pulled me from the ashes of the dying Ravens, setting me on this course the day I joined your Jackels in a slave raid. I owe you a favour, my friend. A personal favour. This is business and I would remind you to keep the two separate. Agreed?"

Zenva closed her eyes, drawing a slow deep breath. Forcing herself calm once more. When her eyes opened again, her face was carefully blank, her tone neutral and measured, "Now then. There will be a cost, naturally. However, I have no intention of gouging The Cartel for credits mister McNash. I will sell these ships by the squadron to The Cartel, and any company that produces capital ships for The Cartel. My company alone will build them to ensure that I get my fair share, you understand I'm sure. If you approve of my Interceptor then I will bring out the bomber I have built. If not. Well. We can watch these two squadrons try to kill one another, if you wish."

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"Unlike my master, I do not enjoy watching expensive weapons destroy each-other. It's costly. You have a deal, now bring out that bomber." he moved about the podium, the clip clap of his pronged feet sounded, the dents and deformation of steel and stone under them as he scratched his way over to [member="Zenva Vrotoa"]. "Now I mus ask, do you have any plans or questions for your relationship with the Cartel, I must be forward about these sorts of things."

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

"As you wish." Zenva tapped her comm, "Blood Squadron, stand down and return to the hanger. Break. Scramble the Pack Masters."

The Zabrak matron's gaze stayed with [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] as he paced toward her. No doubt the pirate was intimidating to many, especially when looming over them, but Zenva's expression didn't faulter as she stepped closer still to the towering mechanical outlaw. "My plans remain unchanged mister McNash. My clan is of the utmost importance to me. The Cartel provides work which provides for my people. The Cartel has provided me with the means to produce weapons of war which further provides for my people. So long as it is favourable to my clan to work with the Cartel, we will. I fail to see anything to question in our arrangement. Do you?"

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"I don't question your loyalty, I'm just asking. You'd be surprised how many times 'are you going to betray me?' gets an honest answer." It went click-clack like any other large breathing device. But somehow, and against all usual horological practice the click and the clack were irregular. Click clack click... and then the merest fraction of a second longer before ... clack click clack... and then a click a fraction of a second earlier than the mind's ear was now prepared for. The effect was enough, after a few minutes, to make one want to put several yards between themselves and the cyborg, it told people they were on borrowed time, and reduced the most well prepared plans to sludge with slight but planned annoyance. He must have payed to have this specially made.

"You will mass produce these for the Cartel, the usual rate or do we need to re-discuss the prices?"
[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva stayed close to the mechanical monstrosity for several long moments before she flashed her vicious little grin once more and turned back to the valley. "I'm glad we have that settled, mister McNash. As to pricing, I have every intention of offering The Cartel a discount for whole squadrons. Individual vessels will be sold at the standard market price. If that is acceptable to you we will move on to the bombers."

A hint of agitation entered her voice as she mentioned the bombers, who's slower speeds had delayed them longer than the matron had hoped. In moments though the low rumble of the D-HB1 "Pack Master" engines could be heard. A full squadron of the heavy bombers cleared the valley's ridge line a moment later, flying in a tight formation. The Zabrak matron smiled proudly as the group passed the pavilion. "The Pack Master. A heavily armored multipurpose fighter bomber. Impression mister McNash?"

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"Very impressive. Now we will be buying in mass, I want to see an extra discount on buying squadrons in squadrons." he began to adjust his coat's with a concentrated stare one can only manage with the knowledge with one careless movement he could remove a button or a large chunk of his coat. "Quite, now is there anything else you wish to discuss." and 'pop' he had done it, a button flung itself in the air and landed with a 'tap' 'tap' he stepped on it with a crunch turning the gold trim sphere into dust under his heavy footfall, it was the action of a man or machine dealing with all his problem's with one flying button at a time.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Zenva spun on a heel, facing the pirate once more. "Done and done." She watched as the man lost a button and crushed the rebellious piece of clothing beneath his heel. One brow rose quizzically, uncertain as to why he had done so. "I believe we are in agreement my friend. Thank you for seeing me mister McNash. I know how valuable your time is."

Zenva stood with a small smile on her lips. Her gaze never wavered as she looked the mechanical outlaw in the eye.

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"You'd be most appreciated at our next market expansion." he slid a small disk towards her, it had the records of the upcoming dominion of Trandosha, "You'd be appreciated to join me aboard my ship when we travel, and I think it would do you some good to see the expanding market." he began to move, he walked towards the shuttle, turning back to gesture at the droids. "My gift to you Zenva." he took off with a heavy 'click' and 'pop' as a mixture of steam and smoke churned out of the landing equipment, coating the ground in a swirling mass of smog. The shuttle began to disappear.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]