Private A Discussion of Death | Jutrand | Dark Council Conference Room | 903 ABY

[Ank Dec]

TAGS: Gerwald Lechner Quinn Varanin


Jutrand proved intriguing.

Compound eyes gazed upon its streets, its orderly efficiency, its brutal rule of law, with... well, awe was not the correct word, but intrigue. The emotionless nature of the Colicoids, in a rough sense, led them to be a savage, brutal race, but they were not a race that was prone to feelings of goodwill. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. This was the way Colicoids ruled, by might and by guile, and he had earned his in both. Ank Dec indeed witnessed these intriguing things on the journey to the conference room for the Sith Order's Dark Conference room. How fascinating, these Sith; they proved the opposite of the Jedi in willingness to work. And perhaps... there may be an opportunity to solve not just one problem, but several with this effectual sales pitch. The Colicoid's thoughts drifted back to that of the Dark Empire and its own aggressive desire to clamp down on the corporations. Their honeyed words did not convince the Colicoid they were lax. No, they were a Hueche seeking to immediately wring the life from its prey by the neck, and ensuring the Sith Order grasped the severity of the situation, and either acted, or at least, provided material support to their corporate allies, not only benefitted himself, but his peers.

Well, slightly. They were still competition, but for now, better the freedom-loving unevolved tailless monkeys engaging in commerce that could lead to profits, as opposed to the jackbooted unevolved tailless monkeys engaging in oppressive destruction of their own economy and other economies beneficial to his Colicoidhood.

Still, Ank Dec made his way to the room, with a trio of FLTCH-series Battle Droids, his Envoy Droid, and of course, an array of holotapes and other recordings. He already had enough shipped to show off what he wanted to - and of course, spent the night prior, on his lack of needing much sleep due to his nature, as well as morning of this day, working on the flow holo-charts. As the Sith were due to enter soon, the sickly-sweet smell of rotten carrion-flesh and iron-gore miasma of raw sentient-meat wafted from the Colicoid in spades for those entering. Thankfully, Ank Dec kept his distance as to ensure this did not influence negotiations too poorly. He wanted to make a statement after all, and the first thing the Sith would see was a surprisingly detailed map of the galaxy, with several markings.

Namely, that of the Dark Empire and what looked to be vectors pointed at differing regions of the map.

It was in his prerogative belief that the biggest entities at risk would be those neighboring by the Dark Empire, and those who financed the corporations. Thus, the Trade Federation, the IGBC, and the financial institutions sequestered by the Banking Clan worlds were denoted. Lines ran back and forth, as well as pointing arrows and boundaries drawn. For now, the Colicoid awaited for them to enter, and once they did, would speak first via his protocol-translator droid. Insectile gnashing relayed itself to the droid, who in turn, saw its own vocabulator stir to life.

"There is the matter, of course, before business starts, that a pressing concern lays as to jeopardize and ruin our framework of any pursuable economic dealings concurrently and future-apparent. If this is not addressed, then these will be a moot point, and the threat to not only our profits, but that of your own economic stability, will become a stark reality. Regardless, the Colicoid Creation Nest wishes to ensure that these concerns are shared by us and our corporate associates in other organizations. I will allow you to ask the first questions regarding this - and once this is settled, we may move onto business proper."

For now, the Colicoid awaited their response in the expansive conference room. But he was aware he had likely seized their attention with the barbed comment. They were not a subtle people, his brood-kin.

Good.

He was determined to hold their attention for as long as possible...

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

WEARING:
TAG: Ank Dec | Quinn Varanin

Gerwald was curious from the moment the offer came to the table for military droids. It pulled him back to his days with the Confederacy of Independent Systems as well as provided an opportunity to raise a strike force for the Second Legion quickly. He fully intended on using the Sith military, and other methods of conscription which were available to him. Gerwald was doing the one thing he knew better than anything else, he was building toward war and conquest.

Preserving the strength of the military was paramount with such things. Gerwald knew that war would mean death, and if he could minimize the casualties that would come from his bold and brazen campaigns, he would. He knew full well that an Empire was only able to exist if there were citizens and people to rule. It was not about caring for the innocent, though the Wolf could not say he did not care for them either. His interest was simply a matter of practicality. A military supplemented with battle droids would safeguard the most important asset of any nation. The people.

The bug-like alien addressed him, and the Echani which was with him. Quinn Varanin was at his side as a favor to the Empress. They were related, the Wolf knew that much, but his interaction with Quinn had been minimal at best. Naturally he agreed. There were not many requests Gerwald would refuse Srina Talon.

Today’s game was a political one, which possibly explained the reason Gerwald had been asked to allow the Echani to join him. Regardless, they were required to answer the question of potential damage these negotiations would have on the Calicoid’s future prospects. Gerwald cared little what these talks did to the perceived ability for the Sith Order to enter into any agreement later. What they could not be gained through diplomacy would be taken by conquest.

His answer to the representative was simple.

“I appreciate your candor. Allow me to be just as direct. I believe these talks will benefit from doing without the banter and small talk many use to dance around business.”

He leaned into the direction of the alien.

“You are selling, and we are buying. Any understanding beyond would be premature as we have never used your product, and we would be a new customer to you. If your association is concerned, then perhaps we start with a small contract to ensure both parties find any further relationship agreeable.”

Gerwald hated playing the diplomat, but he had learned well. Srina, Lunara, and Naedira had been excellent teachers.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

//: Gerwald Lechner //: Ank Dec //:

Quinn stood beside the man her Godmother and Guardian had assigned her to follow. He was to teach her the ways of diplomacy and how to lead. Growing up, she had followed her mother's guide as the Queen of Eshan. Unfortunately, Quinn was not chosen to lead the planet; her older sister had drawn the lucky number. Her elder sisters were leaders, and she had become what felt like a kept pet in the Sith. Ibaris was high-ranking and considered a leader within the Dark Empire, and Noelle reigned as the Queen of Eshan.

The thought of her failings frustrated the young Echani Princess.

Upon hearing the conversation unfold before her, she raised an eyebrow at the salesman. It was an interesting approach to business, one that wasn't the wisest when it came to dealing with Sith Lords. Quinn commended the creature; they were brave, at least.

Her silence continued as she listened to Gerwald respond. A small smile cracked the porcelain doll's face; it was an interesting deal already. Quietly, the young woman did what she was trained to do and mentally scanned the two others in the room and the room itself. Protective measures for the Dark Lord and for herself. If there was any malicious intent, she would become aware of it. The smile remained on her face as she glanced back towards the Colicoid.

"When dealing with the Sith, it's better to be upfront and not dilly-dally with empty concerns. You treat us well; we will do so in response."

 

[Ank Dec]

TAGS: Gerwald Lechner Quinn Varanin


There's an unsettling expression that stretched over the Colicoid's facial features - mouthparts arranged into a smile certain to churn the stomach of any who stared at it for too long. It takes a moment, but it becomes clear that, even despite the Colicoid's worrying mental resilience and utter lack of emotional concept, that it is a smile placed on for the sheer sake of logical agreement. A requirement that Ank Dec learned in his time preparing for trade with outsiders was always to assume aggressive negotiations required such. Ank Dec accepted their logic either way, and with it, clicked in a vile, insectile array of linguistics to its envoy droid. If they looked close enough, they could see the Krath War Droid basis - though it also possessed eerie modifications. More insectile than Sith now, at least. The droid responded for its master's sake.

"His Presence agrees to such in the matter of business discourse - the Sithlings' logical reasonings are sound. Of course, we offer product, and you offer payment - a working relationship may be established in short order after if such agreements are found. Allow His Presence to grace you with such demonstrations."

With that, the Colicoid waved the chatty droid to shut off, and tapped something on a datapad. The images on the holo-screen, chart, whatever one wished to call it, immediately vanished, as with it demonstrated some intriguing products. A form of basic battle droid, the SO-24, that of the S-Series Droideka... before it eventually was cycled over to two particular products...

The U/M Droid Tri-Fighter and the U/M Pistoeka Sabotage Droid.

Ank Dec's wicked smile seemed to grow even further - it was... disconcerting. As the product is demonstrated in flight and action against what had been organic pilots, presumably, as they were swiftly executed in short order (a testament to the Colicoids' avowed ruthlessness), Ank Dec spoke in their clicking, foul dialect, to that of the Envoy Droid. It was definitely time to explain a little, and to offer what exactly was being shown on the screen.

"The Upgraded slash Modernized Droid Tri-Fighter, as well as the Upgraded slash Modernized Pistoeka Sabotage Droid, are both of valuable interest to the Sithlings then in assumption. The Tri-Fighter is a relatively cheap, in comparison to expensive organic pilots that require much living care and pay, droid star-fighter that succeeds against organic pilots found common-place, able to annihilate them with ease. Moreover, it is capable of being taken in squadrons of twenty, as well as boasting one hundred and fifty-five MGLT worth of speed. A very reliable dogfighting interceptor that can learn from its encounters, and transmit data back to not-yet-deployed Tri-Fighters as to improvise, adapt, and overcome enemy defenses. The Pistoeka, likewise, is cheap - a package deal with the Tri-Fighter to help dispose of enemy fighters and small-craft - even starships in large enough numbers."

The Colicoid clicked in a smugly-pleased tone, as Ank Dec waved a hand on, and clicked once. The droid looked absolutely hesitant - but a second click saw the droid gave a soft, near-silent sigh, and then spoke.

"His Presence is willing to offer very lucrative rates - because you are the first customers to receive such product, His Presence is willing to offer a substantial discount for every order of U/M Droid Tri-Fighters as well as allow the U/M Pistoekas for only a fraction for their normal sale price. Consider it a token of good-will for roughly only sixty thousand credits per every squadron of twenty U/M Droid Tri-Fighters, in addition to only two hundred credits for each twenty-one U/M Pistoeka Sabotage Droids carried via discord missile. Of course, His Presence asks for one other payment in addition to monetary credit value, and will even agree to potential further discounts should it prove of utmost high quality for this additional, if vital, gift."


The droid looks absolutely appalled, but Ank Dec merely gave out a harsh clicking reprimand, and the Envoy Droid commented.

"His Presence demands the flesh of still-living sentients and their fresh skin as a starting one-time payment to recoup costs, and of course, to show commitment to our business relationship as His Presence intends to do for such. Such items are delicacies and very much afford a delicious meal for the Colicoid Creation Nest's leadership to feast upon. And their skin-leather, of course, makes for finely-lavish furniture-coatings and accessory articles. The source of the sentients is preferred to be of modest quality; His Presence does not care how you source them or find such exquisite appetite-appeasing treats, only that it is possible and leads to prestige for both Sithlings to advance their careers, as does His Presence, likewise, benefit from such advancement."

The Colicoid merely waited, eyeballing both of them to see what they said. The Colicoids were ravenous, after all - Ank Dec did not care if they did not buy due to this. There were always sentients waiting to purchase. And just as many sentients who would pay such a gruesome bride price...