A Sitch In Time

[Zeradias Mant]

Time. A curious thing, really. It provided an not just stories, but lessons. Beyond that were countless artifacts, relics which didn't just tell stories, but helped people live them hundreds of years later. The Slave I gave Zeradias a taste for expensive antiquities, and now he had his sights set on another: the Rogue Shadow, the personal transport of Darth Vader's secret apprentice just after the Battle of Yavin. While private investigators help reveal a fair portion of the ship's highly classified design, little headway was able to be made beyond the surface. For that, he'd need some help.

His flagship, the ISV Resolute was decommissioned shortly after the collapse of the Iron Empire, so he was left with more modest choices in his ship. He opted for nothing more than an unremarkable patrol corvette, borrowed on loan from the Coruscant Security Force. A former officer and executive of the law enforcement agency, he had tight connections which helped him not only in achieving the office of Galactic City's Mayor, but also in retaining it. A harmonious relationship between city hall and police headquarters was essential in effective governance. Now though, he traveled to the Outer Rim, seeking information from the one place best equipped to handle such requests: the Galactic Empire. Though formed over 800 years after the original and being largely unrelated, this empire drew heavy influence from their ancient predecessors while exerting their own influence within their domain.

"Kamino Tower, this is Falcon 1-1, requesting permission to land."

The callsign was one agreed upon by the two parties to ensure minimal communication on open channels. As approval was given, the ship docked as rain pattered across the hull of the ship. Only two officers armed with their service handguns exited the ship with Zeradias. He was confident they were not needed, but protocol dictated he have a protective detail around the clock.

"Moff Malvern.", Zeradias greeted as he entered glaring white halls offering refuge from the harsh climate outside. "Thank you for accommodating my request."

[member="Adron Malvern"]​

 

[Adron Malvern]

The High Moff held no love for Kamino. It was a desolate planet, save for the Kaminoan cities that were few and far between. He had always preferred his territory within the Bothawui sector to such a dreary planet. Of course, as a member of the Moff Council and the Captain of the Emperor's personal guard, he was on the planet far more than he was home on Bothawui.

​His business today had been with the former leader of the Iron Empire. Zeradias Mant, a man Adron had next to no knowledge on, prior to the knowledge of this meeting.

​Within the Kaminoan complex that was Tipoca, Adron stood silently, watching as his guest arrived.

​The door's to the outer platform parted for the man and his guard, revealing the High Moff, accompanied by a duo of his own Imperial Guards. Nothing more than a show of position, if nothing else. The guards were an unnecessary bondage to being the Captain of such a unit. Clad in the uniform of his station, the High Moff stepped forward, extending a hand to the man.

​"Zeradias Mant. It is an honor. Welcome to Tipoca city. Come, I am sure your travels have left you winded." He assured, his pale blue orbs never once leaving the man before him. Turning back down the hall, Adron moved past his guard, the two flanking him as he led the party down the hall.

​The High Moff had prepared a room for the two to converse privately. He was not a fan of making such meetings a public spectacle.

​Leading the two to a hall absent roaming bodies, the High Moff tapped the console on the side of a shut door, glancing over to the man with a nod of assurance. "Your guards can wait here, as will mine. I prefer we speak alone."

​Opening the door for the duo, the room would be the same fashion as the others. A nearly blindingly white interior, yet in the middle sat two Kaminoan seats and a table with a single datapad on it. "Please, have a seat." Adron said, gesturing to the seat as he made his way over to a small cabinet in the corner of the room. "May I offer you a drink?" The Moff asked, revealing the bar within the cabinet. After taking a small bottle of whiskey, as well as two glasses, the man made his way over to the Mayor.

​"Now, Sir. We both know why you are here, yes?"

[member="Zeradias Mant"]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

A gracious host indeed. After dismissing his own guard, Zeradias did the same, albeit hesitantly. It's not that he didn't trust the high moff, it was just a breach of protocol which Mant took seriously. Zeradias had a contingency though which his security detail understood. For the most part, they needed to keep eyes on, so they would distance themselves to give the mayor more privacy, all the while without compromising their mission. When the two disappeared into a conference room, they posted near the door along with the imperial guards.

"Now sir, we both know why you're here, yes?"

Zeradias nodded. "I do apologize for the ambiguity in my message, it was something I'd believed to be more sensitive to us both. I'm sure your cryptographers were able to decipher it without problem."

"My team has already made significant headway, but we've also found that it's nigh impossible to complete with a desirable degree of accuracy without certain information - information we believe the Imperial Archives may possess."

"I'm not interested in scouring your state's secrets", he assured. "Only information on the Rogue Shadow. I'm hoping that is something you may be able to help with."

[member="Adron Malvern"]​

 

[Adron Malvern]

[SIZE=11pt]An unsure glance was passed to the visiting Mayor as Adron set the small glass down in front of him, flooding the floor of the cylinder with the dark brown liquid within the whiskey bottle. After setting the bottle on the table between them, the High Moff would take his own glass into his hands as the Mayor spoke. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“It was a necessary measure, I'm sure.” He responded, taking a shallow sip of the liquid, favoring the heated feeling it left as it went down his throat and through his chest. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The Mayor’s words were met with no skepticism, however the High Moff did give the man a slight arch of his brow. The request was one that was, significantly reasonable for an ally of the Empire, however many of Adron’s counterparts on the Moff council would ask why they should provide such information, and so did Adron. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“The Galactic Empire under Emperor Palpatine holds few true ties with the Modern Empire. While we may have the information you need, there stands one question. Why would we offer it freely?” He asked the man. “The ship is a known Imperial Vessel, so many in the Empire would argue it is our property. While I am not among them, there is something I am curious about. Why do you want this ship?”[/SIZE]

[member="Zeradias Mant"]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

Zeradias smirked slightly at the moff's remarks. He was not so naive to think that this information would come his way out of good will. No, rather he thought that it could be bought. Zeradias had maintained a friendly albeit distant relationship with the Galactic Empire as an official of their Iron counterpart. He had hoped that this relationship would hold some bearing on the likelihood of obtaining what he sought, but he doubted he would be able to rely on that alone.

"I would think less of you if you did give me the information without strings attached.", Zeradias said. "As far as the property concern goes, its reconstruction has been done so through private means. The ship and Vader's apprentice were such a closely guarded secret back then, I'd be surprised if many people 800 years later knew of it. I'd much rather the Empire be a partner in this venture rather than a competitor, and not without compensation."

Sliding a small, sleek envelope across the table, he continued. "I'm prepared to offer a fair amount for access to the archives. Supervised, if necessary."

Inside the envelope contained a credit chit, and the chit contained a very generous amount of finance most certainly.

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

[SIZE=11pt]A content expression came over Adron’s face as Zeredias passed the envelope over to him. Taking the small envelope from the table, he slid his finger over the package, identifying the credit chit inside. He was more than sure there was a decent “gifting” within the chit. Yet he returned the envelope to the table, sliding it back to the man. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“You're a learned man, Mayor Mant. I also believe you know how the galaxy works. Wealth makes the galaxy move and wealth is what The Empire needs. Wealth is what I need.” He expressed, crossing his arms in his lap. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I believe who you know is the greatest Wealth in the cosmos. I could certainly be persuaded to part with such information, for a dear friend of course.” He said, hinting that the information can be parted with in return for the Mayor’s secure friendship. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Are we in agreeance? My friend?” Adron said, offering a soft smile as he awaited the man’s response. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Zeradias Mant"][/SIZE]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

Curious, why the gift was rejected. It became all to clear afterwards what he wanted. Friendship, though such a thing often entailed more than face value. Still though, Zeradias knew the Empire and the man at its helm. Though warmongers, they weren't devoid of intelligence or rationale. He was a point of contact in their empire's diplomatic efforts before, and saw little harm in continuing their favorable relationship. Quid pro quo was an all to familiar concept in the realm of politics.

With an brow raised of intrigue, he rose from his seat and offered his hand in a common form of assurance and respect.

"I believe we are, friend."

[member="Adron Malvern"]

 

[Adron Malvern]

[SIZE=11pt]Rising to his feet, Adron took the man’s hand, offering a firm shake in return. “Excellent.” He offered, before turning to the datapad that had been laid on the table. Taking it into his hands he offered it to the Mayor. “This should contain everything you will need to restore the ship.” He told Zeredias. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]After passing the datapad off he would pull a small security drive from his pocket. “I had my analyst identify the systems for the Rogue Shadow, this drive should give you access to any and all Imperial Naval Systems for that class of ship.” That too was passed off, before the High Moff clasped his hands behind his back. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I am sure that will suffice.” He concluded. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt][member="Zeradias Mant"][/SIZE]

 

[Zeradias Mant]

As quickly as it started, the meeting was brought about to a conclusion. Agreements made and friendships forged, or rather renewed, made for a successful mission. The data pertinent to the Rogue Shadow lie on the devices High Moff Malvern surrendered now lie in Zeradias' hands, and he couldn't help but grin. It didn't appear much, and to the untrained eye, it would look as if his expression hadn't changed at all.

Initially hesitant in his agreeing to the exchange over the price, he consoled himself in that friendship was the only cost. He may be more entailed to grant personal favors in the future, but he was unwilling to undergo any such agreement or action which would potentially compromise his party's place or prominence on Coruscant. That, he would not do, nor did he see it prudent to state. Friendship is what was agreed to, and friendship is what would be had. He got what he came to Kamino for.

"Until next time, high moff.", Zeradias remarked before leaving the room and rejoining his security detail, escorted by Imperial stormtroopers back to their ship.

The Rogue Shadow was all but complete, and would make an excellent addition to Mant's collection.

[member="Adron Malvern"]