An appointment

[Sargon Vynea]

The cold walls of his ship had held Sargon to long in their embrace, but where did a man without purpose go, where did he find purpose? He had faded into shadows, but he knew of a few that would remember his name, and still call him friend, or at least he'd still call them friend. So it was that he found himself in orbit around Naboo, a glittering gem among the galaxy's lifeless rocks. It taken a few calls but he'd found the man he was seeking here, and even gotten an appointment to met with him under a false name. The surprise after all might just be worth it.

Renting a speeder to take him out to Lucien's country home, the Zabrak was struck by the beauty of the surrounding lands. The man had chosen quite the location for a summer home, and its prime location on the lake was quite the prize. Of course then again from what he'd heard about Naboo and seen of it it seemed most of it was of a near paradise beauty. The Zabrak was wearing a well worn robe and some rather simple clothing. It was an odd choice when meeting Lucien, but he'd liquidated most of his assets before leaving Bakura and left those he couldn't behind.

Striding towards the gate Sargon hit the gate's buzzer. “I have an appointment with Lord Cordel.”

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Whilst Sargon's Response to the loss of purpose that came with the fringe collapse was isolation Lucien had gone the opposite way. Men like him didn't have the privilege of disappearing there would always be someone hounding him for the papers or a government and he prefered that when they hounded him it was under the shadow of false victory than all to painful defeat. So Lucien had found himself false purpose, he'd become a technocrat whatever one of those was. He was afterall at heart an Aristocrat but the fall of the fringe had put to death his life of aristocracy he needed to make money now. He had taken well to the life it seemed to look at him in public all smiles and strong backs but those who saw him privately would see that he was breaking more and more daily. He smoked more now, Drank more , slept more.

There were perks to his new life though, like this summer house. There was no such tranquility in the fringe it had been a lit match on a barrel of gunpowder and one had to be forever vigilant. It had made life exciting but it also prevented any real tranquility. The life of a technocrat was one which afforded order and order afforded tranquility. That was one of the only saving graces, the techno union brought retirement prospects which the fringe could never promise . If only Lucien wanted to want to retire.

When Sargon reached the gate he was met by a bored sounding droid voice from the buzzer "Enter, Park your speeder on the drive ... The drive not the lawn don't obstruct any doors then enter the main house and wait in the foyer someone will meet you there ... Now hurry up" Then the gates had swung open.

[member="Sargon Vynea"] would be met in the foyer by an austere looking Personal assistant "You are Bola Fitzim?" She'd phrased it more as a statement than a question, she had no idea that this was not his real name having never been involved in the fringe "This way, If you're armed relinquish all weapons to the guard on the director's office door failure to do so is grounds for arrest" Lucien was now Director of Law in the union afterall. Then she led him at pace upstairs to Lucien's study. Once Sargon had relinquished any weapons he had, or was willing to relinquish, they proceeded into the office "Mr. Cordel is on the balcony, you could join him but he may look upon the intrusion unfavourably" Then she left.

Lucien was stood on the balcony smoking the remains of a cigar and watching his son playing in the lake. No doubt Tulkas a slave he'd liberated would be running about somewhere, He sighed and through the stub into a ashtray. He was riled in truth he had come to Naboo to spend the last days of summer in tranquility and even here he could not escape from pestering. He lent against the Balcony rail this 'Mr. Fitzim' could wait.

 

[Sargon Vynea]

With a small smile Sargon followed Lucien's assistant, a bit humored at the rather disinterested business manner she handled him. In this place he was a no name, truth but told in most of the galaxy he was a nobody now, and in truth that amused him greatly. Walking with her to the 'Director's office door' he shook his head for the guard. "I'm unarmed feel free to check, though I'm sure your sensors already know that." With a bored look the Zabrak lifted his arms for the required pat down before he was let into the office itself. Nodding to the assistant's words he stopped for a minute and looked over his friend through the window.

Stepping forward until he reached the balcony door the Zabrak considered Lucien's body language, and while he'd have liked to have poked at him with the Force it would absolutely kill the surprise. Instead after a long moment he opened the door and strode out onto the balcony, noting the tensing of Lucien's neck muscles. Stressed perhaps, or simply annoyed at being intruded upon, either one was possible, Sith a lot of things had no doubt happened to Lucien while Sargon faded away. He had no doubt though that as he walked up next to the minister, and leaned against the railing things would go better. At least he hoped so, it had been too long, and people change. "Its quite the improvement on climate, Lord Cordel, mind of course its not actually your planet so that downgrades the rating a bit. Well at least I don't think it is your planet, if it is well done, my friend, well done."

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien bristled as the balcony door opened, would no one leave him be. He was going to need another cigar if he was to be deprived of his breather. He took one last look at his son so care free by the lake below and sighed as the intruder approached him . Be nice Lucien, be nice he thought over and over to himself. He couldn't snap incase this fool was important. Feth he hated this part of his job. Only when the intruder spoke Lucien felt he recognised the voice. A flood of memories from his bygone golden age hit him. [member="Sargon Vynea"] ... a man who he had not seen in too long.

He turned to look, redder than he remembered but definitely him. It was a good job the railing was there as the strength in his legs left him. He was getting old as the slow onset of grey hair and achy joints could attest. The darkside will do that to a man. Composed as ever though, he gave little away "Optio, what a pleasant surprise" He said with a genuine smile "Yes Naboo does rather appeal to me but alas no, Control is held by another a puppet monarch" Lucien was far too busy overseeing law in the union.

"What brings you out here?" He asked, he hadn't had sight nor sound of Sargon in what felt like years. "Had I known it was you I would have greeted you personally, They gave me a false name it seems" He would likely fire the secretary who took the call for her ineptitude. casting one last look to his son he turned to lean back on the rail.

 

[Sargon Vynea]

A smile lit the face of Sargon, genuine happiness for once in some time it felt at the sight of his old friend. It had been far too long since Sargon had last seen Lucien, or almost anyone for that matter he'd known from his old life. "Aye, I gave them a fake, I thought a surprise might do you good, keep you on your toes. As to the why well, I came to see you, my friend."

Glancing down over the lake below he pulled a bottle of strawberry wine, grown in the fields of Bakura, and brought quite the distance it was his last bottle, but he could think of none better to share it with. "Its been a long road hasn't it, Lucien? I remember years ago in your home learning the art of governing, and politics. Our stars shined a bit differently then, at least mine did. You appear to be doing quite well for yourself still, congrats on that. I've spent the last few years protecting what I could, but that time is over or so I'm told. Now I'm mostly attempting to figure out what a man does with the rest of his life. I've considered everything from retirement and hiding away, something I excel at. Perhaps another place has need of an old soldier, but I think in truth I may just strike out for myself. I've got enough left from my years of service to start my own company, work for myself for once. Then again, perhaps not."

With a small shrug he stood up and offered the bottle to Lucien, "And you? The Techno Union? How did that all come about?"

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien hummed in acknowledgment. A fake that explained things, he'd probably still fire the secretary though ... he detested surprises. Nonetheless he smiled "Well then I'm flattered and glad that you came" Lucien had missed his friends Mikhail and Andra were missing, Andra might have been safe but Mikhail was dead Lucien knew. There was no proof but deep down Lucien knew his mentor was gone and that failure ate away at him.

Lucien looked down as Sargon brought out the wine. Wine was good, so very good. His eyes flashed and two glasses made their way from the drinks cabinet to the balcony. A nod met sargon's words. slow, solemn a nod weighted by nostalgia "So Long and yet not nearly long enough" He'd give his right arm for one more year in the golden age of his youth " Yes, I remember ... shortly before you introduced me to that Blackmoon Lady, not the nicest thing you ever did" He smirked. Meret Blackmoon had made him miserable and he was sure she had slept with Andra in her male guise. Then he frowned "No Sargon you'll find my star dulled as well, we all burnt so brightly in the fringe or at least we did in our age of glory, This ..." he said gesturing around " ... Is a mask, a gilded venire hiding just how empty life has become, everything that matters has gone Mikhail, Andra, Ashin, spencer I havn't seen them in too long ... I'm sure Mikhail's dead ... I didn't even get to say goodbye" He looked away, "I failed to protect what mattered, foolishly it was my money and power that I secured ... I should have taken better care" He was suffocating " Striking out alone is a wise move" He replied lifting his head composed once again. "Sadly the fringe is but a glorious memory, my contacts on Skye tell me new factions are rising to seize the regions, our time is done"

He took the offered bottle pouring a glass "Absent friends" He hurried out before lifting the glass and draining it swiftly. Not dignified but it kept him together.

"Now this is a story and a half" He chuckled, it seemed the right emotion " I was sat in a derelict conference room of the Annaj grand Hotel and I summon the foreman of the union to smuggle myself and Darien out before the ravaging hoards completely destroyed everything. He agreed and brought me to the union I arranged a deal to stay and started a new life as an investor, I managed to get much of my wealth out ahead of myself so that seemed the best idea. Using my influence with the foreman and a few others, I secured the role of director of finance then when the old director of law resigned I took his place ... it fills time I suppose ... I hate it all though, it bores me it's all money and shady dealing , but it offers stability and safety for Darien so it's a price I'll pay" Even if it was suffocating him to remain he would, his son was what mattered.

 

[Sargon Vynea]

Chucking softly at the Blackmoon comment the Zabrak gave a grin, "You were supposed to teach her politics, its not my fault you she wooed you. Chin up though, I'd say you're still doing quite a bit better then she is, wherever she is." Listening to his friend's advice Sargon nodded, though he did stop for a quiet shake of the head at the mention of the new factions rising. Sith were attempting to dominate their old home, its true the Fringe was founded by Sith, but they never ruled like ones. Raising his glass he sipped it slowly watching his friend drain his, the man had changed a bit it seems. Then again haven't we all changed since those glory days?

Looking down at his wine glass Sargon slowly nodded at Lucien's story, it was quite a tale, and not the way he'd thought Lucien would turn out. Of course, Sargon felt the same out his own situation, so he understood, how close was he to ending up somewhere like this? It was a gilded cage, but a cage none the less for a man like Lord Cordel governor of worlds. Tapping a finger to his lips Sargon smiled, [color] "I may end up striking out, but why do it alone? I'm going to use what I've saved and grown all this time as a member of the Fringe and strike out, make my own way and destiny. I'm not even entirely sure what business to get my hands into, but at least it will be mine. Then again no need to really do it alone, every venture could use a partner?"[/color]

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien smiled back " The woman was demon, I don't think she wooed me so much as backed me into a corner and forced me to be her lover" Lucien still didn't understand quite how it had happened. It scared him that he was so easily controlled by her. Lucien poured another glass, alcohol drained the pain. Life was harder now without the fringe, without the friends who he new. He had friends in the union, sure but they all had multiple faces one could never be certain of allegiance here. But it was ordered and thus afforded Darien the protection he would need to grow.

Lucien cocked his head, going into business with sargon would be good. But he couldn't think only of himself anymore. He hummed again "I would partner with you but I'm too old to go galavanting across the galaxy so you would need a firm base, somewhere fixed ... I need to do what's best for Darien, the union affords him opportunity. " Order, safety, good education. It was a cage for lucien sure but it would be a springboard for Darien, Darien wasn't drowning in his own self pity. "You could operate out of the union, It might stifle me but I admit it's the best place to run a business from" He indicated for them to go back inside he needed to sit down "How much money have you got ?"

[member="Sargon Vynea"]

 

[Sargon Vynea]

With a chuckle the Zabrak acknowledged his friend's worry over his son's future, and walked inside with him. As the man sat down Sargon cocked his head slightly, he was a bit older then Sargon, but the Zabrak didn't think he was that much older. Opening himself to the Force he looked at his friend again, through sight more true then his own eyes could give. Lucien was a friend and as a friend he didn't simply invade the man's privacy but simply nudged against him with his mind. If Lucien wanted him to see, then Lucien would show him, but friends didn't simply go push their minds into each other's.

"As to the matter of money, I've lived on a military base my entire time as governor and other then five bulk freighters I've been using as a small shipping business I've spent nothing. To put it simply I've got years of pay from running Bakura, my time on the Council, my military pay as General of all Fringe legions, and the money that has been accumulated through my small business. Basically I've got enough to get us started on something rather extraordinary."

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

If [member="Sargon Vynea"] looked into lucien's mind he would see it adled with stress and worry, a mind running in overdrive running stress, regret, guilt and fear. Lucien had lived a hard life it was not easy being a politician supervising the decline of an empire, fleeing said empire and returning to the world of political mire and bearing the guilt of knowing that two of his closest friends died in his care. In addition his brain was fighting to run a body that was falling apart under the strain of darkside corruption, alcoholism and habitual cigar smoking. Safe to say he was a shell of the man he once was. Normally all of this was hidden behind facades the power of the force was an exceptional thing but he didn't need those defences here and they cost him dearly.

"Very good" he mused, He was glad to know that Sargon was at least solvent. He began drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair as he glanced out of the window "So what ideas do you have in mind for this extraordinary venture expansion of this small business of yours ? or something completely new? it clear between us money's no object and I have connections in the modern world of politics ... for my sins" He tilted his head and smiled " We are also quite capable weaponry wise if you want something more ... action packed" He stopped drumming "I can do anything you wish" He smiled. Down stairs Lucien could hear darien bolting through the house, no doubt aggravating the domestic staff no end.

 

[Sargon Vynea]

With a simple nod the Zabrak focused on his friend's mind, and was saddened by it. Closing his eyes he let the Force flow through him, a soft breeze moving through him, and its unending whispering. It was always there when he touched it, a sound just beyond his understanding, but he'd made peace with his limits within the Force long ago. Instead he let it flow through him into Lucien, not an attack on the darkside within him, for that would only lead to conflict. Instead he simply breathed in peace, Invigoration to bones gone old too soon. He wasn't a healer of bodies, but his expertise lay in healing the mind and soul. Where guilt raged he soothed with old memories of friends gone by, and where he felt darkness he left enough light for the man to see all hope wasn't gone forever. Lucien always had one hope, one hope he'd never given up on, his son. It was memories of the boy and love for him Sargon used to touch Lucien's mind, to ease the wounds his heart had endured.

Opening his purple eyes the Zabrak nodded, "I've put quite a bit into this transport venture, and its one of those businesses that will always be needed. Industries, farms, or even personal transport, is always going to be a market. It was either that or alcohol." Ending with a grin the Zabrak withdrew his mind leaving behind the peace he'd brought with him, but giving his friend his privacy.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien breathed a sigh of relief as sargon flooded him with gentle soothing feelings. His hopes slowly being bolstered to push his doubt away. soft noises drowning out the screams of his guilt. it left the darkside in him alone but it wrapped it up. his mind quieted for the first time in too long it stopped shouting at him all on it's own. No alcohol, no anger just a firm and very warm sense of peace. It was nice for lucien he felt eased and relived. memories of his glory days filling his mind. Most pertinent to his feelings of relaxation were visions of his son. safe and happy, temporary closure for his aching heart.

Lucien smiled a little as Sargon opened his eyes "Thank you" he nodded "A strong venture Lord Sargon, not a glamorous vocation but a profitable one ... " he nodded. Sargon was right people would always need transport. "Alcohol would have been good as well" he smirked. Lucien liked alcohol. "Now tell me how I can help you my friend" Lucien needed a new vocation with a steadfast presence. A loyal friend in this nest of vipers he'd set up in.

[member="Sargon Vynea"]

 

[Sargon Vynea]

He stopped for a moment, just still as his eyes seemed to be pulled away in thought. He'd never really considered alcohol for a business opportunity, and while it was true he had already started on bulk transport, they could easily be used for such a business in the few numbers he had. Thinking it over he had dealings with several independent brewers on Iridonia, and close relations with a local dealer on Bakura for strawberry wine. Glancing back to Lucien, he just laughed.

"Alcohol you say? You know what a friend of mine on Bakura told me about alcohol, same work we're drinking right now matter of fact. He said there were no lean times for alcohol really. Even with the Fringe collapsing things were booming for him. Good times we celebrate, and during the bad we try to forget it all is happening. I think you've trumped my idea, my friend. A few brews, a winery or two, and i've got a few independent whiskey brewers from my clan on Iridonia. Put with your contacts if we can convince them to be brought into this venture, buy them out individually and keep them on for their expertise, you could really be on to something. The galaxy always needs ships running things around it is true, but perhaps we could do something a bit more interesting." Raising an eyebrow Sargon lifted his glass in a cheer, and an offering of agreement. After all, sometimes the best ideas just happened.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]