Back Breaking Work; The Grand Moff's Tour of Zarnathea.

[Argyle Crompton]

Argyle Crompton walked through the phalanx of troops, roughly two hundred troops standing side by side. One hundred stormtroopers, supported by an equal number of local Nar'iin defence force personnel. The former trooper confidently hobbled across the stone path to the Grand Moff's designated landing pad. The weather wasn't the nicest. The heavens had opened drenching the lush green lawn of the Governor's Gardens beneath tropical rains.

Behind the Commissioner of Kan'Dul, President Ary'tu Gar'dul followed. In Argyle's eyes, the politician was a snivelling twerp, unable to muscle up against an inferior enemy force. However Argyle's eyes were glued to the sky, watching for when, and where the Grand Moff's shuttle would arrive. The former stormtrooper stopped ten paces from where the shuttle was to land, and stood like a grunt on parade. Proud, rigid and stern. Arms behind his back, and just above his coat tails, he waited silently beneath the withering rain, thinking of all the problems he now faced.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

The Frontrunner descended to the landing pad with minimal fuss. Natasi emerged from the Consul-class Diplomatic Frigate and walked towards [member="Argyle Crompton"] with Sioux Chambers holding an umbrella over her head. Natasi hated the place instantly. The humidity, the smell, and the slavery were all things that she would have blasted away from space if she could. But unfortunately for her, she couldn't. They didn't have the technology yet to hit targets with that level of precision and so here they were.

"Crompton," Natasi said brusquely as she peeled her gloves off one finger at a time, looking around the landing platform before giving an approving nod and extending her hand for a shake. "Nice to finally meet you in person. Jolly good show and all that, but I've been here thirty seconds and I already need a cold bath. Tell me there's somewhere nearby with climate control where we can talk." This, she said quietly enough that they were not overheard by the troops, which she began to inspect and chat with genially.

 

[Argyle Crompton]

"Grand Moff Fortan." The Commissioner replied, saluting. His metallic, prosthetic fingers rigid as he raised his hand to his forehead in a salute, "It's a pleasure to host you here," he said, "The Governor's Palace just behind us will hopefully suffice." he said, gestured to the sandstone manor behind them, before turning, "I should also like to introduce you to President Ary'tu Gar'Dul."

The president bowed his head, before raising one his arms for a handshake, "It's a pleasure to meet at last." Ary'tu said in a garbled basic. As the Grand Moff inspected the stormtrooper garrison, and made idle chatter with them. The stormtroopers were relatively happy. The weather seemed to be, like their commander, their only gripe with the posting. Argyle stood behind the Grand Moff and her secretary. "I've ensured that dinner will be ready within minutes of your arrival to the palace. Hopefully the local cuisine is to your liking. I've organised some of this planets best chefs for your visit."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Thank you, Commissioner Crompton," said Natasi, inclining her head graciously towards [member="Argyle Crompton"] after he described what he had arranged. "As good as the naval chefs are, it's still naval food," she quipped, her dark eyes flashing with amusement before she turned back towards the men she was greeting in the line. It took a few minutes to work through the line, doing the old grip-and-grin with the stormtroopers. They were enthusiastic to meet the Grand Moff, and she looked just as excited to meet them. "I think they call your group the Devil Dogs, isn't that right? You know -- I work with Field Marshal Vaas and it's about the same concept, except he's just a devil." The troopers chuckled with Natasi, and they finally disengaged, with Natasi promising a tour of the military base later in her visit.

"Mr. President," Natasi said conversationally as they walked forward. "I trust Mr. Crompton here has been helpful in getting the city back on its feet following the First Order's operations in this area." She glanced sidelong at Crompton. "If there's anything you need to assist with rebuilding -- expanding and securing the city -- Crompton is your man. We're bringing in some convicts to assist with alleviating the effects of our edict on slavery, but as you start to phase these into real, paying jobs it will prove immeasurably beneficial to the local economy."

 

[Argyle Crompton]

The Commissioner winced when Natasi brought up the slavery question. Although the President had been rather compliant on most other fronts, slavery had been a more prickly issue. Argyle had tried his best to try and stop slavery in Kan'Dul, but had found his efforts stymied by Gar'dul's allies in the bureaucracy and military.

"Your banning of slavery is too much for us." The President said in an even tone. His eyes however told her what he really felt, unadulterated anger, "It is my people's way of life, and to have you change our traditions is unacceptable!"

Argyle tried to defuse the situation, such division wouldn't look good in front of the stormtroopers and local forces. "Perhaps this discussion best wait until dinner, eh?" The Commissioner offered. "I think a discussion like this would benefit from fuller bellies, don't you agree Mister President?"

The President nodded, "Come, let us eat."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]