Blue October

[Arage Bao]

It was a general park on a generic planet in one of the many backwater sectors scattered across the Galaxy. Backwater in terms of economical ties and primary political might, not backwater in any other sense of the word. Which is exactly what made it a good place for a meeting between two men that seemed to have disappeared from the Galaxy, each for their own reasons no doubt.

There was an empty bench in the park, not in the deadcenter of it, but somewhere more secluded and private. A wind swept and suddenly the bench did not seem as empty anymore, mostly because now it held a greying man in his (seemingly) late fifties.

He hadn’t been there before.

Or perhaps he had always been there before and this was all a matter of perspective.

Whichever it was, the man patiently drew back his sleeve and checked the time on his watch, before resuming his lazy sit. It did not seem as if the man had any pressing concerns, no, it didn’t even seem as if the man was ever concerned about anything.

Relaxed, expression mixed between curious and neutral, his head slightly tilted as if he was listening to something amusing.

The man wasn’t expecting anyone to arrive for a while to come, but he had always believed in appearing just where and more importantly when he was supposed to appear.

[member="Ayden Cater"]

 

[Ayden Cater]

The grayed man was suddenly joined by another. He appeared rather plain, easily forgettable. Perhaps too plain, but none could pay attention. Their sight just slid around him like he wasn't there. Some tricks stuck through the centuries.

There was something to be said for this meeting between men who, by all accounts, should have been mortal enemies. In spite of everything their two states had done and plotted against each other, these two men had always enjoyed a rather amicable relationship. Perhaps it was purely pragmatic in nature, each getting something from the other to further their own plans. Or perhaps it was the respect they each had for the other, recognizing the exemplary talents of another, that kept their dealings so pleasant.

Whatever the reason, in spite of the years spent without a word uttered between them, that feeling was still in play. "The weather's not to my taste, I admit. It would have been a warm afternoon on Corellia. Too cold for this time of year." There was a certain wistfulness in his voice that was usually found in the voices of those who had their homeworlds obliterated. "Still, the scenery isn't too bad and the seclusion is nice. I'm afraid I don't have any whiskey for you today, not any that's good."

He could have said something more profound, perhaps make a quip about what either of them had planned. But that wasn't necessary. He knew what Ovmar was planning, and he'd have been surprised if Ovmar hadn't gleaned at least some idea of what the Corellian had planned as well. That wasn't the point though. They each had their plans, their secrets. As long as the two didn't conflict with one another...

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Ayden Cater"]

Few would have recognized Ovmar these days. After Merrill had played her last trick, he himself had gone away for a while- returned as an old man, dignified, but every fiber of his being had been tired and that had been noticed. This grayed man was someone, or rather something else.

There was nothing of that apparent in this man anymore. Ovmar seemed… real, too real even, it was as if his form was occupying more than one space at the same time.

His hair was hairier, his blue eyes were bluer, you get the idea.

Jared did not offer any condolences, not because he didn’t feel for Cater’s loss, but simply because it would have been words that held no meaning anymore. Not after everything he had seen and done.
The destruction of Corellia had been unfortunate, terrible even. A callback to a spoiled princess that had been given too much power without being ready for it. But what’s done was done and nothing would bring those innocent lives back, definitely not the usual ‘I am sorry for you.’

Too much respect to embarrass the former Lord Protector with that.

‘I have seen a lot of things.’ he didn’t call him by name. There were many entities of power in this Galaxy these days, and whilst Cater’s protection would ensure they were unnoticable and his own protections would make sure nobody approached, you never knew who was listening in.

‘But few things could compare to your whiskey.’

Ovmar looked over to Cater.

‘Will your successor be a problem for this?’

 

[Ayden Cater]

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

He shook his head. "The new Lord Protector has more pressing matters to attend to. I must confess that I do not envy his position. In all my time as the Lord Protector, I never had to deal with a threat quite like Akala. To have his domain so violently reduced... No, the Lord Protector will not be a problem unless confronted directly." The man adjusted the hat on his head and dug around in his coat some for a datapad that he began to fidget with.

"So long as we remain discrete with our dealings, and avoid any unnecessary conflicts with the Protectorate, they should not be a problem. In fact, there is even a chance that we might forge an alliance with them." He smiled to himself while watching the people drift by. It was a tricky thing, perception. Someone might have a completely different reaction to a person or event if you only tweaked a single detail or two. "Things on my end are proceeding well. We're finally ready to move to Stage Two. How are things progressing on your end?"

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Ayden Cater"]

Ovmar doubted it would ever come to an alliance.

Mister Ovmar only works for on man: Mister Ovmar.

Things hadn’t changed since that had been said the first time around, the One Sith were too powerful an ally to drop right now in favor of the triplet alliance that was currently forming between the Republic, the Mandalorians and the Protectorate. Why would he drop perfectly good relationships with the Sith, when they had won every single battle there was to win.

Let’s forget about Carida for a second.

No, the only way Ovmar would consider dropping them was when they finally dropped the ball themselves. Until then, the ReProMan could marry in with the Red Ravens, the Rebel Alliance and maybe even the WolfPack.

But he wouldn’t state his doubts with Cater, simply because the Lord Protector knew his precise thoughts about this subject already. A point of contention, so to speak.

Didn’t mean he was planning on invading the Protectorate anytime soon, just meant he wouldn’t be helping them either.

‘As planned.’ the Lord of the Fringe finally replied. ‘I have managed to convince certain elements the wisdom of our plan.'

Jacobs. Vynea. Na’Varro.

Movers and Shakers.

‘With some luck we will be ready by the end of the month, at our end at least.’

A light touch on the mind, a subtle messaged exchanged. Ovmar wasn't keen on speaking details outloud, but some things needed to be asked. All this time out of the game had made him unaware of the dynamics at hand, this needed to be resolved.

'The love between yours and the blues, strong?'