Friends in low places: Mixing business with pleasure. (Sempra)

[Kenrath]

All work and no play made for a very boring and tedious existence. Thanith had more than earned a little time to himself and he was going to take advantage of it. Well only partially anyway as his destination had a little bit of business mixed into it as well. Not long ago Thanith had taken a Firestorm Corvette to a little whole in the wall system that was of interest to the Hutt Cartel. Nothing like testing out new tech in a place only valuable to somebody else. Well the Firestorm was new to him at least.


When he had did a little cursory check on the Cartel Thanith had heard about something called the White Palace. It sounded intriguing enough to spend part of his leave time to go check it out. Thanith took the very same ship he had used in Sleheryon to get there knowing they would be familiar with the ship. To be on the safe side Thanith sent a message to [member="Sempra the Hutt"] just to make sure he didn't take any fire while trying to descend through the Atmosphere. It would really suck to get killed on your day off.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

As [member="Thanith Gumara"] exited hyperspace Sriluur came into full view. A few years back this dusty world had been an extreme backwater planet, ruled by to a large extent primitive Weequay tribes. The hutt cartel had to some degree changed this. Now surrounding the planet orbited shipyards and hutt war ships. A rare sight prior to the cartels arrival.
Even though the weequay and tribal culture dominated its daily life there was a clear increase in trafic and other wordly contacts. Much of which passed through the main base of the hutt cartel - the white palace.

As the imperial craft closed in two half-frigates left its orbit and narrowed itself to flank the new arrival.

"This is Sriluur border control." an alien voice hissed. "State your destination and bussiness to sriluur."

 

[Kenrath]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Thanith smiled as his pilot turned looking at him when the ships came out to meet them them.

"Easy boys and girls we were expecting this." "Cut the engines..leave just enough power to keep us in place."

He looked to his communications officer.

"Open up the channel."

He paused until the channel was open.

"Sriluur Border Control this is Lord Admiral Thanith Gumara my Destination is Hutt Cartel Headquarters." "The boss owes me a drink." "Holding position awaiting clearance to proceed."

Thanith sat back in his chair and waiting with a smile. He had all the time in the world. While he waited Thanith called his XO on the ships intercom to have him get everyone ready to depart. They would set up rotating watches to ensure there was enough people on the ship to keep Empire assets secure but allow the men some time to drink and kick back.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

"Hold on..." the harsh voice replied and the com went mute.

Minutes passed with Sriluur slowly turning in front of them. Then the com sparked to life anew.

"Alright, follow your escort to landing pad." the voice returned. With that the two frigates steered clear to return to their patrol. Two smaller craft, Blood Darts, darted out from ones belly and took point for [member="Thanith Gumara"] s ship. The escort brought them safe and sound through the athmosphere opening up the planets white and gray surface.

Soon the spiral towers of the white palace came into sight and the ship was brought to one of the larger landing platforms nearby.

There was a good kilometer apart but land speeders rushed forth to pick up the guests.

 

[Kenrath]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Thanith smiled nodding to the pilot.

"Acknowledged Sriluur Control."

They followed their escort to the landing pad Thanith jumping on the intercom to page the XO to the Bridge. When he arrived Thanith looked at him.

"Alright XO when we land the Bridge is yours." "Let's make sure everyone gets a chance to disembark for a few hours." "I want half of the Security Detail on the ship at all times and the other half keeping our boys from being their own worst enemies." "For right now the Cartel has decided not to kills us." "Last thing I need is for a drunk Sailor to ruin that."

When the ship touched down on the pad Thanith proceeded to the ramp followed by 4 men. Two were bodyguards and to were carrying a container to be presented to the Hutt when they arrived. The bodyguards were wearing armor with their helmets off and weapons slung. Thanith himself was in a relaxed but still neatly pressed version of his dress uniform. Which basically meant the normal uniform without rank insignia, medals, and a smaller Self Defense style Blaster in a holster.

The mean boarded speeders when they arrived at the pad to take them to what Thanith assumed was the final destination in their journey.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Arriving at the white palace the group of imperials were shown inside straight away. The vivid life of the palace vast hallways greeting them with both interest, amusement and fear.
Sempra had been informed about the delegation and did recall the imperial admiral and his aid in dominating Sleheryon. A most appreciated gesture.

As the group was led into the throne the usual crowd seeking the hutts audience was pushed to the side by rough looking Nikto guards, giving [member="Thanith Gumara"] and his escort room to approach the hutt waiting on them.

Sempra puffed the pipe in his mouth watching the admiral with narrowed eyes. As he did he wondered about the visit and why the admiral had chosen to come here.

"Why, welcome admiral Gumara," he began "what news do you rbring me from the mighty Empire? hum?"

 

[Kenrath]

As they entered the Throne room Thanith and the guard beside him each stepped to the side letting the two men carrying the case proceed forward setting it down before moving to the back of the room. Thanith stepped for addressing [member="Sempra the Hutt"] with a polite bow of his head.

"Please forgive the intrusion Lord Sempra and accept this token of appreciation on behalf of the Empire."

Spoiler

You are free to determine whatever appropriate gift is in the box. Got a little lazy on that part.

"I had some free time away from my duties and since I was in the area wanted to pay my respects." "It is the desire of the Empire to consider the mighty Hutt Cartel an Ally and a friend."

Thanith stood by himself in the center of the room his hands clasped behind his back but his posture straight a picture of the ridged bearing common to Imperial Society. The three hand with him had slipped off to the back of the room watching everything unfold but largely mingling with the others in attendance. His expression was neutral yet friendly.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra watched the case casually. Waving forth a slave to check on it a rough looking Nikto guard would examine the case for any traps.

While they were handing it Sempra "hmmmd" some and seemed to ponder about [member="Thanith Gumara"]

"I recall your aid in the assualt of Sleheryon admiral. Naturally I consider those who forward power and wealth to my court a friend to the cartel. However, here in the outer rim politics is leveled to a more brutal fashion, while the human empires are very diversed."
Sempras guard stepped away from the case and the slave opened it. The guard put his hands down and pulled out a beautiful hand weaved tapestry. It was to large to see all of it but the head of the almost mythological and fameous Emperor Palpatine clearly indicated that this was an heriloom of the ancient Galactic Empire once created by Palpatine and his warlord Darth Vader. The seams were solid yet here and there were signs of the aging material. A very real example of one of the tapestries which had decorated the Imperial palace on Courocant upon the heighdays of the fairly short lived but also fameous reign of the deceased emperor.

Sempra watched it and nodded to the guard who rerolled it carefully into the case and had two servants carry it away into the depth of the palace.

"An interesting choice for a gift Admiral. I assume that your empire claims the heritage of Emperor Palpatines rule?" Please, tell me some about your society and why you desire our friendship." Sempra leaned back and grabbed some grapes to enjoy while he prepared to listen.

 

[Kenrath]

Thanith smiled giving [member="Sempra the Hutt"] a nod.

"A very valid point." "I however am not a politician just a man trying to make his mark on the Galaxy anyway he can." "While some are happy to sit behind desks staring at maps I prefer to be on the bridge taking a personal stake in the outcome."

He smiled.

"You use a blaster and I use a Ship." "The ends justify the means as long as the means are met." "I hope to live long enough to see the name of The Empire right up there under the Cartels in the list of Galactic Powers to be not only repsected but feared."

Thanith looked at the tapestry.

"The legacy of Palpatine was a legendary and fearsome legacy to be sure." "I however do not know of any within The Empire to be a direct descendant of his." "He was successful sure but in that success he betrayed and murder friends and allies to get there." "That is not my intent nor is it a legacy I follow in my own life." "I look after the welfare of my own men like the are my own brothers, sisters, sns, and daughters."

Thanith looked around the room for a moment.


"As for our society Lord Sempra it is simple." "We are a society built on tradtion, the tradition of men who know that a dedicated mind and a strong will can be just as deadly as the force and a Lightsaber." "A society that believes we do not need to hide behind Sith or Jedi alike to build a strong Empire and a prosperous one."

He paused.

"More importantly a society that does not belive in conquest through geocide." "After all an Empire of corpses is no Empire at all." "Sure there are Sith in The Empire do not get me wrong." "They are however only part of the Empire and do not lord over it like Gods dancing mere mortals on puppet strings." "Everyone has a purpose and makes a contribution."


Thanith smiled.


"If I may." "An instructor at the academy once told me a Ship is only as good as it's Captain but a Captian is only as good as his crew."

"At the time I just thought it was a catchy little comment on humility." "Until I found myself fighting my first battle and watching the way my fellow Officers each handle the there tasks and the impact it had not only on our Captain but on the ship itself."

"An Empire is much like a Ship in this regard." "You respect and support the man or woman above and below you and we all previal." "Spend all your time trying to oppress everyone around you and we all crumble." "Sure some are destined to serve others on bended knee but not all."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

The hutt listened as he enjoyed his grapes and wine. There was something peculiar about this man. He seemed to be one of the more honorable ones. Still, Sempra doubted that any human Empire affiliated with sith forces was not a corrupt entity. Such bodies could not survive, or at least that was what Sempra thought.

"I find your reasoning interesting admiral. I wonder if my perception about the human empires are somewhat missplaced." he replied as [member="Thanith Gumara"] had finished.

Sempra beckoned toward a slave who had been positioned in the corner of the room.

"Now, as I said, I have not forgotten your support at Sleheryon. You can tell your Emperor that because of this he or she will have my ear."

"I am also aware of the personal risk you took at the battle and your fleet movement has not gone unnoticed. My own Admiral, Major Domo [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] bore wittness of your intervention and has confirmed your prescence there."

The slave emerged from the shadows and bowed deeply, keeping her eyes low, never facing her new owner. She was dressed in a gray dress with a simple rope at the waist. Around her neck rested a slave collar.

"Arey here is born into slavery Admiral. One of those you stated destined to serve, hum?"

"Well, she is a trained servant, natural with noticing her masters needs, be it food or bewerage, or other duties you require she will not fail you. Any other life would be so alien to her that she would simply not manage by now. The neckless is there because she herself prefer it. It gives her stability and comfort as a reminder of her place and role in life."

Sempra said without remorse or any noticable attachement to the woman.

"She is my gift to you admiral. May she serve you well.

 

[Kenrath]

Thanith smiled to [member="Sempra the Hutt"] giving him a nod.

"We humans are not infallible no matter what we some times want to believe." "The best thing we can do for ourselves is to not only realize that fact but accept it so that we can best improve in areas that need it."

Thanith switched gears at the moment.

"The Emperor will be glad to hear it and wishes to convene that if you are ever in need from The Empire you have but to ask and we will do our utmost to assist in any way we can." "It is our hope they may be able to rely on the same from the Cartel should the need arise."

After a moment Thanith finally looked at the slave Arey. With a hand he reached out lifting with two fingers her chin towards the ceiling inspecting her and instructing her to smile making sure she had all of her teeth and they were in good order. Once he was done he told her to step over to where one of the troopers that came with him was standing. He then turned back to Sempra.

"A very generous gift Lord Sempra and an unexpected surprise."

He bowed his head slightly.

"With your permission my men and I would like to take some time to relax and enjoy ourselves before moving on?" "Unless you have a request of The Empire."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra chuckled.

"You are welcome to stay at my court admiral." he replied to [member="Thanith Gumara"]

"I will release you in a short while to enjoy the generosity of the white palace. But first tell me. What affiliation does your Empire have with the Sith Empire that claim the name One Sith?"

 

[Kenrath]

Thanith smiled at the question.

"The chances of our Empire being anything other than the most bitter of enemies with the One Sith is not possible."

Thanith had decided complete and total honesty with [member="Sempra the Hutt"] in this matter.

"I am a Naval Pilot of no consequence in the One SIth Navy." "When or if they should ever learn of my affiliation with The Empire I will be facing a death sentence." "While I can't confirm it for sure I have the suspicions that at least one other member of our Empire already has a price on their head."

Thanith looked at Sempra his expression serious.

"It is why largely with the exception of assisting in your cause we have kept our dealings secret." "We would prefer it kept that way until we are better equipped to make our existence known to the Galaxy at large."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

There was always a catch. Sempra seemed to have hit straight on here and the answer troubled him. He considered having @hekora vex check this up. But he decided it would be enough to let him know about this new, or at least newly revealed, Empire.

"I see Admiral, you have many strings on your lute it seems. I can see why your emperor chosed to send you here. While I seek no conflict with the One sith I do not owe them fealty either. Your secret is safe with me. Now, enjoy your stay."

Sempra waved him away and slaves moved forth to bring food and bewerage to them. He also made sure that @hekora vex was informed and instructed to do a sweep of the palace for bugs or recording devices. Everytime the One Sith was brought up people usually died...

[member="Thanith Gumara"]

 

[Kenrath]

Thanith gave [member="Sempra the Hutt"] a polite nod taking a few steps back before turning to enjoy all of the entertainment the White Palace had to offer.

He smiled to his men ushering the out of the throne room.

"You heard him boys enjoy your time here." "You have earned it."

Thanith headed off to get a drink with his men. By the next morning everyone from the ship would have gotten some time to stretch their legs, get a dink, or otherwise entertain themselves. It was a vacation that bore fruit both for Thanith personally and for The Empire as a whole.