Heil.

[Darth Metus]

The Mandalorian had been to Lianna only once before, and that was at the behest of his former apprentice. Recent history had seen Isley Verd recruited into an exceptional collective: a hegemony of some of the most powerful corporations in the Galaxy. While this was not the usual sort of circle that the Mandalorian could be found frequenting, someone in the upper echelon of this congregation noticed his efforts. They saw how he manipulated the corporate world, quietly ascending to the mantle of Arakyd Industries' CEO.

And now, after having joined the Hegemony, a summons was made for him to return to Lianna.

[member="Sasha Santhe"] had made the call. She, a woman Isley knew solely by reputation, was the sort that could demand the presence of practically anyone and be heard. The Mandalorian was no exception to this trend. In the minutes that followed receiving her transmission, Isley cleared his schedule for the week and was flying through hyperspace within the hour. Upon arrival at the bustling, corporate world some time later, he would find himself being escorted up one of the various towers of the Hegemonic complex.

This journey continued until only a single door remained between Isley and the powerful woman that had summoned him. Reaching out, he removed this obstacle with a push of his hand and entered into the room that she had prepared for the meeting.

"Miss Santhe, how may I be of service?"

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha waited in the factory. On the outside it looked abandoned and crumbling and to those on the first floor it would appear exactly as such. The truth of the matter was that just under the surface was Sasha’s Laboratory. Sasha Santhe’s Lab. [member="Isley Verd"] had been invited in order for Sasha to vette the newcomer. He had been shown to the facility and led down into the lab and more appropriately to the little lounge Sasha had in the corner.

“You can do something very important to me,” Sasha responded to the man as he asked for why he was summoned. Her hand pointed from one end of the lounge to another. “You can pour yourself a drink while you refill mine.”

A smile beamed on her face. “Really there is no need for such formality.”

Then she said, “So Corellian Whiskey, straight. No ice,” before another sweet and innocent smile appeared on her face.

 

[Darth Metus]

Looks can be deceiving.

That was the mantra playing through the Mandalorian's head as he was guided into the facility. In comparison to the splendor of Lianna, this structure was a divine contradiction. However, Isley had come to learn that initial glances were not always reliable. He himself once owned a citadel of modern design, yet underneath laid miles of catacombs and Sith ruins. As such, Isley could only imagine what [member="Sasha Santhe"] had hidden away in the darkness.

When the initial introduction was made, Isley could see that this would not be the standard, formal type of meeting. As opposed to being greeted with a "Mr" or whatever, he was instructed to retrieve a drink for Sasha whilst preparing his own. A light chuckle escaped the Mandalorian as he decided to humor the woman. "One Corellian Whiskey, coming up." he said.

Stepping behind the lounge, Isley prepared the beverage before scouring her collection for a particular brew...that she didn't have. The black ale of the Mandalorians was absent; oh well. So. A second Corellian Whiskey was made, one with ice. Isley then handed the woman her drink and raised his, offering a light smile of his own.

"I must say, I wish all my meetings started this way."

 

[Sasha Santhe]

“I know right?” Sasha said with a little sigh. “Everyone is so stuffy, so formal.” She took the glass from the Mandalorian and quickly downed it. That was how Sasha did it. There was nearly always a drink in her hand, or a party to be attended. [member="Marek Starchaser"] appreciated a good drink. [member="Selka Ventus"] was growing on her as well. Selka has the intellect whereas Marek has… charm? Maybe in a goofy sort of schoolboy way. “I don’t like stuffy people.”

Placing the glass on the table next to her she politely looked up at [member="Isley Verd"] and said, “I deal with whomever I have to of course. Business is business. But if I had the choice meetings would be conducted in a club, casino, or at the very least with a drink in my hand.”

And then Sasha stood up. As she sashayed across the room lights turned on revealing industrial equipment. “They say you’re smart,” she said a hidden smile on her face. “I have an entire laboratory at my disposal. I have designed fighters and starships, and weapons and droids. So let me ask you something. What have you done? I don’t really know you.”

 

[Darth Metus]

The Mandalorian lofted a brow as the woman before him emptied her glass. She downed the Whiskey in a manner that told Isley one thing: either what she said was true...or she was one hell of an actress. [member="Sasha Santhe"] downed the alcohol without so much as a grunt; and Isley found himself wondering if she would ask him to pour her another shot. Regardless, not to be outdone, he knocked back his own shot shortly thereafter.

Corellian Whiskey was no Netra'gal, but it was still damn good.

Once the alcohol had finished racing down the Mandalorian's throat, the glass was set upon the bar with a clatter. He reached for the bottle intent on refreshing his own beverage whilst motioning for her glass as well. All the while, he listened to her words; grinning ever so slightly at the mention of "stuffy" people.

"I agree with you on that one. Give me a meeting in a crowded bar and I'll feel at home." He said. Of course, this was the Mandalorian in him rearing its head; for a crowded bar meant escape if chit went south. An office several stories in the air? Well that wasn't exactly easy to get out of. That said, the CEO then posed a question that Isley had to mull over.

"That's quite the question." he began. "In four decades, I've done a lot. So allow me to ask for context. Are you wanting to know what I've done business wise? Or are you curious as to how many Rakghoul I've stepped on over the years?"

With a humorous edge to his voice, Isley raised his now-refreshed glass and took a swig.

[member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

“Great deeds all I’m sure,” Sasha said dismissively. She wasn’t one to be impressed with the trifles most men in the galaxy went through. “In the context of our little organization. What have you done?”

She wet her lips and took another drink. “If we were a social club we would be very exclusive indeed. And yet,” she said quirking an eyebrow and looking at the man, “We admitted you. Why do you think that is? Do you think we allowed you here because of how many Rakghoul you stepped over? What have you done, what have you to offer.”

She shrugged. It didn’t really matter. Life was so absurd. [member="Dagora-Kel"] as he now insisted on being called was a man, and like all men in this organization he’d been made to serve. “So, sell me. What does Isley Verd bring to the table?”

 

[Darth Metus]

In the context of business. He should have anticipated that. After all, this wasn't a congregation of warmongers or mercenaries. No, the Hegemony was a collective of some of the most powerful businessmen and women in the Galaxy. And what did he have to offer them? Plenty.

"Fair enough." he began, taking a moment to organize his thoughts. After all, this was...sort of...becoming an interview. "To begin, I personally oversaw a wide variety of capital ship ventures during my tenure within the Confederacy. I worked alongside the engineers of Druckenwell Shipyards to provide that nation and its Templars with suitable vessels...at least until they turned around and crucified me."

Yep. He was bitter still. Moving on.

"Anyway, after that I personally stepped into the business realm. I took a minor job for Stargo Defense Enterprises...and then I took the whole corporation over in a couple months. I then took over Arakyd Industries in a similar manner and guided them into absorbing SDE. What do I have to offer you ask?"

"Starships. Personal weapons. Experience. 'Maneuvering.' All of these are at the disposal of the collective."

[member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha smiled and nodded, listening politely as she sipped her drink. There was no point being drunk from this point on and so she put her glass down and lifted up a single finger curling it toward her beckoning [member="Dagora-Kel"] to her.

The woman moved backward with a purpose into the darkness of the lab behind her. With each step a light turned on, triggered by a motion sensor. There was a large storage container in the back and Sasha keyed a pad on its side opening the door to reveal a set of armor. “My newest line of products from Sienar Army Systems.”

The armor was reminiscent of the Stormtrooper armor of old, but with harder lines and more angles. “Some of the Systems still need to be updated a little, but I’d like you to take her for a spin.” Sasha’s smile widened a little bit. “I have a course set up.”