Hostile Takeover

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Tegaea Alcori was in her office when Siobhan arrived. The CEO of Omega Pyre looked serious and thoughtful. When Siobhan entered she gestured to a seat opposite.
"Take a seat, Siobhan. Something very disturbing has come to my attention, and we need to deal with it. Do you remember that company, Massive Dynamic at Malastare? I have reason to believe that they are behind more than that even. I believe they are responsible for the recent attacks on our bacta transports near Thyferra. Worse, I believe they are trying to infiltrate us. They of course deny this, and they wish to meet us for a summit to discuss matters on Duro. Cira is busy dealing with the plans for the Denon operation - I want you to come with me. It'll likely be dangerous, since I fear they might try and betray us...but I would be grateful if you came."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

To her credit Siobhan did not start her end of the conversation with thinly veiled innuendo. After all, she could be serious on occasion and understood the gravity of the situation.

You did not mess with Omega. "I remember 'em, charming fellas. I'm getting flashbacks of Zardok," she said, taking a seat. The Wookiee had requested a meeting to discuss a business deal, and then stabbed them in the back.

She frowned as Tegaea filled her in on her suspicions, which given events on Malastare Siobhan had little trouble believing. To a suspicious person like Siobhan the summit seemed like a bad idea. But Tegs was going, so she would as well.
"Of course I'm coming. You go into the lion's den, I'm sure as hell coming with you," she said firmly. "What backup are we taking? Massive Dynamic's no pushover, wouldn't like to get caught off-guard."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea nodded. "We'll take substantial backup, and we're also taking someone who might be able to help you out. Her name's Maelion, and Cira has assigned her to this mission as well. I fully expect this to be a trap, so I'm going into this with both eyes open. Frankly, they'd wanted me to go to their HQ initially, but I wanted somewhere neutral...and this is the result."

She seemed troubled about the whole thing. "I don't want to go to this, Siobhan. I know they're going to try and betray us...but I have to try at least."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan picked up on Tegaea's apprehension. One did not require Force attuned senses for that. Slowly she got up from her seat and walked over, placing her flesh hand on her friend's shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

Frankly she would have preferred if Tegs did not go. If Massive Dynamic wanted open war, well, Siobhan would be more than willing to storm their headquarters, but Tegaea had made her decision and so Siobhan would stand by her.

"It's a set up," she agreed bluntly. Siobhan was not one to beat around the bush and making a meaningless platitude about how all would work out for the best would both go against her character and be an insult to Tegs' intelligence. "But I've got your back, all the way. Those bastards won't get to destroy what we've accomplished. They betray us, we show 'em the consequences."

This is a bad idea. Colossal understatement of the year. A frown crossed her features, she looked tense. "Since this is a plot to spring a trap on you, I'd offer go in your stead. I suck at diplomacy, but this is a set-up. You could swoop in with a larger force when things go crazy."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea smiled. She had considered sending Siobhan in her place, then waiting to swoop in. Unlike other writers though, this one is not cruel to Siobhan (without cause). Also, Tegaea would never send anyone into a situation where they might be hurt where she could go and help herself.

"We'll come prepared. I'm going fully armed, with a cruiser just out of range of sensors ready to move in. We need to be ready for anything. Speaking of which, did you see my new boltgun? You can take one too if you want!"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Tegaea was the CEO of Omega, by definition that made her far more important than Siobhan. Finding another obedient force-using thug would be difficult, but not impossible.

Of course, Siobhan probably didn't share this evaluation of her expendability, given what an high opinion she had developed of herself and her own utility, regardless of how warranted it was.

But...while she knew Tegs could handle herself, she was concerned about something happening to her.

She shook her head at Tegs' statement. "Tegs, you're an amazing woman, but right now you're being too bloody noble. You're the toughest chick I know, but we've been through this sorta crap with Zardok before. Ain't no reason to get exposed like that again," she said bluntly, though a thin smile crossed her features.

"Look, send Maelion and me down, ok? I can handle myself. You do your planning and mobilising troops thing and swoop in. Who knows maybe then we can capture a few of the bastards and get to the bottom of their plans."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea hesitated. She didn't like sending someone in her place, but it did make sense. Siobhan was capable of holding her own in battle better than she was. She was the CEO after all, and she would send Maelion with Siobhan.
"Alright, we'll do it your way. I'll send Maelion to see you. We leave tomorrow once I get everything together. Any questions?"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan was relieved when Tegs gave in. She had not said it directly, but the fact was that she could hold her own better. She kissed Tegaea and ran her hand down her muscular arm.

"I'll be fine, you know I always survive," she assured her. Maybe Siobhan was getting just a bit cocky. "Hmm. Questions. Do we have some alone time before? I mean, tomorrow I'm gonna into the lion's den for you and you're carrying lots of tension."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea looked up at her lover and smiled a bit coyly. "I do love how direct you are, Siobhan. Yes, we will have some time tonight. Go meet Maelion first, then come see me later. You're bound to like what I have planned!"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

"Funny, it's what I love about you. Well, these kinda help," she ran a hand across Tegs' arm, liking the feeling of strong muscles under her fingers. "Bound, huh? Looking forward to it. Maybe I'll wear that dress and we can play."

She gave Tegaea a quick kiss and then sauntered out of the room, heading for Maelion's office. Truth be told Siobhan was curious to meet her, only thing she knew was that she had been hired by Cira was a bodyguard, was remarkably good at killing things and had apparently once worked with the Republic.

 

[Maelion Liates]

Maelion was waiting for Siobhan when the Major returned to her office. She saluted and stood at ease. "Major, I am Maelion Liates. I have been assigned to you for this operation. I will be aiming to keep you safe during this mission."
A more perceptive Force user might notice some irregularities in the way Maelion breathed or her heart beat, but otherwise she looked and acted perfectly normal, if a bit more cold and rigid than a normal person might.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

A more perceptive Force user might have picked up on these irregularities, but this required a scalpel whereas Siobhan was the force-using equivalent of a sledgehammer.

She returned the salute, with less precision than Maelion, but nonetheless. "At ease. I take you've been briefed? Massive Dynamic's thinks we're naive enough to fall for their 'summit' ploy. Needless to say that's bull. We go in fully armed, the Colonel stays with the cruiser ready to swoop in when the shooting starts. Till then we're on our own."

Siobhan was a cynical sort, but in this case her cynicism seemed well justified. "Ideally, capturing some of their bigwigs' a goal, but priority's showing them what happens when you cross us."

 

[Maelion Liates]

Maelion tilted her head to the side, an interesting idiosyncrasy all her own. "Understood. I will be prepared for when they attempt to betray us. I will ensure that I come prepared with necessary weapons. Is there anything else you require, Major?"

She hadn't asked any unnecessary questions, it was all strictly business.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Oh, Siobhan required many things...but Maelion was all business. She reemed rather cold and rigid to Siobhan, but then maybe that was just her. After all, Anika was sort of rigid as well - or, professional, not everyone could be as undisciplined as Siobhan.

Still Siobhan could appreciate professional. And if she appreciated the fact that Maelion was very attractive, well, she had enough self-restraint not to hit on her, so that had to count for something.

"Splendid to hear that. Meet me tomorrow in docking bay 3 at 0500," she responded simply. Cira had hired Maelion, Tegs said she was up to the task, so Siobhan would not start micromanaging, which wasn't her character anyway.

"Didn't get much of a chance to check out your records." Siobhan could not know this, but they would obscure more than they would reveal. She certainly did not know about Maelion's true nature. "You're ex-Republic? Served under Pherson."

 

[Maelion Liates]

For a moment there was a flicker of distaste on Maelion's face, a slight curl of the lip, a narrowing of the eyes. "You could say that, Major. He certainly made it very clear that I was beneath him." The words were calm, yet there was clearly a story there.
"You are a former Jedi," Maelion stated. She indicated Siobhan's lightsabre.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan noted the expression of distaste that crossed Maelion's features, the nearest thing to genuine emotion she had shown so far. Clearly there was a story there, but Siobhan had the good sense to keep her kath hound mentality in check.

"Well, if you're half as good as your records say, then that Pherson was a moron. His loss, our gain. You'll get ample chance to show your skills tomorrow," she said bluntly, not prying further.

"Yeah, used to be. Got tired of their peacenik nonsense and joined the side that pays me for causing mayhem."

 

[Maelion Liates]

"Good." It was all that needed to be said. Maelion didn't seem the talkative type. "I will see you tomorrow, Major," Maelion said, leaving the room precisely.

She had a nice ass, if Siobhan was looking. Of course she was looking.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

"Splendid. Dismissed." Siobhan was indeed scrutinising Maelion's arse as the stoic, businesslike agent left her office. Maybe after the mission she could help her loosen up!

Nonetheless, Siobhan did have some actual work to do...occasionally. So for the next few hours Siobhan busied herself with paperwork, as much as on could imagine the mercenary dealing with such matters, specifically what intel they could get on Massive Dynamic.

In the early evening hours she returned to Tegs' office, as had been agreed. "Hey. Hat a chat with Maelion. Stoic, real professional, focused type. Bit of a mystery But she'll the get job done," she smiled at Tegs. "So, you ready with your preparations for tomorrow?"

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea smiled knowingly. "Oh, Maelion will certainly get the job done," she said gnomically. She put aside her datapad. "Yes, all is ready. I was wondering if you wanted to join me for a personal...briefing session?"

As Sarge would say...Gorram Resbians

And so we fade to black until the next morning. Since after all people being killed is perfectly OK, but showing some romance is not....

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan crossed her arms and pouted slightly. "Why do I get the feeling you know more than me?" she asked in mock annoyance. But then the prospect of a briefing session brought a glow to her features. "Oh, definitely, ma'am. I think there are certain...tactical positions that we gotta go over and lessons about unit discipline."

Thus our two heroines departed into the fade to black realm, to join us on the next morning. As has been said, the following day would be most likely spent with meting out deadly violence against fellow sentient beings. No kiddies' mind would be harmed.

They awoke early on the next day and after a quick breakfast and a brief early morning work-out Siobhan headed out for the docking bay where they would meet Maelion. She gave Tegaea a pat on the shoulder. "Ok. Time for me to meet our charming rivals and their legions of thugs and 'negotiate'."