If you want the rainbow, you must have the rain.

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin first became aware of the esteemed [member="Count Morcus"] due to the recent Great Plains battle on Naboo. She had attempted to get in touch with him concerning some vile, treachery among their TU allies, and although they only exchanged a few words, afterwards she decided to do a little research on this Techno Union officer. A new contact could always mean more business for Morpho Pharmaceuticals, her Kamino-based company.

Sitting in her office, the dreary, wet Tipoca City skyline behind her, she paged Beulah, her assistant, who dutifully came into her office.

"Have you tracked down the whereabouts of Count Morcus?" the Hapan executive asked.

"I have, Miss Temi. I've sent his dossier to your datapad."

Tmoxin examined his company information: Hoersch-Kessel Driveworks, Incorporated.

"Beulah, please go purchase the best bottle of scotch you can find in the city," Tmoxin said, handing her assistant a credit chit. "I'm hoping the Count will pay us a visit soon." Her brunette assistant turned on her heel and left to run the errand.

Tmoxin then sent a message to the wealthy Count:

//incoming transmission...

To: Count Morcus
From: Tmoxin Temi

I hope you remember me from Naboo. I am a former officer and good friends with Commander Vereen. I would like to cordially invite you and HKD, Inc. to visit the iconic Tipoca City on Kamino so we can leisurely discuss how our two companies can help each other. Morpho Pharmaceuticals supplies medicine, pharmaceuticals and other unique products to many huge corporations across the galaxy. I'm sure we can find a mutually beneficial way to work together.

//transmission ending...

Once the Count confirmed his visit, Beulah would take care of the arrangements.

 

[Taa Nul]

Soon enough, the Count answered Tmoxin's call. He'd arrived in orbit aboard one of his Lucrehulks, before boarding his private Lambda-class Shuttle and proceeding to Tipoca City, escorted by a wing of four TIE fighters. As the vessel soared down to the stormy planet below, the Count sent a message via holo-communicator to Miss Temi. ''Ahh, my dear. I received your message just as I happened to be passing by the sector. I've been looking forward to meeting you face to face at last. I shall arrive shortly...'', he said with a smile.

Soon enough, the large shuttle touched down on one of Tipoca City's many landing platforms, his private escort of TIE fighters roaring loudly as they circled around the main structure of the city overhead. As the large boarding ramp extended to the floor, the Count strode down it, a sense of pride in his step. He pulled up his hood upon entering the rain, strolling across the platform towards the entrance of the city with a small squad of his Auxilia Stormtroopers in tow...

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

As Tmoxin stood by her office window, which overlooked Tipoca City, she could literally see Count Morcus's Lucrehulks descending, flanked by TIE Fighters. For a moment, she was taken aback, but she trusted the Kamino customs office to screen all foreign vessels in the atmosphere, so all she could assume was that this unusual ship was piloted by an ally.

And even if was an ally, was all of that Navy might really necessary? Raising an eyebrow, the Hapan executive watched them maneuver with ease through the storms to the private Morpho hangar. Simultaneously, her holo unit sprang to life, and she saw the form of the Count in her office.

"Hello, Count Morcus," said Tmoxin. "What a grand entrance you've made today. Are you always this afraid of an imminent attack?" Her subtle grin gave away the fact that she was teasing the Dark Jedi Knight. "When you land, my assistant will be there to greet you. If you require further security, please let he know."

When the HDK executive made his way to the Morpho entrance, as Tmoxin promised, a young, brunette human greeted the Count. He would be able to see scientists, security and other personnel going about their day in the clean, white lobby.

"Come this way, Count Morcus," she said. "I'll take you to meet Miss Temi. Please let me know if you need anything during your stay."

She lead him to an elevator bank and pressed the button for sector seven.

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count smirked at Miss Temi's response to his ''security detail'', chuckling softly. He then nodded to Tmoxin's assistant Beulah. ''Excellent! And tell Miss Temi not to worry, I just tend not to take any risks when it comes to my personal defense arrangements.'', he said, following behind her as they strolled through the vast labs of Tipoca City. He'd had great interest in Kamino for a long time now for it's cloning facilities and other scientific advancements, and had hoped this meeting with such a powerful businesswoman would prove fruitful indeed in securing the resources necessary for a plan he had devised a long, long time ago...

When he eventually arrived in Miss Temi's office, he slid down his hood and bowed his head politely. ''Miss Temi, an absolute pleasure to meet you at last. The dreary weather has done little to quell the lovely welcome you've given me.'', he said with a soft chuckle, before reaching into his cloak and pulling out a large bottle of Serenno White Wine, a pair of unarmed B1 Battle Droids carrying a large chest behind him, placing it on the floor in the corner of the office. ''I've come bearing gifts! A bottle of the finest wine from my home world, and a collection of research notes I'd like to share with you, but we'll talk about those in a little while.'', he said with a grin. ''Might I sit?'', he said, motioning to a chair. He always liked to be polite in occasions such as this.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

"Very good, Mr. Morcus," said Beulah. The elevator took them to sector seven, stopped, and with a mechanical whoosh, opened up to a similarly, clean white hallway. The offices were fairly standard in decor but had a slight sterile, medical smell. The Count and Tmoxin's assistant passed a bank of research labs and finally, Beluah opened the door to the Hapan executive's office and ushered the Count inside.

Tmoxin was not at her desk, but settled on a long, soft white couch, legs crossed with her data pad on her lap. But when the Count fully entered the room, she stood and greeted him warmly.

"You as well, Count Morcus. And I am afraid I can do nothing about the weather. But there are other elements I can control on Tipoca City." Morpho was growing stronger and more profitable each day. While the Hapan CEO still had taxes and regulations to deal with, the pharmaceutical company had boosted the economy of Kamino. This was a fact that she exploited at every turn during city council meetings. "Wine," she remarked excitedly. "I guess you've heard about my love for it. I also have a bottle of Kamino's finest scotch in my liquor cabinet with your name on it."

She sat back down on the couch, paged Beulah back into the room, and said, "Of course, you may sit where you like." Her brunette assistant quietly poured the drinks - two glasses of wine in case the Count wanted one and a glass of scotch should he prefer that. Wasting no time, Tmoxin launched into her sales pitch:

"I understand personal defense is of utmost importance to you. I think you'll find Morpho Pharmaceuticals has a lot to offer for a such as yours. Regardless of the type of labor you employ, we can contract out medicine and health products for any work force, along with your security detail. If you are in a combat situation, we can provide bacta tanks. For your workforce, vitamins to keep them healthy and stimulants to increase productivity."

Surrounding them was the faint sound of rain hitting the domed roof of the Morpho facility.

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count sat down beside her once he'd removed his wet cloak and placed it on a nearby coat rack, preparing two glasses and pouring some of the wine he'd brought for them into them. ''Medical supplies for my current army is only part of the reason I came to visit you.....word spreads quickly these days, and I've heard you've made quite a reputation for yourself not just upon Kamino, but within the Techno Union itself.'', he said with a smile, sipping his glass of wine.

''I'll cut it to you straight. The leadership of our great Union is shifting. Another power will arise to lead it. One that may or may not be favorable.....and I'd rather back a worthier candidate. A little bird tells me you've been seeking a chance to gain such a position....and I want to offer my support.'', he said, before gazing out of the nearby window. ''Not many people realize it, but Kamino is the key to power within the Techno Union. Do you know why?'', he said in a curious tone, hoping to gauge a response.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin frowned at Count Morcus's wet garment, not because it was distasteful where he put it but because she was so irriated by teh bloody rain on Kamino in the first place. I can't even do business without my esteemed colleagues being drenched and resembling a soaked womp rat. Not that Count Morcus did. He looked as distinguished as ever. But every time she went outside, clothing was soaked and she was contantly changing outfits like a circus performer.

Just the thought of that chilly rain made her tuck herself into a ball on the sofa. She gratefully accepted the wine when Beulah brought it over to her. After tasting it, she remarked, "The wine is stunning, Count. Thank you again for bringing it all the way here."

She listened carefully to what he had to say. "I am indeed flattered and I believe I know why. I take advantage of the reason every day in my own laboratories." She took another sip. "I would venture to guess you are referring to the wide-spread cloning operations here."

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count nodded. ''Indeed I am.....the ability to clone and train an army in a matter of months makes this planet unique compared to all others. I have felt ripples in the force.....a war is coming, and it will change the face of the Techno Union forever more......I intend to be prepared, like I always do, and I wanted to bring you into the fold of what I have envisioned.'', he said calmly as he arose from the sofa, pacing across the room slowly.

''If one is to achieve any semblance of power within the Union, one must have the force to achieve said aims. There will be a disagreement over leadership, one that may lead to civil war.....I have foreseen it. If you are to secure leadership over the Union, you must build an army of your own, loyal to you. Now, it just so happens that you have access to the cloning facilities here, while I have possess the wealth and resources capable of equipping said force.....if you and I were to work together, none would be able to stand in the way of progress.'', he said with a smile, before opening up the chest his droids had brought in behind him. Within resided a large metal canister, containing as of yet unknown genetic samples...

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

While Count Morcus seemed to be preparing for a doomsday scenario, for the most part, Tmoxin agreed with him about security measures. You couldn't be too careful with your own security and that of your valuable interests. Whether you were a miliary figure, had a bounty or happened to be in the public eye, individuals like the Count and the Hapan executive were targets. It just comes with the territory, thought Tmoxin pragmatically.

"I agree with you. Why just the other day I had an assassin infiltrate Morpho and kill one of my lead researchers right in front of my eyes. Truly a sign of things to come."

She shook her head, and her eyes followed the military man as he walked back and forth across her office. She picked up her datapad which was beside her and tapped a few keys.

"Ironically enough, most of my Security Detail and some of the workers on the manufacturing side of Morpho are clones. I used a company called Kaminoan Klones, operated by a Mr. Tus Mar," Tmoxin said. She sent the contact information to Count Morcus's datapad. "Shall we pay him a visit? I believe if we pooled our resources together we just may be able to buy Kaminoan Klones outright. I can annex them to Morpho and you will own the largest stake in the company."

Tmoxin gazed at the cannister. Instant Army, she thought. Just add water.

"Unless you had other ideas, and if so, I'd love to hear them."

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count smirked. ''Within this canister reside genetic samples taken from my own body and subjected to modification to remove any genetic defects or other hindrances. I was quite a warrior in my youth. I've tried cloning myself before but it has proven...difficult to accomplish due to my force sensitivity. I've come up with a way to circumvent this, however. Said sensitivity can be removed from any sample by keeping Ysalamiri in close proximity to the cloning vats, allowing for stable force dead clones to be produced in less than a month.'', he said, strolling back over to Tmoxin. ''This is also true for none-force sensitive samples.....this method of cloning could allow us to produce a vast army in less than a year, if care is taken.''

He then sat beside her once more, taking another sip from his glass. ''I'm not trying to be egotistical asking for my own DNA to be used for this army. I've a reason behind it. My bloodline is nearly dead. My house, all but extinguished. I am the last one left.....and at my age, I probably only have a few decades left before I kick the bucket. I would see my lineage live on in some form after my death.'', he said with a sigh. The Count was a proud man, and couldn't bare the thought of his bloodline evaporating upon his death. That much was obvious...

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

"Well you've certainly piqued my interest," said Tmoxin. "And I do not judge, Count Morcus. After all, Morpho pharmaceuticals is known for it's anti-aging treatments. I have a bio-tech chamber that can make you younger if you're interested. If humans and humanoids were not so obsessed with longevity and lineage, I would not be in business."

She crossed her legs and kept pace with the Count, drinking from her glass as well. "I also think this army is a good idea, especially after the events on Naboo. So with that in mind, how can I help you with this project?"

She stood and walked over her desk, paging her assistant with an intercom. "Beulah, can you please send a contract to Count Morcus's headquarters for his lawyers to sign." She looked over her shoulder, her brown eyes resting on the Count. "We can't forget about the medical supplies you and the clones will need after all."

Now that that part of their business was concluded, she leaned back on her desk, almost sitting on it and waited to see what officer had in mind for the next step with this army.

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

He nodded, smiling at her. ''I need to use the ties you have here with the local cloners to put forward our plan and convince them to join with us. If we can secure their aid and begin construction of this army, you and I will be in a perfect position of power when it comes to getting you put in charge of the Techno Union. Kamino will become the forefront of military cloning and training once more, like in the Clone Wars.'', he said, before tilting his head inquisitively at the mentioning of anti-aging treatments. ''I will consider your offer about undergoing anti-aging procedures, but are the effects merely cosmetic, or will it restore me physically aswell?''

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

"My time and materials are yours," Tmoxin said with a nod. "Perhaps we should holocall Mr. Mar from Kaminoan Klones right now with our proposition. If he isn't ready to sell his company, I do have other means to convince him."

The Hapan executive wouldn't elaborate, but she wasn't above sabotage or tampering in order to get what she wanted. If Tus Mar had a wife, perhaps some incriminating pictures would suddenly appear of him and a mistress. Although Tmoxin couldn't think too hard about Kaminoans in any kind of romantic tryst. It turned her stomach a little.

She was pleased to hear that Count Morcus was interested in her age-reversal treatment. "The results of the Age-Renewal Chamber are not just cosmetic but physical. And we recently made modifications so that your age can be reversed up to eight years. There are some side effects, but they are negligible. And occasionally genetic mutations happen, but all of this will be explained in detail should you make an appointment for treatment.

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count grinned. ''A woman after my own heart it seems. Do let me know if you require any....assistance in convincing him to sell to us. I will provide whatever funding or military force you deem necessary.'', he said with a smile, before shaking his head. ''I'd...rather avoid the chance of mutation. Eight years isn't enough for me anyway. But back to business. If we do secure the cloning facilities we require, I can easily provide funding to purchase state of the art equipment for our budding military. Hoersch-Kessel tends to keep me funded beyond imagining these days. You'd be surprised how many planetary defense fleets purchase my Lucrehulks'', the Count said with a hint of great pride. His company meant quite a bit to him, it seemed.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

While Tmoxin really wanted to sink her credits into a Keffi farm on sunny Lianna, here she was again investing in dreary and dull Kamino. But the Count had stirred her desire to see if she could really buy Kaminoan Klones outright. Perhaps without Morcus's funding. Although his proposition of bolstering the military assets was something she would support no matter what.

The Hapan executive rose and went back over to her desk. Pressing a button on her intercom, she paged her assistant again.

"Beulah, please assemble an acquisitions team and have them research the Kaminoan Klones. Financials, filings, news, scandal... I want a report on my desk by the end of the day with anything they find."

She then holocalled Tus Mar, the owner.

"Miss Temi, it's been awhile. Are you looking to place another order?"

"Not this time, Mr. Mar. As you know Morpho Pharmaceuticals has grown in leaps and bounds. We are one of the largest companies now in Tipoca City and employ nearly a quarter of the Kaminoan population. There is a new research and development branch being spun up on Lianna. With Morpho's science and Kaminoan Klones production I think we should consider a merger."

Mar was quiet for a moment. His large eyes blinked, and his head bobbed on a thin stalk-like neck. Tmoxin's palms began to sweat, since the alien executive was taking such a long time responding, but finally he said:

"Yes, please come by the facility in one hour, and we can discuss this in further detail."

"Thank you," Tmoxin said, ending the holocall.

"He didn't say no or hang up, so I'm going to take that as a good sign, Count," she said to her new business partner. "Would you like a tour of the Morpho Labs before we make our way over to Kaminoan Klones?"

[member="Count Morcus"]

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count nodded his head eagerly. ''I'd very much enjoy the opportunity to inspect my new business partner's facilities, Miss Temi.'', he said with curiosity. He had indeed wanted to get to know his new ally and her company well, because after all, establishing a fruitful working relationship would be key in the development of this new clone army. The cloning chambers of Tipoca City would once again churn out superior warriors.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]