Invitation to the Snakes Pitt

[Death Adder]

Death Adder looked out the from the VIP lounge window and out to into his Casino the Snakes Pitt. With one hand he stroked his perfectly trimmed beard while he pondered the encounter he had set up. In the other, he held a fine wine that he had left to breathe.

I wonder if the Capo’s would come. They owe me nothing nor I them. I certainly don’t have the sway that the Donna holds over them.

Either way if they don’t show up, then that’ll read into their character as much as if they do.
The pirate turned ambassador looked at the time piece on the wall.

Another hour to the requested meeting time. All I have to do is now wait.

He walked over to an opulent couch, placed his wine on the hover-table and entwined his fingers together in front of his face as he thought about the vague letter he had sent to the Donna’s most trusted and powerful underdogs.

“You have been given the great honour of being allowed into the family and to work for the Ahtemis. Although I am not Family and in no way have any influence upon your business, I am however employed by the Donna to run her legimate business within the refinery. My hope is that you'll acquiesce my meeting request with you in regards of the topic previously mentioned.
It will be short but is somewhat of urgence.
Death Adder”

 

[Corran Conner]

Vork was in the lizard's nest within his keep on Noverskaa. He was planning new ideas and route through ME and SJO space. He had been told by [member="Tom Taff"] that Noverskaa would soon fall under SJO. That wasn't a bad thing necessarily and he could understand why with the new ME stance on the Sith. Which had made it so Noverskaa was more vulnerable as they might attempt to use the neutral space to their own ends. He analysts and other trusted guards where around him in various spots.

He looked over all of them before his hidden data pad went off with a new private alert. Very few had Vorks private channel, the other capos, the donna and the consig who had been missing for sometime. He looked down and it was from the consig. How curious. He opened it up looked over the message it read

“You have been given the great honour of being allowed into the family and to work for the Ahtemis. Although I am not Family and in no way have any influence upon your business, I am however employed by the Donna to run her legitimate business within the refinery. My hope is that you'll acquiesce my meeting request with you in regards of the topic previously mentioned.
It will be short but is somewhat of urgence.
Death Adder”

Vork looked it over again and again. He wonder what this all meant. He knew the consig had no say over them as he was basically not a part of the family but under the donna as her left hand. The one who made sure the right hand and it's dagger stayed clean. He would go to the meeting. He walked out of his base as he caught a simple cargo ship to where he needed to be. No need for anyone else to know he was gone.

[member="Death Adder"]

 

[Vora Kaar]

THE GARDENER

This was quite the invitation. One where "Auberon" would be receiving a message from Adder. A snake from the name taken, and likely meaningful to his intentions. At the very least, most of them. The Donna loved her secrets. Being so, I only knew of the man from the limited time I have seen him, or heard on the off chance. I knew we had a Consig, however, my suspicions of this man only led me to believe it was him. I had quickly gathered my belongings, and made my way for the Snake's Pitt. Leaving a quick message for Ember that I would be leaving, and may or may not be back soon. Once I knew, I would contact her.

By now, She knew well that when I was off on Family business, sometimes it had to be done alone.

It was upon reaching a close enough area to allow walking the rest of the way. Gathering my leather jacket, I threw it on over my long sleeve shirt, and righted my belt. Upon which was only one weapon. My Shard. Otherwise, the only "gear" I had with me was my mask, and a datapad. Shaun the Blacksmith from Eshan was just a soldier within the family. He wouldn't even have been allowed to get anywhere near close to Adder. Auberon however, can.

A brisk pace was taken to reach the destination in which there was some urgency over the subject matter of Death Adders... work with the Family. I feared that this could be a ploy to get all of the Capos and the Hands of the Donna to one place in which they could be ended, or controlled. If needed, I may have an ace up my sleeve in which would keep me alive just enough.

While I doubt it would happen, there is always, always a possibility.

​

[member="Vorkaliin Barass"], [member="Death Adder"], [member="Ivory Stroud"], [member="Ahtemis"], ​

 

[Crocell]

She'd been watching, waiting, for hours now.

The crowd within the Snakes Pitt Casino consisted of more rough & tumble types - heavyset human men & few women, near-human races, and a few plainly inhuman; each and every soul possessed hard faces & rough hands. Far from Coruscant, and the Crown Prime Casino's comparetively glamorous clientele, one might think the Family's Underboss would be outside of her element.

This could not have been furthest from the truth.

She'd used her advanced holographic disquiser to blend in, entering the casino like any other refinery worker, pilot-turned-pirate, or hardbitten smuggler, taking part in a few games (the majority of which she'd purposefully lost), and making a show of drinking a tad too much - her appearance was not the Femme Fatale, for her unique look would have been immediately recognized; instead, she had introduced herself as "Maud", a stout brunette woman wearing overalls and stained boots. "Maud" had a scar over her left eye, and a few missing teeth - likely the result of a bar-fight, or too many years in a drug-induced haze.

They hadn't been checking for weapons, and she was certainly armed... Her thoughts had followed, coincidentally, those of her fellow Capo, [member="Shaun Castanic"]: she knew little of "The Baron", and was prepared for the worst.

[member="Vorkaliin Barass"] [member="Death Adder"]

 

[Death Adder]

Death Adder looked over some data on his wrist PDA while waiting. Finishing what he was doing it looked up at the time piece and noticed it was getting close to the appointed time. A slight scowl crossed his face as he stood and whispered under his breath.

"hmm, mayhaps they won't be making an appearance after all."

He straightened his immaculate dark green vest that he wore a plain white long sleeve shirt and walked back to the viewing window that overlooked his upper-class casino. He seemed to study all the patrons as well as his staff.

After what seemed a length of time he activated his earbud communicator, that had a direct link to his Fallen bouncers that kept the local riff-raff out and confined to the lower casino.

"Have you had any contact yet?" He spoke in a commanding voice.

"Negative Captain" came the reply.

The Ambassador never gave description of three members that he had invited nor their names. He had written the three in the letter to approach the bouncers in the upper casino and give them the command word Tiapan. Upon which the bouncers will give them access chips to the VIP lounge.

If any where to enter the upper casino they could only enter via one set of heavily reinforced doors where weapons of any kind were not permitted, and confiscated by the four Fallen bouncers. However if this particular pass-code was uttered the bouncers have strict instructions to let them pass unhindered and not to be searched.

"I have already wasted too much time"

The old pirate whispered under his breath as he continued to scan his stunning casino.

[member="Ivory Stroud"] [member="Shaun Castanic"] [member="Vorkaliin Barass"]

 

[Vora Kaar]

There are many reasons not to trust those within the family. Some may still want more power. Some may want to remove you from your position. A usurper to replace you. As much as I should not have to fear that for, Ahtemis had directly asked me to be her left hand, I still had the thought in the back of my mind at all times. Walking forward to a group of guards, clearly marked by the way they dressed, and one of them put a finger up to his ear. Directly saying, a negative on something.

I smiled behind the mask ever so slightly. The snake watched the fields it would seem. Steps taken to reach closer and closer to the guards in particular where I pulled out the Family crest from inside my jacket. Speaking directly to them.

"Auberon wishes to speak with your boss."

Before I was even done, the second man came over and began to pat me down. My Shard sword was taken from the sheath. The look I received was of confusion and wonder. A smirk behind the mask as he fondled the weapon. Looking it over.

​"Deceiving it is. Such as it should be."

Shaking his head, he replaced the weapon and reached up to my head. Attempting to take the mask. I took a single step backward to let his hand hit nothing but air where I had once stood. Shaking my head with a tisk tisk.

"Sorry boys. The mask stays. The name will be enough for your boss."

As soon as I was done, the guard pressed a finger to his ear, and was doing his job to find out if what I was, was credible. Folding my arms, I awaited the snakes response.

​

​

[member="Death Adder"], [member="Ivory Stroud"], [member="Vorkaliin Barass"],​

 

[Crocell]

"Maud" took a break, rising from the table (bumping it with her knee, which caused the other gamblers to sneer at her), and hobbling through the smoke-filled haze until she found what she assumed was the Ladies' Room. The big, gruff, angry miner woman stared at herself in a mirror, illuminated by a single light - inspecting the cracks & curves of her face, her mean chin, cracked and broken teeth, eyes yellowed from liver disease, round stomach, full thighs, and stubby fingers...

Like a haze on a hot summer day, it all began to melt away.

And in its' place, was The Donna herself, black dress, black hair, shadowed hat & all.

The gorgeously feminine, curvaceous predator glimpsed at her nails, smoothed her dress, and adjusted her hat to just the proper angle - enough to bathe her face in shadow. With a snap, and a shake, the Lady [member="Ahtemis"] was on her way out.

The Donna approached a group of guards near the back staircase, choosing security over showmanship... and tipped her hat, once she'd gotten close. But she didn't slow down. One of the men stepped forward as-if to stop her, but she waved him off - "Tell him I'm here, and I'm on my way up. Out of my way." Ironically, she'd chosen the perfect moment for a gamble of her own. One which paid off.

"Y-Yes, ma'am." The guard stammered, struck dumb. The truth was, he'd only ever glimpsed the woman and never spoken to her directly. She was an Old Spacer's Dream. He stepped aside, and the two other men beside him said nothing, looking after her as she mounted the staircase. Like claws, the shadows accepted her graciously... and she had disappeared.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Donna strode into [member="Death Adder"]'s office as-if she owned it, turning to the lone man in the room.

"Hello, Adder." She said, coolly.

[member="Shaun Castanic"] [member="Vorkaliin Barass"]

 

[Death Adder]

The four Fallen bouncers snapped alert as they saw the masked man approach. The two that flanked the entry way rested their hands upon the on inside of their expensive jackets, flesh touching and the handle of their over priced blasters.

A third stepped up and frisked the masked individual. After reeling back from having his hand slapped away the fourth and clearly the one in charge put his hand up as a sign to other two on over watch to hold back. The Fallen that frisked Auberon looked to his supervisor before taking a few steps back and waited for further orders.

The supervisor turned his head slightly and spoke in his own tongue and murmured a few words. The one that stood out was "Auberon". The pronunciation was perfect.

"Yes Captain" he replied in basic.

Looking directly at the masked man in front of him he stepped forward and offered a chip to him.

"My apologies Sir. This will allow you into the VIP lounge." Stepping back, he moved his arm in gesture for Auberon to pass.

After seeing their supervisor hand out a chip the other remaining three relaxed and immediately went about there business, nodding in compliment.

If Auberon were to pass the bouncers didn't move or look in his direction as the weapon detector flash it's warning as he passed into the club.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The Fallen supervisor stiffened as he saw the Donna approach. The new guy stepped forward as if to stop her but stopped in his tracks as she spoke. After being waved off the bouncer looked to his supervisor whom look slightly perplexed. Taking a quick moment to compose himself he snapped to action and clicked his fingers at the nearest Fallen and pointed to Ahtemis in one action.

"for..forgive me M'lady. He new and didn't know. Brice will escort and open the for you"

Ignoring the warning sound from the sophisticated weapons detector the Fallen called Brice lead the Donna up to the VIP room.

"Captain. The Donna has arrived and is on her way to see you"

Over looking the Casino the words rang in Death Adders ear. Losing his posture slightly he spoke back

"Acknowledged"

Death Adder thought to himself. Arthemis, here. I thought she had pressing business off world. Stroking his bearded chin he walked over to the right side of the door and waited for the Donna to arrive.

Reaching the VIP door the bouncer opened the door and nodded his head down as the Donna walked in. The bouncer closed the door and returned to his station.

"Hello Adder"

The pirate Captain now stood on her left side and greeted her, slightly nodding.

"Arthemis. What a pleasant surprise"

Death Adder studied every facet of the woman that stood before him. He didn't trust anyone, and considering his intelligence had placed Arthemis elsewhere he was extras cautious. So he tested her by standing on her left to gage what she would do. A secret that only very few knew about her.


[member="Ivory Stroud"][member="Shaun Castanic"][member="Vorkaliin Barass"]

 

[Corran Conner]

Vork as usual was late to the party. It almost seemed like he could never arrive anywhere when he was needed. He growled walking straight past to door bouncers giving them looks asking them to make his day better by trying to stop him but none did. He was slightly disappointed none of them were green. He almost picked several fights as he walked through the club attempting to find a way up. He was in the mood for a fight.

He strode up to the upper floor finding a man and giving him the codeword. He waited to be giving the necessary pieces to continue forwards as he growled looking deep into the eyes of one of the Fallens. He was just begging them to give it a run for his money but even the most hard of customers had seen the killer look in Vork's eyes and stayed away. Shame really all Vork wanted was a good scrapping.

[member="Ivory Stroud"] l [member="Shaun Castanic"] l [member="Death Adder"]

 

[Crocell]

"Arthemis. What a pleasant surprise"

"Hmm?" The Donna said, frowning and ducking her head as she looked at the Consiglieri. "What was it you said?" She asked, stepping into the room and turning her body to face [member="Death Adder"]. Her right side would be closer then - and her demeanor had changed to a heightened state of awareness.

The Donna would be facing the entry into the office and anyone entering the office would easily spot the two of them.

 

[Death Adder]

Death Adder's complexion never changed as he stared at Artemis, but he came along beside her on her right side as was his usual place seeking to take her hand in his arm. In doing so he would seek to passively smell the familiar fragrance that he knew the Donna to wear. All the while he used his expert eye for details and watched every move the woman beside him make. He was intimately familiar with Donna for over a decade.

He lead her to a seat nearby and walked over to the bar, and without turning back he spoke as he looked into a mirror that reflected back to the woman now behind him.

"That wine came in that you asked for when you where here weeks ago has arrived. I think this would be a great time to open it my dear"

He spoke knowing full well he had not seen the Donna for a number of months.

* * * * * * * * * *

Upon seeing the giant man-lizard, the Fallen snapped to attention with that hands reaching for their weapons. The Supervisor stood up in his way not showing any fear. If a keen eye were upon them, the other three could be seen a little shaken at the monster now in towering over their boss. The Lizard spoke a word to the Fallen baring his access, and with a nodded handed the creature a chip,stood aside and allowed him entery.

The remaining three saw the exchange with the chip and back away visually relaxing and going about their business, trying very hard not to stair the creature in his eye as he passed.