Legalized crime

[King Iedolas Solidor]

Built with tall towers, a palace that has its inner walls in colors that varies from black and red metal and stones. The building is built with a pale look. Huge, with great banners of the noble houses of old that ruled the planet for many years, the palace has huge black doors that take to a gran courtyard, where practice of weapons is often seen. The great stairs in the yard lead directly to the Great Hall where lies the Sun Throne, made of crystal, both fragile and royal. The palace glows with the light of its own shield that guards the seat of power in all the capital, deep within the palace lies the Sun Throne, where the Kings of Kaikielius of old, and now the Primarchs of the Interstellar Protectorate stay.

Audiences with the other Nine Houses was always a boring thing. Although they never came out their castles in the ring cities, Iedolas had a disliking about having to discuss every single matter with them first. They respected his authority, but money was always a horrible thought among the Dukes of Houses Juoni and Tyrell, always greedy elzeris thinking about their own pockets instead of the long term profits.

He had but one more meeting that day. A woman, that represented a powerful criminal organization that was ever growing in nearby systems, one that could pose a threat, or become fast allies with his dreams and visions for the Protectorate. He had talked this for long hours with the Sanctum, to turn and use this opportunity to make this "Family" to work with them, both with the goals of making wealth and harvesting power.

“Send her in.”, Iedolas said in a harsh tone of voice to his personal intendant.

 

[Crocell]

A tall, pale-skinned woman entered the throne room, striding forward to stop precisely on cue - within enough distance of the Primarch to communicate, but giving the Lord respect... She knew, purely by the way she carried herself, her way around Court.

She was dressed in a soft violet gown which hugged her curves beautifully but did not overly express her femininity; a black leather corset was wrapped around her midsection, and her arms and calves were bare. Her hair, black as the darkest depths of Space, was curled and styled beautifully... She appeared to be a Lady in her own right; holding noble office, or at least appearing so. Her facial features were flawless; her jawline beautifully curved and her throat bare.

Over her hands, she wore black leather gloves of the softest velvet, and the small number of piercings she'd received throughout the years were modest; it was only her ears which were adorned with luminous blue stones.

Her feet were covered in black slippers; certainly not the outfit of a Criminal, but an outfit for a Lady.

Ivory gave a deep curtsie, "Thank you, my Lord, for inviting me into your home and agreeing to this Audience... It is my pleasure."

She stood, a soft smile on her luscious lips; hands clasped before her at her navel.

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

“It's your majesty.”, said the voice of his intendent at the his back, a fact that made Iedolas smile for a brief moment, as his violet eyes were set upon the woman in front of him. Tall, strong, stern and wild, a human woman that remembered him of his deceased wife, Lenore, buried so long ago.

“Oh no, my good Byron”, Iedolas said, both hands being used in his throne so he could stand up. His intendant bowed to his grace as he did that, and Iedolas started to walk off the throne, going step by step in the stairs at the side of his high Sun Throne. “One must never correct someone not accustomed to our ways.”, now near the end of the steps, Iedolas still smiled to the woman, dismissing Byron with a short swing with his left hand. “Madam Ivory Stroud, i presume.”, after he stopped walking the Primarch still smiled, as he took a measure of that man, from head to toes. “I have a excellent recommendation hololetter from Queen Popara the Hutt. Long business both of us had in our long lives in this plane of existence.”

He was the one that made the call. He was in need of a organization that suited the Protectorate, a government that would never accept a Hutt in power ever again, the Family however was more like their ways. Iedolas was a cautious man, that lead a cautious people that had intentions of uniting with many other noble from star systems in forming a great alliance to keep trade and order in their corner of the galaxy.

“Enfer is but a place, not a home. Built seven hundred years ago by my great grandfather. He died in this very room, ordered by one our ancient rulers, the Mad King.”, ancient history was something that the woman was not likely to be interested, and as Iedolas walked down to stay side by side with that human girl, he could not help himself from smiling. “I am in dire need of the services provided by your and your organization.”

[member="Ivory Stroud"]​

 

[Crocell]

Ivory stood, poised as could be. A diamond-hard look flashed across her eyes as she turned her head, regarding the Baron who had corrected her - a look which would have chilled the blood. Then, at the Primarch's interference, she turned her attention toward the Elf - she had never dealt with beings such as these, but knew enough to know he was far older than she - and watched him wave off the man who'd spoken.

Inwardly, she allowed herself a grin. She had aligned herself with countless others in the past - on Coruscant, and further into the Galaxy... Infiltrated gatherings of Officers in the First Order, detonated a homemade bomb beneath the headquarters of Coruscant's Internal Finances Division HQ, burned a warehouse to the ground filled with First-Order Uniforms, created alliances with one of the most powerful Banks in the Galaxy, and organized countless protests-turned-violent on a number of worlds...

Meeting an emperor, regardless of his age, came as easily as taking a life.

In response to [member="Primarch Iedolas"]' mention of Queen Popara, Ivory's lips turned into a smile; "She's done me a great service, Your Majesty." And listened as he continued. Ivory turned her body to face him, her face expressing an interest in the story he began, but moved naturally on to his mention of her visit to Keikelius.

"Mia Familgia is interested, indeed, Your Majesty, in what we might do for you and your kingdom."

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

Long ago the Reconquista had came to Kaikielius, taking the planet back from the Hutts and House Vahali. For too long House Praji fought that battle, taking the planet, giving very little to the Juoni and placing themselves in power and what once began filled with moral and good intentions, soon became a dictatorship. The elzeri brought the downfall of House Praji and their control over Kaikielius was no more, and even if a thousand years were to pass, Kaikielius would never accept another Hutt in society. A species discriminated among them, one could see many strange races in Kaikielius and Achillea, but Hutts were nowhere to be seen, he had dealings with Queen Popara but nothing would ever go further from that.

The Family, however, was the best option and the current most powerful crime syndicate among the galaxy. Unlike the Cartels, this organization was not as greedy as to become a problem when working alongside with a government. They knew honor and loyalty, money was always the main goal, but for everyone that was also the case, if it was not, what would happen to society in the galaxy?

“I would like to offer a partnership to your organization. One that would give you all the freedom to work, live and exist in all our territory without the law standing in your way.”, it was almost like he was talking about legalizing crime itself, but was not the case, “No other competitors except you, otherwise we take them off your way. Their business, their territories, the properties they have… all yours.” He was offering a deal like no one else. The Protectorate would still be the major government in the planets they control, but The Family would control all the Underworld in those planets, like two allies. "Crime will always exist, miss Ivory, why not make it legal?"

[member="Ivory Stroud"]​

 

[Crocell]

Ivory listened to the Primarch offer his terms, and she regarded him, her eyebrows raising in an expression of questioning; as he discussed his ideas for their Alliance & offered his deal.

"That seems... quite generous of you, your Majesty... but I can imagine the groups within the Protectorate may not take kindly toward our advances. Mia Famiglia are, to a soul, masters of discretion... and what you're suggesting is removing the need for discretion, altogether. Such an Empire, throughout the Protectorate, would be a powerful resource, that is certain... and The Family might prosper, providing support in such ways we may not forsee as-yet. "

She tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "This is... a fortunate turn of events, but I must know... What must The Family do to ensure the security of this Deal? What does The Protectorate gain, by turning a blind eye toward our activities? Even more importantly, how would your people feel?"

It was, by far, the most obvious question... and the most pressing. If such a deal would damage relations with his own subjects, then The Family would be caught in the middle - an uncomfortable, uncompromising, and altogether bad deal.

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

She was not wrong. There would be those that would speak against this, but he knew how to convince all the nobles in the Sanctum, to bring Barons and Lords to the fold as well, for the people did not cared what happened as long as they were left in peace, well feed and cozy in their residences.

“There will be, yes. But our people are driven by festivals, balls, casinos and money. We do not control crime, we only fight against crime.”, his voice was solemn and deep, with a husky sound in his thick accent. “Why fight when we can all profit together? Taxes paid off and 5% of the profit in the end of each month would be enough to keep the Great Houses satisfy with this deal. For more business, means more money. Each planet that join us, shall have your Family expanding and getting richer, for crime is but a business, if there is no slavery in planets already under the rule of the Protectorate and unnecessary murders, we can work together for a very long time.”, taking a moment after saying a few of the terms he proposed, Iedolas calmly added, “When a unsatisfied group tries to take down a government, they become rebels and turn to the underworld. Perhaps even raid the ships and cargos of our competitors in the trade routes in the Inner Rim? The cargo and ships would obviously become yours. Also providing us with intelligence on those things and other useful information is more than enough as terms and gains for our deal.”

The idea of having a shadow government, independent and allied with his under the Protectorate, meant Iedolas could keep track of both sides. The legal and illegal way the people lived and if that meant that he had to crush some petty crime bosses to give it all for this wonderful organization to become as powerful and renowned as the Black Sun was in the days of old.

“Together we shall achieve greatness and make fortunes so great that the whole galaxy will bow down before us.”, he reach out with his hand, offering it to her as a sign of respect for her and her organization.

[member="Ivory Stroud"]​

 

[Crocell]

To his each & every word did Ivory Stroud listen.

She regarded him in a new light, then - understanding that this wise and powerful King was a rarity in this galaxy, indeed. His first set of points, she understood well - she agreed with Iedolas entirely, and considered his statements a word of gospel. She was still considering, with her brain working at light-speed, the returns such an investment would make. The Family would wield total power over current & future events within the Interstellar Protectorate - for 5% of the profits and taxes paid, they would be free to conduct their business as they saw fit - recruiting, conducting whatever form of business they desired, (which was everything except slavery & cruelty toward animals), and they would be protected by the Only Power which mattered... they would be partners with the Government itself. The Protectorate certainly would gain more than only financial returns... their control would be complete; citizens, The Family, and anyone who visited worlds owned by The Protectorate would be under their sway.

His addition only solidified her view. Iedolas needed them, at least in his mind; rather than allow vermin to multiply, Iedolas was choosing a clever alternative - invite the wolves, and keep them happy - and the threat of festering, rotting death from within would cease entirely. The Wolves would cull the weak... and only the strong would survive.

It was a philosophy she knew well.

It was not she who'd had to sell the Primarch; he had chosen to sell her, and she bought the lot.

With her left hand, Ivory tugged the soft leather glove from her right, raising her arm and placing her soft, supple fingers within [member="Primarch Iedolas"]' sure grip. She squeezed his hand firmly, delivering a powerful assurance to the older man of her strength of character, holding his powerful gaze with her own. While she might have appeared a noblewoman, she was capable of much more than court intrigue & gossip. She was a Force to be reckoned.

"Your Majesty, you do me a great honor, inviting me here today to speak with you. I believe I did the right thing, by joining you here on this beautiful planet... The Family accepts your offer, as Partners and Friends."

She offered him a smile which could have lit the deepest depths of unknown space.

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

He was not used to this sort of treatment. Iedolas was used to nodding and making small measures for his allies and subjects, even in the Bank of the Core when he was ahead of some negotiation, he could not remember when was the last time he shook someone’s hand. A firm grip he had, never brute or too strong, but something in the right measure for a male is age or the standards of age for humans, after all he was four hundred and forty nine years old. ‘Two more centuries if I’m lucky’, he used to say for himself when thinking about his age, he had done the old bioengineering changes in his body to make sure he would live a little longer, to achieve the highest period in office ever since Queen Margeritte.

“As partners and friends.”, Iedolas repeated those words savoring the way they felt in his mouth, that deal meant a lot of money, a lot of serious money. It was something that no other faction, government, or cult had done yet in this galaxy. “I shall expect to hear about your organization to know who shall they assign for this alliance, as a start… I would like to grant you the very first base of operations for the Family in Kaikieli space.”, his free hand slowly raised the comlink, where the image of a space city was showed to the woman. “This is Matarys. It is one of our ring cities, built centuries ago by the Barons of House Qorgyle, until the last son of the Qorgyles died twenty years ago and the city was taken by spice dealers and shylocks. We arrested all the heads and released the port and now I shall entrust this city to whoever your Donna appoints to rule it in her name.”, they would find the Redhill Castle a very fancy and comfortable keep for them to live, the city itself was a challenge to see if the Family was ready to take control over this bargain with the Protectorate.

There still was a lot of small criminals and outlaws lose in Matarys and that would be a fine way to see what they were made of. Carefully Iedolas took his hand back and said in a slow tone of voice.

“I shall expect to hear about your lieutenant in the ball we shall have in a fortnight, Miss Ivory.”

​

[member="Ivory Stroud"]​