Private Loose Threads

[Lina Djo]

It had taken time and patience to get her foot in the door on Faldos, along with considerable funds in the right hands to secure the clans location close to the starport. It was a vital location, with direct links to Hydian Way and a heartbeat from the Correllian Trade spine, from an intelligence perspective this would give her everything she needed to keep links with those locations set within the Galactic Alliance. It was also somewhere she could come to escape the Malsheem, even if she couldn't ever escape Carnifex's eye.

The tattoo on her arm shifted and she shot it a disgusted look, before looking up from the datapad in her hand. The floor beneath her thrummed with the steady beat of music. It was not Lina's usual affair, she much preferred clubs of a higher calibre, casinos, live singers and bands. Gentle, and welcoming to the higher levels of society. However the higher levels of society here would be far from in favour of her presence on the planet, let alone her running an establishment right under there nose.

She was after all, a Kainite, and Darth Strosius hadn't exactly been silent in his distaste for her Lord and his followers. She couldn't blame him, she hated them and him just as much, but he had ensnared her, marked her. Lina would be his servant until he saw fir to release her...

Or he died.

She knew which option she preferred.

The human that stood in front of her now was sweating under her gaze, his eyes shifting from her to the datapad and back again. The information he'd provieded was false, they both knew it. HE just hoped she didn't. She dropped the datapad on her desk making him jump. "How many years have you been in my service, Alex?"

"Fifteen, my lady, i swear to you, this was the information I was given."

"By whom?" She rose slowly from her seat, moving round the desk to circle him. He did not answer her, choosing instead to look at the floor. "You know I will find out, you could save yourself and them the pain."

"I can't..." he licked his lips nervously. "You and Miss Leilah just disappeared and you came back with..." he trailed off eyeing the shifting mark that coiled about her left arm. "They say you've been compromised."

Lina seethed stepping in close to him, placing her fingers under his chin. "They? They! I built this network, I cut out the cruelty my mother had left, raised whores from their backs and placed them in positions of power, i halved the life debts that many owed her and I gave you all well paid jobs. This is the repayment I get?"

"The word coming out of Ryloth, from her father is that Carnifex found you. If we could just see that Miss Leilah is okay..."

Lina's anger flared, she didn't even feel the saber in her hand, nor hear it hiss to life. She just saw the look of surprise followed by pain on his face as it penetrated his abdomen. "She should not be who you are concerned over. Take this message back to them. And remind them that I can be my mothers daughter if they wish it so. I will come, personally, for anyone who attempts to skew the information that reaches me."

She deactivated the blade and stepped back letting him tumble. Blackblades that had been standing tall and silent in the corners stepped forward to pick him up off the floor. They would take him to the hospital. Lina leaned on the desk and took a breath to even herself. Today, was not shaping up to be a good day.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Today had been a dull and uneventful day thus far. Managing Faldos these days was largely a lax affair, what with any possible internal threats being long since squashed. It was the rest of the bureaucratic nonsense that was the real issue. Reading reports, issuing edicts and modifying existing policies, and of course listening to the badgering of the world's representative council. As though their shoddy little opinions actually mattered.

"Is something the matter, my lord?" Darth Strosius opened his eyes to realize that he had been leaning his head against his hand during his idle staring out of the window. The streets of Faldos still held some bustling activity despite the ever-present patrols of the Inquisition's soldiers, the locals seemingly having grown used to their presence. Good, only the guilty feared the keepers of law and order. He sighed and sat up in his seat before glancing back at the speeder's pilot. "No, I was simply thinking to myself Ischano. How far are we now?"

"It's coming up on the left now my lord but..." His masked gaze caught the pilot's quick glance in the rearview mirror. "But?" He could almost hear the pilot gulp as they stuttered out a response. "W-Well my lord if you are troubled or fatigued at all I can always turn-" "No." The word was simple and lacking in any sort of venom or heat yet the pilot's flinch was still obvious. "Half of Faldos's council and much of their lower representatives have been patrons of this..." He glanced at the datapad that occupied his other hand, still open from where he had been reading over it earlier. "Club. And I've noticed a shift in their spending habits shortly before it opened. I need to learn what's so interesting about this new establishment. Personally."

The pilot nodded reluctantly as the speeder started to slow before coming to a complete halt, right outside of the new club that had opened up right next to the world's largest spaceport. A clever placement. "Would you like me to have the local garrison and patrols on standby my lord?" Darth Strosius scoffed and shook his head as he stood, the door that he had been leaning against previously sliding opwn for him. "This is my world Ischano. There is no threat to me here. Just keep the engine running for me, this shouldn't take long."

Without waiting for a response from the speeder's pilot the masked man set off, his robes flowing in the slight breeze as his long stride carried him toward's club's entrance. As expected he got quite a few glances and startled looks, most of the locals either recognizing their governor or simply recognizing a Sith on the march and giving him a wide berth. He paid the citizenry no mind nor attention though, his hidden gaze set firmly on the doors as he walked right past the line that had assembled before said entrance.

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

There was a flurry of activity before Darth Strosius reached the doors, one might perceive it as mild panic rather than quick action. It rippled through the club as a one of the serving girls vaulted up the stairs to Lina's private lounge and bursting through her office door. Lina scowled at her. "Didn't I tell you all that I was not to be disturbed?" Lina scolded her with an icy tone.

"He's here. Darth Strosius is here." Lina clicked her tongue.

"Be that as it may, its no excuse for poor manners. You will, in future, knock."

"Yes, Mistress." she gave the smallest of curtsies.

"Allow our guest to go where he wishes, he is to be offered every courtesy. His drinks are free, should he want them. And when he is ready, you may bring him up to the lounge."

The girl left her and Lina let out a small sigh. Truth be told, it had taken Strosius a lot longer than she'd anticipated to take an interest in her activity, but she did not expect this meeting to go in her favour, she was, after all the enemy. Still, one could hope. Pushing herself from the desk she left the office closing it behind her.

The lounge granted her and those she deemed of a high enough rank, a panoramic view of the club through a reinforced glass window. The thrum of the music below was louder here, but still low enough in volume that one could have a conversation without shouting. The attendant, appeared at her elbow the moment she stepped out. "Jaac, open a bottle of the Correllian red to breathe and set two glasses aside. And when the blackblades return, inform them the are to wait outside. I will call them if they are needed."

A bow and he disappeared to obey. Lina stepped to the centre of the window, her eyes finding Strosius with ease. She clasped her hands behind her back and watched him.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius entered into the club without much fuss, the wary looks from patron and employee alike not escaping his notice. He was rather infamously not one for the night life as it were after all. He took a few steps into the establishment and paused to allow his gaze to sweep over the place, the music resounding in his ears as his focus shifted from the dance floor to the bar and the seating.

Overall it was fairly inconspicuous and quite similar to many other clubs which littered the galaxy, or at least those in the Outer Rim. Too inconspicuous. Something was special enough about this little club that made some of the upper echelons of Faldos visit it regularly and he highly doubted that it was a simple matter of a good atmosphere and delicious drinks. Perhaps there was some smuggling ring or cartel base hidden in a backroom somewhere? Those were common in places such as this, but no obvious means of entry or exit aside from the main entrance left that possibility doubtful.

"Refreshments, sir?" A brave, or foolish, server actually came up to him with a platter of drinks in hand. "For you, they're on the house." That made the masked man raise an eyebrow and cast a glance to the glass window that appeared to be looking down at the rest of the club. Either a VIP area or where the owner viewed their domain if he had to guess, and there was only one way to find out.

"No thank you, but I appreciate the offer." He dismissed the server with a small wave and a nod before gesturing to the overlook. "I actually wouldn't mind a guide up there though, if you aren't too occupied?" The slight question in his tone sounded more like an order than a request, yet nonetheless maintained an air of politeness despite it. There was no need to be rude to the help after all, not until he determined whether or not they complicit in whatever was going on here anyway.

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

The server gave a small bow. "Of course, sir, if you'll follow me." They cast a nervous glance the the silhouetted figure that was Lina before leading him through the club to a heavy red drape, concealing a set of stairs. A pair of Bothan guards stiffened at the sight of Strosius, but would do nothing to prevent his ascent of the stairs.

As they reached the top, a pink skinned male Zeltron opened the door, dismissing the server who scurried nervously away. "Welcome, my lord." he bowed, stepping aside to let him in and closing the door behind. The lounge was littered with low tables, flanked with high back chairs, allowed for more intimate conversations. In the centre a sunken pit with more comfortable couches for open discussion. The entertainment up here was scantily clad, and draped in the laps of more than a few of Faldos's council members.

Lina waited for him to drink it all in before moving into his line of site standing at the head of the pit. In a high necked sleeveless black robe, her lightsaber resting at her lower back, Lina made no effort to hide who or what she was. The mark Darth Carnifex gave her snaked about her left arm from her wrist to her shoulder, a jagged jet black scar that shifted slightly.

"Welcome to Club Deception, Lord Strosius. I expected you sooner, I must admit."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius trailed after the server, idly glancing around the club as they walked towards a red drape. The guards appeared rather nervous as they approached, either that or simply tense, but thankfully didn't try and bar their way. At least they were smart then. He'd had to have to adorn the drapery with another shade of red today.

The journey up the stairs was short and led to a door which another of the staff quickly opened for him, sending away the server and bowing. "Thank you." He gave the Zeltron a nod and walked past him to enter the lounge, his gaze flickering around at the more private tables and narrowing when he spotted some familiar faces among the patrons. Well that would explain where all the credits went then, at least the workers were being tipped well.

The masked man did idly consider dragging a few of the council members out of the club just to send a message but before he could think on it too seriously a figure stepped into his view. His gaze trailed the woman up and down, his head cocking to the side slightly at the scar that draped across her left side. "My apologies for the wait then." He straightened up and crossed his arms behind his back. "But I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, for you know of me and yet I find myself at a loss for your name in return."

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

Lina smiled. Perfect. She could work with a blank slate. Giving a small but respectful bow. "My apologies, how rude of me. My name is Lina Djo. CEO of Lina Industries and well," she gestured at the club "A rather vain name, I'm aware, but we all have our vices."

She gestured to an empty table, as Jaac, the zeltron who had let him in, set a carafe of red wine and two glasses upon it before retreating to the nearest corner eyes attentive to every need. there were others dotted around the edges, bringing drinks before they were even asked for. Seamless service leaving no doubt that Lina was very good at what she did.

"Won't you join me? I'm sure you have many questions. Your driver is welcome downstairs, if you do not wish to keep him waiting. We will ensure he does not drink anything he shouldn't if he is to return you home."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Lina Djo of Lina Industries hm? Something for him to look into later, it certainly wasn't a company local to Faldos that was sure. "Vain? I'd prefer the term..." The masked man paused as though searching for the right word before he settled on one. "Intriguing." Club Deception was a name practically begging for attention in spite of the namesake. It lacked any possible subtlety and was perfect for some club on the edges of polite society, with closed doors and VIP rooms that held secrets that would only see the light of day if the proper bribes and favors were not done.

He glanced at the table as the Zeltron set down some wine and glasses, with seemingly more drinks to come without the need for a request. Evidently the hostess knew how to run her club very well. Which meant that this little venture was far from her first one, meaning that there would be a trail of business for him to follow during his later research.

Darth Strosius sat down at the table and gave the offer a dismissive wave. "My driver prefers his spirits of far less caliber than what I've seen of your stock thus far." Icharon might have been paid well due to his job as a chauffer for the planet's governor, but his love of simple and cheap booze hadn't left him at all. It was one of the reasons he trusted the pilot at all, no desire to indulge in the expensive was a good quality to have.

He briefly looked over the carafe and the wine within, which was a wonderful shade of red indeed, but his masked gaze quickly shifted back to regard the club's owner. "Do you give all of your guests such great treatment Miss Djo? It's no wonder I've found that many of my council members have become regular patrons of this establishment of yours if so."

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

He wouldn't find much digging into Lina industries, a small company thay produced a few droids and one or two starships, it would be clear Lina had been dabling but for the long chain of high class clubs. As for her name, he'd find even less. Any ties she'd had to he true name were eradicated. She'd been Lina Djo far longer than she'd ever been Calina Ovmar.

He might, if he dug deep enough discover that the company had originally been named Apoleia Inc, that it had belonged to Sith Lady with a penchant for causing chaos, but even Anaya Fen's ties to Kaine Zambrano were too old to be of note.

She settled into the chair oppsite him, pouring them both a glass of wine. "I prize myself on the high level of service provided across all of my establishments, but I don't often break out the expensive wine." She flashed him a small smile collecting her own glass and taking a sip she settle back into the chair. "Seeing as I bribed my way onto the planet and set up an establishment under your nose, it is only prudent of me to offer you the best."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius plucked up his glass after it was poured but made no move to drink it, neither moving it to his face nor making any sort of motion to take off or detach any part of his mask. Instead he simply sat back and idly swirled the glass around in his fingers for a moment as if admiring the color, his gaze still set on the woman across from him.

"Had you been acting with any measure of prudence, we would not be having this conversation at all." He countered with a slight tilt of his head upwards before nodding towards one the booths around them. "Nor would I have to be bothered by my council members spending half of their paychecks and most of their off-days here at your establishment, surrounded by drinks and charming bodies." His tone was dry and unimpressed but not outright hostile yet, more like he saw this whole affair as a chore rather than a threat.

"Do tell me Miss Djo, why exactly did you go through such great lengths to put a club on my world?" The masked man cocked his head to the side once more and brought the glass closer to his chest, his fingers noticeably tightening their grip around it. "Based on the sudden influx of credits that I've found deposited into my council's bank accounts, you were desperate to get set up here. Either that or money is no issue for you, which makes me wonder even more why you would be here overseeing this club personally."

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

Lina noted the reluctance to remove the mask, and the way his grip tightened on the wine glass. She was in dangerous territory her next words had tonplayed carefully. She studied his eyes, her smile unfaltering.

Taking another sip of wine before setting the glass on the table, Lina's hands came to rest on the arms of her chair. "Faldos holds a strategic position for me. My recent amalgamation into the Sith Order has caused some delicate teething problems in my external network that require my personal attention. The hyperlane links allow for quick and direct action on my part to deal with the problems. It won't take long. Once resolved, I will find a suitable manager to take over and be out of your hair."

She paused her eyes flickering to the booths some his council members were in. "The club will remain. And you will allow it." Her eyes settled back on him, confident and calm, she extended a hand outward and Jaac placed a data slate in her hand. "There is something to be said about good drinks and good company. It lulls people into believing that they are safe, that they can speak freely."

She set the dataslate on the table and slid it towards him. Every council member that has visited was listed, along with summaries of topics discussed and at a longer look, conversation transcripts. "I am very good, at what I do, Lord Strosius."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

The masked man drummed his tensed fingers along the glass in his grasp, his gaze narrowing slightly at her explanation. Of course he knew the ease of access to hyperlanes that Faldos sported, it was half the reason that he had gone so far out of his way to get the world under his control. Even without the smuggler trade to profit from the Hydian Way brought plenty of income and imports to his world. Albeit with a rather hefty tariff due to Faldos still being under martial law of course.

He raised an eyebrow as she retrieved a dataslate and offered it to him, a quick glance being enough to discern what it was. Records of entrances and conversations, even down to full on transcripts in some cases, all in regards to his council members. A variety of potential blackmail and incriminating evidence all in one. "Very good at listening to drunken ramblings and whispered grievances?"

Darth Strosius didn't reach for the dataslate despite his interest in its contents, he knew how to play this game. "So are cameras and loyal staff members. Neither of which I have to worry about having their own agendas." He set the glass of wine, still without a sip taken from it, on the table next to the dataslate and regarded Lina once more as he clasped his hands together. "If you know who I am and what world I control, then I assume you must know something of who my master was? And, more importantly. what I inherited from her execution?"

He sat back and crossed one leg over the other. "I have spies and informants of my own, especially here on my own world. The moment that one of these bumbling representatives tries to step out of line they'll be shown the error of their ways post-haste. So, pray tell, what incentive do I have for letting this club of yours continue exactly? I don't need outside hands meddling in my affairs."

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

Lina's smile widened. "And yet," she leaned forward, "You had no idea that this establishment was being raised under your nose, and you have no idea who I am." She spread her hands like that fact spoke for itself.

She collected her glass, taking a triumphant sip. "Your inquisitors, and the tsis'kaar are diminished after your master's failed mutiny. They are defecting to other factions faster than you can fill the positions of those you lost. Those that you do have that are loyal have no choice but to focus on the bigger fish, so the smaller ones pass you buy. Don't be so arrogant as to dismiss the unsung, for they can be just as deadly."

It wasn't a threat, but it could be taken as one. "I've no interest in meddling in your affairs and my agenda will only serve you." The tattoo seemed to tighten around her arm, a spasm of pain ran through it. A warning. To her credit, her only reaction was a brief pause in her breathing. "I cannot say more on it than that." She nodded toward the tablet. "That it the only copy, save whats in my head. We do not have to be enemies, Strosius"

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

He felt his eye twitch at the smug gesture and tone, a spark of irritation flaring up at the casual yet insulting rebuttal. "I only care to know my allies and my enemies, and given that I can count the former on one hand, you should be thankful that your name is unfamiliar to me." She did have a point though. It was quite the great irony that one of the heirs to the Lady of Assassins was ignorant of dealings happening right under his own nose, a fact which most certainly did not escape him.

Her assessment of his resources and assets wasn't entirely accurate, he did still enjoy keeping the bulk of the forces personally loyal to himself hidden away after all, but in regards to his presence in the Sith Order she wasn't wrong. Tenuous was a good term for it, for now at least. He had some ideas on how to solidify his position further, but none of them involved a club full of blackmail with some mysterious owner of unknown loyalties. Regardless of whether she be beholden to some other Sith or herself alone, he despised the idea of a Sith not under his banner operating on his world.

Darth Strosius seemed to ponder her words for a long moment before finally clicking his tongue and allowing himself to nod. "Indeed we do not." He plucked the dataslate from the table and without warning crushed it in one of his hands, dropping the sparking remnants back onto the table unceremoniously. "Let us discuss terms then, shall we?" He folded his hands together once more, a slight edge to his tone that left little imagination as to his mood. "Out of the goodwill of my heart, I'll allow Club Deception to remain operational. Under two conditions. You will not provide any, and I do mean any, information about Faldos to anyone aside from myself. Not even an offhanded comment about my people's average mood, nothing. And secondly you will provide me with a weekly report on this club's patrons and activites. Failure to do either will result in this establishment's immediate termination."

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

Lina didn't bat an eyelid at the crushing of the dataslate. She expected as much, it was dramatic and utterly unnecessary but men were always so keen to give a show of violence, to try and assert their dominance. She hid her amusement behind her wine glass as she indulged in another sip.

"Done." She said without hesitation, settling the glass in her lap. "In addition, you can vet the manager I chose. I was rude enough to insert myself its only fair you get a say in who stays behind in my place."

Lina tilted her head and smiled at him. "Now, are you going to stay a sour puss and stomp away, or will you at least join me for one glass of wine?"

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"That does sound fair." Darth Strosius nodded, curt and quick, but he doubted that the woman across from him particularly cared about what was fair or rude when it came to getting what she wanted. It wasn't as though he did so himself after all. There was more to come from this club and its owner, of that he was certain, but for now he could sit back and watch.

In time perhaps the need to intervene would arise, and when it did that intervention would be swift. And if a few of the more debased council members got caught in the middle? Oh well, such was the price of housekeeping.

He glanced down at the wine and briefly considered excusing himself to other matters before shrugging and reaching to pluck it from the table with one hand. "I suppose it'd be a shame to waste it, already poured and all." His other hand moved underneath his mask, the fingers searching for something in the area where his chin and neck met for a moment before a click and a subsequent hiss could be heard.

The respirator portion of his mask was pulled away in one hand and the other brought up the wine glass to replace it, the only portion of skin visible being a glimpse of an extremely pale neck with a dark tattooed line running down either side of it as he tilted the glass back and downed the wine in one go. For a moment he savored the flavor as he set the glass down and reattached the respirator with both hands, before nodding to the hostess. "Delicious, may I ask the origin? I am not enough of a connoisseur to know the taste right off the bat I'm afraid."

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

Lina would be lying if she was to say her curiosity wasn't peaked when he only removed half the mask and while she desperately wanted to ask, their relationship was far too new for her to go digging too deeply. She'd let him keep his mystery for now, afterall, she was a mystery to him for now. She'd no doubt that before the week was up he would have done his utmost to dredge up every piece of information on her that he could.

Something she would have to worry about then. No doubt he would be furious to find he'd agreed to allow a Kainite to slip under his nose. The longer she could avoid that confrontation the better. A smile as he drained the glass, Lina leaned to collect the carafe and offered to refill it. "It's corellian in origin, year 851 I believe. Its difficult to come by, a lot of the barrels were lost in the Great Galactic War but I was able to procure a few hundred bottles. I'd be happy to send you a few."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"Ah Corellian, delightful." No wonder it tasted slightly familiar, smugglers and pirates loved their Corellian wine. He shook his head at the offer of more wine, the taste might have been good but he did have other matters to attend to. That and the last thing he needed was one of the council members trying to bribe him with a few crates of wine later if he was seen drinking.

"The offer is appreciated but I must decline I'm afraid. My wine stocks are almost overflowing from lack of use as is." Darth Strosius rose from his seat and idly smoothed out his robes for a moment before taking a step away from the table. "I wish you luck in your operations Miss Djo, and I eagerly await your first report." Again there was the temptation to interrupt his council member's fun evening but he reluctantly talked himself out of it once more. All in good time.

"Is there anything else that you'd like to discuss before I depart?"

Lina Djo

 

[Lina Djo]

Lina set the carafe down and rose as he did. "Very well." she agreed, walking with him to the door, "Perhaps I can deliver the first report in person? A good excuse to open a bottle." She smirked.

They'd almost made it to the door before it opened and Lina's blackblades entered. Her smile faltered, ever so slightly anger flashing at their inability to follow instruction. They did not stop to talk to her, sweeping past to flank either side of the office door and wait. She let out a small sigh, knowing that they had obviously received word from Kaine or Sarlow.

Letting it slide, she turned to face Strosius, her smile returning though a little tighter than it had been before.

"I'm sure we will have plenty to discuss next time we meet. Gives you time to do some digging."

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

"I wouldn't be opposed. I prefer reports in person anyway, written ones can be awfully uninspired at times." Darth Strosius nodded as he was led back to the door, idly debating with himself on whether or not to have such a meeting on the world or in orbit on his station. His internal debate was cut short when the door opened and some guards wearing familiar, yet very unwelcome armor, strode in however.

He could practically feel his fangs grinding against his teeth as his jaw clenched at the sight of the Blackblades, his gaze narrowing to a scowl and flickering over to Lina. "You keep good company I see." His words were practically hissed through his mask, not one ounce of the calmness which had dominated his words thus far being present now. Instead they were full of venom and as sharp as the fangs that would provide it.

"Digging, yes." It was whether to dig for information or for graves that he was currently debating. Without any real farewell he stormed out of the room once the doors were clear, a march that forced all in his path to step aside and one that carried him out of the club quickly.

Lina Djo