Dominion New Alliances — GA Dominion of Hapes

[Alicio Organa]

HAPES
UNDERWORLD
Sycorax Laveaux - @Open
Mary Hilstar - Perseus Kotar - Vulpesen - Enki Rak
​

Look elsewhere.

That was the thought Alicio planted in the heads of every passing person, as he walked along one of Hapes' dark, shadowed corners. It was a quiet, but nagging insistence, that something else deserved the observer's attention, anything else, but the cloaked man passing by. That cloaked man, with gunmetal eyes, hints of silver armor poking through his dark cloth, and a lightsaber concealed against his hip, was just one of millions. Not worth a second glance.

Alicio was glad that Valery Noble had cleared him to be a part of this mission, as a Jedi attaché. The fact that a Jedi had failed to join him so far notwithstanding. He knew how the Hapan viewed his persuasion- yes, they would likely respect him nonetheless, were he to join their ivory courts, and attempt a second meeting with their queen, but he felt he could do more good here. In the underbelly, his talents could be put to better use.

It hadn't been too difficult, winding through the dangerous part of town, following the acrid-sweet taste of the Dark Side. People seemed to part around him, redirected by his unobtrusive Mind Tricks, until he stopped across the street from an alley, hosting a battered red-painted door. That was it.

Ducking into the opposite alley, and dropping a silent credit into a older man's hat, Alicio brought a hand up to his ear. Speaking to whoever was on this mission with him. "I have a location," he whispered into his comms. "These coordinates." Then, he went silent. A warning, from the Future.

Alicio pressed himself against the wall, ducking behind a disposal unit, as a squat man walked into the opposing alley, knocking on the door. The coast was checked by a woman, then they both went inside. Alicio pondered the situation, before straightening again. A meeting was happening now. If they wanted information, they would have to move now.

He didn't want to go in alone. But he would, if he had to.

 

[Inanna Harth]

Direct: Cato Harth
Vicinity: Kha'la Daaray Kahlil Noble Lehvi Vass Shan Pavond Ko Vuto Lily Decoria Careina Djo Zinder Tokarache Katherine Holt Kel Se'Taav Amelia von Sorenn Loomi
​

"Nice save," Cato said when he caught up to Inanna, "Although I'm sure someone got a lucky shot."

"Oh boy. Expect an interesting call from the Book of Galactic Records soon."

"So, what's the itinerary for a hubbub like this?"

"For me? Not sure. Probably just meeting and greeting the local officials and trying to make things go as smoothly as possible." As an ambassador for an observer state, she couldn't finalize any agreements between the Alliance and Hapes. But she could influence the outcome or submit suggestions for consideration. Most people in her position would be totally focused on the interests of their own planet and people, paying little heed to anything else. But Inanna was interested in the plight of the Hapans, too.

"This battle of the sexes thing has been raging here for millennia," she mused aloud. "I don't think there's much stopping the Hapans from joining the GA, which means the question of how much of their culture will be tolerated by the Alliance will probably be the real problem of the talks. The GA has allowed its member worlds a lot of freedom thus far, even when it comes to subjugating half their population, but doing so has led to unrest and destabilization. Oppression and cutthroat politics generally aren't good for societies."

As they reached the audience chamber where the other diplomats had gathered, she turned to him and sighed. "I don't know what the best option is. Whether the Alliance intervenes or maintains the status quo, it seems like either way will lead to more suffering." She could at least take comfort in knowing that it wasn't her choice, but she still felt some strange sense of secondhand guilt in her impotence.

 

[Sycorax Laveaux]

Direct: Alicio Organa
Vicinity: Mary Hilstar Perseus Kotar Enki Rak Vulpesen
​

Lon stood still as she patted him down for weapons. An old woman in a terrorist hideout for disenfranchised men? It wasn’t hard to see why. The woman was a hunchback, perhaps from birth, and her disability would be considered a “fate worse than death” by the Hapans. In other words, she was closer to being in the same boat as the men than the women of her society due to unfortunate circumstances outside of her control.

At least, that’s how Lon interpreted the old lady’s presence here. But she was just the bouncer, not the person in charge. That honor belonged to Indra Djo, Head of the Se'n Dorrin. The elderly gentleman was waiting in a room off to the side, brightly lit as Hapan dwellings tended to be. Lon couldn’t help noticing that there was only one exit as the old woman closed the door on them.

Silence fell as Indra seemed to study the foreign visitor. Lon’s eyebrows rose, then he grinned and swept into a theatrical bow. “Hello sir. You must be Mr. Djo.”

“And your name isn’t Quasimodo,” Indra said. “I’ve heard of your exploits, Monster. Are you Lon the Father, or Lon the Son?”

“It’s just Lon now,” Lon replied, his smile going lopsided as one corner of his wide mouth pulled down.

“My condolences.” Indra clasped his hands behind his back and circled around Lon. “When I first received your request for a meeting, I thought your Senator must be mad. If it was discovered that an Alliance politician was making overtures toward us, the Crown would reject any hope of Hapes becoming a member world. I fail to see how that benefits you.”

“Necropolis hopes Hapes will remain independent,” Lon replied. “It would be to your benefit that it does.”

Indra scoffed under his breath. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”

“If Hapes joins the Alliance, one of two things will happen. The GA will ignore your world’s problems, in which case you’ll be left at the mercy of the Queen Mother. Current projections suggest that the Se'n Dorrin will be wiped out within a few years. Or, the GA will try to fix your problems—that is, they will help the Queen Mother destroy you to satisfy the ruling regime and restore stability.” Lon’s ghastly smile returned. “If Hapes stays independent, Necropolis is prepared to assist you in overthrowing the monarchy. Now, the game is already rigged in favor of membership, but perhaps you have ways of changing their minds?"

Indra narrowed his eyes. "Your employer would make an excellent Hapan," he remarked. "She is as cutthroat as the best of us."

"If you truly know the Monsters, Mr. Djo, then you know that we don’t care how you do it, just as long as you get things done.”

 

[Lily Decoria]

Outfit: Dress
Equipment: None
Location: Palace Audience Chamber, Hapan
Tags: Loomi | Ko Vuto

"You both look very nice," Lily whispered a compliment to them both, making sure that she did not disturb the meeting while admiring their attempts to fit with the beauty standards of the Hapan culture. It was always nice to see Ko attempting to find his style and not be in his Jedi robes. She wasn't sure this was something that was a style she enjoyed herself but Ko felt confident and his aura was someone pleased with his style. So impressed, she could tell that he thought he was dressed just as impressively as Lily was. It was sweet how confident he felt and Lily was only happy to help him feel comfortable and confident in whatever fashion he wanted to wear.

As long as he didn't look too ridiculous around her.

Seeing the senators and the Hapan officials arrive and talk, Lily was reminded of how things worked on Eshan and how they were meetings that tended to be very serious in nature. She knew that lingering too long would not be appreciated and that it might be best to take a wander around places, after letting her friends to see how these things would begin and give them some idea of how it operated. Lily smiled warmly to Loomi, they hadn't met before but Loomi seemed just as sweet and polite as Ko, it was cute and they definitely seemed like a close pair of friends.

 

[Kha'la Daaray]

Hapan Royal Palace ​

Senators, representatives, and Jedi had already flooded the halls of the Royal Palace for this most important meeting. Ever since the fall of the Silver Jedi Concord, Hapes had remained neutral and interfered in no foreign affairs. Even during their time within the SJC, their involvement had been limited. But with war on the Horizon, and the Mandalorians targeting not only planets of their former territories but planets with rich warrior history as well, she felt compelled to at least listen to offers of mutual benefit.

The Hapan Royal Navy was a proud one and more than ready to defend its people against invaders. But Kha'la was no fool and understood that alone, they could not hold back the Mandalorians if they were to make their move against the cluster. Similarly, she knew the Alliance would benefit greatly from Hapan reinforcements.

So, once security reported the room to be safe, Kha'la finally stepped through the doors of the grand halls, head held high and her posture straight, and briefly shifted her gaze from one representative to another. She was a little surprised to see so many what she could only assume to be young Jedi, but she knew of their willingness to help her people and decided not to comment unless they became troublesome.

"Thank you for preparing everything," Kha'la told Careina Djo , one of her most trusted guards, before stepping further into the room to draw attention.

"Welcome, representatives of the Galactic Alliance and New Jedi Order. I'm pleased to see that so many of you responded to my invitation. We have much to discuss. so let us begin."

Inanna Harth Cato Harth Kahlil Noble Shan Pavond Katherine Holt Kel Se'Taav Careina Djo Lehvi Vass

​

 

[Cato Harth]

Inanna Harth
Kha'la Daaray - Kahlil Noble - Shan Pavond - Katherine Holt - Kel Se'Taav - Careina Djo - Lehvi Vass​

Cato snorted, then checked his fly again, as if out of fear that it had magical reopened in defiance.

Of course given Inanna's position, she technically wasn't representing a member state of the Galactic Alliance, and thus had no real vote of her own on matters of planetary admittance. Or much of anything really. Still, she was free to voice her thoughts and propose suggestions all the same. And of course she was expected to make appearances at events like these. Inanna mused on the societal incongruence among the Hapan people. Cato scratched his jaw, "Didn't know it was that intense here…" He hadn't exactly been to Hapes before, and his attention span for politics back in the Concord days was fickle at best. Probably explained why they were so brazen to ask him how he managed to score the ambassador.

"Well, maybe something more indirect would make better progress," Cato shrugged, "It doesn't do well for relations if the Alliance forces significant change, at least not this early on. But it's not quite right for the Consortium to keep letting that inequality fester. Maybe the safest bet is just to allow societal pressure and influence to basically wear them down, until they themselves are ready to make the change." He wasn't exactly a sociological expert, but the interplanetary equivalent of peer pressure could be a powerful, but technically unaggressive motivator, "A little bit of shame can do some good, once in a while." Cato smirked, then quickly wiped the expression rom his face when the Queen entered the room to dress her guests. She seemed poised on the surface, and cordial enough. Not that he knew anything about her politics, or how they reflected on the rest of her people.

Cato couldn't help but look around; Inanna was one of the few female politicians present. She might just make an impact here yet.

 

[Rulonom Laborr]

Cato Harth Inanna Harth Kahlil Noble Shan Pavond Katherine Holt Kel Se'Taav Careina Djo Lehvi Vass ​

The Trade Federation of Planets had emerged strong after the end of the Second Great Hyperspace War with the Brotherhood of the Maw even with some slight altercations with the Galactic Alliance over Skako's independence and the senate's action against them. The upcoming war with the Mandalorian Enclave was going to send the galactic weapon market into overdrive which meant more currency flowing into the Trade Federation's vaults and new opportunities to swing neutral planets into the alliance's ever growing fold.

The Women Ruled Planet of Hapes was one such planet as their cluster was known for its isolationism but powerful star navy which would support the ever growing expansion of the alliance navy. The Galactic Senate had sent various delegations on the invite of the Queen Mother Kha'la Daaray who was unknown to Senator Laborr until recently. Although there were also whispers of revolution operating in the Hapes undergrowth. If the monarchy was to fall today, then the Federation could simply switch business partners.

Senator Rulonom Laborr and his two skakoan aides slipped through the crowd like armored worms through dirt. There were many senators here tonight which was expected but the role he was to play was a villainous corporate who would squeeze the entire cluster dry.


Glancing up as the Queen of Hapes welcomed them into her humble palace.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Hapes
Objective: #1
Wearing: This (Without Hat)
Tag: Lily Decoria | Loomi

Hearing Loomi say that it was nice to meet Lily he raised an eyebrow. Finally beginning to understand that this is the first time the two must be seeing one another. “Wait… have you two never met before?” He whispered back to the two of them. Feeling like he might need to remedy that later if he could. But this wasn’t really the time or place for meeting new peers.

Hearing Lily compliment Loomi and his appearance. The Echani noblewoman’s words made him feel a lot better with his appearance. Even though nobody could see, the Kel Dor padawan was beaming under his mask. “Thank you, and you too.” He softly replied. Thinking to himself that he did look quite nice and fancy for a change, even if it was only really geared towards the standards of Dorrin formal fashion. Since Ko didn’t know much about the world they were currently in he had no real clue what would be acceptable attire. For all he knew before coming here Hapen matriarchs could’ve thought that looking like an avocado was the pinnacle of high fashion.

However, eventually the woman of the hour arrived. Ko’s goggled gaze soon feel on the queen shortly after. She definitely had the regal, domineering look of a monarch. He felt like an insect when she looked at the padawans in the room, and not just because of her imposing stature. Ko would promise himself that he would not be responsible for making a scene here today. Certainly not in front of Her Majesty The Queen.

Why was Ko, a lowly padawan even here anyways? Well if choosing between Ko, who was; polite, cordial, and considerate. Versus Jonyna who was… Jonyna. The answer would seem pretty clear. ​

 

[Lehvi Vass]

OBJECTIVE I
Cato Harth | Inanna Harth | Kahlil Noble | Shan Pavond | Katherine Holt | Kel Se'Taav | Careina Djo | Rulonom Laborr | Kha'la Daaray


Before departing the Embassy, his staff ensured he was thoroughly briefed on all things Hapan- history, alliances, culture, etc. Something they stressed is that the Hapans were notoriously sexist, and vain. Beauty was everything in the Consortium- to be marred was to be a leper in society.

It was an excellent briefing, but it didn't fully prepare him for how...Hapan (for lack of a better word), the Hapans were. Everyone was outrageously attractive, and the men were treated like second-class citizens. Shortly after entering the palace, a noblewoman walked right up to him and demanded she fetch her some champagne- whatever that was- for the occasion.

Lehvi fixed her with a gimlet eyed stare until she shifted uncomfortably. A security guard noiselessly glided up to her, whispering to her as she led the suddenly ashen-faced woman away.

Moments later, the Queen herself welcomed the delegation. Lehvi turned to focus, but he spotted Rulonom Laborr of the Trade Federation. A medium to long term goal of the Al'Har Federation was the creation of a fleet to better regulate trade within the Gevarno Loop, and deter predation from outside powers.

'A side-bar with the Senator might be a step in the right direction. Preferably before we really get started.'

Lehvi attempted to discreetly signal Senator Laborr.

 

[Mary Hilstar]

Objective: II
Location: Hapes Cluster Underworld, Approaching Casing Warehouse-1837K79
Equipment: Cloak | Armor | 2x Feverwasp pistol (stun rounds only) | Vibrosword
Engaging: Perseus Kotar

Suddenly, Mary felt a disturbance in the environment.
​

Freezing midstep, Mary focused all her concentration on the sensation in her head. It was weak, barely strong enough to be perceived, but the sensation was there. A feeling of dread rose within her and she felt increasingly uncomfortable standing still. It was a strange and unfamiliar sensation, unlike anything she had ever felt before. It felt as if a wave of darkness was being cast not over her body, but her brain.

That was when Mary realized the cause of the disturbance.

She took a few steps forward, the sensation growing in intensity as she did so. Then she began jogging, her vision restricted to the road in front of her as she grew dead-set on finding the person or object wielding the Dark Side. The sensation grew stronger and stronger, threatening to overwhelm her. Eventually, that was just what it did.

As ominous feelings of dread and darkness filled her brain, Mary’s fight-or-flight instincts kicked in and she ran back the way she came as fast as she could.

She didn’t stop until she was completely out of breath, turning onto a dimly lit alley and collapsing on the ground as she tried to regain her bearings. Her first instinct was to check for any signs of danger. The alley was deserted, and few onlookers on the road paid her any attention. The dark sensations had vanished, and her brain was clear once more. Next, Mary reached beneath her cloak and into her waist belt for her radio so that she could call reinforcements over. Surely, there were Jedi and GADF soldiers more experienced than her that could help her navigate a potentially dangerous situation.

However, as Mary’s confidence returned to her, so did her pride.

She was a good fighter and, above all else, a Jedi. Jedi did not back down when faced with darkness, and neither could Mary. If she backed out now, not only would she be a coward, but she would also be a failure of a Jedi who did not deserve the Alliance’s protection. And Mary would sooner face a Sith Lord than return to Borosk.

Having made up her mind, Mary decided not to take her radio, deactivating it and securing it back at her waist. She rose up from her seated position on the ground and finally began to regain her bearings. Mary was in an unfamiliar neighborhood, but she remembered which way she came from, and that was also the direction in which she had sensed the dark presence in the Force.

Before she could give herself time to reconsider, Mary started jogging once more in the direction from which she had come.

After about a minute, the feeling of dread returned to her. Mary slowed down slightly, giving her body time to adjust. But she did not stop, carefully weaving through alleyways and side streets in order to evade notice. The dreadful feeling grew stronger once more, but Mary now knew what to expect and kept on jogging forward, biting her cheeks to distract herself from the forces acting on her brain. Slowly but surely, Mary found herself gravitating closer and closer to the source of the darkness, all the way until a warehouse came into view.

Here was almost certainly where the dark presence in the Force was centered. She stopped jogging at once and walked onto a more populated main road, using the masses around her to conceal her presence as best as she could. Mary decided to circle the building in order to find the easiest entrance to break in through. Turning left at a fork in the road, she began to wrap around the warehouse, staring at its features as she passed. The walls were blank and windowless, leaving few openings. However, there could be a door or vent on ground level that Mary could access.

As Mary drew her gaze down from the walls, it momentarily caught on a human-looking male near a food vendor. Her gaze caught on the man, staying on him up until she bumped into a figure ahead of her. Panicking, she offered a quick apology and scurried deeper into the crowd, not wanting to make a scene and blow her cover.

Just what had gotten into Mary? What about that man could have possibly compelled her to stare for so long?

Confused and more anxious than ever, Mary strode away in search of entry points.

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Wearing: XoXo
Equipment: Lightsaber
Location: --- BYOO
Tag: Valery Noble

Over a standard galactic year had slipped by since Briana last dared to tread upon Hapan soil — not since she narrowly skirted death's grip at the order of a vindictive rival noble house, merely as a consequence for her prior relationship with Astor — the Pal'da, and brother of the Ta'a Chume.

Born and raised amidst the comparatively peaceful nobility of Naboo, she'd failed to grasp the true depth of unbridled ruthlessness that permeated Hapes political landscape. Only Aiden's impulsive bravery saved her from the assassin's aim and allowed her to continue on drawing breath, though the action nearly demanded his own life as recompense.

That event was largely why she opted against presenting herself with some of her fellow Jedi at the Queen's assembly, instead choosing to accompany Valery to another part of the city, as far removed from Hapes political sphere as possible — though, not without ensuring to impart some warnings to Lily Decoria on what to expect and how to behave.

"Now I know why they call this place Hapes' best-kept secret." Briana sighed, sinking further into the soothing embrace of the hot spring.

A layer of milky froth covered the surface of the bubbling turquoise waters, its swirling mists rising in delicate tendrils towards the vaulted ceiling that'd been artfully sculpted to look like curving vines, each one covered in intricate millennium blossoms in various states of bloom. "We should have come here much sooner."

 

[Valery Noble]

Hapes

​

Tag: Briana Sal-Soren

"Yeah, this is... perfect," Valery said before a long sigh of relief escaped her lips. She relaxed into the water, and spent a moment looking up at nothing in particular. Her mind had been kept far too busy thinking about the imminent war and other Jedi duties, but now she could finally just focus on herself a for a little while. It wasn't something she often got to do, but with a little pressure from the right people, she caved in.

"Part of me feels a little bad that Kahlil Noble is out there, dealing with senators and politicians, while I'm here relaxing in a hot spring. Buuut... he did tell me I was a bit stressed, so it was his idea, really." She snickered and reached for the colorful, exotic-looking drink she had carefully placed on the side of the springs. Valery had no idea what it was, but the locals had recommended it, and she enjoyed the taste.

"This is just what I needed to get my focus back, and Kahlil and I are heading out for a little cruise soon as well to give me even more time to recover. Well, and to celebrate the anniversary of our wedding." She smiled warmly and looked over at Briana, curious to hear more about what she had been up to.

"How are things going for you?"

 

[Rulonom Laborr]

Cato Harth Inanna Harth Kahlil Noble Shan Pavond Katherine Holt Kel Se'Taav Careina Djo Lehvi Vass ​

Senator Laborr glanced away from the Queen Mother of Hapan for just a brief moment as one of the skakoan engineers that had accompanied him to the event approached. "Sir, It would seem we have been noticed by an interested party." they explained with a mechanical sounding voice glancing over to the individual that was trying to signal them to approach in the form of Lehvi Vass . The Trade Federation delegation was certainly going to draw some attention from the other guest here today and that would play right into their hand to secure lucrative contracts within the cluster and beyond.

The Senator followed with curious eyes towards the person and made a motion to approach. The engineers followed behind him ever watchful of the crowd for hidden assassins. Coming closer and closer to the individual until they were within speaking distance to begin conversation. "It seemed you are trying to gain my attention. Mr.." Laborr began to say not knowing the person before him.

 

[Lehvi Vass]

OBJECTIVE I
Cato Harth | Inanna Harth | Kahlil Noble | Shan Pavond | Katherine Holt | Kel Se'Taav | Careina Djo | Rulonom Laborr | Kha'la Daaray

"It seemed you are trying to gain my attention. Mr.." Laborr began to say not knowing the person before him.

Lehvi smiled politely at the Skakoan. "Lehvi Vass, of Ghôsh Vass. I serve as the Ambassador of the Al'Hari Federation, the body which represents the interests of Haruun Kal."

"I approach you, Senator, because the reputation of the Trade Federation as a institution with it's hands in many pots, as it were. The Korunnai are looking to solidly enter the galactic stage. But we'd also like to take care of home, and to do that we need naval assets, and the infrastructure to build and maintain."

"We would need to hash out the finer details, but I would potentially see this as a long-term, mutually beneficial, partnership- an exclusive contract with the Trade Federation. Would we be able to discuss this at length at a later date?"

 

[Inanna Harth]

Direct: Cato Harth Kha'la Daaray
Vicinity: Lehvi Vass Rulonom Laborr​

"A lot of problems get ignored in favor of focusing on the bigger picture," Inanna remarked. "I was the only person fighting for my people after our world fell to the Maw. Someone has to step up before you see change." But was she the person who could make a change here? Or would it be too presumptuous of her?

"Well, maybe something more indirect would make better progress. It doesn't do well for relations if the Alliance forces significant change, at least not this early on. But it's not quite right for the Consortium to keep letting that inequality fester. Maybe the safest bet is just to allow societal pressure and influence to basically wear them down, until they themselves are ready to make the change."

"Are you suggesting we shame them into treating their men better?"

"A little bit of shame can do some good, once in a while."

Inanna shrugged, not at all certain that his suggestion would work, but she leaned over and kissed his cheek anyway. Right in front of the Queen Mother.

"Welcome, representatives of the Galactic Alliance and New Jedi Order. I'm pleased to see that so many of you responded to my invitation. We have much to discuss, so let us begin."

"Your Majesty," Inanna greeted Kha'la Daaray with a bow. "You have a lovely world full of kind and fair people. I am certain that the Alliance will welcome all of Hapes with open arms, should you choose to join them."

 

[Perseus Kotar]

Objective II | Hapes Underground | The Durasteel Devils Territory
Tags: Open | DIRECT: Mary Hilstar
Vicinity: Sycorax Laveaux | Enki Rak | Vulpesen
Status: Infiltrating Warehouse-1837K79
-
​

Perseus stirred the noodles, stepping off to the side and taking a seat on a lonely chair at the edge of a small table. The hot broth filled him with warmth in spite of the chill of the underground, a voluminous head of steam forming on its surface. As he enjoyed the brief respite he used the opportunity to observe, carefully casting a glance here and there at passerby and nearby buildings alike. Everything seemed in place, no obvious tells as far as security or observation; it confirmed his suspicion that the Durasteel Devils indeed used this place as an off the books storage unit. Now that he had ascertained their lack of physical presence externally the apprentice only had to worry about whatever might be on the inside. No doubt some bodies, maybe some droids? Exactly what would be hard to tell without setting eyes on it himself. With a dissatisfied grunt he chewed down a few more noodles and washed it down with a gulp of the piping hot broth, rising to his feet and tossing the synthfoam cup into a repository. Purposefully he strode towards an alleyway across from where he sat, adjacent to Warehouse-1837K79.

As he made his way closer, a small disturbance at the corner reaches of his vision caught his attention for a fraction of a second - and then it was gone. A pang of concern reverberated across his mind but then just as quickly dissipated. Just people moving about, nothing unusual about that. Shaking his head he turned back, slipping quietly into the alleyway. It was narrower than the rest, less an alleyway and more of a tight space between buildings through which several large exhaust and ventilation conduits ran. That was his target anyway.

Slipping nimbly between pipes twisted at odd angles and the occasional ventilation enclosure, Perseus set to tracing the largest of the ventilation shafts with his eyes. One too small, another with too many angles and curves. A few more moments and a smile stretched across his lips. That's it. A particularly wide ventilation conduit ran into the side of the warehouse about mid-way up the exterior wall, a perfect route in and out of the building and with its concealed location between it was unlikely he'd alert anyone with his presence. At least, initially. Stepping up and hoisting himself atop an electrical box he pushed off, landing nimbly atop the metal pipe. A quick glance over his shoulder revealed no immediate alarms and so he reached to his belt, retrieving a small plasma cutter and setting to work. Slowly and carefully he cut his way through the old metal until just a small tab held on the small circular hole into which he'd descend. Using the edge of his foot he bent it up, careful not to snap it off. They may not have heard his quiet cutting but anyone nearby would definitely hear the metal falling to the ground below.

With a final glance down into the "Alleyway" below Perseus dropped into the vent, landing nimbly on the balls of his feet. Once inside he was greeted by sheer darkness. He blinked several times, listening as he waited for his eyes to adjust. One minute passed, another, then slowly he began to see outlines of the conduit in front of him. This was good enough. Softly he padded forward, making his way carefully towards the warehouse ahead. Light barely seeped in from various vents and intakes allowing him to navigate. In a few minutes time he would be somewhere in the warehouse from which he could descend and then he could begin his search in earnest.

 

[Sera Mina]

Wearing: This

Armed With: Charm, Hotness.

Objective: 1


12 Hours earlier...


They had arrived on Yoda's Lament, a Bacta-Works Cruiser, It was a registered medical/diplomatic vessel and unarmed so it was allowed to approach.

Sera Mina, newly created biot of MasqueradeWorks, a fact unknown to the wider Galaxy at large, lounged on a large sofa in bare bones private quarters, petting a small rabbit with pink fur, wearing a slim black t-shirt and jeans. Nathan had given her the rabbit as a gift, explaining that given the nature of her existence, at least one source of unconditional love was necessary for her own mental health. Sera for her part, loved the pet rabbit.

Nathan Bloodscrawl sat across from her, reviewing reports from all the companies he secretly controlled. Vera Mina played a Piano with a nacre outer shell in an area right of center to the Captain's quarters.

"Well, profits are up ever since Anaxes signed on. Good job with the sales pitch, Sera."

Vera made silent note of the fact Nathan was way nicer to her daughter than he was anyone else. But was that pragmatism or did he sincerely appreciate her efforts?

"Thanks. What I was made for..." Sera replied casually, petting her rabbit very gently, which made it snuggle against her wrist.

"You think we can convince Hapes to sign up with the GA?" Sera asked.

"The Hapans are stubborn. Naturally mistrustful of Outsiders. Traits that have served them well in the past." Vera remarked. "You will have your work cut out for you."

"Of course, easy access to cheap synthetic Bacta will be an attractive prospect. Difficult for any government to ignore. But I have confidence in you, Sera." Nathan added without looking up from his reports.

Sera and Vera exchanged glances but said nothing at how uncharacteristically nice Nathan was being. Nathan never offered words of encouragement normally.

"What will you be doing?" Sera asked as she fed her pet a piece of celery.

"Assisting in the hunt for Dark Artifacts." He answered casually...

"Do you ever take a break?" Sera asked.

Nathan looked up from his report.

"No." he answered flatly.

"Hmmm..." Sera mumbled. "You should think about it. Taking a break, I mean."

"I'll take it under advisement..." Nathan replied, pulling a slice of Pepperoni pizza he could barely taste and scarfing it down cold.

"What will you be doing, Mother?" Sera asked.

"I will be touring the marketplace. I have a...target..."

Nathan's eyes slid slowly to Vera.

Vera, clad in her black cocktail dress, smirked.

"Don't worry Nathan. He's an enemy of the state, I promise..." She assured. "I'm even going to take him alive...for once."

"Huh." He grunted in reply before scarfing down another cold slice.

"No civilian casualties." he warned her as he read the reports. "You're in a life saving organization now. Not a life taking one."

"If you say so..." Vera replied casually, having not missed a single note or even pausing her piano playing.

"These Hapans seem easily taken in by beauty..." Sera noted.

"Don't take it for granted, daughter." Vera warned as she played. "Some will be very capable of seeing past your looks. Beauty is camouflage, not a shield."

"I'm well aware of that, being Face Paint for Mister Frosty here." Sera joked.

Nathan shrugged. "Wheels gotta spin..."

"Thanks for the rabbit." she added respectfully.

Nathan shrugged again. "What will you name it?"

"I think I will call him...Benny..." Sera answered, feeding the rabbit a carrot slice.

"Good luck, Sera." Nathan said

"No 'May the Force be with you' ?" Sera asked.

"The Force is always with you..." he answered cynically. "Until it isn't."

Sera did not ask, knowing Nathan was a far greater authority in the subject than Sera or her Mother.



Present.


She had gone in a custom gown of the finest silks, which accentuated her figure, and embroidered with small gems. Rings and earrings of emerald completed the look. She twisted nearly every head she passed by, quietly reveling in their reactions. The Hapans seemed dumbstruck by her, despite her very polite nature.

She noticed Rulonom Laborr , the Skakoan Senator and Trade Federation representative. She gave a polite nod as she passed by the economic giant.

She had been silent up until now, letting the others have their say, but as Kha'la Daaray finally addressed everyone, Sera at last took a bow.

"An honor, Queen Mother. You have a lovely world, and it is a pleasure to be here..." The reclusive public face of Bacta-Works said. The Corporation was selling synthetic Bacta on nearly every inhabited Rimward Trade League world and was quietly, aggressively expanding into Alliance Space, seemingly bent on crushing it's competitors simply by selling a better, cheaper product. There was also the fact Sera was funding a massive relief effort to supply refugees with a constant , reliable supply of food and shelter...and greatly reducing the strain on member worlds that took in refugees...Sera was starting to be noticed more, despite not being keen on public speeches or appearances.

"The Alliance and Hapes could surely become great business partners..."

Inanna Harth

Ko Vuto

 

[Amelia von Sorenn]

Objective: Alliance
Attire: [X]
Equipment: [X]
Location: Hapes, Palace Audience Chamber
Tags: Kha'la Daaray | Inanna Harth | Ko Vuto | Careina Djo | Rulonom Laborr | Sera Mina | Katherine Holt

Had it not been for the simple fact that all Sixty-Three inhabited systems of the Hapes Cluster were bathed in eternal light creating a near absence of any real night cycle, the region would be for all purposes a rather lovely and picturesque location. The helmet was the only thing keeping the woman's eyes from burning as she carefully and slowly observed those who had gathered in the Audience Chamber. Much of her attention was not focused on any singular individual or group of such, with her eyes shifting from here and there. The woman was still wondering what she was doing here exactly beyond representing the Galactic Alliance Defense Force or even having a small bit of selfishness to represent Aether Systems and its Parent Company.

Kark it all, what she wouldn't do for a drink, though her preferred beverage was likely frowned upon by those in attendance had they known what it was exactly. And, again, the helmet she wore was the only thing keeping her from burning out her retinas from the eternal sunlight that bathed the Hapes Consortium due to the hundreds of stars that were clustered in the region. No, she would just have to bear it for the moment and slake her thirst later when she could do so behind closed doors, out of prying eyes, and away from all the damn light. Her attention, or semi-lack thereof, would thus return shortly to the others in attendance as she remained ever so vigil with her best impression of a pillar supporting a wall at the fall end. Shifting ever so slightly, she brought her arms up, lightly crossing them over her chest, becoming much more comfortable in the armor as the moments continued to slowly slip away.

It was not until the doors at the far end of the audience chamber opened that she truly began to pay attention. Golden-yellow hues fell upon the Queen Mother, the woman that everyone here was so eager to see, with each surely having their own words and attempts to firmly plant their lips upon her rear to better their stance and position. Listening intently to the greeting, she merely nodded from her position near the fall wall, the pomp and circumstance of bowing and curtsying could be left to those whose profession demanded as such in times like these. The woman, would for the moment, attempt to relocate herself, not in any kind of attempt to be closer to the Queen Mother or to subtly eavesdrop on some conversation, rather she was merely looking for a place in which she would be a bit more comfortable; hell, even a shadow would do, so long as it meant she could still keep her attention upon the proceedings and remain out of the sunlight.
​

 

[Rulonom Laborr]

Cato Harth Inanna Harth Kahlil Noble Shan Pavond Katherine Holt Kel Se'Taav Careina Djo Lehvi Vass Amelia von Sorenn ​

There was a cold and calculating glare behind the armored googles of the skakoan as they listened very intently as Lehvi Vass introduced himself and the organization that they represented at the Queen Mother's party tonight. The Trade Federation of Planets had heard political rumors circulating throughout the galactic capital that the planet of Haruun Kal had a new government which was now confirmed to be the Al'Hari Federation and its main representative was standing before him. They had not yet tapped fully into the economic power of planets formerly under the thumb of the Confederacy of Independent Systems besides establishing contact with the Geonosian Hives on Geonosis.

This would provide a golden opportunity to spread their slimy tendrils even further as the person explained that Haruun Kal was looking to enter the galactic stage but needed critical infrastructure to protect themselves such as naval power.

"Certainly, Mr. Vass. The Trade Federation can provide everything you might need but there would be a problem with bureaucratic hurdles. There is a chance for major delays which might endanger your planet and surrounding systems." He explained with some hand motions; throwing a quick nod at Sera Mina as they passed before turning his attention back.

"Of course I could persuade the senate to hurry the process if I had a planetary referendum showing that your system welcomes corporate assistance." Was further added with quiet sinister undertones. Laborr wanted to cover all angles to avoid repeating the same mistakes as Skako.

 

[Lehvi Vass]

OBJECTIVE I
Cato Harth | Inanna Harth | Kahlil Noble | Shan Pavond | Katherine Holt | Kel Se'Taav | Careina Djo | Rulonom Laborr | Kha'la Daaray


Lehvi took in what Senator Laborr had to say, looking thoughtfully outwardly, while his mind raced. 'This sounds like Balawai trickery'. He glanced to the side, noting that Ambassador Inanna Harth had began speaking to Queen Kha'la Daaray .

Aloud, he said, "Well, it's certainly sounds like this can be a promising arrangement. But in terms of these 'delays', and 'corporate assistance' requiring a planetary referendum, I believe you would need to further define what you mean."

"We would certainly welcome a mutually beneficial partnership with the Federation. But, to be frank, Haruun Kal has a long history of corporate entities...attempting to extert dominance over the Korunnai. The Al'Har Federation is the culmination of Korunnai rejecting that status quo out of hand. So, were we to have any type of arrangement, the Trade Federation, while enjoying an exclusive, long-term contract, would also be obligated to respect the regulations, laws, customs, and traditions of the Korunnai."

He looked straight at the Skakoan. "Would that be a problem?"