Private Of Steel and Shadows

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
MIN FOOL'S ERRAND
[REDACTED]

"There's no way this is going to work", Ronhar thought to himself as he waited aboard the MIN Fool's Errand for a guest who was most likely never going to show up in the first place.

Ever since the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant had reopened its borders to the greater Galactic Community, it had begun aggressively pursuing new business opportunities whenever and wherever they presented themselves. In a relatively short period of time, the Imperial Remnant had already been able to strike new long term salvage deals with the N&Z Umbrella Corporation, the Imperial Confederation, the Black Sun Syndicate and even the crumbling Galactic Alliance, something that would have previously been thought impossible.

Yet, desperate times called for desperate measures as they say, and with Mahporeem's once limitless scrapyards running dangerously low of materials, having as many trading partners as possible was going to be necessary for the continued survival and prosperity of the Imperial Remnant. As the planet continued to grow and develop, it would only need ever increasing numbers of raw materials and resources to fuel its industrial capacity. These trading partners were, to be sure, a good start for Mahporeem...but not enough for the planet's future!

That was why the Imperial Remnant had continued to court other factions for long term business and salvaging deals. With negotiations with the Mandalorian Empire proceeding smoothly, there was one more faction that the Imperial Remnant wished to do business with:

The Diarchy!

Little was known about them, as the Imperial Remnant had little to no contact with them at all, even after reopening themselves to the galaxy. While most of these deals had been accomplished with Confederation assistance, Mahporeem was now attempting to do this one all on its own. Sure, it had worked for Black Sun, but Ronhar already had some pre-existing contacts with the criminal empire beforehand. This time, he would be starting from scratch, with nothing to leverage nor a previous relationship to call upon.

Heck, he didn't even think anyone from the Diarchy was listening to him. The Fool's Errand had been holding position near [REDACTED] for several hours now, with not a single response to the message and coordinates he had sent out.

At this rate, this mission to the Diarchy was going to be a failure before it even started...

TAGS:
Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

With the sharp crack of reality giving way, the Diarch's personal flaghsip slid into existence above the Fool's Errand. Not a whisper of hesitation, not a glimmer of warning, the Diarchy had arrived precisely when they intended to, and not a heartbeat sooner. A little "Flex" in case relations with the Imperials had not gotten better. From its ventral hangar, a shuttle detached, sleek and angular, descending with measured grace toward the Fool's Errand.

Inside, Rellik stood at the heart of a formation. Two RDB-01 Dra'khan Sentinel Droid's at his side. The Dra'khan Sentinels shifted only slightly, scanning optics flaring before locking into place at the top of the incline. They would not follow.

Rellik descended alone.

His stride was steady, measured, unhurried. Arms folded behind his back and a slight smile across his face. The cloak at his shoulders caught faintly in the shuttle's wash before settling as he came to a stop at the hangar floor.

"Commander Ronhar," Rellik greeted, voice calm, polite but unreadable. He gave a deep bow in a gracious offer to show some respect. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I appreciate your patience and hope to return that respect in kind."

Ronhar Tane

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
MIN FOOL'S ERRAND
[REDACTED]

With each passing minute, Ronhar only grew more and more frustrated at the lack of the Diarchy's presence. Clearly, this whole endeavor had been nothing but a massive waste of time. Ronhar activated his commlink, ready to send a message to the Captain of the Fool's Errand telling him to make the jump to hyperspace.

Before he could, however, alarms began blaring throughout the Fool's Errand as its sensors picked up an unknown vessel exiting hyperspace right on top of them. Compared to the Fool's Errand, it was far larger and far more heavily armed, dwarfing the Nebulon Fire-class Light Carrier in nearly all possible aspects. Ronhar was suddenly keenly aware of just how vulnerable he and his men were. The fact that the unknown vessel had arrived so precisely could only mean one thing...

"It's seems the Diarchy intends to play Huttball with us after all", Ronhar remarked dryly as he headed toward the ship's main hangar. As he and his Chrome Guardians made their way, the Captain of the Fool's Errand radio'd Ronhar.

"Captain Tane, we've got a single unidentified shuttle incoming. I've redirected it toward the main hangar bay, it'll arrive momentarily. As for the ship it came in on...initial reports indicate that originates from N&Z Umbrella Corporation, though I'm afraid we haven't yet identified its capabilities".

"Understood, Captain", Ronhar replied as he and his men entered the main hangar, just in time to see the shuttle making its landing. "Keep working on identifying that ship, and get our hyperdrive warmed up...just in case", Ronhar said with a hint of concern in his voice. Granted, if the Diarchy really wanted to destroy the Fool's Errand, it would have done so already, and wouldn't have even bothered to send a ship to them as a decoy. Ronhar unconsciously adjusted the HNDA-MK I that was hanging on his combat vest: he hoped that it and the other devices that he had set up around the ship would be enough to keep his men safe should hostilities arise.

Hopefully though, it wouldn't come to that.

Ronhar stepped forward, directly in front of the shuttle's ramp and his Chrome Guardians lined up on either side of him. The ramp dropped down, and to Ronhar's surprise, a single man was on board. No guards, no attendants, just a single man with a supreme sense of confidence around him.

Diarch Rellik !

"Commander Ronhar, sorry to keep you waiting. I appreciate your patience and hope to return that respect in kind.", the Diarch said respectfully as he greeted Ronhar.

"The pleasure's all mine, Diarch Rellik , though you can call me 'Captain' Tane", Ronhar corrected him as he gave a bow of his own. Was the Diarch playing mind games with Ronhar, trying to throw him off? Or had he made an honest mistake? After all, one could never tell with this kind of thing.

"I must apologize for receiving you like this, Diarch Rellik . Normally we would have utilized a much more grandiose meeting location for someone of your station, but as I understand it you've wished for us to handle this meeting with a certain level of...discretion", Ronhar said with as straight a face as he could. Apparently, Ronhar's idea of discreet was rather different than the Diarch's and Ronhar sincerely hoped that he hadn't offended the man with his choice of meeting location.

Regardless, the meeting would go on.

"Please, Diarch, if you'll follow me?", Ronhar requested as he led Rellik into the bowels of the Fool's Errand. A makeshift conference room had been set up inside, displaying the banners of the Diarchy, the Imperial Confederation and the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant. The Chrome Guardians spread out in a circle around Ronhar and the Diarch as Ronhar led Rellik to the room's conference table, ushering him toward the head of the table.

"Please, sit", Ronhar stated as he went around to the other side of the table. He waited for Rellik to sit down first before taking a seat himself.

"Now, Diarch Rellik , what can the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant do for you?", Ronhar requested as the meeting began.

TAGS:
Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Rellik inclined his head at the correction, a soft smile tugging at his lips as they fell into step together. "Captain Tane, then. You know in my time I have met some other Tane's. I look forward to meeting another." His tone smooth and unhurried as they walked through the ship's steel corridors.

"There is no need to apologize for your accommodations. Discretion has its own kind of grandeur, and I respect that you honored it. I simply had to arrive in my personal ship, as I am a busy man. It is a large galaxy, and my time is a valuable resource."

His eyes drifted to the banners they passed, then back to Ronhar with a measured calm.

"Still, you should not mistake restraint for indifference. The Diarchy does not waste effort on endeavors it deems beneath consideration. That is why I am here, Captain. I look forward to a strong and successful partnership."

When they reached the chamber, Rellik took the seat offered at the table with the same deliberate composure with which he had entered the ship. Hands folded before him, he dipped his chin in acknowledgment.

"I appreciate the welcome. Would you happen to have any beverages? I recently left a rather... hot world."

Taking this moment to look around he noted the ships straight forward design. Some might consider it "ugly" but the Diarch found charm in how the imperials seemed to hold themselves to objective use rather than subjective beauty.

Then he was rather blunt for the first time and asked directly. "To start sir Tane, tell me what your typical dealings with the other major factions of the galaxy are and how you believe we may best serve each other."

Ronhar Tane

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
MIN FOOL'S ERRAND
[REDACTED]

Before Ronhar could even begin to negotiate with the Diarch, Rellik had a request for him.

"I appreciate the welcome. Would you happen to have any beverages? I recently left a rather... hot world."

"Of course, Diarch Rellik ", Ronhar said smoothly as he accessed his commlink. "1TH0R-1AN, please bring our guest here some beverages. Preferably some cold ones", Ronhar ordered as he deactivated his commlink.

The moment he finished speaking, a protocol droid resembling an Ithorian ambled into the room, carrying with him a tray filled with ice cold drinks. The droid served the tray to the Diarch, leaving him with a selection of different beverages: water, blue milk, green milk and even a few varieties of alcoholic beverages. Ronhar was unsure what the Diarch would prefer, so he though it better to be safe than sorry and to offer him a variety of refreshments.

"I trust these will be to your liking?", Ronhar said with a hint of uncertainty. The Diarch, perhaps picking up on Ronhar's hesitation, didn't answer him, instead asking him another question.

"To start sir Tane, tell me what your typical dealings with the other major factions of the galaxy are and how you believe we may best serve each other."

"Sir Tane", Ronhar thought to himself. That was a new one, and something he wasn't used to hearing. Still, he had already corrected the Diarch once, and he wasn't about to do it again. Blast! Where was Graras when you needed him? He was always far better than Ronhar at handling these things, for he knew how to play the game and how to get inside the heads of the other parties. If he were here, he could advise Ronhar on what to say or do next.

But, of course, he wasn't here, and it was up to Ronhar to get the job done. Ronhar didn't think there was anything for him to gain by lying or by being dishonest with the Diarch, but he would still have to be careful as to which details he revealed about the Imperial Remnant's operations.

"Very well, Diarch Rellik ", Ronhar began. "As you may or may not know, the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant had remained in self imposed isolation for centuries, relying on its extensive scrapyards and junkyards for anything that it might need to continue to survive. As the years went on, however, our once inexhaustible supply of spare parts began to dwindle as our junk and scrapyards were picked more and more clean. Facing uncertainly, we decided to reopen ourselves to the greater galaxy at large, quickly picking up deals with the N&Z Umbrella Corporation and the Imperial Confederation. In fact, it is no secret that we have joined the Confederation, as we firmly believe that they will be the key to our future and continued success.

"That being said, we also believe it pertinent to expand our dealings with other factions. After all, it is always unwise to put all of one's eggs in a single basket, as they say. The Imperial Remnant does engage in dealings with the Black Sun Syndicate and the Galactic Alliance despite our ideological differences. It seems that practicality often outweighs preconceived notions and beliefs", Ronhar remarked dryly.

"The Imperial Remnant is even engaged in negotiations with the Mandalorian Empire, which we hope will be wrapped up soon", Ronhar remarked with more than a hint of pride. "In all honestly, their are only two major factions that we refuse to have dealings with: the Sith Order and the Galactic Empire. Beyond that, you will find that we are a reasonable and industrious people who only seek the continued prosperity of our planet."

"Which of course, Diarch Rellik , brings us here. Like all of our other business partners, we seek out your scrap and salvage, things that you no longer want or need. Your antiquated and obsolete star ship designs, your damaged or destroyed vehicles, your metals and electronics that no longer have a place in your faction are all things we would happily wish to take. Of course, we do not demand this for free, and we offer our planet as a safe port of call for any of your ships that may need refueling, rearming or repairing. Having such a location in these trying times would undoubtedly be a boon for you. We also offer you the expertise of our mechanics, engineers and technicians, who would be happy to offer your their expertise. All we ask in return is for long term scrapping, salvaging and recycling contracts with your faction."

"What say you?"

TAGS:
Diarch Rellik