Out of the Light

[Malicar]

Slick Gaffi Stick​

Planet of Formos​

Formos. It was a smuggler’s haven and the most popular stop close to Kessel. Settled on the Triellus Trade Route, it was far enough out of the way to not attract attention. Smugglers kept to their business and moved on. This was the perfect rendezvous for a meeting centered in darkness…

Malicar took no chances. Meeting the leader of the Sith Empire was not something to take lightly or to underestimate in any way. Depending on the Sith, they were just as likely to attempt to lop his head off as they were to enter polite conversation. But the Chiss felt strongly about meeting the leaders of factions face to face. The crimelord learned so much that could not be gleaned from holovids or any other electronic medium.

The Slick Gaffi Stick was run by a small underworld group friendly to Black Sun. The cantina was closed down, for the night, allowing representatives of Black Sun and the Sith Empire to meet with anonymity. What the proprietor and his small band did not know was the Malicar and his Black Sun enforcers would kill all of them following the meeting…dead men told no tales.

Precautions were always at the forefront of the Underlord Eshro’s mind. Thermite explosives lined the structure in all its walls, a pop-down turret was installed weeks before in the main room, StarVipers were less than 2km away, hidden in preset structures that appeared to hovels. The bulk of the Black Sun pirate fleet was stage a system away in the event there needed to be a quick egress. In addiiton, there were a couple of organic creatures that helped with force-users nearby, in the event something untoward should occur. There were more precautions in place for a meeting like this…but Malicar hoped to not use a single precaution in place. This was business. Big business…

Soft music played in the background. A pair of heavily armored enforcers stood against the wall (not Mandalorians). Malicar sipped on a martini, looking over a datapad and patiently awaited his guests. He would be notified when they arrived, but he had some time to get business done, so that is what happened. Malicar never wasted a single minute of time. Time was always precious…

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

A shuttle descended through the smog-laden clouds, cutting a sharp silhouette across the ground as the light of the nearby star cast its shadow. Flanking the ship were two smaller, faster craft that served as escort, setting down next to the main vessel as it swung down into one of the empty landing docks. Pressurized air hissed from hydraulics as the boarding ramp was lowered, allowing the gargantuan individual waiting within to descend. His muscular body was clad in a maroon and gold robe spun from the finest Ruurian silks, a bright crimson sash cinching it around his waist. No crown adorned his head, his long black hair tied back in an elaborate braid and adorned with gemstones of dazzling brilliance.

The Sith Empire looked at his surroundings, hands firmly crossed over his broad chest, before walking towards the docking authority. It was not difficult to recognize the Sith Emperor, he carried a powerful presence and quite thorough docking identification for many trade circles in the wider galaxy. The docking authority gave his credentials the once over, and waved the Emperor through along with the pair of tall crimson-cloaked Crownguard that followed him like a shadow.

A cantina was chosen for this initial meeting between the Emperor and the representative of the Black Sun, an exceptionally modest setting. Once the Emperor had been searched of any weapons, he was allowed inside while his pair of guards were allowed to escort him inside, but were to stand back away from the meeting along with the other armed personnel that the Black Sun representative had brought with him.

"Underlord Malicar, a pleasure." Spoke the Emperor, his voice as grave as the breaking of stone.

[member="Malicar"]​

 

[Malicar]

Slick Gaffi Stick
Planet of Formos

Malicar smiled and responded coolly, “On the contrary, the pleasure is all mine, Darth Carnifex. Thank you for taking the time to give me a few standard minutes of your time…”

With a flick of his wrist, he signaled one of the guards to retrieve a selection of beverages for the ruler of The Sith Empire. The Chiss began, “My apologies for the meager accommodations, but I thought discretion would be the best approach for this fortuitous meeting. My intent is not to waste your time, so I will get to the point…”

A server came over with an obnoxiously large tray with a varied selection of beverages. Whether the Darth plucked up a drink or not, the server would hover for about 20 seconds and then scurry off. Malicar continued, “The Hutt Cartels of Hutt space are almost entirely under our control. We intend to take all of Hutt Space. No, to be clear, we will control all criminal markets in the galaxy, if being completely forthright. As for our commonalities, we have similar philosophies and approaches to economics. My thought is that it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement to speak to one another as allies…perhaps even having a shared border at some point. If I misspeak in any way, please do let me know…”


[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"An ambitious play, Underlord. As the old adage goes, fortune favors the bold."

When the servant carrying the tray of drinks approached, the Emperor plucked a notoriously hearty grog from the assortment offered. In a single swig, the Emperor drained the entire drought and placed the empty container back on the tray.

"At this moment, the Sith Empire has favorable ties with many syndicates already operating within Hutt space; several kajidic, the Pykes, the Exchange, and many others." In years past the Sith utilized these groups to commit espionage against their enemies, undermining and weakening entire systems and making them susceptible to Sith influence and corruption. Now, with the Empire being one of the strongest interstellar governments in the galaxy, they have turned to exclusive trade with these groups. Slaves, spices, and hundreds of other illegal paraphernalia that was considered taboo or otherwise ethically deplorable by the less stonehearted groups operating in the galaxy.

"The Empire would prefer its prior collaborators not unsettled should the Black Sun take control of their chosen systems, assimilation and greater cooperation is a preferred path for all parties, yes?"

[member="Malicar"]​

 

[Warden of Black Sun]

The Chiss listened to the Darth speak about the networks that they had been utilizing, no doubt for information more than anything else. Malicar thought it prudent just to be clear about how things will look going forward, “Darth Carnifex, we will certainly endeavor to not stop on toes with such prior arrangements, but many of these organizations will come into the fold of Black Sun when we encounter them. I hope this does not disturb your use for those organizations and you will continue to do business with them, knowing that we will be a major part of their operations and markets. The hope for cooperation and a mutually beneficial relationship between our organizations is primarily why I am here, after all.”

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Agreed, that is preferable."

Ultimately it did not matter who ruled Hutt space, so long as the Empire maintained its many channels of trade that ran through the rather populous slice of space. Slaves, spice, weapons, all were highly sought after items that the Empire bartered in, producing many of these products themselves and exporting them to insurgent groups across the galaxy through the black market channels in Hutt space. All of this was done to ensure that the rest of the galaxy remained war-torn and chaotic, while the Empire continued its reign of stability and order in stark contrast.

"There is also the problem of the Silver Jedi, who have yet again begun to encroach into star systems where they are not wanted. The memory of the Jedi laying waste of Nar Shaddaa is still a fresh injustice in my mind, Underlord. To ensure against any possible aggression, I suggest something more durable than a mere trade agreement be negotiated between us."

[member="Warden of Black Sun"]​

 

[Malicar]

"There is also the problem of the Silver Jedi, who have yet again begun to encroach into star systems where they are not wanted. The memory of the Jedi laying waste of Nar Shaddaa is still a fresh injustice in my mind, Underlord. To ensure against any possible aggression, I suggest something more durable than a mere trade agreement be negotiated between us."

Malicar eyed the Sith Lord for many moments. In many ways, this was a critical juncture in the rise of Black Sun. If they chose not to align with The Sith Empire, then the Order of the Silver Jedi would be able to force them out of Hutt Space if they decided it would be so. It was a situation where Black Sun needed this alliance more than The Sith Empire needed it...the Underlord Eshro despised being in such a position, but such was the way of things.

While the Sith Empire could not be trusted in many ways, the one aspect of the Sith Empire that made them predictable was that they would always do what was in the best interest of themselves. Right now, allying with Black Sun made sense and was of benefit to them. This fact was not lost to Malicar. There were disadvantages to allying with the Sith Empire, namely in the form of offending Clan Sharratt, which Black Sun employed, would not be pleased to know that their employer had an alliance with the empire that burned Keldabe to the ground.

But this was business. The Mandalorians fought and lost. In truth, he knew the Mandalorians would treat the Sith no different were the situation reversed. In the end, Clan Sharratt would have to get used to this idea—it was for Black Sun’s survival…no one more keenly attuned to this fact than the Chiss leading them.

Malicar nodded to Darth Carnifex and replied, “Agreed. Our interests align on multiple levels, including the likelihood of the Order of the Silver Jedi becoming a problem to our respective goals. An alliance then…non-aggression at minimum, including support and cooperation against our mutual enemies?”

[member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"All of this can be easily achieved, my friend. The Jedi are our mutual enemies, they seek to undermine everything that makes us strong." The Emperor spread his hands in a becalming manner, his face never wavering from the cool neutrality that masked it. "The Empire merely wants trade and cooperation with the true entrepreneurs of the galaxy, men and women like yourself. Those who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty, who are not afraid of doing whatever is necessary to achieve their goals."

Sleight of hand produced a small silver coin, a zemid, one of the many currencies that the Sith Empire had plundered in its campaigns across the galaxy to fill its coffers and fund its military excursions. The Emperor placed the zemid on the table and spun it, letting it spin and spin and spin before clattering down on its side.

"You help us, we help you. Trade, military access, and a guarantee that if the Jedi attempt to interfere in either of our business, then they will soon regret their actions just as greatly as they regret being born. I believe your fellow kingpins will appreciate this transaction."

[member="Malicar"]​

 

[Malicar]

His glowing red eyes stared at the coin for a few moments as it settled on the table. Looking back up at the Sith Lord, Malicar listened as Darth Carnifex put a fine point on what this alliance would look like. To the Underlord Eshro, it was as good an offer as they were to get—full allies in most every way: trade, war, information…there were benefits to be gained on both sides.

“It is a generous offer…and one where we both benefit. Open trade, military might, sharing of intelligence information, and full support against the Jedi and their ilk...this is agreeable, Darth Carnifex. I would also add little restrictions in travel through our respective territories when our associates come through the Sith Empire—and the same for yours as they travel through our territory in Hutt Space. I am sure our respective organizations are wise enough to not make waves when in the other’s domain. Yes, we accept this alliance and look forward to the benefits it allows.”

His body shifted as the topic shifted. Malicar wore a smile smirk on his face, “On a different note, the Sith Empire is quite large and your Empire has been at war with great frequency. I am sure you are aware that I had a contract in place with the Clans of Mandalore during your invasion of the Mandalore system. Interstellar Shipping provided a complete logistics solution for them throughout the conflict. No offense. It was just business. Naturally, with this alliance in place, we will discuss the ramifications before entering into any sort of 'business' contract with other major factions.”

Pause.

“Anyway, the Mandalorians are unable to fulfill their end of the bargain due to their loss of assets and cannot continue that contract. I would offer the same services to the Sith Empire for logistics—shipping, warehousing, courier services. Our transport ships are the fastest in the galaxy and I guarantee your production costs, due to the timeliness of goods, will drop 20%. Of course, the contract would include a most generous rate due to our alliance. This is an offer outside of our agreement, so it will not affect me unduly if you decline the offer--simply wished to offer you a beneficial service.”

[member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Such an offer is appreciated, Underlord."

The Emperor rose, sensing that the negotiation was at last reaching its conclusion. Barring departing formalities, there was little else to be spoken of between the two sentients. He had come and accomplished what he set out to do, taking over a task that was typically left up to a subordinate who was more than qualified to treat with galactic entities that had a shared interest with the Empire. There were few within the Empire who could prohibit the Emperor from undertaking such a risky venture.

"The Sith Empire would be more than willing to do business with Interstellar Shipping, I am sure we will find a suitable purpose for your vessels." Official documents to codify and legitimize their agreements would be dispatched soon enough, both electronically and physically as was the Empire's standard.

"I must return to the Empire, Underlord. There are things which acquire my attention, I have been gone long enough already."

[member="Malicar"]​