Power Turnover (Black Sun)

[Seris Vant]

Bleak times had befallen the Syndicate since the fall of Nar Shaddaa. Operations had dried up. Much of the military was sent away for safety. Black Sun was in hiding while giants around it thrashed about. Time had pasted though. The wars had calmed down. And the winds of fortune and favor were sweet with potential profits to be had once more. But only if the enterprising were willing to step forth and grasp them. Rayl Wilded was such a man. Well, a man for sure; but the name history would know him as would not be such. To much bad blood soaks his hands.

Under The Republic's very nose a meeting is taking place on the planet of Nal Hutta. One to determine who will lead the Syndicate. The pieces have been assembled. The Bishops and Rooks. Knights and Pawns. The King and the Queen. All these pieces under one roof. All waiting Vex Tythion to give his resignation. Maybe even a small speech with it. Then it will be determined who these chess pieces will choose to lead, or rather whoever can check mate the others will.

Rayl sat quietly off to one side of a crescent moon shaped table. Vex was in the middle and sat higher than everyone else. The rest of the seats were filled by the most powerful Crime Lords left in the Syndicate. And a few notables who worked for them allowed to be body guards would be at the far end of the room. The Pirate Lord's gaze shifted to Vex. Everyone was seated. Time for the end of this chapter and another to begin.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

The Hutt was there, stolid, placid, immovable, sporting a lightsabre. Every crime ring's big table deserved at least one Hutt, and Rasho was apparently the Hutt of the day. He watched impassively as the other leaders took their seats.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Vex coughed "My friends I have decided to resign as Vigo, I was born to drink lots of alcohol and Kark Beautiful degenerates. I was not born to lead degenerates it has been an ... interesting run but well I'm terrible at running, it is time you got a capable leader so I can go back to ..." He turned to his principle mistress at the far end of your room and gazed at her "... Rococo ..." She shook her head " Alika" same again "This fine lady, whatever her name is and her fine ..." His last word was consumed by a hiccup. He sighed "I suppose I have said enough ... To crime" He said raising his glass before sitting down. Now the fun started.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Danger Arceneau's interactions with that of the Black Sun leaders started before it's conception; since the time the Hutt Cartel ruled with a slimy fist and then birthed through Barett Haskin's work. The deal that Arceneau Trade made with the then leaders provided all the freighter, shipping, fuel, and escort trade rights solely to Arceneau Trade --- which more than provided a happy Danger with the profits.

Now, however, time had changed, but the criminal underworld would never truly die. It is why she was here, seated as an equal among the various crime leaders of various syndicates. Ain't no criminal drinking party without Arceneau providing the drinks and entertainment.

After all, a girl had to stay in business one way or another.

 

[Fab'ul'ous]

Wendy was here... to do something she wasn't sure. Her master was still associated with the Black Suns but there wasn't much going on as she stood there and listened to the others. It would all be reported to her master as needed in case she didn't show up.

 

[Seris Vant]

"To crime indeed Mr.@Vex Tythion". Rayl applauded the little drunk fellow. No impassioned speech for his departure. Only pigheaded debauchery that was his trademark. And that may have served Vex well, but did little for Black Sun as a whole. They needed a leader who could compose action and subtlety together; who would not work for just himself but the Syndicate as a whole. A real leader to pull everyone from the pit they were driven in to. Rayl leaned forward, folding his hands underneath his chin as the speaker stepped in to the middle of the crescent. He was sort of just here to explain the rules. More ceremony than anything.

"With Underlord Tythion stepping down we must now choose a new leader from the council of Vigo's. Anyone at this table may vote for another or themselves, aside from voting for the old Underlord. You may openly voice who they wish to vote for or remain silent and use the datapad provided. Votes will then be tallied and the new leader shall be named once all have cast their ballot". A holo-screen appeared above the speaker. Nine photos appeared on the board. Rayl was one of them. Rasho another. They took the seats from the old Vigo's who abandoned them. Domino was currently on the board, but not present. Maybe she'd show up. But the vote was going to go ahead anyways.

Rayl picked up his datapad. He voted for himself of course. Now he had to wait for the others to cast theirs.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Rasho burped with venom.

"I am flattered by your reasonable assumption that I am fit to lead the Black Sun Syndicate. However, my organization will be backing the Pirate Lord of Kira, @[member="Rayl Wilded"], and it is to him that I cast my vote."

He did so.

@[member="Wendy La Fey"] @[member="Danger Arceneau"] @Vex Tythion

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Rasho the Hutt"] @[member="Rayl Wilded"] @[member="Wendy La Fey"] @Vex Tythion

Oh this is where things would start to get interesting. Certainly backing the person who would was popular would be beneficial, after all this was business. But the question was, were they competent?

With an arch of a brow, Danger withdrew a cigarrillo from a silver case, perching it up to her lips. A datapad in front of her would relay her vote. Hmm... what to do, she mulled over, waiting to see just who else would enter this particular meeting before casting in her vote.

In the meantime, she waited for a light.

 

[Seris Vant]

@[member="Rasho the Hutt"] @[member="Danger Arceneau"] @[member="Wendy La Fey"]

Two votes for the man in the white and red sash's. That still left seven unknowns as there were nine members on the council. Eight present; where @[member="Domino"] was he didn't know. That woman was notoriously sly. Rayl traced across the table. His sights stopping on some longer than others. At last they fell to the dangerously fiery woman Miss Arceneau. A smoke perched from her lips, unlit. Rayl did think himself the gentleman pirate, and he wouldn't let a woman in need be ignored. Deft fingers ruffled through a pocket for a light. Once acquired he leaned over to her; as she was conveniently sitting adjacent to him and lit the flame. He was rather hunched over and his eyes strained to look up to make sure the flame was steady.

 

[Amarant]

(OOC: sorry for the late response, please let me know if I need to edit. No idea if I'm on the council or not)

Mr. Ash had stood, in the shadows, watching his allies. He was a Black Sun. Hell, he was the man who got everyone off Nar Shadda. And the man who tried to kill a Jedi in cold blood simply because he'd been bothered. Still he lite his own cigar, seeing that the new candidate was quick to raise a light for a lady. Good. A gentleman made things look classier.

He looked around the room. Arceneau was exactly like everyone described her, pretty, lethal and disarming. Thankfully, his sense weren't easily blurred. The Hutt was Rasho--lethal enough to carry his own lightsaber. Probably fully aware of his robotic nature. Probably entirely apathetic. Tythion was a charismatic and lethal man--but he had a certain addictive nature that made him addled at times.

Ash spoke, softly, with a low, grating whisper that sounded like gravel dancing through a wet gutter. "Vex," he said calmly. "It was an honor working with you on Nar Shaddaa. Brief as your stint has been, we hold no ill will. But like you said, you've got your own pots to stir. Now, I could nominate myself to run this," he said calmly. "I've been here a while, I know the ropes, and I've had to hold things together through some of our worst episodes. I haven't made a move yet," he said calmly, "that hasn't been to preserve either the Sun's power, or my abilities therein. But here's the thing: I don't want the job. Not now, anyhow. However, Rayl-or anyone else-should we settle to vote, know that I will offer my expertise and intel as an advisor. I've lived a few centuries, and as Rasho can attest, a sense of history comes in....handy. I killed Menuzga the Hutt, and his wretched army. I slew a Jedi in Republic territory just to get to a target. So, if you folks will have an old killer with a dearth of knowledge, I'll be happy to lend a hand," he said calmly. "Having said that, in the interest of neutrality and dispassion, I will abstain from voting or nominating. I'll serve whomever leads, and will advise within my best knowledge."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Rasho the Hutt"] @Danger Arceneau @[member="Wendy La Fey"] @Rayl

With bombshell grace, at the offered light, Danger went leaning forward, giving an ample view of her voluptuous decollete for Rayl’s eyes to feast upon. With a provocative smile upon those full crimson lips, Danger took a deep drag from the cigarillo until the tip caught fire with a dull glow.

Spicy blue-white smoke filled her lungs with the sweet sweet hit of the narcotic, and a wink followed by a provocative smile relayed her gratitude to the would be apple of the Blacksun’s eye.

“Much obliged,” came her husky drawl, her vibrant green eyes appraising him as she straightened, leaning back on her chair, a stream of smoke falling from her lips with a twist of her mouth.

“Well now… I believe that at the very least, considering Rasho has placed so much faith in you, Mr. Rayl… how ‘bout you tell us what kind of vision you have for the Blacksun if you took the Nexu by his ears?”

He’d have to compete with what Haskins and Dominio did before him, and she was curious as to why the cerulean Twi’lek hadn’t showed up yet.

This was a power struggle after all, and old loyalties went a long way. But if the Twi’lek wasn’t inclined to keep the reins, then Danger was mighty interested to see why Rasho was so peaked to place the reins in Rayl’s hands.

 

[Seris Vant]

@[member="Danger Arceneau"] @Mr. Ash

"Heh, your welcome". Rayl took back his arm and pocketed the lighter with a charming smile still set solidly on his face. "What would I do If I held the wheel? Well, I'll steer us clear of any military action against the Republic and her allies. Otherwise build up more enterprise. I'll hold the rest of my hand close to my chest though. Can't give away everything. Heh heh heh". Rayl slid back in to his chair. Getting a bit more comfortable as his confidence in the vote swaying his way grew. "We'll be well back into the black books". While Rayl was dueling verbal with this beauteous siren his ears were keeping track of the others talking. Mr. Ash's abstention was interesting. He'd no parley with him so the intentions as to why were in the dark. Now it was one less to vote for another at least.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@[member="Rayl Wilded"] @Mr. Ash @[member="Rasho the Hutt"] @[member="Wendy La Fey"] @Vex Tythion

"Then whatcha be making of the Confederacy then?" came danger's counter, holding her vice between two fingers just shy of her mouth, an ebon brow arched high.

"They be dancing a merry tune round our borders --- Not to mention the Republic done took Nar Shaddaa from us." there was a glint in her emerald eyes that said she was none too happy about that. The sweet smile was there, but there was some bite to her words. Of the sort that would ring true for everyone around.

​

"What'dya figure you gonna be doing 'bout that?" she asked. "'Cause there ain't much difference 'tween a hornet and a yellow jacket if they're in your britches." she gave him a level stare, "So you can put wishes in one hand and poodoo in the other and see which one fills up first --- You wanting our support," that glowing tip of her cigarrillo went round the room, "Best you start thinking 'bout things like that."

"Ya'll can give as much of a Sabaacc face as ya want, but Saffron will tell you just how fortune will ring. You talking more than just our lives here in Black sun," she tapped her free forefinger on the table in emphasis, "But our credits."

"And there ain't nuthin' one ends up paying harder for than that if things go south."

 

[Seris Vant]

"Credits are worthless to a lifeless body. And as much can be said to hold a planet when its infrastructure and population are decimated. I don't like useless things, and I avoid creating them. Nar Shaddaa may be 'formally' in the hands of The Republic, but we still run business on it. Barab I is a near lifeless world of warriors that kill for sheer fun. The Confederacy and Republic are galactic powers of military and governmental cooperation. Black Sun is a pan-national galactic criminal organization and a conglomerate of warlords and oligarchs". Rayl took to his feet so his voice could project better. "If we want Black Sun to stand as a real military power and a nation, we'll need to be more than criminals with Star Destroyers. And with the Empire in ashes; there will be no ready support if we choose war. Which is why I'll do all I can to avoid it shy of loosing a planet. Domino is at fault for the war for antagonizing the Jedi. I ended it at a heavy price for us. And we saw what happened at Dalaang when we tried to take one back didn't we. Nonaggression is the only option right now. We don't have to sit idle though. We progress our agendas to action. Spreading our operations once more. Building up our forces and industry. Spread our influence to other worlds and those we lost in hopes we can retake them or have them join. And destabilizing the other nations to weaken them is within the real of possibilities". His palms lay flat upon the table, arms at an angle as he rests on them. Rayl's head was low and the shadows pooled under his eyes. "And if the time is ever right and the stars align. Then we may strike out against one of them".

 

[Amarant]

Ash nodded. "Well," he said calmly. "If we can't win a brawl with the Republic's cops or the CIS hyper-active miltary steamroller, maybe we should sift through the ashes of the Sith," he mused out loud. "Miss Arceneau, how many Counts on Serenno can we liberate from their treasuries in exchange for munitions? I heard rumors that someone was trying to unify the counts own there. We fun that effort now, push them to win the war--there's always a war to win, after all, and then collect a lion's share of the money later? It's not a complicated scheme, but it seems like going back to basics might work, while we rebuild the capital to..." he grinned. Of course. An easy plan. Eaaaasy. He loved it.

"Maybe the right move isn't to fight the Republic, but play it," he said with a dark chuckle--the kin of chuckle a genuine sadist gives right before he twists the knife. "We don't have the muscle to bully the republic, but credits we have. There's bound to be a Senator or two we can blackmail, bribe, or twist. I mean, there's no way the entire senate is clean, after all."

He shrugged. "Straightforward won't get the job done, but we're all crooks here--no sense trying to play by their rules, after all," he mused, waiting to see what the room thought. Leader or not, he would play the game. He nodded to Vex. "Tythion, you wouldn't happen to know any clever women with a knack for turning senators into their own pets, would you? You do get invited to the all the nice parties after all...."

He smiled at the room. "Rayl is right. We can't crush the republic with military might. But politics...that's our game. We've all gotten this far because we know how to use what we can to motivate people. Fear, greed, lust, power, wealth, drugs, even the occasional bit of genuine love and affection," he said calmly. "So, at this point, our best bet to finance a mole in the Senate. Nar Shadda hasn't elected anyone yet. Certainly we could pull some strings to put a man of our choosing in there."

@[member="Vex Tythion "]@[member="Rayl Wilded"] @[member="Danger Arceneau"] @[member="Rasho the Hutt"]

 

[Seris Vant]

@Mr. Ash @[member="Danger Arceneau"] @[member="Rasho the Hutt"] @Vex Tythion

"There are indeed many things we need to so; and many things we can do". Rayl sat down once more. All the piss and vinegar he could throw wouldn't influence much. "That is for the future near and far though. Today we must finish this council and elect an Underlord".

 

[Danger Arceneau]

@Mr. Ash @Rayl Wilded @[member="Rasho the Hutt"] @Vex Tythion

Now this was the kind of conversation Danger could talk about. A smirk went dancing across her ruby red lips, an eyebrow perking up in pleasure at Mr. Ash.

“Spies, gun running, and making credits; Mistah Ash, you certainly know how to sweet talk a girl,” came Danger’s coo. A nod of agreement came after

“So… now… where were we on this vote?” she asked, panning that emerald gaze at the rest of her companions.

“‘hose it gonna be?”