Remember That One Time? I Do

[Geneviève Lasedri]

It was not like tracking technology was an innovative idea at this point. Empires; Cartels; yes, even Republics had been utilizing it for centuries in various and sundry ways. No, this was hardly interesting at all. What was interesting was its installation.

The problem was not how it would be used. It was who would use it--or, rather, who it would be used on. It was voluntary for most. Not so much for others. Not with the new provisions and regulations. The decision had been swift and, in Geneviève's analysis, not very well thought-out. There was too much opportunity for one to have so much power, and now she would take it. Her power had expanded--not through sneaking around and deceptive words, but through the request of the Order's leader herself. Lasedri had not even thought to require such a thing until the Grandmaster had uttered the words, whether out of ignorance or distraction. But she had taken her words and scrawled them on paper; bored them into the digital core of the Republic's record-keeping servers.

It was just her job.

She had always liked to take the initiative if it meant controlling the outcome. So, while she did have the high-access R&D teams dig up old fossils, Gen took it upon herself to follow up after initial pass of inspection--which noticeably seemed to placate her stress, interestingly enough. Companies had come and gone, and with a movement in the Senate before her time that disallowed this very thing that the Jedi would now be embracing, the tracking chip was an endangered species for the Republic. But that was the Republic.

Once upon a time, there had been a new writer to this board who dived head-first into this thing known as the Atrisian Empire--a place where grandiose plans were met with subversive schemes in a counterfeit utopia. What impression they had left on the galaxy may not have been considered worth a mention, for a pair of bold--but failed--invasive moves had quickly brought the disillusioned Empire of past to its knees. But there were insidious little things that still remained from that Brave Little Empire, and all was not lost to the archives. Not even The Wipe had destroyed it entirely.

A [member="Mirien Valdier"] came up several times in the results--though her function was unknown in relation to this device--and the Prime Minister prodded one of her closest Intelligence officers to scrounge around for this seemingly important individual.

Firemane Industries. Oh, yes. The Rebellion rouser was quite familiar with that one. Her lips curled into an amused smirk as she recalled something about being blacklisted by this organization.

She remembered.

To Firemane Industries and Technology,

The Galactic Republic has acquired an interest in your Kashaena-based group and would like to seek out your services. Particularly, we are hoping to meet with one Mirien Valdier with regards to a certain Imperial project she may be familiar with. As for me, I only see bright futures.

It's been a pleasure working with you in the past. I'd hate for our relationship to go to waste.

Cheers and all formality,
Geneviève Lasedri, GRPM


And that is how Geneviève wrote a tactful letter. With no concern for tact whatsoever.

(Post #1234!)

 

[Mirien Valdier]

And so a most interesting message crossed Mirien's desk. For she did see everything when it came to Firemane. It was her duty after all. Her mind did wander to the possibilities of what project exactly the Prime Minister could be interested in. There were a number of projects she had been involved with, and nothing really rose to the surface of her mind.

Slowly she rose from her desk and wandered down to Siobhan Kerrigan's office. It was time to fill in her boss, and get her opinions on it before replying. And if it turned into a business deal, then truly she needed Sio's input before she could agree to anything at all. Reaching down she opened the door and stepped inside, datapad in hand. "So, I received and interesting letter. Just wanted to get your opinion before I reply." She said softly, laying the datapad on Siobhan's desk.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


Siobhan had been busy doing...paperwork. There were a number of projects she had to work and they were consuming a great deal of her time. With her dear Tegaea seeing to Firemane's new ventures in Levantine space and handling first contact on Tygara, running a good portion of Firemane fell on her toned shoulders.


She sighed and ran a hand through her dark brown mane after putting a datapad aside, then made some notes in a notebook in her usual messy handwriting. Suffice to say, it lifted her spirits to see her dark angel, as she had become fond of calling her lover, enter her office. However, she soon realised it was not a social call. "Here I thought you wanted to take me to dinner. I'll take a look at it," she said sardonically and took the datapad. Her brow furrowed after she had read its contents, with the Countess visibly tensing.


"Interesting, somewhat tactless, very suspicious. Don't know much about Lasedri, beyond her taking over after Saelari poofed and disliking force-users. How would the Republic know about your Imperial past? When their intelligence service can't even stop every single Sith invasion from being a surprise attack. Everyone except a precious few just knew you as Rebecca Novar and most who did are...not with us anymore. Or did any of your people wind up in the Republic?" she tried to find a tactful way of saying it, knowing how much the deaths of her Inquisitors had hurt Mirien. A twisted little family it had been, but still a family.


"And what 'Imperial project' could she be referring to? This seems fishy to me." Skaldi was still alive and had had ties to the Republic in the past. Perhaps Siobhan was being paranoid, but she was rather protective of her lover. "On the other hand, it makes sense to find out. Keep it to holocom. I don't trust our cryptic caller enough to send you to Onderon."

 

[Mirien Valdier]

"Well not everything can be social calls I'm afraid. Much as I'd like for it to be otherwise," She said sadly, sounding more than a little disappointed at that.

"Agreed." She said with a nod, ever paranoid herself.

A sigh followed soon followed, "There was one that managed to get away, and slip into republic space. So it's reasonably possible that the intel came from that particular source. Stars know I'd have used Bellika if she came to my doorstep offering all kinds of goodies like that." The brunette gave a small shrug, "Entirely reasonable that they came into the knowledge that way."

She shook her head slowly, "Honestly? I haven't a clue which project would actually interest the Prime Minister of the Republic. Certainly makes me curious to see what they want."

With one more shrug, she glanced to Siobhan, "I suppose a holocom call is safe enough to answer some questions before I venture further in bed with them. After all, they are Jedi capital central and I don't know about just wandering onto Onderon. That so seems like I'd end up arrested before all is said and done, knowing the holier than thou Jedi. But I guess, I'll arrange the call. Do you want to sit in on it, as well?"

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


"Bellalika...yeah, I remember her. Didn't like her," Siobhan commented rather disdainfully. Well, she did not really remember her in the sense of having met her herself, but she had Mirien's memories. So she remembered in a way. "Soma was cooler and smarter." Yes, the Countess liked the Chiss flygirl.


Anyhow, back to business and stuff. "Well, no time like the present to find out. Long as it's not Madeline's secret stash of WMDs and viruses," she leaned forward and kissed Mirien. "You know if any holier than thou Jedi tried to arrest you, I'd break the bones." Aww, wasn't she being sweet? "Arrange the call, I'd like to be here and see what she wants for myself." It was not that she did not trust Mirien. Otherwise the darkhaired woman would not have the position of confidence she had, but two paranoid minds were better than one and she felt protective of her.

 

[Mirien Valdier]

"Agreed, never much cared for the traitorous queen, but alas what can an Inquisitor do? Aside from kill her next time I see her." Old habits died hard. Though she did imagine Bellalika would be easy enough to kill off. Not that anyone would particularly miss that creature. "Yup, do sometimes wonder if Soma made it out alive." A thought she was quick to shrug off. It wasn't something she really wanted to think about. Far too many lives had been lost on account of Madeline's purge. Far too many of her family members.

She nodded, a brief smile flashed across her lips after the kiss. "You are far too sweet. So protective of me. I do love it." It wasn't everyday that Mirien got someone that would actually look out for her, and that she trusted on top of that.

She typed a quick message to Genevieve.

We shall be contacting you shortly, via holocall. Look forward to seeing you, and hearing what you have to say. ​

​

-Mirien Valdier ​

Firemane Industries​

She only waited a minute or two before she reached forward to setup the holocall right there in the office and dialed for the Prime Minister's office. For after all, Mirien was the impatient type when it came to things of this nature and well, the woman certainly had piqued her interest.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


Siobhan gave Mirien a most loving look as she typed up the message to the Republic Prime Minister. Who unbeknownst to the Countess was also a Marx'ist radical, but let's not judge someone's else politics. This one can think of a few Russian czars and czarinas who could work as role models for Siobhan!


"You're too precious and important to me not to be protective over, love," Siobhan said with mushy sincerity, leaning over to give Mirien a kiss on the cheek and squeezing her shoulder. Then she leaned back into her comfortable leather armchair. Because she was terribly vain she took out her compact mirror and examined her face briefly. Naturally her make-up was perfect! Or at least she thought so. Putting the mirror away she straightened and waited for the holocall to connect.

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

A response was returned to the Prime Minister with less of a delay than she had expected, hailing from a [member="Mirien Valdier"]. Perhaps the Mirien Valdier she was after--although it was not like no one had ever played a trick on Lasedri before. She knew better than to expect an immediate reveal of the things she wanted. This galaxy could be a fairly rotten place.

Oh, and this call was definitely going to be encrypted. Doubly encrypted; triply encrypted. Essentially, an OTP code would be transmitted through another recursive beam for the callers to utilize in their connection. The door was locked to her soundproof office as well, so everything was about as secretive as secrets can be. Geneviève was no one's fool.

A ping resounded on her datapad, and Lasedri switched on her holoprojector to accept the connection request. Her hatted face retained a stolid countenance as her lips pressed firmly together, not in the mood for being taken on the runaround. If need be, she would cut this line as soon as anything too suspicious arose. Not that she expected to so easily acquire an entire history of Valdier and the item in question.

"Good evening, Kashaena?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Mirien Valdier]

"Evening Prime Minister. It's not everyday that we entertain calls from someone such as yourself." Lifting a hand she motioned to Siobhan, "This is, Vice President of Firemane and Countess Siobhan Kerrigan and I am Colonel Mirien Valdier, head of Combined Operations And Security here at Firemane." Her tone had grown rather emotionless and serious as her usually ice queen nature returned. "We found your letter most interesting, and wanted to quickly get back to you."

A million thoughts, did race through her mind. She wondered what project at all would have possibility generated this interest. Further more, she did wonder what else had been spoken and what other intelligence the Grand Republic might have on her. The idea, rather disconcerting given her serial killer past, but thankfully that was a fact few knew about. Hopefully with some manner of luck it would stay that way. "Do let us know, how we may assist you best."

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


So here they were now. Siobhan was quite happy to let Mirien make the introductions. Especially since her dark angel mentioned her shiny titles. The full one would probably be 'Exarch emeritus, Vice President of Firemane Industries & Technology, Countess of Santaissa, High Counsellor to the Star Queen of Kaeshana, Master Siobhan Kerrigan, '. This one pities the poor minion who'd be forced to announce all that at formal occasions. It would only get worse once Siobhan decided to turn her attention to Tygara. Regardless she leaned back into the chair, tenting her hands slightly.


"It's a pleasure meeting you, Prime Minister. As Colonel Valdier has said, we're interested in what services the Republic desires of Firemane. Your message was rather...cryptic. As I'm sure you know, my company has a long-standing business relationship with the Republic going back to your predecessors, Popo and Saelari." Her tone was formal and polite, as was proper. She did not like the idea of people digging around in her dark angel's past, but perhaps something fruitful and beneficial could come out of this conversation. As for the Republic leaders she had named, Siobhan had liked Popo but considered Aurelia Saelari an egotistical puffbag.

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Colonel Mirien Valdier, she noted, finding the military title intriguing for a businesswoman. Maybe the head of this Firemane was an old serviceman who was a stickler for military hierarchy, though perhaps this was just 'the Protectorate way'. Hopefully she would be able to avoid anything else that reeked of the purple empire in this business matter, because nearly everything about the Republic's 'ally' was personally disgusting to the Prime Minister.

Colonel, though. It could also be a link to whatever she was in the Atrisian Empire.

Taking in the digital faces of her two contacts within the upper echelons of Firemane, Geneviève only payed minute attention to the actual greetings and more focused on the following formalities to gauge the mood of this chat. At the mention of Popo, she quelled a sneer. The bulging Hutt was a blight on the Republic as far as she was concerned, and she was still trying to reverse the damage he had done to the nation in the months and years preceding her election. "Yes, that's grand..."

The subject was quickly turned to the implications of her 'cryptic message'. "A situation has arisen recently that requires a form of tracking device to be utilized on certain subjects. Naturally, we don't want them to be able to tamper with such things by any means. It's for everyone's safety, of course.

"It just so happens that upon a bit of thorough research of this technology that I came across a rather vague entry about an implanted tracking device project that..." She glanced away from the company's president at towards the image of the colonel. "...A Mirien Valdier was involved with." Lasedri intentionally left out the fact that they did not really have many specifics on the project--just the base schematics for a device and a name or two to go with it. Sparse details, but it had gotten her this far. "You wouldn't be familiar with this, would you?"

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien lifted a brow as Genevieve went on, vaguely explaining what she wanted from them. "I see." She said flatly.

"Yes I am quite familiar with the tracker you speak of ... I design it." Mirien wasn't inclined to give more details than that at the moment. Much less the fact that she still held the schematics for the original design.

"So, do tell me how exactly you happened upon this information? It's not exactly a well known fact in the galaxy that I was involved in that project or that it exists at all." That part made her wonder. She still figured that lay at the feet of Bellalika.

"And further more, you say certain subjects.... dangerous individuals, I gather from what you said. Specifically, what subjects are you wishing to impart this technology upon? For I find myself curious." Telepathically Mirien then brushed against Siobhan's mind. This feels vaguely like an Inquisition style affair. Wonder what the Republic exactly has in mind with this. Will be interesting.

"I'm afraid I do need more details before I can give out any more knowledge on the matter." Mirien needed a small show of faith, a sign that she could trust the woman. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Or something like that.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


For her part Siobhan had an extremely low opinion of the Republic. The same applied to Selectivism and anarchist Rebels with their seeming desire to go launch attacks on everyone, though she would not know about the PM's affiliation with either. As for her role in the Protectorate, it was hardly a secret that she had been a founding member, conquered most of its territory in the old days and ruled it together with her wife, Tegaea, back when it was cool and trendy. Likewise she was on record for holding its present administration in contempt. What with Corellia being randomly wiped out and stuff.


As for Mirien's rank, cursory examination of the company brochure would have revealed that Firemane, due to its PMC roots, was in many ways more military than many corporations. And the darkhaired happened to head its intelligence service.


More to the point, Siobhan did not like the Prime Minister right now. There was being understandably vague to protect your interests and there was vague that was just annoying. Siobhan happened to be a person who appreciated frank talk. Agreed. Why do I get the feeling this is a case of a shady, power-hungry politician wanting to chip dissidents? If she wants to chip Sith, that's cool. It would be a productive way to put the tech to good use and give us creds, but I'm not feeling trusting. We'll keep on talking, but I don't trust or like her. The tactless, sneering superiority and vagueness is not doing her any favours. Modicrum of politeness would be nice. Thoughts? she telepathically broadcast back to Mirien. Siobhan was not in a good mood, but she valued her bond sister's judgement.


"Prime Minister, I'll be frank, I'm not fond of vagueness in my business dealings. You've called our company, no doubt for a service you want us to provide connected with the chip tech. What exactly do you want from us? And, as Mirien said, which subjects are we talking about?" Siobhan said bluntly, tone flat and no-nonsense. She was not in the mood for more pleasantries.

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

So, she not only had something to do with the tracker; she was entirely responsible for it. This was the [member="Mirien Valdier"] she was looking for! Having oobtained this verification so smoothly, Geneviève felt no stricture in revealing how the Republic had gotten this information.

"It seems as if it just fell into our lap, really. An Imperial--" The Prime Minister paused as she read the account from her datapad, resisting the urge to cast wary eyes at the image of Colonel Valdier and giving away any suspicious thoughts. "...Security member defected from the Atrisian Empire with a handful of documents..." Now, this she would need to look much deeper into later on. Gen smelled something off here. "Protection protocols were enacted by Republic intelligence, but the subject seems to be a Zeltron... within the Jedi Order." Oops. Her first betrayal. Oh, well. She folded her hands before her and resumed with conversation involving eye contact.

As for the president of this company... "I'll be frank with you as well... Countess Kerrigan. It is not every day that I make a call to a company and reveal the Republic's more delicate affairs without some sort of security. So, for now, I will be vague as I need to be.

"However, you do have a right to know the general purpose behind this, otherwise I doubt you'd have motivation to further commit. It's understandable." Lasedri nodded to each. "Simply put, we are initiating an advanced parole system for rehabilitating criminals--but we don't want to risk them... well, becoming a danger again." That was perfectly reasonable, was it not?

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Mirien lifted a brow at the response. Seems she was right on the money for who had spilled the beans. A small problem I'll have to take care of one day. "Bellalika, yes... I remember that little snake." She grumbled, clearly annoyed by the defection that put her people on the line and at risk. You simply did not risk her twisted little family's lives without consequence.

Gently she brushed against Siobhan's mind once more. Seems it's more along the lines of what you were thinking. Definitely smells inquisition style.

"Define: Criminal. If it's just Sith, and general scum, I have no qualms with sharing such technology. In fact, it'd be a wonderful use for tech that otherwise was put to such ... dangerous usage under Atrisia's power. But for what I listed above, I can understand the desire and need." In fact, she actually approved highly of such usage against Sith, and general scum. As for anyone else not so much.

Once more she spoke to Siobhan telepathically, I really don't mind if she is being truthful about what they intend to use it for. I suppose a face to face meeting would be required though, to see what is truth and what is not. Can't get those kind of readings from a holocall, sadly. Could make a good paycheck for us with this, with only a little work involved.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"]


First Omega and Sith, now the Republic? They're all copying you. None of them are as hot though. At least this time it doesn't involve having space marines goosestep around in silly power armour and call themselves inquisition, Siobhan broadcast her scathing telepathic thoughts back to Mirien. She took a sip from her Atrisian tea as she pondered, reflecting on what her bond sister had conveyed via speech and telepathy. Her thoughts were quite cynical, but all in all she seemed to be in a better, more amenable mood now.


"I thank you for your candour, Prime Minister. As my colleague said, once we have a clearer picture I'm sure we can come to an arrangement. I have a question of my own though, do you want the exact chip tech the Atrisian Empire used? Including the function to paralyse and induce pain into subjects. Or a modified, more humane version?" She did not mention this, but the chip that had been implanted ino Mirien actually contained a killswitch.


I doubt she's being truthful, but then the Republic is a banana republic with a two-faced senate anyway, so yeah. If you want a face-to-face meeting I can agree with that, she broadcast back to Mirien. If we get credits out of this, that's good. For her part Siobhan was fine with Sith and criminal scum being chipped. After all, in Mass Effect terms she was Renegade!

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

She supposed there was no real way to hide who at least one of the intended recipients of these 'gifts' would be. "Oh, you can most assuredly expect these chips to be implanted in Sith. I'm sure you've already concluded that they would be one of the primary subjects of this program." While Gen had doubted the moral partiality of this company's leadership--no thanks to the treatment of her organization by Firemane in prior years--it was perhaps relieving to hear some of these things coming out of the mouths of these corporate heads. "The Republic will reserve the right to decide who will be affected and who will not, though I can promise that the common, law-abiding citizens will not be touched by this program whatsoever." She was not naive. No one was truly law-abiding in their entirety. But there were definite surveillance boundaries that Lasedri was completely unwilling to cross.

"As for the 'bells and whistles' issued on these devices," she answered to the Countess, "That would entirely depend on the person. All I need it to be for certain is tamper-proof."

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Mirien Valdier]

Guess I had something special going there.... Not that she needed anyone to tell her that. She did enjoy her time as Ice Queen, though there were a few parts she did in fact regret. "What politic-." Politician is truthful? Mirien nearly slipped up. Nearly. Not that she would have minded saying it aloud.

"And political dissenters the second group?... Or do secondary criminals come before that? Just speculating of course." Mirien trusted no one but Siobhan after all. A soft sigh came as she nodded to the woman, "But I suppose I can live with 'law-abiding' citizens it not being used on."

One last nod, "Tamper-resistant isn't a problem. Mine was .... quite tamper proof. How do I phrase this ... delicately? Hmm, I can't. It would have made me brain-dead to remove it without the proper keycodes. Not lovely humane things. Granted most people, it would leave them in a comatose state. I was. ..." She rapped her fingers on the desk, "Was considered more of a threat than, and designed something I couldn't easily get out of. Does that serve your purposes or are you looking for something kinder? Gentler?"

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"] | [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Mirien Valdier"], [member="Geneviève Lasedri"]


You know, talking to her is like pulling teeth, Siobhan telepathically communicated to Mirien. Apparently the Prime Minister was either unwilling or incapable of giving straight answers. Maybe she thought she was being clever, Siobhan just found it tiring and quite tedious. Her cynical thoughts about 'truthful politicians' and 'law-abiding citizens' matched Mirien's.


Under the table she reached out and gave Mirien's hand a squeeze. My lovely Miri. She remembered all too well how the Atrisian Government had tried to control and use 'her' Mirien. As a matter of fact, 'remember' was quite accurate in this case because those memories had been stuffed into her head.


"Colonel Valdier has summed up my thoughts. We can tailor the chip tech for use against the...what was it again, 'enemies of the state' it is to be employed against. Even make different versions of the tech to suit different groups. But that requires us to know what you need. As I'm sure you understand, no sensible manufacturer will make a product if their client does not tell them what they want," she said bluntly.