Private Restoring an Old Alliance

[Dagge Krudar]

T A G S | Darth Carnifex
O B J E C T I V E | Secure Agreement with Lord Carnifex
T H E M E | Kayfoundo Naweea (Hungry Eyes)​

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During the Age of the Old Republic, The Hutt Cartel was one to be feared and respected with even the Sith Empire making attempts to secure their allegiance and prevent the Republic from gaining favor amongst their ranks. However after the debacle of Makeb by the Supreme Mogul Toborro and the destruction of the Istope-5 Supplies they had been forced into a treaty with the Sith Empire and the Republic causing quite the humiliation.

They had suffered the same fate during the current era being forced to accept agreements with the Silver Jedi Concord for protection against the Bryn'adul Monsters, and for being controlled by the despicable Hutt Space Consortium which drained even further resources from the rightful Hutt domain. Now their area of vast influence was shrinking and shrinking to a few strongholds such as the one on Quesh.

Quesh had been important during the ancient era of the galaxy and it would be made important once more for the Cartel as they sought to regain their influence amongst the other criminal syndicates and galactic governments. The Hutt Stronghold on the World was recently reinforced due to the Alliance-Mandalorian War which might spread to their former territories, and it was within this hold that the Twice-Emperor Darth Carnifex would be invited by the Hutt Ruling Councilor, Grangga Jiramma Juuru to attend talks about the production of Venenit queshaaga or Quesh venom and the reestablishment of old alliances between them.

Resting upon a silver throne within the Stronghold; the Hutt Lorda would watch as the band began playing Jedi Rocks for entertainment, Twi'lek Servants never leaving the side of the throne on pain of death. An entourage of deadly thieves and criminals; the best scum that money could afford and equally cheap to serve as cannon fodder if the Stronghold was assaulted.

"Koo nee tang, na' na' na', ah lawah. Koo nee tang!"

"Cha tung ee-ma chay-choo raun ta-nee-ee-choo."

The rest of the lyrics would soon follow to the delight of the audience.

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[Darth Carnifex]

The smell of smoke and sweat, the taste of liquor, and the heady bass of the band were the hallmarks of any self-respecting Hutt den. Dancers twirled, colorful ribbons trailing in their wake. They were all quite beautiful, but all of them bore the stark hallmarks of slavery. While the institution of slavery had been setback many times in the galaxy, it was pleasing to see the trade still alive in those who had most championed it in the past. The natural order of the galaxy had to be upheld.

Darth Carnifex walked amongst the denizens of Grangga the Hutt's den, hookah smoke wreathing His broad and powerful form. Very few paid Him any mind, for what was He but another hooded stranger among many dozens. Any that could see Him for what He was made sure to keep their distance, their eyes watching Him fearfully as He passed like a silent shade. It wasn't until He stood right before the throne of the mighty Hutt don that He reached up to pull back the hood from His head; unveiling His identity to all.

"A thousand thousand gratitude's to you, Great Grangga. Long has it been since I stood in the presence of the Hutts, and it gives me great pleasure to see that the iniquities of the Bryn'adûl have not diminished your great and mighty clan." Platitudes were the way of the Hutt cartels, the Dark Lord had treated with them long enough to understand their ways. It was all formality, played up for the others in attendance amidst the smoke and gloom. But both the Dark Lord and the Hutt don understood that the outcome of their business was far more important than any performative actions they took in these early rounds.

"Shall we proceed to business, Mighty Grangga, or shall pleasure linger for but a moment longer?"

Grangga the Hutt ​

 

[Dagge Krudar]

T A G S | Darth Carnifex
O B J E C T I V E | Secure Agreement with Lord Carnifex
T H E M E | Kayfoundo Naweea (Hungry Eyes)​

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The band's performance of Jedi Rocks would slowly come to an end as the audience erupted into cheers and boos which was quite natural within the Hutt Stronghold. With so many people moving in and out of the throne room to the cantina and back again it was easy to get lost amongst the crowd and avoid the notice of its main occupant for the moment, though one could never be to cautious when it came to dealing with the Criminal Underworld as every single patron could be plotting your death in a thousand different ways. Such treachery and deceit was enjoyable to the Hutt Ruling Councilor especially when you could play them against each other by planting seeds of favoritism.

Chubby fingers hooked around the Hookah pipe filled with Mecan herbs as they were slowly burned adding to the already dark and depressing atmosphere within the audience chamber. A stranger in a dark cloak approached which was not noticed by the Mighty Hutt Lorda until they were already within speaking distance, though the Gotal Guardsman nearby picked up their blaster pistols in apparent alarm.

Though the Hutt Lord calmed them with a hand gesture when the stranger removed his cloaked hood; revealing the identity as the Twice-Emperor of the Sith Empire, Darth Carnifex. A grandiose and pompous greeting was given befitting the status and wealth of the Kajidii of the Jiramma Clan and one of the five most powerful hutts currently still alive after the Bryn'adul destruction.

<<Ho Ho Ho...Lord Carnifex you are as smooth tongued as I have heard from my entourage besides downright terror at your immense power..>> The Hutt Lorda laughed in a bellow before speaking to him in Huttese, fear was the greatest power of the Sith and within these walls there was nothing more terrifying than himself who did not need the force to kill you in a single gesture.

<<Entertainment will come later if you stay..My Chamber will be perfect for these rather important dicussions...no need to let the riffraff and schemers have something else to use against me in their pathetic bid for my throne.>> He further added after some time, pressing a button on the side of the throne as it would begin to move along with the floor to bring them to a hidden location deep within the bowels of the Stronghold. As the doors closed behind them.

As the Lift made landfall, they were greeted by his Majordomo Tw'reel.

"Great Grangga, you seem to have brought a guest with you into these most secret halls. Is this most wise?" Tw'reel said side eyeing the Dark Lord of the Sith for a moment. His thoughts were no doubt clear to the Twice-Emperor as coming from a place of treachery and treason, and would prove an obstacle in the agreement moving forward.

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[Darth Carnifex]

"Wise and prudent, Lord Grangga."

The further removed their business discussion was from the riff-raff which often congregated in the halls of the Hutts the better. Word spread quickly among the undesirable elements of the galaxy, and undoubtedly His mere appearance on Quesh would not remain a secret for much longer. Not that the Dark Lord was fearful of being discovered beyond the confines of His domain, merely that He preferred to understand every environment He entered. To understand the underworld, one must understand the nature of the clans, cartels, and gangs which inhabit it.

Would Grangga the Hutt try to destroy Him? The Dark Lord did not believe so, the Hutt was a pragmatic and intelligent creature. He knew that it was not in their best interest to antagonize someone like Him, not when beneficial agreements could be gained instead. Where others might toe the line of caution, the Dark Lord went eagerly into the depths of the Hutt's mighty palace. He rode the lift in silence, choosing to spare any dialogue for when it truly mattered.

The lift came to a stop, and the Hutt's majordomo greeted them. Immediately, the Twi'lek began to voice his displeasure with the Hutt's guest. The Dark Lord knew these kind of creatures, two-faced and sharp-tongued. They would feign loyalty and obedience so long as it served their interests, thriving in the shadows of greater lords. And they would ruthlessly excise any threat to their station, any challenge which could uproot what power they wielded under their lord and master. Carnifex held His tongue on the matter, although the sheer intensity of His gaze could cause any man to shiver with primal terror.

Grangga the Hutt ​

 

[Dagge Krudar]

T A G S | Darth Carnifex
O B J E C T I V E | Secure Agreement with Lord Carnifex
T H E M E | Kayfoundo Naweea (Hungry Eyes)​

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There was a soft blink and a groan of annoyance as the Majordomo Tw'reel greeted them voicing displeasure at the arrival of the Twice-Emperor of the Sith Empire into the inner most sanctum of the Quesh Stronghold. The Twi'lek was as stupid as treacherous believing that he wielded much more power than he actually did within the criminal court, but it was nice to rely on someone who was so openly plotting to overthrow him eventually. It kept him from becoming complacent like the other remaining hutt lords, lounging around while their retainers laughed behind their backs and siphoned money from their accounts. All it would take is a symbol hand signal for the twi'lek to be thrown down into the rancor pits, but that was for another time.

<<It is necessary, Tw'reel.>> A simple response to the twi'lek has not to overload his mental capacity for higher thoughts. Moving towards the lounge throne residing within this part of the stronghold, gently heaving his bulk into the soft blankets and pillows of the couch, before finally settling before the Dark Lord of the Sith.

"As you say, Lord Grangga...." Tw'reel was skeptical naturally as Darth Carnifex glanced towards his direction in a most sinister stare, enough to send him packing behind the bulk of the Kajidii of the Jiramma Clan for protection. He had some reservations that the Dark Lord had put his master under some kind of spell even if mind tricks were pointless on the hutt species.

A bell would be rung as a simple but comfortable chair would be provided for the Dark Lord to sit upon during the discussions between them. Along with a sample of luxury food and wines for them both to enjoy, although nothing poisoned or otherwise dangerous for humanoid species to consume. Chubby fingers hooked around the glass as it was poured into gaping maw before being set aside.

<<Well, Lord Carnifex. Let us begin our negotiations at a major point, that being the Hutt Method of extracting Quesh Venom. As you might be aware of according to Old Republic Records that have survived. Though it has long been mined the market for it is relatively new during this time period, which makes it quite profitable for both of us. Would you be interested in such enterprises>> The Hutt Lorda began to explain rather off-handily, the mining of Quesh Venom had ceased after the Old Republic and thus it had not oversaturated the market as of yet.

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[Darth Carnifex]

The Dark Lord smiled softly as a chair was brought for His convenience, in which He placed Himself carefully and deliberately. They might be on cordial terms for the moment, but to let your guard down in the den of a Hutt was a dangerous and foolhardy mistake. They were each the apex predator of their respective territories, and they would conduct themselves as such. Fortunately, profitability greased the wheels of discussion, and both stood to gain much from maintaining their cordiality.

"Indeed, Lord Barabbula. The advantages the renewed extraction and refinement of Quesh venom would be immensely beneficial to both of our enterprises. Quesh rightfully belongs to the Hutts, specifically to your magnanimity. The glorious and eternal Sith Empire does not wish to forcefully intrude upon those who have in the past been our friend and ally, such as the great and mighty Hutt Cartel. It is why I have come before you in the flesh, to demonstrate that the Sith take the cultivation of renewed diplomacy quite seriously."

Darth Carnifex had been putting great effort into reestablishing the Sith's underworld connections across the scattered systems of both Hutt Space and the former territories of the previous Sith Empire. Connections that had either been severed or neglected following the Empire's implosion. But now that the Outer Rim was weak, imbalanced; the Dark Lord saw opportunity ripe for the harvest. He'd been sending feelers out to many groups, chief among them the Hutt Cartel and the Trade Federation.

"The Sith seek certain extraction and refinery rights and privileges, along with provisions for renewed trade, communications, and access through Hutt space. The Jutrand government has disavowed the institution of slavery and the transportation associated wherein. However, the Dromund Kaas government is not bound by the same restrictions, and freely participates in the slavery market. The Hutts would gain access to such lucrative markets with added privileges. The details of which can be ironed out between our litigators."

Barabbula II the Hutt​

 

[Dagge Krudar]

T A G S | Darth Carnifex
O B J E C T I V E | Secure Agreement with Lord Carnifex
T H E M E | Kayfoundo Naweea (Hungry Eyes)​

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For a fleeting moment, silence enveloped the room as the Twice-Emperor of the Sith Empire elegantly settled into the chair offered to him. It was a symbolic gesture, allowing them to engage in meaningful discussions on equal footing. Despite their divergent paths, both held the title of emperor within their own realms, even if one had no desire for an intergalactic empire or the grandeur of the Imperial Title.

Their methods of ruling may have differed, but their shared power was undeniable to their respective subjects. Despite not communicating they both were weary of the intentions of one another through silent gestures and glances, although at the moment the one in complete control was the Supreme Mogul due to being in a Cartel Stronghold.

If such power dynamic were to change suddenly then the Sith Lord could instantly find himself surrounded by a horde of mercenaries and battle droids, all fiercely guarding the Supreme Power of Hutta, if he so desired. However, the Cartel had different plans in mind at that particular movement, as the discussion revolved around bringing back Quesh Venom into the vast Galactic Markets.

There was a small brow raised at the suggestion that the Renewed Sith Empire was going to respect their territories as during the Height of the Cold War all those centuries ago, they had established themselves on several Hutt Planets such as Nar Shaddaa and even here on Quesh with no heed given to the wishes of Hutt Neutrality.

Just as the Supreme Mogul was about to delve into the details of the agreement, the Majordomo Tw'reel swiftly interrupted, his slick tongue slithering out from the safety of the Hutt's massive frame, quickly moving to the side to come into view.

"Such Ill terms would not benefit the Hutt Cartel's Golden Reign, Your Eminence. The Sith throughout their history desire total control over all things and as such these deals are merely a way for them to subjugate us." The Twi'lek's smile briefly taunted Lord Carnifex, but soon he concealed his true feelings behind a facade of fear. He had to be weary of the Sith's intention remembering the deal that the Hutt Cartel had with the Galactic Empire led by Emperor Palpatine to Darth Kyrat who bombarded a Holy Hutt World all those centuries ago.

The Hutt Lorda cast a subtle gaze at the Majordomo, pondering the words with caution. Despite the Twi'lek's limited intellect, akin to a fusion of a rancor and nexu, there was a kernel of truth in the advice. It was uncertain whether the Twice-Emperor's words held any sincerity or if they were merely a cunning ploy to enable the Sith Order to seize control of their resources covertly, evading his grasp entirely.

<<While it is a lucrative exchange, there are some doubts amongst my inner circle. I'm sure you could enlighten us on exactly how the Sith would guarantee that the Hutt Cartel would remain the sole power of Hutt Space.>> It could be argued that depending on your Majordomo to gather additional intel from the Sith Lord was a risky move, but there were plenty of individuals vying for his role as the reigning Rancor of the Cartel.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Dark Lord of the Kainate only spared the majordomo a grin, a light parting of the lips to reveal the faintest glimmer of teeth.

"Therein lies the fulcrum, mighty Barabbula. Your colleagues are right to fear the Sith, but I sense no fear in you. The Sith Empire will tip all scales in your favor against the other cliques of the Cartel. Ships, weapons, resources, training, anything that is within the Sith's power to give shall be given to ensure that any accord we strike here today will not be overturned by ill fortune befalling your lordship. Should any of your adversaries bear arms against you, then the Sith shall lend you aid if you so call upon it; without hesitation."

Carnifex crossed one leg over the knee of the other, clasping His hands together as He spoke. But even though His gaze was firmly settled on Lord Barabbula, the majordomo could not escape the sensation that he too was being watched intently.

"Not only that, great Barabbula, but my throneship, the Malsheem, will strengthen your hand further. It possessed manufacturing capabilities that surpass any terrestrial world known in the galaxy, greater than the shipyards of Kuat and the factory-cities of Balmorra. With it, all of your forces can be armed with weaponry greater than your adversaries could produce, and in larger quantities. Starships, starfighters, walkers, tanks, anything your mind can conjure will be made reality. The Sith will offer this and more, in exchange for privileges in the extraction and manufacturing of Quesh Toxin and access to the markets within Hutt space."

The Dark Lord chuckled and shifted how He was sitting.

"But I know that any esteemed member of the Hutts does not deal in what could be, they deal in what is. Give me a task, Lord Barabbula, set my words to action. If I cannot meet your expectations, then the Hutts deserve better."

Barabbula II the Hutt ​