Rocking out Roche (Ask for Invite)

[Laira Darkhold]

The Cutting Edge reverted from hyperspace into a system filled with asteroids. Roche, once again. ArmaTech owned the mining rights to one of the larger asteroids in the system, and had mined it very sparingly since gaining said rights. Only a few personal weapons and pieces of equipment had been pulled from it so far. Now I would be meeting a new business partner, a famous or infamous partner depending on who was asked about the being. Known for brutal efficiency and power, whereas ArmaTech was known for extreme quality, it was a good match. It was a match made in heaven. They would bring the man power, ArmaTech would bring the rock itself.

“The Cutting Edge, pulling orbit over ArmaTech Asteroid.” I told the verpine air traffic control for the system. They had worked with me for several projects and enjoyed having me around. ArmaTech made weapons and armor for their drones on occasion and most recently hired hundreds of their more intelligent engineers for work on Carida. But that was unimportant. I had preparations to make for my guests, and while I owned the rock, I didn’t have a base set up on the rock. I had left it barren and unmanned for too long and my new partners were interested in correcting that issue.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The Cutting Edge didn’t carry many workers or equipment, a small G9 rigger that carried me and my starfighter, and occasionally a few droids. This time a Gr75 medium transport would be assisting me, hauling hundreds of mining and labor droids to assist in the building and mining efforts of the two companies that would be located here. For the most part, I assumed the facility would just be a defended mining area with a few VIP rooms, but my new associates were known for putting a spin on things, and I so loved their equipment thus far, having commanded several of their vehicles in two campaigns and several minor engagements.

The Gr75 exited hyperspace nearby, pulling alongside my smaller craft. “We are all here boss. Seventy Five workers equipped with EV vacuum gear, and five hundred labor droids, five hundred mining droids all inert and waiting for your orders.” Good, all that was left was my esteemed counterpart to arrive. Setting up a mining operation on an atmosphere-less rock was difficult, and it was necessary to shop the project out to allies, since while I was capable, I was not properly equipped as it stood. “Make ready for our friends arrival. This should be good.” I said over the comm to my foreman.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Chiasa was in her own Washburne Class Shuttle for this. She'd not been entirely sure what she was walking into and so hadn't brought along anyone or anything else. Not that she suspected a trap. This was one of the few times when she actually didn't. It was merely that she didn't know what her new business partner might need, or even if he needed anything beyond her economic pull and the access to materials she controlled. If he did need anything, she could always send a signal or arrange for it to be shipped over later.

In any case, that was neither here nor there. [member="Draco Vereen"] had grown and matured in leaps and bounds since she'd first met him in that bizarre barfight on Nar Shaddaa. He'd proven himself on Voss, so when he came to her looking for a partnership.. She'd agreed. Besides, there was also the opportunity for the Ravens to do particularly well out of the deal, so it wasn't as if this was a wholly charitable action on her part.

Things never were. The Twi'lek was not known for her charity. A hand-up to those with potential yes, but there was always something in it for her and hers, even if it was only a favour owed, or a valuable connection.

She toggled the comm unit on as she exited Hyperspace.

"Chiasa Kritivaas, aboard the Ship, I have an invitation."

It was.. possibly not the most creatively named ship. Still, it helped to stay under the radar when you didn't go about naming your ship The Fugitive or the Destroyer or something similar.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The comms buzzed for a moment, "Chiasa Kritivaas, aboard the Ship, I have an invitation," came the call. I clicked the comm link for a moment and spoke, "Excellent, we've only been waiting for you a short while. Why don't you and I speak aboard your shuttle, I believe it would be more appropriate and comfortable than my own." I said to the new arrival. Moments later a larger transport would arrive carrying with it an IM-455 Modular Garrison, which would be the centerpoint of ArmaTech's mining operations in Roche. The EVS Droid and hundreds of worker droids already skittering over the asteroid would be building the base while Chiasa and I discussed the future of our relationship. Workers would need a place to stay and the weapons and size of the garrison provided plenty of defense and space for future expansion.

I had met her a few times, but this would be the first time we actually sat down and talked. I pulled the Cutting Edge, a G9 Rigger alongside her shuttle and prepared to extend a boarding tube to connect with her ship. I was looking forward to interacting with the pretty twi'lek and was interested in seeing what it is she wanted from our relationship. But in the end it was more up to her. She was the one with the resources I required to continue. She was the one whose planets I needed access to.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Works for me."

A few taps of the controls had the two ships temporarily joined. As a general rule Chiasa was very choosy about who she let on her ship, since it was more her home than even either of the Casinos she spent most of her time at. Her ship was her refuge and sanctuary, and if she should ever be attacked upon it she would likely find it psychologically crushing. Not that she'd thought it through that completely, she was just choosy. Draco she was comfortable letting on.

As she waited for him to make his way over she casually scanned the forces he already had at work on the asteroid. The EVS droid was a particularly impressive touch. That would help make quick work of whatever he was doing. She supposed a Garrison or other building would be in order. As much as he'd likely use mostly droids it was always good to have at least a few organics on hand, and they tended to need things like a breathable atmosphere and heating. When the IM-455 was identified she grinned for a moment. Yep, that would do it. Any casual raiders thinking this asteroid was easy prey would get a surprise.

I'm not the only one who guards what's mine apparently.

Rising, she moved back to the lounge area setting out two glasses and a few drinks. Alcoholic and non. Good enough. Carrying on she moved back to where he would enter to meet him when he did.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

The construction and mining on the planet wouldn't be slow work. Normally a garrison could be erected in short order, and with the vast majority of the work force being instituted in droids it wouldn't be any more difficult then building it on a normal world, in fact the lessened gravity would make building the thing easier. The Mining operation itself was being conducted in short order by Ogre Mining droids as well, digging into the rock away from the construction zone and pulling the precious mineral loose from the space rock. Hundreds of droids, dozens of personnel, and a healthy paycheck with completion bonuses drove them to work efficiently and without accidents. Money was the driving force for most people in the galaxy and offering it on a reward based system normally garnered the best results.

I boarded Chiasa's shuttle, not wearing armor, just an armorweave glove and a single pistol on my hip. It was a nice, luxurious craft, obviously built for someone of importance. The luxury compartment was where she had chosen to speak face to face. Being the first time we had ever been alone and not in the midst of a fight meant this would be our first real meeting in my opinion. "Madam President, or can I call you Chiasa?" I asked approaching her and bowing slightly with my hands tucked behind my back respectfully.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Chiasa is fine."

He'd find that her luxury shuttle wasn't very, well, luxurious. It was nice certainly, and things were of good quality, but not ostentatious, in sharp contrast to the neon lights of the Casinos. Of course though very few people knew it this was a Twi'lek who had been either property or poor for over two thirds of her life. Status symbols were for impressing people, and since as had been stated almost no one was allowed on her shuttle.

Probably the only items that were particularly non standard were the four droids he may have noted when being led to the lounge. Two RICO units and two FAU-V1's. The RICO's were hardly in production since Ice had disappeared presumably during the event largely known as the Rapture and their canine forms might have been non threatening if Two didn't have the disconcerting habit of sparking at people. The FAU-V1's were hardly seen outside of Raven space yet, and that was just fine with the Twi'lek, though she had considered extending their use to the Healers Guild.

The Twi'lek for her part, was dressed in what could be considered business casual for her. No weapons, and it was fairly clear none were concealed. Of course they were on her ship, with her resources, and there was always the Force.

Her wrist-unit, currently slaved to her ships computers was keeping her abreast of things on the asteroid and quite frankly she was impressed with the efficiency at which things were proceeding. He had the sense to tackle more than one job at once when his resources allowed him to. Many people thought to linearly, and would not have begun mining until the garrison was done, he obviously registered and understood that particularly since he was using droids, this was not necessary, which meant every moment was twice as productive as it may otherwise have been.

"Have a seat,"

she gestured to the fairly standard circular seating unit.

"can I offer you a drink?"

There were the basic alcohols, water, and a fruit juice or two. Once the pleasantries were attended to they could get down to business.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Yes please, just whatever you have on hand." I said taking a seat across from her. "Well the reason I've asked you here is because you have something I need, and I just wanted to meet you in person under pleasant circumstances for once." I said with a wry smile. "Our last two meetings, was it, have been under poor conditions, if I may say so." I was interested in handling business, but it never hurt to just talk first. Especially when talking with a very beautiful twi'lek with lots of political and economic power. "I hope you are doing well, as you can tell, I've healed up since our last encounter." I said, awaiting the offered drink. "Well, and I wanted to offer you a gift. You see those droids down on the asteroid are mining something for you. All I need are your measurements and I can make you something a bit more protective for when its needed. After all, a president's life is often in danger."

Down on the asteroid progress was going smoothly. While the prefabricated base would take time to unload and put together, the mining operation would only take mere hours before enough Phrik could be pulled from the rock to make the gift that was intended to the Twi'Lek woman. Ogre droids had already reached the substance, and since their purpose was to mine Beskar from Mandalore, phrik wouldn't be much different, and may even be easier than lifting it from the surface of a planet. Laser drills remained hard at work pulling peices of the ore from the asteroid, and the construction of a single suit of armor wouldn't be very difficult to make.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Well then, if he wasn't going to have a preference it would be the hard liquor for him and fruit juice for her. Her reasoning was twofold. Firstly in business dealings like this people often expected a stiff drink, and if he should happen to relax a little more, to lose a little of his edge if he had one, all the better. It was less that Chiasa was consciously trying to manipulate him and more that this sort of dealing just came naturally at this point. There was a reason she'd risen so quickly and had thus far resisted all attempts to out her.

"Interesting circumstances certainly."

She allowed, mouth quirking up into a slight smile, as she passed him a glass and took a sip of her own drink.

"Ha, yes, as you have seen yourself."

This amused her. In theory if they thought about it chances were beings would allow that yes, she was often in danger, but few knew this better than he, who had actually fended off an attack on her life. Even if it had been bloody odd.

His gift then would explain why he'd wanted to meet her here. Not just to show how he worked, but also to show the resources he already had at his disposal and to prove his worth. Phrik among other metals based on the readings her ship was getting, She had a phrik mine but was restricted to meeting scheduled shuttles simply because of the ungodly difficulty of reaching it. On the plus side most casual raiders weren't willing to make a years journey only to be met with her defences.

"I do like gifts.. I'll have my measurements sent to you, unless you were intending to take them yourself.."

Yellow eyes laughed silently at him over that for a moment.

"I've read over your proposal of course. I think it could be good business, for both of us."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I took the hard drink from her and took a drink from the glass. She had no reason to poison me, and I was a big guy, I wasn't about to be drunk off one drink. Nonetheless it was good alcohol. I chuckled at her comment about being attacked and needing some protection, and smiled wide when she joked, at least partially about taking her measurements myself. "Well I certainly could take your measurements," I paused for a moment, then pulled a 3d scanner from a pocket tossing it to her, "Just scan yourself with that, as you'll need to be in your skivvies, you may want to do it in private." i told her, giving her a wink.

"As for business, its not a bad proposal. I open up a mine on Makeb with my Harvester-class and put workers in it. I make a generator, I make ships, you buy the ships at cost, you kill sith with those ships." I explained to her, waiting a moment letting the booze settle, "And you buy my guns to go with it. Signing this deal gets you access to my entire manifest, and everything else to come." I finished the drink, good stuff. There wasn't much that needed to be negotiated. I had workers and equipment ready to move in, all i needed was her go ahead and her money from buying my guns.

My comm blinked, so I looked at her, "It seems they have retrieved the phrik I needed for you. Now, should I send it care package style, or would you mind me hand delivering it once its complete?" I said, kind of hoping for the later.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"What skivvies."

Was the whip-quick response, with another of those fleeting grins, before it was hidden as she nonchalantly took a sip of her drink. The 3D Scanners flight through midair was halted and it came to rest gently beside her. The better she got at her new tricks, the ones that tied so closely into all her future plans, the worse she was at this sort of thing, but her control was still excellent. Not as many at a time any more, and nothing particularly heavy, but this sort of parlour trick still came easily. She suspected eventually she'd not be able to manage it at all, and that was fine. By the time that happened, she'd have far better tricks.

"Mmm, I did particularly like the future products bit. My lawyers had a look at it as well, they do so love this sort of thing, and all seemed in order."

She skipped over the fighting Sith bit. She might, at that, since they often did not give her much choice, but war was unprofitable. Until she was forced into it, and was confident that she could strike a decisive blow it was much more likely his ships would be used for criminal enterprises, but since it would be largely within her own space or ungoverned space it oughtn't to be a problem.

A quick tap on her wrist unit and a copy of his document with all the correct signatures and gaurantees was sent to him. It had been prepared before this meeting of course. If she hadn't been already at least 95% set on this course of action she'd not have bothered coming. Which left.. Not much to be done really. She supposed he'd want his scanner back before he left.
Rising she picked it up as she moved to the space behind where he sat.

"Eyes front unless you want to be scandalized."

She commented, facing away from him. Really it didn't much matter to her whether he looked or not. She was a Twi'lek and comfortable in her own skin. She personally had little to no nudity taboo, she just respected that most others did. She continued to talk business as the black dress was pulled over her head and the scanner was activated.

"Unless you object, we'll likely have your product, or what I deem appropriate in any case, available for sale as well. Marked up, so it's cheaper for those with the means and the legitimacy to go to you of course."

Some either couldn't get to Republic or Silver Jedi space or didn't want their true names tied to their purchases. Not because they were necessarily bad but, well, the Ravens were a little more understanding of criminal records and the like than most.

The scanner finished it's work, and the Twi'lek pulled the dress back on, straightening it to her satisfaction. Leaning on the back of the seating unit, she handed him the scanner matter of factly.

"Hand delivering is fine, assuming you've the time of course."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Because she bothered to get out of my field of view I respectfully kept my eyes forward as instructed. "I doubt we could call it scandalized, m'lady," I said chuckling in response to her comment about keeping my head turned away from her. "I don't see a problem with you selling it to your customers under those terms. We both like to make money, mine is made by selling the biggest gun, yours is made by selling the best substance, right?" I asked rhetorically. I took the scanner and stood up to face her. She was very coy about her actions and movements, but she seemed very emotionally detached throughout this meeting, but then again she had never been incredibly emotional from my experiences with her. "I can always make time for a woman of your beauty and stature, m'lady," raising an eyebrow as I answered her. "I look forward to seeing more of you. I presume I can present you with the completed armor at the Golden Nautlan?" I asked, looking for a place to bring her gift when I finished putting it together. It wasn't the most difficult of projects I had in mind, and with all the new things I had made, it would be the first set to include personal molecular shields. Possibly the first set ever produced.

[member="Chiasa Kritivaas"]

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

"Oh good, I don't imagine you'd last long in my corner of space if you were scandalized too easily."

Was she playing with him? Of course. The Twi'lek was always on. Always manoeuvring, always manipulating, always testing. Draco was useful yes, but what sort of man was he? Could he be counted on? How could he be controlled? What were his vices? This was again, something she calculated for nearly every being she encountered. When you thought about the shape of her life it was not surprising. She'd been sold as a child, after all and so lacked familial bonds and had never learned loyalty there. Nothing was unconditional. Nothing was free. Then she'd bluffed her way into the Ravens, and from that lie came success. Followed by the betrayals of those she had served loyally and largely unquestioningly, Cryax and Lysle both. Loyalty from others could not be counted on. If you had nothing to offer them, nothing to control them, they were as like as not to turn on you. This was what life had taught her. This is why she pushed and tested.

For now she had him because she controlled a resource he needed. Because she had far more credits than he did. But if he continued to grow at the exponential pace he had? When he had enough Isotope-5, or had come up with an equally strong product? A new claim to fame? What then? Today was not enough, nor was tomorrow. You had to think years away. This was the only way to survive, let alone thrive.

"The best substance, the quickest run guns, ships, blood, services, entertainment.."

And on two occasions they'd outright robbed entire planets, but that was neither here nor there, though it had been fun.

"And I expect your stature will match your stature soon enough."

She enjoyed wordplay.

"And yet you did keep your eyes forward. Interesting. I've always been one for immediate gratification,"

Not entirely true. She was a planner, and her plans could span decades, but she liked having her way immediately.

"but I can see you're a man who likes to savour things. Golden Nautolan would likely be most convenient. Less travel time for you than the Dragon Palace would be assuming, you'll be out to oversee your new facility anyway."

It likely said something that every time she was suggestive it was immediately followed by business, so that it could be ignored or not.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I looked her up and down, quickly enough so as not to be rude, slowly enough to take her all in and for her to notice. "Well, then, the Nautlan it is. I come from Jabiim, so its right of the Hyperspace lane." I said, standing to leave. "I'll drop off your gift, maybe go see a show and grab dinner, then head to Makeb to see how the work is going." I told her. Judging by the way she had been working the system, and doing a good job at working me over, I could tell she didn't really trust me yet. Part of me wanted to ask how to prove my trustworthiness, but the larger part of me knew better. You don't ask for trust, you just earn it. "I'll be off now, a lot of kicking myself for being polite to do. Plus I have a mining operation to get to, and another one to plan on Makeb. I will see you soon, and don't be surprised if my circumstances have changed significantly when we do." I told her and then left.

The miners on the asteroid continued working, day and night, as the rock did rotate. It wasn't very long until the modular garrison was completed, and the mining operation could hit full tilt in this region. Next I would start planting harvester droids at each mining field, using their impressive might to bore holes in every planet I mined, Carida, Roche, Taanab, Iego, and most recently Makeb. That project would start soon. Very soon with a number of foremen and workers to bring to her planet.

 

[Chiasa Kritivaas]

Jabiim. This information was noted and filed away. Although most big players did not get to see it, because it didn't do to look too interested, this was another way the Twi'lek maintained her place. She took an interest. She found things out. Above all she listened, even when it looked like she was pitching a fit from upon her high horse, she was listening and watching. Some few, namely her staff, those who were content where they were and did not look to rise any further, gave her their full loyalty because of this. Because she knew names and birthdates and spouses and children. Of course the flipside of this was that if forced she could also use this information to threaten, but if you made people feel valued, it was almost never necessary.

She'd noted the way he'd looked her over of course. As she'd noted all the subtle cues that said he was if not interested, at the very least appreciative. Had she not been prompting him on throughout the meeting?

"There is always a show somewhere."

She added, perhaps cryptically. For that matter there was usually a traditional show of some sort going on in the Golden Nautolan, but there were many kinds of shows. His comment about kicking himself earned a chuckle. Perhaps he was one of those white knights she heard about so often in the holos. She was quite sure she'd never met one outside of them, but perhaps this was just because of where she lived and what she did for a living, and not because it was a ridiculous, wish fulfillment fantasy as her more cynical side suggested.

His comment on his circumstances did earn a raised brow as he left. That could mean a lot of different things. She supposed she would just have to wait and see precisely what it was in this case. With a mental shrug, she quickly tidied away the lounge and moved back to the controls. She waited for him to be back safely on his ship and disengaged before, moving her shuttle away from the him and the asteroid.

Time to go home. Might as well practice on the way. Flicking off the astro-nav, she reached out, feeling for the soft spot. In moments her engines were warmed up and she was blind jumping away. She knew roughly where the routes here were already of course, so it was more the equivalent of taking a good long look at a room and then closing her eyes and navigating it than doing it properly blind, but it was a good start, and she'd like to build and practice her skills in a way that didn't leave her dead and never to be found thank you all the same.

It had been a good day, all told. His manifest was strong, even without his future products he shored up weak spots in what the Ravens could currently equip themselves with, not that he had needed to know that of course. Let him think she'd done it for future promise. He owed her more that way.

[member="Draco Vereen"]