Simply Mine

[Asharad Graush]

Again, the young Sith Hybrid found himself on the planet of Bespin. He was beginning to think it was growing pointless for him to ever leave, he may as well live on the planet in truth. He was on a landing pad in Cloud City. There, he was too meet a person that could potential work for him. He had been... Advised by his Father to expand the business in more than just business avenues. It was necessary to expand employment.

More people to work with you.

More people to work for you.

A'sharad had arrived earlier to read the reports of pirate in the nearby systems, production rate of the cortosis, and to have a shuttle prepared in his name to the mine on the planet below.

By the time [member="Avedia Lacroix"] would've made her presence known, she would've been escorted to the Landing Pad the Sith Acolyte stood upon with his arms clasped behind his back. He was garbed in the protective gear for the cortosis mines, the only piece of equipment he did not have on was the helmet, but that was because he thought it would be too hot being enclosed in that before he even got into the mine. Avedia would've been given the opportunity to dress herself appropriately too before being presented to the High Colonel of the First Order.

"High Colonel, Sir, presenting..."

And then the young Sith Hybrid turned away from the waiting ship on the Pad.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Asharad Graush"] |

It was a simple way of thinking. You give something to someone, and they will, in turn, give you something back. Perhaps it would credits rendered in return for services. Friendship, given for in exchange for assistance in a private matter. Or, in this case, employment in return for services rendered to one Colonel Asharad Graush. Working for Tantorian Industries was a method of gaining all three. Credits were a prerequisite for success. Friendship was an avenue for trust, which could be exploited. Employment was a way of gaining both. By the end of this, Avedia and the Colonel would be quite close.

Avedia wore the protective suit that had been offered when she had been picked up by Tantorian Industries. Climbing off the ship, the woman found herself being escorted to a man that was waiting for her. "High Colonel, Sir, presenting..."

"Avedia Lacroix," said Avedia.

 

[Asharad Graush]

The man turned to face the two that had joined him on the landing pad.

There were one of his tall, Zuguruks garbed in concealing clothing and gear. One of his engineers maintaining the mine from Cloud City. There was a nod of his head as he said, "Return to your duties," before he turned his head back around to the woman that his 'brethren' had brought him. Holding his helmet with the crook of his elbow against his hip, there was a faint curve to his lips as the Dark Side emanated from him. He hadn't learned to conceal his presence, not that he particularly cared if he was identified for what he was.

In First Order Space he was seen as one of the Force users from the Knights of Ren and was left alone.

The rest of the Galaxy however would've most certainly taken him for a Sith.

"A'sharad Graush," he introduced formerly. "It is a singular pleasure to have you accompanying me on this venture," he said stepping to the side to wave to the ship on the pad that would take them down to the mine.

After the pleasantries and once they were on the way to Tantorian Industries new mine, but primarily his, he said, "I'm impressed that you do not object to joining me in the field," he said. "Considering the dangerous nature of Cortosis," he explained.

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Asharad Graush"] |

"I consider it worthwhile," Avedia replied, as the two turned to enter the ship. "It is something akin to seminal work of someone I admire." Standing beside the Colonel, Avedia turned her focus to Bespin, as the ship they were on took them away from Cloud City. Turning, Avedia said: "Tantorian Industries growth has been stagnant, if I am brutally honest. I look forward to achieving it's potential with you."

 

[Asharad Graush]

A'sharad remained silent as she spoke.

Someone you admire...

He watched her, as if that would help him determine who it was she exactly admired, but he could imagine it to be any of the how many bajillions of people in the known Galaxy. "Who do you admire?" There was a pause as she insulted his company. But, he only smiled instead.

"A month ago that would've been true," he corrected. "That was under my Father's ownership. It is mine now. I'm surprised you've heard of Tantorian Industries. The company's business was strictly with the One Sith after the emergence of the One Sith on Coruscant." There was a tilt of his head to her direction. "Were you born in the Core, or the Unknown Regions?" The latter was where the company was built, but for all intents and purposes Tantorus was well hidden in that area of Space. Few knew of its location, even fewer knew that it was primarily inhabited by the Ancient race of Sith Purebloods and bastard children with the human race.

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Asharad Graush"] |

"You would not have heard of him," Avedia muttered. "It is a good thing that the company is under new direction. Perhaps something could be accomplished. I am from Serenno. I hold no titles, however. Otherwise, I would not be here." That much was true. If Avedia was a Duchess, then she would have all the material wealth she would require. The Serenno wealth was well known throughout the galaxy.

 

[Asharad Graush]

It was true that knowledge of Serenno's wealth spanned the entirety of the Galaxy, but A'sharad doubted he would've heard of it. On Prakith, material wealth wasn't something that was particularly talked about. It wasn't important, only power. The power to make someone do what you want, the power to outmaneuver them. The power to do whatever you wanted.

"The company will serve the First Order." In a similar fashion to how it had served the One Sith under his Father's ownership. However, the young Sith didn't have the sole intention of just signing a contract with one organization and that was the end all be all. If he wanted to expand into the rest of the Galaxy he needed deals with other factions, other superpowers. If she did agree to stick with him, the woman would be able to help him with that.

He currently sort of had a problem with the Dark Side of the Force rolling off of him.

"Why my company?"

The ship was close to the mining landing pad now. It was already preparing it's landing procedure.

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

[member="Asharad Graush"]

"It is one thing to simply live as a civilian in the First Order. It is entirely another to serve it. I have a skill set that will prove useful to the First Order. But everyone has a beginning, and mine is your company. Perhaps when we begin to get some traction, I will have gained the attention of the top brass. Everyone has aspirations, and I look forward to a lucrative career in the First Order. If that means that I have to make your company a success, then so be it."

Turning her gaze to Asharad, Avedia thought of challenging him and retorting the same question back at him. But she thought otherwise. Better to ride the coattails of conversation, answer questions when needed and stay the course without making unnecessary bumps in the road.

 

[Asharad Graush]

A'sharad sensed something when she thought of returning the question to him, but he didn't know what it was. He was capable of sensing some things, but it required truly close quarters as they were now.

It didn't matter anymore, they were landing now.

The sound of the ship touching down on the landing pad outside of the mine was heard and the High Colonel got up.

"Perhaps," he answered when she said she would have gotten the attention of the higher ups. Would they truly notice someone from a corporation, even if said company worked with the First Order?

The ramp descended and the Sith Acolyte led them down the ramp and across the twenty-seven metres that would've brought them to the entrance of the mine. On the landing pad, there were Massassi warriors, cloaked and armoured for security of course. At the entrance of the mine were more guards. There were nearly a hundred of them all around the mine and within. There were nigh on a hundred mining droids and miners within as well.

Tantorian Industries was well established on the mine already, but he imagined this would be the last time he'd need to visit the mine. Hopefully.

"Where do you think you will fit into the company?"

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

[member="Asharad Graush"]

"Administration," Avedia replied, turning her gaze to the Massassi warriors. She recognized the Sith species, of course. And there had been rumors that the former extinct species had made a miraculous return to the land of the living a few years ago. But this was the first time that she had actually seen the progenitors to her Order in person. "I've never seen those type of people before. Who are they?"

 

[Asharad Graush]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

The Sith Hybrid nodded his head as they entered the mine. He was aiming to show her around so that she would understand the ongoings of the mining facility. Clearing his throat, he said, "You'll have to work with my Board of Directors of course," he said with a nod of his head. They were also an assortment of minor Sith Lords, more akin to a Knight level than actual Sith Lords. They were a mixture of Massassi and Kissai, all the way back on Tantorus.

They all served his Father, but with his Father missing, but actually dead, they had no other choice but to serve him in addition. He knew all of them personally, and they all served him. If she were to serve with them, she would be an outsider, especially considering she was a Human, or near enough to the species that one couldn't tell the difference. Regardless, they would teach her from afar. A'sharad was of the mind to not give her the location of Tantorus just yet.

"Them?" He glanced to the Sith Purebloods. It was his turn to be vague. He shrugged as he says, "An Ancient species. One that has been wronged by the Galactic Republic so long ago," he says drily. The Galactic Republic and their Jedi Defenders had exterminated the Sith species after they were defeated, chasing them deeper into the Tingel Arm and some even into the far off Unknown Regions. "Most know who they are. I shan't believe you've never heard of them."

A'sharad didn't play games.

 

[Darth Ayra]

[member="Asharad Graush"]

Avedia allowed a smile to play on her lips. Averting her gaze from the Massassi back to A'sharad, she said: "You caught me." Diverting the conversation back onto subject, Avedia asked: "In what capacity will I be working with your Board of Directors? I assume a CEO has been elected for oversight."

 

[Asharad Graush]

It almost sounded sarcastic.

You caught me.

There was a twitch from the Sith acolyte as he lifted the helmet out of the crook of his arm and put it down over his head and sealed it.

Now that he was ready he walked along one of the walls as they entered the mine and there was a hole in one of them about twenty or so metres down the corridor. Within the hole in the wall that was more akin to a door was a cortosis refinery facility. It was small, but he explained as he watched the Zuguruks work, "There are many of these facilities situated around the mine," he says. "The largest one is one hundred metres below us right now," he explains as he gave her enough to analyze what she was looking at before turning around.

"When I am preoccupied with First Order business, you'll be expanding the Tantorian Industries business in this area of Space. The Directors have several ideas for expansion." They exited the room and continued down the inclining mine shaft.

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

[member="Asharad Graush"]

Avedia copied her cohort, sealing the helmet via it's magnetic seal. When her suit was secure, she followed A'sharad through the mine towards the door. Looking inside, Avedia listened whilst she allowed her eyes to scan the area. It was your standard Cortosis mine, she summarized. No different than the Cortosis mines Emeritus Industries owned on Obredaan.

Turning, Avedia followed the Colonel as he explained the companies direction. "What ideas?" she inquired.

 

[Asharad Graush]

If the entrance was the mouth of the cave, than the dimly lit corridor they were going down now must've been the tongue. Or rather, the throat.

Either way, they were heading downwards. Now, they could hear the sound of Cortosis being mined, jackhammers were crushing the rock around the ore. Cortosis ore absorbed energy and when the conventional laer beams tried to cut out the rock from the rocks, they shorted out. That had been a hard lesson learned. The laser arms of the droids were removed, and then they were replaced with jackhammers for arms and absolutely demolished the rock much faster than an ordinary person doing so.

It was loud, almost deafening, but the protective suits reduced the sound and the comms within made it easy for them to talk unimpeded.

The further they went the more people they saw working, placing cortosis into a cart which was then subsequently carted off to the nearest cortosis refinery. It was quick and much more efficient than it had been on the first day nearly a week ago.

"Expanding into other lines of business. Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, escorts, mercenary forces," he shrugged his shoulders. "Also, to re-brand the name of the company. The planet my company is based out of is on the edge of the Galaxy, far from the attention of any who would do my people harm, to preserve its hidden nature, you'll publicly rename it and setup as a First Order sponsored company in this part of the Galaxy."

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Asharad Graush"] |

The seminal life that Avedia had spoken of was about a man who had worked in the Cortosis mine of Apatros. Woven into the man's tapestry all these centuries later, the Sith Lord imagined what it had been like for him to spend the hours of his day in these conditions, accompanied with nothing but a jackhammer and other miners who were undoubtedly frustrated with their lot. Coupled with the ferocity of the Sith race, and Avedia imagined that a lot of fights happened down in these mines, out of the prying out of the administration, such as herself and A'sharad. She did not pity them.

"Such an event can be used to attract new contacts to do business with," Avedia explained, as they navigated their way down the throat of the mine. "A name change is symbolic of a fresh start, which is attractive for customers and potential dealers. A venue should be arranged, celebrating the change of the corporation. Inviting the likes of Natasi Fortan, for example, would go a long way to getting the First Order on board with our activities as well. Government assistance is always lucrative."

"What do you plan to rename the company to?"

 

[Asharad Graush]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

The mine widened out to a large intersection with many different avenues to travel. Carts being pushed and pulled out of the caverns and he descended the natural steps that the rocks had formed within the cavern.

There was a nod of his head as she continued speaking to him and there was a smile on his lips. She knew of the Sith, more than she was letting on, one didn't act ignorant to the existence of the Pureblood species and then admit to knowing who they were. Perhaps if he was lacking wit he would've let that slid, but A'sharad Graush was a student of the Old Republic. His Father a Graush, in the era of the Old Republic? Two Graush had risen to powerful positions as Dark Lords of the Sith.

But the risen the Sith species had survived the Galactic Republic's purge of the Sith species was because of one person. And one person alone.

"Vitiate Enterprises," he communicated simply over their comm line.

The name of the Old Republic's Emperor.

"Fitting, no?"

 

[Darth Ayra]

[member="Asharad Graush"]

Avedia allowed her eyes to look upon the Colonel briefly. After a momentary look, she turned her eyes back ahead, just in time to avoid a Massassi who was walking past. "The Jedi would create a connection between you and Vitiate. However, shying away from their challenge isn't really a choice. I dislike the use of Enterprises. How about we just name it Vitiate? Much more refined."

 

[Asharad Graush]

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

"The Jedi don't know a thing about anything," he stated. How else would they and their Republic lost so many battles? If it were not for the Sith infighting that caused the collapse of the One Sith, then the Galactic Republic would most likely be no more. It was pathetic. There was only one path that A'sharad Graush saw the One Sith on, and that was a path of self-destruction. So why not help them on that journey?

They disrespected the Yuuzhan Vong, one of their greatest allies. They should've been repaid in kind.

Jackhammers, large power drills and whatever else the miners used to get the cortosis out of the rocks, were all heard, almost deafening now as they strode further down into the depths of the mine.

How about we...

He smirked in his suit.

"Oh? Just Vitiate? I'll think on it." He didn't know how he felt about it. He liked it. But was it practical? No one would know what they were. Were they a company? A person's name? A symbol? Or was it all of them together?

He'd put it to his Board of Directors.

[member="Avedia Lacroix"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

[member="Asharad Graush"]

"To underestimate ones enemy to undo oneself. There is strength found in endurance, and the Jedi have endured. Three separate schisms in the space of ten years, divided between three democratic nations, fighting on four different fronts and they still live." Avedia was glad that she had decided to wear the helmet and protective suit. Even through the protective lens of the helm, she could see the spiral of dust that created a cacophony of colours enlightened by the sparks of the near jackhammers that tore into the rock, under the machinations of a worker attempting to reveal that precious ingot of Cortosis. It mustn't be good for the body, she decided.

"I once knew a woman who taught me to never underestimate a Jedi," Avedia explained. Together, she and A'sharad had entered a lull between the jackhammers. It was quiet enough to continue conversation. "But, towards the end of her life, she was undone by the Jedi. The affliction, which ended her life, could be cured by someone she had spent years getting close to. She flirted at the edge of a sun, and got horribly burned. I shall endeavor not to repeat the mistake."