Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Something of Worth [Popo]

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Sith space was a dangerous place for Anaya to be. With Kaine sitting on the ever cursed throne and his hate for her as potent as ever she spent the entire journey to the wheel climbing the walls of her ship, growling at anyone foolish enough to speak to her. The Captain knew his Mistress well enough to keep his mouth shut unless she asked him a direct question so it was with a timid approach that he entered her chamber to find her pacing to and fro, lekku twitching. Anaya stopped in her tracks, glaring at the man who was smart enough not to flinch.

"ETA in ten, Lady Apoleia. Would you like to be accompanied?"

Anaya deflated somewhat, relief washing over her. "No thank you Captain."

Twenty minutes later and Anaya found herself deep within the Wheel. She marveled at her surroundings, wondering if she couldn't get herself another club here. Another topic to raise with Popo in their meeting. She let her footsteps carry her to where she needed to be, slipping inside the smoky casino, she let her hood drop, eyes scanning for her target. Anaya had never liked the hutts, an unfortunate childhood in slavery had left her with such scarring that she never would like the hutts. They were, however, a necessary evil in order to expand her business further. She hadn't given Popo her real name, it had such a poor reputation with it, it wasn't worth the hassle as such, all messages that had passed between them were signed Apoleia and he would have no reason to suspect her to be anyone else. She'd been off the radar long enough to have been forgotten by most now.

She moved towards the VIP area, only to be stopped by a gammorean gaurd. She smacked his hand sharply from her arm. "I have an appointment."

@[member="Popo"] [I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty to kick start a thread to discuss a long term deal]
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
Behind the Gammorean, a pair of Wheel Security stood guard. Normally, they patrolled the roads, junctions, docks, and checkpoints around the station as individual Casino and business security was handled internall. That is, unless Popo sent them for a reason. Or if the guarded the massive Shell Hutt.

One of the guards stepped forwards and barked a command at the Gammorean, who shied away. Even the dumbest of brutes knew not to cross a Security Officer. The Security Forces weren't corrupt, despite allegations otherwise. Each was hand picked by Popo's chief of security and almost every guard had military experience from somewhere in the galaxy. In fact, most were former special forces, security specialists, or elite soldiers from other factions across the galaxy. Also, in order to make sure the men and women under his command were completely loyal and determined to preserve the space station itself, Popo required each applicant that was hand selected to buy a certain amount of stock in the Wheel. This meant that the guards were not only protecting their employer and income, but each was protecting their own investment as well. No one wanted to make trouble for Wheel Security, and for very, very good reasons indeed.

As the Gammorean stepped away, afraid of the much smaller man in armor, the other guard beckoned the Twi'lek forward.

"The boss is that way," he stated politely and professionally with a jerk of his head, but sized the woman up nonetheless. It wasn't hostile, just the clean, clinical appraisal for potential threats and weapons. He understood that the being before him was dangerous in her own right, he knew that much at least, but Popo had specifically wanted her let through and the guard knew better than to defy orders. "He's dealing with a small... problem, but I'm sure he'll cheer up when he sees you."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]

(OOC: Nah, you're cool. I had originally intended to use his office in the penthouse for this meeting, but this has so much more 'cool' potential lol! Great idea :p )
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya did not like the way the Guard looked her up and down, hostile or not. She was not foolish enough to bring weapons to a business deal, and if things did turn sour she was more than adept in the force to deal with things without a saber. She made her dislike of his inspection clear with the look she gave him. "Of course he will." she said matter-of-factly before moving past him towards Popo. She could not stop the shudder of disgust that ran through her as she came closer to the hutt, his slug like form made her avert her eyes for a moment, glad that he was distracted.

Control.

She looked back up, pushing all personal feelings aside. This was a necessary business deal, this was a necessary for her survival and for the survival of her business. Money and information was where the real power lied. She had the latter, she needed to bolster the former. She stopped a foot or two from the matter Popo was dealing with and observed with keen eyes. How someone dealt with their problems said a lot about them.
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
Popo was having a good day, at least, he was. The planned appointment with an informant today had put the Hutt in a pleasant mood, but upon arriving at the club in question where the meeting was to take place, he realized something that angered him greatly. The club was a typical gentleman's club and so the women who worked there were typical of an establishment. However, the owner of said club, a big Rodian by the name of Gruysh, had decided to dabble in more... direct methods to entertain customers. The contract signed with the Hutt had stated the place was a club only, not a brothel, which the Rodian had directly violated.

It wasn't that Popo disliked brothels and the like. They brought in revenue like everything else and, in fact, the Hutt owned a few here and there and there were a number on the Wheel. What Popo was unhappy about was two fold. First, the Rodian had violated the contract he had signed with Popo that this establishment was a gentleman's club only where alcohol and food was served to patrons who came to see the scantily clad women on stage and to be served by the like. Second, the club's location was closer to the higher revenue and classier parts of the Wheel, which meant that by openly operating as a public brothel behind the front of a gentleman's club, it brought tarnish to the higher end areas as the regular tourists more interested in socially acceptable entertainment would shy away and find other areas to go spend their money. Overall, between breaking a written contract and causing an issue that could drive off potential customers and, therefore, revenue, Popo was here to deal with the problem. Personally.

"Now, what exactly made you think that violating the contract you signed with me was a good idea, Gruysh?" the huge Shell Hutt asked, his tone polite and pleasant despite the number of armed guards in the room and the cowering form of the Rodian before the armored form of Popo. The Rodian spoke rapidly in it's language, his tone pleading and terrified.

"Sorry, Gruysh. The 'I was going to file the right paperwork' excuse isn't going to work. I would have required you to move elsewhere, away from the high end sections and you know it," Popo stated politely. He made a gesture and two of the guards nearby yanked the Rodian upright by its arms. "I get the feeling that you didn't want to get caught. That you wanted to make a few extra credits. That I wouldn't notice because I'm so busy running the whole Wheel and couldn't be bothered with a club owner who was just trying to line his pocket a little, right?"

Popo's face didn't move, but his voice turned dark and his tone unyielding.

"Wrong," the Hutt turned to the Security Sergeant in the room and gestured for him to take the violently shaking Rodian away. "He's violated his contract which means his ownership of rented property is now voided. He is to be evicted from the space station immediately."

As the guards took the now screaming Rodian away, the Sergeant stopped for a moment as he perused a datapad very quickly.

"Uh, sir," he said politely, not wanting to upset the Hutt. "With all due respect, there's no ship under Gruysh's name located on the Wheel."

"Oh," Popo said, his face curious for a moment. He shrugged his massive, armored shoulders once. "I thought he did. He must have sold it at some point. Oh well."

With that, his tone turned pleasant and polite. Popo then turned to face the Twi'lek that had been waiting for him to conduct his... business.

"I apologize for that bit of... trouble, Ms. Apoleia," the Hutt said, his tone professional and light. "I had hoped to deal with that unsightly business before you arrived. Nonetheless, how can I help you today?"

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya could not help but smile as the scene played out before her. Perhaps she and the Hutt could get along after all, provided she could get over her initial disgust. "That's quite alright Popo, such annoyances need to be dealt with." She looked around at the casino "Why anyone would be foolish enough to violate a contract in such a prime location is a mystery to me." She looked back at Popo, a smirk on her face remembering she was here to work out a deal regarding spice and Kessel, not to obtain a new premise, though she was sure she could work that in somehow.

"I understand you are looking to expand your business, I'm here to offer you the means to do so."

@[member="Popo"]
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
"It's beyond me as well, if I'm honest," considering the speaker was a Hutt, and Popo to boot, that was saying a lot. "But it does happen on occasion, unfortunately. Despite the frequency, I don't arbitrarily kill or imprison as most of my kind does. Eviction is so much simpler and, technically, legal."

The Rodian's screams died as the front door closed. The working girls, bouncers, servers, and other employees here were probably wondering whether they would stay employed, but none dared ask the Hutt what would happen. Looking around, Popo saw that question on everyone's face. The Hutt would probably just retake the property and business or perhaps a new owner would step up to take over the rent. Either way, the place would still keep going, the only question was who would hold the reigns.

"As for expanding Tenloss," Popo said, returning to the task at hand. "Yes, I could use some aid. Information and help laying the ground work. I can do it myself, but seeking aid and partners both lessens the load and the risk. What exactly can you offer, Ms. Apoleia?"

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya had forgotten that a hutts had no manners. As he spoke she grabbed a chair from a nearby table and seated herself before him, fingers clicking at a waitress for a drink. "Information is my prime product, but on top of that I can offer you funds and easy movement. I have six clubs in republic space, two in unclaimed territory along the Mara Corridor, one in CIS space and one in Omega Pyre space and, " she looked at the casino once more "This one too." That wasn't a question, Popo would give her the club and she would move his spice into illegal territory. The risk would be hers, but the demand was high enough to warrant taking it.

"Interested?"
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
Popo shrugged internally. She wanted the club here, she was welcome to it. So long as she followed the rules and the contract, he was okay with it. It was one less thing he had to worry about and one more reliable source of income and rent. As for the clubs she owned, it was impressive and would help move things along once he had his roots into Kessel, but it was just a series of clubs and nothing truly to look at. That said, Popo knew the value of a quiet operation, which the Twi'lek before him was obviously doing. Tenloss got by with the shady things it did because Popo operated behind the Cartel's walls. Goods stolen? Must be the Cartel. Spotted your secret data for a new weapon on the black market? Must be the Cartel. Lost your illegal racket to a bunch of hired thugs demanding a cut? Must be the Cartel. No one suspected Tenloss was behind it. At least, no one dared state as much. The repercussions of speaking out were usually... permanent.

"Information, revenue, and shifting products is very interesting to me, Ms. Apoleia," the Hutt stated politely. "What planets are you located on precisely? I myself have found a solid foundation in Nar Shaddaa, within Republic space."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya smiled "Daalang, Saleucami on a space station, Hapes, Kuat, Coruscant, and Eshan. Then, of course, my headquarters on Zeltros." she gave a mocking gasp "That's a bad start isn't it. Saying I have six in republic when I have seven." she tsked, taking a sip from a drink brought to her by a waitress, she paused for thought. "Corellia in Omega's space, Ryloth is the CIS space and, outside of any jurisdiction, Dressel and a lovely little bar on the Void Station. What are you lacking in order to get started?"

@[member="Popo"]
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
"Impressive," the Hutt said. It really was. Most worlds like that were hard to butt into and difficult to maintain profit. "Currently my holdings are on Nar Shaddaa, as I said, here on the Wheel, the Vergesso Asteroids, Nal Hutta, the beginnings of a recycling plant on Raxus Prime, and we're looking to expand outwards."

Popo blinked once, thoughtfully. This could be a nice start to a very profitable arrangement between the two business owners. If he played his cards just right.

"At the moment I'm looking for aid in expanding to three planets in particular: Kessel, Centares, and Belderone. I'd like to start with Kessel so as to get both the Cartel and Tenloss involved in a more... crucial role in the Spice trade."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
"Kessel I understand, Centares and Belderone I do not." She shrugged "Who am I to question your judgement." As far as she was aware, apart from Centares being the last planet along the Parlemian trade route before you hit the outer rim and Blederone being home to an old AT-AT factory, there was nothing of worth on them. Anaya had chosen the hard planets because the hard planets drew in people, they drew in profit and they provided her with valuable information. "My interest is in Kessel, though maybe if you explain the other two i might be inclined to change my mind."

She took another sip of her drink and looked thoughtful for a moment. "How well are the spice mines running on Kessel?" Too slow and the mines were slow in paying for themselves. Too fast and she wouldn't be able to shift the product.

@[member="Popo"]
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
Popo looked the Twi'lek over again, wondering how she managed to get by without seeing the bigger picture. The long term picture. Then he realized why. She did, just not like him. She didn't live as long as Hutts did and so couldn't plan decades or centuries into the future. That, and her business relied on customers and a revolving door type policy. You obviously couldn't run a profitable club in the middle of Tatooine and it was a sure thing that setting up a club on a place like Kamino would bring in minimal revenue. She was in it for money, not for materials or production. That was the difference. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Centares is one of the planets on the Perlemian trade route, as is Belderone," Popo stated neutrally. "Travelling from the core to the outer rim along that route you must pass here first, then Centares, then Belderone. Securing Tenloss in each location ensures maximum profit potential along that section of the route. Centares also has a fairly decent industrial output, but with the Sith losing their war with the galaxy so far, production is decreasing as the supply lines are cut."

Popo set a small holoprojector on the table and turned it on. The projection showed the galactic map briefly before the image zoomed in on the sector in question.

"By getting a foothold on Centares, I open the door for installations on planet. Factories, offices, warehouses, the usual deal. I employ the workers and by selling Tenloss products to the open market, the planet's economy boosts which means more opportunities arise on that planet, especially if I purchase things early on to maximize profit and minimize both cost and risk. As for Belderone, there is an AT-AT factory on the planet that I do intend to purchase, but the main gain is, again, the production base. AT-AT's are nice weapons and such, but they're outdated next to the AT-TT's. I can sell them or have my engineers tinker with them and sell modifications or stock items for a profit, but the main goal there is the industrial base. Same routine as Centares. Buy, build, improve, buy, improve, profit."

Popo hit a control on the projector and the image switched to the Kessel sector.

"As for Kessel, my sources tell me that sales are slowing, but not for the lack of Spice. The problem is that because of the current wartime footing of the galaxy, there is less crime and, therefore, less criminals. They're all being drafted into the warmachines of whichever faction requires them to fight and so there is less manpower. My goal is to take control of the mines there and bring in prisoners of my own. Essentially, I'll privatize the prison industry, starting with Kessel."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya nodded slowly as Popo explained his plans. He was setting foundations for a long future. It made sense to do so as a hutt with a long life expectancy with her. Anaya would have joined him, save for one minor problem. Anaya was a twi'lek, her life expectancy was significantly less than Popo's. It was also greatly reduced by the fact that she was a sith with a tendency to upset people on purpose. She needed to build her business on foundations that were already in place. whatever complimentry comment Anaya had had on her tongue was wiped away when the holoprojector switched to the Kessel Sector.

Eyes glittered with interest and a smile found its way to her lips. "Private prisons." she repeated and clicked her tongue. "So, you bring in your own prisoners and then you open it to others who wish to throw there hated into the mines to work a life away. A fascinating concept for business owners that have contracts and people who break them. Most galactic law pays no heed to such issues, by privatizing you not only give them the chance to deliver appropriate punishment, but you also open up the bounty business and in turn increase output." she paused "I like it. What do you need?"

@[member="Popo"]
[OOC: sorry for the delay!]
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
"What I need first is a foothold on Kessel," Popo said. "Securing the facilities there with minimal risk and damage to the prisons already established. I need someone to negotiate such a deal for me, which is where you come in."

Popo folded his hands across his torso. It would have looked comical had the situation not been so serious minded.

"I've heard that the head of the prisons there, the owner really, isn't looking to sell," the Hutt stated at first. "That said, I've also heard they've been looking to retire and are simply holding out for a few more years until they do so. Essentially, they're building up their nest egg a little longer. I figure that buying them outright, with a substantial amount of personal profit on the side, would convince the owner to sell. That, and the owner has a thing for Twi'leks and honeyed words..."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
(OOC: You're fine lol No worries)
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya let out a small laugh at his suggestion. "I think you overestimate my ability to sweet talk anyone, still...I think we can come to an arrangement." there were few people who Anaya could not sway, though it was rarely done through honeyed words. Being a sith had its distinct advantages. "Once you have your foothold we will need to look at transport. My understanding is that Kessendra is the only point of civilisation, transporting from the mines to Kessendra and then into space wastes valuable time."

Anaya pulled a datachip from her pocket and reached forward slotting it into the holoprojector. The image shifted to reveal the space train. "Silk holdings has just launched this into production. It would need heavy guarding and some minor modifications but it gives us a direct point from the mines."
@[member="Popo"]
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
The Hutt looked at the image before him. He'd heard of the idea, but didn't know it had reached production as of yet. The design would be perfect for moving prisoners on and off Kessel. In fact, the space train would be excellent for shifting cargo at a fraction of the cost and maintenance. Popo made a mental note to get in contact with the station's manufacturers to purchase one or five.

"The space train is a very interesting idea," Popo said after a moment. "You are correct, it would require significant defenses to protect it, but short of a full scale attack, using a few Wanga-class cruisers and some anti-fighter and anti-missile defenses will suffice for now. Modifications would be simple, as you said. It wouldn't be for tourists or travelers. At least, not to and from Kessel. This would be very useful outside of Kessel as well. I will speak to the manufacturer. Perhaps I can strike a deal with them to make Tenloss' shipments cheaper and more reliable."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
"I already have a business contract with the owner of Silk Holdings for one of my clubs, I could set up a meeting for you. Defenses on the ground would also need to be put in place. A revolt is unlikely, but one should always plan for the worst. Now," she reached froward, removing the datachip and slipping it back into her pocket, the image flickered and died. "Transporting spice is not easy when it is illegal in most places so hiring freelance smugglers could be costly. However, my staff are loyal and know that to break an oath of silence will cost them more dearly than being caught by an authority that isn't me. I've managed to get my hands on a few washburn class transports. Full of hidey holes to make transport easier. A small trasnport fleet of our own would minimise costs in the long run. Once the spice hits my clubs it can and will be distirbuted within 12 hours."

She paused and offered a sly smile "As you will be controlling the source i propose a sixty-forty split in the profits." Anaya wasn't greedy, she just wanted to boost her income and forty percent of the spice coming out of kessel would do more than enough to her bank balance.
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
"That is acceptable," Popo said after thinking a moment. He could afford to lose some profit from the Spice market to the Twi'lek. After all, he would more than make up that profit from privatizing the prisons and saving costs on both labor and transportation if the space train came through. "I would indeed like a meeting set up if possible. I may desire to purchase a small number to install above planets Tenloss is established on."

The Shell Hutt thought a moment and scratched at his chin. Or, rather, where his chin would be. It was a habit he'd picked up from various humans he'd interacted with over the centuries.

"Small time smugglers would do for areas that Tenloss doesn't have established offices on planet. However, for areas Tenloss controls and for areas your clubs influence, regular shipping would be ideal. The Washburns will do for now. I'll contact my shipwrights on Vergesso and Nar Shaddaa to have them look at new freighter designs. A large ship capable of bulk shipments of Spice would be invaluable, especially where the Spice would be hidden from inspectors and the like."

The Hutt thought a moment more about the idea. Suddenly, a new idea hit him like a ton of bricks, making his eyes light up slightly.

"Inspectors and the like tend to give freighters and transports a pretty thorough search, but tend to be lenient on medical vessels so long as the correct licenses are adhered to, correct?"

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

Nisha Decrilla

Guest
N
Anaya sat back, crossing her legs and watching the Hutt with mild curiosity. It was clear by his movements that he had spent a lot of time among humanoids. She wasn't surprised, the Cartel had diminished greatly while the larger more powerful factions had stretched their greedy fingers across the galaxy, their false morals pushing people like the Hutts into the shadows. She had no complaint against the matter, as much as she appreciated the hutt before her, as a whole, she did not like them. But what did one expect when she had spent the majority of her life as a slave to them.
Anaya's face lit up at his suggestion. "You would need more than licensing, you would need doctors and patients to back it. Either way private medical vessels would be a valuable investment to protect our goods." Private medical facilities also produced their own profit. How many bounty hunters and the like wanted to avoid being questioned by government ran facilities. They could climb aboard a private facility and simply pay for treatment. No name needed.

"I think you and I will get along just fine, Popo."
 

Popo

I'm Sexy and I Know It
"I'm glad," the big Hutt said with a laugh. "I'll get the necessary licenses and funds together to place Tenloss in the medical field. Not only can we gain profit from such a thing, but we can also gain holds in the private medical field and use the company to hide Spice movements to and from your clubs."

Popo thought a moment longer as he ran a few more ideas through his head.

"A private medical company under Tenloss' control would also cut costs for my security personnel and provide medical care to the prisons as soon as they're acquired. It wouldn't need to be a huge undertaking, just a few large offices and clinics on Tenloss worlds and maybe a couple smaller ones near your clubs. In fact, why stop at just medicine. Perhaps hire some scientists to research new drugs, both for medical purposes and recreational purposes. Both would do very, very well on the market, I would think."

@[member="Anaya Fen"]
 

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