Private Stellar Exchanges

[Astra Sadow]

Location: Aurora Industries Lyrandar Complex. Hakassi

Astra calmly handed her red jacket off to an aide after she'd strode down the ramp and stopped on the landing pad. Dressed in black syntex and silk, she peered down at a pad through her red glareshades. "Have the items arrayed for review in the loading bay. No one not already on board the transport, or escorted by myself is allowed to enter while they're on display." Better they not be announced for every treasure hunter to know they existed. Much as she trusted her people to keep them protected it was simply safer not to tempt the monsters out there in the first place. They were in the heart of the Core, after all; plenty of fools around to try something.

She turned her eyes up toward another transport that had lifted off and begun to power away. Another shipment to be sold elsewhere on the planet. The choice goods were brought her for a partner's pick -- if he wish -- while others were taken to be distributed to other customers. Sanguine was an interstellar enterprise, after all. Orders to take and deliver.

Without further comment, Astra strode across the open area toward the reception lobby of the complex. One attendant darted ahead to ensure the door parted just ahead of her arrival in order for their Chairwoman to glide into the facility. She only stopped before the desk with a smile on her red lips.

"Miss Sadow for Mister Lysander von Ascania ." No need to walk by the receptionists like they didn't exist, she wasn't there to start a war. Lysander could be occupied or not even in his office; better to let his people do their jobs. She was confident the facility wasn't staffed by idiots. He might not work for Aurora, but his company's ties to it were enough to settle all the paperwork and scheduling. And if it wasn't, Astra would graciously accept any refusal to host their exchange and repay that 'kindness' in full in due course.

She might not be known as a Sith Lord, but she still had the vindictiveness of one.

At least she wouldn't hold it against them if they didn't have snacks and wine for the visit. Perhaps they'd have changed their mind if they knew the sorts of things Astra intended to display for Lysander's benefit. Astra knew who ran Aurora -- by reputation and profile.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Astra Sadow​

Sound arrived before sight. There was warmth woven from brass, scratching what some may consider a bygone era. Against the ears pressed headphones that served as a conduit for a Core Worlds jazz quartet. He'd found the recordings on Level 1313 some months ago. Supposedly rare. The melody curled through Lysander's mind with the same reverence held for more complex holobooks or even how he conducted negotiations.. always from beginning to end, without rushing. Nostalgia was induced too, though he refrained from examining it too closely; they were mostly memories of a a chapter right before the Covenant scorched the galaxy's map.

Inside, the office was minimalist perfection. A desk with a matte black accents. Floating holo displays hovered above its surface: production reports from Bergan Array, freight schedules, and those from the ground factories. Lysander hummed under his breath to the jazz, moving from one thing to the next. Enjoyment here didn’t carry any scent of conquest or fear. In truth, it was satisfying to just watch the gears of the galaxy turn in more predictable ways, making the Core appear a little less hostile.

Outside, orbital traffic blurred into streaks. No clutter would mar the view through the floor to ceiling transparisteel. Two Star Destroyers were parked like monoliths against the void. Perhaps they appeared as trophies, but in reality they were just more responsibilities. Those he hardly had the time for. To him, they represented thousands of people he'd most likely never meet. Engineers, pilots, maybe even families living aboard them.

The office rituals were no less disciplined than his morning regimen. A stylus rotated as datapads began clicking into place. Statistics were verified before glancing toward the gargantuan vessels again. That was, until a pulse appeared on the corner of the desk from his receptionist. Music ceased to exist as the cups were lifted, and everything from the station returned.

He inspected the collar of his charcoal three-piece suit with a lone touch. Cufflinks glinted like stars. No weapon sat upon his hip; most were aware of the lethality standing before them, and how quickly he could turn proximity into a cage should the moment call for such.

Movement toward the lobby was fluid; passage past an aid would bring a quiet hand off of a datapad, followed by a single nod acknowledging an officer. Finally, the sight of Astra and her subordinates. Any time curiosity registered before words were traded, the omens were generally more favorable. Only then did he step out into view.

"Miss Sadow," the greeting emerged with an incline of the head. "Welcome to Lyrandar."

Lysander gave the silence a moment before adding, “If there’s anything you need before we begin, you need only ask.” He’d always preferred when people stated their wants plainly. Guessing was a game, and while he could play it well enough, clarity was more efficient. Better to focus on the work instead of performance. And in his experience, the ones who knew what they wanted were always easier to deal with.

He gestured toward one of the corridors. “Otherwise, I’d be delighted to show you around.”

 

[Astra Sadow]

Astra remained standing as Lysander was informed of his guest's arrival. She turned to observe the lobby after spending a few seconds taking in the people behind the desk. A good habit for someone that intended to stay alive -- always be mindful of your surroundings, and what other people were doing. Oh, yes, the Force was a useful tool, but there were dangers the Force couldn't warn you about in advance. Threats that knew how to hide in the deep places of existence. Technologies that claimed to provide refuge from its sight. In the end, survival came down to the individual -- their skills, their experiences, and above all their instincts. Even somewhere that should be considered safe could wind up your tomb.

A smile spread easily across her lips when ripples spoke of Lysander entering into view. Astra reached up to slide the glareshades a little down her slender nose so she could see the man as he was. "I would love a tour. Never hurts to take an opportunity to show people what you've accomplished." Eventually you'd even find someone that would genuinely appreciate or understand what they saw.

"Afterward, if you've the time, I put together a little something for you. Some odds and ends I thought to give you first choice." They could discuss business and event pleasure if his schedule permitted. Her's did, but then she made a point to keep her calendar open when visiting VIPs. You never knew what unexpected opportunities might arise.

Lysander von Ascania​