The Big Lizard

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Of all the places Cedric had expected to spend his weekend, Trandosha was not among them.

Diplomatic ties were sought with the world of hunters, and the Archlord could see why. The Trandoshans would be a natural source of fighting men for the Dominion's efforts, though their disdain for the Wookies had made even considering a friendship controversial. In the end, it had been the heroics of [member="Causstik Rahn"] that had won over the majoirty of the senate. Given the world's rather martial nature, they had chosen to send the Archlord rather than a senator.

And so it was that the youth was descending upon Trandosha with a contingent of his red cloaks and the Trandoshan hero himself. Causstik had made quite the name for himself on Atrisia, and his efforts had raised opinions that had previously been rather sour about his people. Given the close alliance some of the wookie warlords kept with the Dominion, tensions would inevitably be high.

Even still, securing Trandosha and her warriors was something worth attempting if nothing else.

The shuttle fluttered to the planet's surface as Cedric drew himself from his meditations. Gray eyes flickered to Causstik. "Are you from Trandosha Causstik, or is it just an ancestral place for you?"

[member="Vinskk Revamp"]

 

[Causstik Rahn]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Causstik Rahn paced the confines of the shuttle. It had seemed like a millennia since he and his warband had been to Trandosha, but now. Now it was time to finally return home. The Dreadtooth had done much since they last visited the planet. Making a name for themselves among the Mandalorians. Fighting on Artisia as heros and when the battle was lost they continued to fight the GA. Pillaging supply routes, attacking minor bases. But, now that the Dominion had managed to get back on their feet Causstik had returned to them. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]His heroics leading the 501st had made him a hero among the Dominion's people and despite the Trandoshans vile nature... He secretly liked it. He was still a slaver, Trandoshans still pirated in his name. But, now most of those operations had been reduced and were kept in secret. Seemingly overnight he had begun to make himself the de facto leader of the Dominions underworld. The Dominion had many enemies and every time they went to battle the Dreadtooth were their. With each battle the Trandoshans took more slaves and shipped them to [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]Bone City[/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt] in secret.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The Trandoshans were the Dominion privateer's. Looting it's enemies supply trains and performing small raids on enemy settlements. The truth was... Causstik had allied himself with the Dominion for one reason. The Scorekeeper had told him to do so. Her voice ever present in his ear had beckoned him to Dominion space and he followed faithfully. He had led his people to many victories listening to the goddess and he saw no reason to stop now. So, as they went to his homeworld he listened to her again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]The King of Trandosha must give you his blessing. He must be brought into the fold. [/SIZE][SIZE=10.5pt]The voice whispered to him and Causstik listened intently. He snapped out of his stupor as Cedric spoke "Yes, I am from Trandosha. Many on the planet revere me as a prophet..." Causstik hissed. But, refused to go deeper into the subject. It was not outsiders place to know of the Scorekeepers will.[/SIZE]

[member="Cedric Grayson"]
[member="Vinskk Revamp"]

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

The Trandoshan Royal Palace

Throne Room

Vinskk Revamp sat in his throne, one of his talons idly resting on his chin while he waited for his diplomatic guests to arrive. The Dominion was seeking relations betweens the homeworld of the Trandoshans and their entity. The King was wary, to say the least. While he had made efforts to expand diplomatic ties, The King wanted Trandosha to remain Trandosha, not be a puppet world for an organization that just wanted manpower. Unless the diplomats had a very impressive offer indeed, Vinskk, for the most part, knew where this meeting would go.

"Your Highness. The diplomat's ship is entering the atmosphere."

Revamp glanced at the advisor next to him.

"Redirect them to the diplomatic landing pad in the Palace. Have an escort of Marines bring them to me."

He bowed and scurried off to do as he was commanded. Revamp turned back to his thoughts. His decision today could make a lasting impact on his people and Trandosha, both of whom he was sworn to protect.

Guide me, Scorekeeper. Show your faithful servant the way.

[member="Causstik Rahn"] [member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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Cedric regarded the war hero with the kind of respect one should afford a venerable warrior. That being said, along with the respect came caution. Causstik was a blood hound if there ever was one. If the Trandoshans sensed any kind of weakness from Cedric, then that would be the end of things. There would be no deal, and his death in the court might follow shortly thereafter. No, the way to deal with Trandosha was to look at it like the hunter that he was.

These people were his rivals, not his prey. They would need to be courted appropriately.

"Maybe that'll buy us some clout," The Archlord murmured, his arms folding about his chest. "I never knew that Causstik. We all just assumed you were a great warrior," the ship hissed as it came to land on the diplomat's landing area that had been specified. "Perhaps you're some hero of old reborn as well?" The youth quirked a brow, a hint of amusement in his tone.

His words spoken, Cedric moved to march off of the vessel. Two red-cloak guards accompanied him - just enough to provide protection, but nowhere near enough to give any kind of air of intimidation. They moved aside for Causstik, affording the warrior a spot by the Archlord's side rather than at the youth's back.

A squad of soldiers came meet them, and quickly guided them toward throne room.

The doors parted, admitting the two representatives of the Dominion.

"Great king," Cedric's voice was filled with honest respect. Any man with a title on a world such as this had earned it. "I am Archlord Cedric Grayson, protector of the Dominion and lord of Ession. I bring with me Causstik Rahn, hero of the Dominion and a paragon in these days of darkness."

[member="Vinskk Revamp"], [member="Causstik Rahn"]

 

[Causstik Rahn]

[SIZE=11pt]The youth replied with mild surprise at Causstik's admission. Causstik merely shrugged. He knew no reason why the child would know these things. Perhaps as he was a mystic he was expected to know all, but Causstik doubted that to be the case. The shuttle landed on the wooden platform with a soft hiss. The landers made a thud as they touched the ground and the wooden platform shook a little beneath the vessels tremendous weight. The gangplank descended with the grinding of gears and Causstik’s tongue flicked at the air as the fresh wind rolled through.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The familiar scent of home hailed him and the war chief smiled. A group of Trandoshan marines greeted them and Causstik nodded to them. They parted to the sides of the diplomats and led the way through the palace corridors. Grand pillars covered in pictures of hunts long past lined the walk. A hundred hides of every species imaginable lined the walls and Causstik felt the soft fur of a Wookiee beneath his feet. Several torches lined the walls, the smell of pitch thick in the air. Causstik entered the main palace hall with Cedric and youth spoke again. He introduced them both and Causstik took this moment to speak up.[/SIZE]

He spoke in Dosh when he did so. A series of clicks and hisses left Causstik’s throat. [Greetings king Revamp. I come from clan Dreadtooth. We have recently migrated to the unknown regions to avoid the prying eyes of outsiders, but we have found with the growing powers of the galaxy we can not fight on our own forever. The Scorekeeper has spoken to me. She beckons our people to ally with the Dominion. I can promise many Jagannath points should you choose to do so. Our hunts are plentiful and arduous. Our people are happy and content.]

[member="Cedric Grayson"]
[member="Vinskk Revamp"]

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

"Welcome, Archlord. As for you, Prophet, welcome back into the fold. I am pleased to receive the Dominion's diplomats and am ready to negotiate."

The King rose and began to speak.

"I have a series of questions to better inform myself before making a decision that will impact many. What can the Dominion offer the people of Trandosha? We have everything we need here. What more could we desire?"

[member="Causstik Rahn"] [member="Cedric Grayson"]

 

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"Of course."

Cedric rose back to his standing position. His arms folded behind the small of his back, and his lips curled into a pleasant little grin. King Revamp's question was an honest and expected one. So far as Cedric could tell, Trandosha had been thriving on its own. They would have little need to extend their influence beyond their own borders, but that did not leave them safe. There were greater powers at work within the galaxy; forces that would wish nothing more than complete dominance.

"It is not what you desire, but what you lack." The Archlord began. "It is my understanding that the Trandoshan people live to honor the Scorekeeper. Those of your people that have allied with the Dominion have gained many points in her eyes. The battles have been fierce and honorable - the warriors have become legend in their conquests."

He held up a hand.

"But that is not why we have come here today, King Revamp. There are forces at work greater than either of us in the stars. The forces of the beyond gather to make war upon this galaxy. Entire systems will burn. The Dominion is working to prevent this as best we can, but we cannot assist worlds outside our borders until the fighting starts. We would help you prepare," a pause, "Not to mention the rise of other groups around your world. Rogue Mandalorians, Sith despots, all the like of which would rather see Trandosha in chains than as allies. The Dominion is prepared to offer you a seat in the senate with full representation, and protection by our rather extensive fleet. In return, we would establish a garrison to better defend this region."

[member="Vinskk Revamp"], [member="Causstik Rahn"]

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

The Trandoshan squinted slightly. Perhaps it was not his intentions, but the Human almost made it sound like Trandosha was weak, that his people couldn't defend themselves without outside support and intervention. Also, the King didn't like the idea of giving up his planet's sovereignty, even if it did come with representation and protection. He stood up and hissed, tone edging on aggressive.

"While I do wish to seek the security and prosperity of both my people and Trandosha, we are quite capable enough to defend ourselves from any rouge threat we may come across. I feel that, as of now, joining the Dominion would hamper my people. In Trandosha, there is no council, no senate. What I say is law, and any debates that I may have with my advisors is ultimately still my decision. I would not like the idea of a Senate dictating my actions when swiftness and decisiveness is the most appropriate and needed course to take. However, I am willing to hear you and the Prophet strengthen your argument and perhaps present compromises that may be made. Make no mistake, you have my interest, but I must place the needs of Trandosha and my people first and foremost, and if I feel that a settlement would harm rather than help, I will not have it."

[member="Cedric Grayson"] [member="Causstik Rahn"]