The Setup

[Jairus Starvald]

​

The Centrality, Erilnar.​

Two Weeks After...​

--​

​

[member="Maleagant"]​

​

Turbulent times ahead to say the least.

Tai Fa was many things.

Pragmatic to a fault and always willing to see the different types of perspectives in any number of situations. A realist who saw that sometimes you needed to get your hands... or wings dirty, if you wished for success in the Galaxy. But above all, in this particular situation, he was an opportunist to the highest of degrees.

In truth his schedule was slow. He had not been planning on making any big waves or moves on Erilnar for some time to come - his plan was to establish holdings elsewhere first, to have a strong foundation from which to go forward - but one must be adaptable.

In this case Fa realized that the entire situation had changed.

The Renatasian Confederation had swooped in. Destabilized the region... and then vanished once again, as swiftly as it arrived in the first place.

The Thirriken was unsure what had happened exactly and perhaps they would be back sometime soon. But for now it meant there was a situation to take advantage of. Pollux... or Maleagant, as he called himself now, turned out to be a valuable associate.

First merely a pawn, it turned out he, too, was a Sith with a long gaze into the future.

"Cooperation.​

Importance understated.​

Thrives with benefit."​

Tai Fa mumbled to himself and to Vnut to his side.

They were waiting for Pol- Maleagant to arrive. In the face of a resurgent Sith Order where the founding players were in dormancy and the new players were... enthusiastic and dysfunctional, it was important to reaffirm alliances. He had already bought a silent majority within a certain agricultural company. The 10 foot demon had posed a problem- incorruptible and polite that bordered to defiance, yet, after sharing a hot cup of tea, they came to a mutually agreeable solution.

As said before, sometimes one must be willing to dirty ones feathers.

He was no great fan of thugs and ruffians, but there were credits in it, and credits moved the Galaxy.

 

[Darth Osano]

Vulgrim's shares in his own company were not his to sell.

It bothered Maleagant that Vulgrim had made such an important business decision without consulting his partner. His owner. Maleagant did not like having his middle men chained to the stake of another. The fact that it was Tai Fa who had bought the shares did nothing to comfort Maleagant's temper. Why would it have? Now not only were his own pawns being purchased from under him, they were being purchased by someone who also had magical space powers. More potent magical space powers than Maleagant had at the present time. Now he was being called before the dreaded peacock Sith to sit through another torturous barrage of poetry. Maleagant did not know what Tai Fa wanted from him. Perhaps to gloat.

Erilnar was not a world unknown to the Shi'ido acolyte. Eugene had conducted some business here a long time ago on behalf of some two-bit cartel no one even knew the name of any more. They had been paying big credits for each member of a rival gang that got picked off. Maleagant sent Eugene to collect that money, but all that ended up happening was a whole lot of nothing. Police were called. Riots had broken out. No one had paid a cent. And despite the fair bit of distance between Alignment Space and the Centrality, Maleagant could tell that by the end of the fighting, decisive control of the underground had fallen under the shadow of another.

A shadow shaped like a bird.

How quaint.

Once Maleagant arrived, he was not alone. Two Helix Syndicate Specialists stood guard out by the door. Rahgot the Mandallian Giant, however, entered the meeting room with him. There were distinct reverberations in the floor as the Mandallian gladiator entered alongside his handler. Could Rahgot actually harm Tai Fa? Doubtful. Maleagant just enjoyed the extra security, and he would need it there when he began to scold the Thirriken for his rude, inappropriate meddling.

"Yes?"

Not yet, obviously.

 

[TB-705]

Interesting times ahead, to say the least.

Thengil Ri'Shajirr was many things.

Political to the end and always willing to find alternative avenues that paved a path to power. Yet, also a visionary bound up in his own code of ethics who saw it necessary to employ certain tools to forge a better Galaxy. But above all, in this particular situation, he was a Sith.

In truth, his schedule was busy. Plans set in motion would soon come to fruition, from the Thyrsians to a core following among the Sith - he would rise to his former glory and beyond, restored to new heights in the eyes of any who saw him as useless relic from a bygone era. But one must be flexible.

In this case, Ri'shajirr noted a path he'd not yet considered.

The Helix Syndicate's fighting pits had changed his mind. An influx of money, unregulated by governments and beholden solely to the Syndicate's leader: a man who hid in the shadows.

Thengil did not know as yet how to proceed into a place he had seldom trod, for he knew little of the Underworld save his time aboard the Mictlan prison barge. Still, he had a feeling it was not all that different. This shadowy figure could prove a valuable asset, or a terrible foe.

First, assuming him merely a crime lord, now it appeared he too stood among the Sith, or so the Thirriken told him.

He and Maijora devised a stratagem for conquest: an organization the Jedi could not readily undo through a fleet. One that would be able to strike from anywhere, from everywhere and achieve goals thought petty. All part of a larger picture. The first stake in the venture came from a Rodian who had at first proven recalcitrant. The sight of ill-gotten gains quickly changed his tune. There was the matter of a certain Aqualish, of course, but it appeared he stood beholden to the man in the shadows. This... Maleagant.

The door hissed open and Thengil strode in wearing a dark red tunic fringed with gold and pants of sable hue.

"Greetings, brothers."

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

There was an eerie silence in the room as the gargantuan giant entered right after [member="Maleagant"], followed by the other Sith [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"].

The Thirriken cocked his head to the side and studied the new addition to his fellow's Sith security. Then, and only then, did something of amusement enter his eye and the perk of his beak. Tai Fa inclined that same beak, in a token sign of respect, before entering into the same old ritual that the two individuals had doubtlessly perfected over time.

"Great mountain right there.​

Stands tall and strong, like an oak.​

Good security.​

​

Friend Maleagant.​

And also, brother Thengil.​

Welcome to you both."​

​

For a moment he simply sat there and pondered about what was to come. There were ways, of course. There were ambitions. But the right words had to be spoken carefully, if they wished to be taken as needed instead of being discarded as waste.​

​

"The Sith rise right now.​

We see the truth of this, yes?
Danger lies ahead.

Old Sith lie dormant.
Our brothers are gone for now.
In their wake the new.

These new Sith we see.
Much hunger, yet no restraint.
Swallow us whole, no?

I offer friendship.
An opportunity here.
To forge protection."

And that was the truth as far as Tai Fa could see it.​

​

The Sith Order was rising, yes, but these new Sith being added to the fold. Be that Sith that had been active decades ago or only recently found their way into the fold... they were not the Sith that helped the founding of this Order. They only came later and yet, yet their hubris was large.​

​

Their hunger larger.​

​

Little could be done about that, unless they wished to go towards the path of Bane and his ilk. No, Fa would not bother with such political games and savagery. There was greater profit to be had and it came in the finding like-minded individuals, forming spheres of influence and safeguarding that same influence from the fools.​

​

But were they interested? Thengil seemed enthusiastic, but Pollux... Maleagant was a different story, it could go either way.​

​

And he wondered what he would have to do with his Infochant, if that was the case.​

 

[Darth Osano]

The doors opened again and in strode [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] . It only took Maleagant a moment or two to recognize him. It was hard not to recognize the Cathar that had been flying around his fighting pits, scooping out the gladiators he liked. Maleagant had been willing to overlook this slight because Ri'Shajirr happened to be a member of the same Force cult that he was. But of course his fellow acolyte decided to push the envelope, brow beating the employees of his employees into his service. Was nothing sacred among this pair of filchers any more? Were they so incapable of building their own works that they had to stamp upon the affairs of others? Maleagant supposed he should have expected this treatment, sticking his neck out from Alignment Space.

Oh well.

The entire time [member="Tai Fa"] was speaking, Maleagant refused to let his baleful glare rest anywhere else than on Thengil. One of his eyes twitched once or twice throughout the whole spiel, but Maleagant was listening. Maybe one or two of them he could have killed on his own as long as Rahgot and the Specialists were quick about it. There was also a shuttle filled with Enforcers not too far away. Maleagant didn't go anywhere without an escort, not since he had toppled the monopolies of, not one, but two interstellar corporations that made the Pentastar Alignment their own. But these two? Together? Maybe if he played the long game he could trick them into getting inside of a speeder with a thermonuclear warhead rigged to the accelerator... But that would be expensive. And not at all conducive to building good relations with other Sith.

Despite his annoyance, Maleagant would resolve to make lemonade from this travesty of lemons the Force had given him. Red-ringed eyes finally peeled themselves off from Thengil, settling on the Thirriken. "And what would you have of me? Specifically."

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]​

​

In response the lion simply kept on smiling.

This was more because of Maleagant's awkward need to stare up towards his fellow Sith during the entire speech. But if there was one thing Tai Fa was known for, it was the fact that nothing quite like managed to ruffle his feathers. Which was weird considering how to the point and by the book he was.

Should have been at least a half dozen things annoying him at a time.

Especially considering the idiots they were surrounded by in the Order. Which wasn't annoyance, it was simply stating a fact as succinctly as possible.

"Right now? I see this.​

Centrality in chaos.​

Order must rule here.​

​

Start at Erilnar.​

The rail is to be restored.​

Here commerce must flow.​

​

The rest will follow.​

Competition extinguished.​

Support extends deep."​

​

With the three triads taking control over the various elements of crime throughout the Galaxy they could ensure a certain level of order within the underworld. This meant better prices, it meant safety, meant protection and stability. It was truly a win-win-win situation for all beings involved.​

​

Except perhaps their competition.​

​

But not everyone could be as lucky.​

 

[TB-705]

So this is Maleagant.

Muscle-bound arms crossed over a broad chest. Thengil noted the spiteful gaze. Something in the eyes and stance seemed familiar, but he could not place it. Black lips peeled apart to expose yellowed teeth.

He is a small morsel.

He returned the gaze unflinchingly; amber eyes lazy in the manner of a lounging predator, yet promising pain to any who sought to test his strength. His ears twitched.

The Thirriken sought to restore a magrail line, or such Thengil extracted from his odd manner of speech. When commerce flowed, so too did other, less savory items of a narcotic nature. Items Thengil sought to invest heavily in, after heeding Thyrsian counsel.

"I have no issue with this."

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Darth Osano]

"How fortunate for you." Maleagant made a spiteful aside to Ri'Shajirr, then returned his focus to Tai Fa. "Why should I work with either of you? You both have undermined my operations in the Outer Rim. My pawns are compromised. I'll have to start from scratch."

The reason why Maleagant had favored Vulgrim and Narbo so much was because they were both the type that could be reasonably taken advantage of without any real consequences. They were model employees. Each had desires that were easily satisfied, each had goals to be reasonably achieved. They would ask for no more than what Maleagant would give them. If there were any sort of people Maleagant dreaded being involved in his work, it was other Sith. Anyone else, their cruelty might occasionally sleep. Their cupidity might be satiated. But a pair of Sith like [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] and [member="Tai Fa"] would never rest, never stop, never be controlled. Their ambition extended too far beyond simple greed.

And Maleagant knew that perfectly well, being in a similar boat of entitlement and lust for power.

"What do you really want, Fa? It's not my Enforcers."

Maleagant already knew what these moochers wanted: they wanted in on Maleagant's spice circuit. But he would have the satisfaction of hearing them admit to it, to this apparent need to dirty their hands in the criminal underworld, before leaving in a cloud of fury.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]​

​

--​

​

"Friend Maleagant.​

I wish for us to be friends.​

The strongest allies.​

​

I wish to partake.​

The trade of spice is quite rich.​

We can truly help.
​

Do not be angry.​

My contacts reach far and wide.​

Merchant fleet to aid."​

​

Fa Holdings was an investment firm first and foremost.

Their strength was the ability to find out a sound investment and swoop in, before anyone could complain. This was what had happened with Blackwell Agriculture and this is what could be the benefit for old Pollux. Of course, they could presumably do it without him, he had the merchant fleets and the cover operations of the agricultural sort, Thengil seized control of the narcotics.

But there needed to be a stabilizing force between the muscle and the keen mind.
They needed the infochant to offer them intelligence.
What they needed was a careful balance between might, knowledge and foresight.

Of course, Tai understood completely that Pollux was indignant about this entire affair. He, too, would have been indignant if two Sith busted into his operations and usurped his lieutenants' control, but such was the way sometimes. Sometimes... you needed to see the clear advantage.

"Separate weakness.​

Jointly potential unlocked.
Think carefully, please."

 

[Darth Osano]

Maleagant gave a wave of his hand, putting a decisive stopper whatever input [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] was about to offer. "Was that so hard?"

The brute could wait. Grownups, the movers and shakers, were speaking. At least Maleagant already knew of [member="Tai Fa"] and his capacity for building. Fa Holdings was already an up-in-coming company in its own right. At the very least Maleagant could be assured whatever Fa took over would remain functioning. This feline, however, disgusted Maleagant quite thoroughly. He was an unknown variable, an ex-convict well past his prime. Maleagant liked people who weren't captured. Stripped of the Force, too. It spoke leagues of their general capabilities.

"You may be right." Maleagant acquiesced to that much. "Perhaps I could benefit from your involvement. Why should I tolerate your servant's presence? What use is he?"

The Shi'ido fixed Thengil with another glare, still speaking to Fa. "What does he know of anything?"

Not much, Maleagant supposed. Narbo had also been a brute, had also not known much of anything. But that was by design. Perhaps it was fitting that one dullard would find his replacement in another dullard, but to put this... Creature in charge of Zareca's growing operation with no leash would only lead to disaster.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] | [member="Maleagant"]​

​

Thengil's temper problems were known to him.

So it was not surprising that right before the lion Sith could cut in and snap Maleagant's neck, that Tai raised his wing to interrupt the righteous fury train. It was surprising to him, how an intelligent sentient being such as Pollux could make such flawed decisions in the heat of the moment.

There had been little need to antagonize Thengil. Little pay-off, if any at all. Perhaps the Thirriken had been wrong about the Shi'ido's qualifications for this operation.

Yet, they had to forge ahead regardless of their desires. Three were stronger than two and they would need all the strength they had to resist the more base urges of the new Sith tunneling their way into the Order. No, they had to build a coalition based on law, order and stability.

This was imperative for the continued success of all their operations.

"Keen minds hide, not show.​

Wait... then strike when opportune.​

Cathar is patient.​

​

Cathar is steady.​

We need strength and intellect.​

To win the long con."​

 

[TB-705]

The Cathar's eyes narrowed, but he did not answer. His gaze flicked over to stare at Tai Fa's upraised wing for a long moment. Thengil's body became entirely still, as if frozen in time, every ounce of muscle coiled up like a snake.

After a murderous moment, Ri'shajirr let out a snort, then pressed two fingers up to the side of his neck.

"Enter."

The door slid open for a third time, exposing a Rodian flanked by two soldiers armored unmistakably in the trappings of the Sunguard of Thyrsus.

"Report."

One of the guards stepped forward and slammed his fist to his chest. "Stellar Legionnaire Ezhaz reporting. We have secured the plantations. The Aqualish gave us little resistance. We now control the spice operation on Rishi."

"Dismissed."

The Sunguards saluted and went back the way they had come, followed by the shady Rodian. Thengil's eyes flicked over to Maleagant, but he said nothing. Not a smile. Not a sneer. Only lackadaisical curiosity writ large across his feline features.

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Darth Osano]

Maleagant's eyes widened considerably and his whole body tensed. Not like a snake, coiling before its strike, however. It was more like... A vulture. A vulture about to flee the site of some carrion, since a larger and more intimidating predator had just arrived on the scene. For example, a lion. It was all very fortunate for all parties involved that Helix Syndicate Enforcers had not yet arrived to act as the guards for those plantations, as had been previously arranged. Otherwise, the unsubbed, undeveloped, and untrained Sun Guard-pretender rabble fielded by [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] would have been hopelessly slaughtered.

Probably.

A man could dream that his tedious development threads were worth just a little bit more than the electricity required to render the text on the screen.

"I-...!" Maleagant began, stopped, then looked to [member="Tai Fa"]. "You-..."

The Shi'ido considered his position and that of his newfound frenemies. Particularly the most threatening frenemy in the room, Vnut, who was only slightly smaller than Rahgot but brimmed with the apoplectic energy of the Force. Maleagant allowed himself to relax, his expression returning to normal. "Very well." He moved his hands behind his back, clasping them there. A wise man had once said to always know when to fold 'em. Know when to knock 'em dead. Know when to run. This was one of the folding moments, it looked like.

"It appears we have arrived at a suitable arrangement. I, for one, welcome Zareca's new feline overlord. Long may he reign." Maleagant remarked coolly. "Is there anything else you wanted from me today?"

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]​

​

One day he'd have to discuss the specific characteristics of diplomacy with dearest Thengil.

It had been clear to him from the get-go that Maleagant would have seen the wisdom of this course of action. There was little need to antagonize the poor fellow further, was there now? It was like a wise man once had said: When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you.

But it seemed Thengil was not aware of that saying.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps. The Lord of Slaughter was more concerned with the 'Twenty dozen ways to kill a Rancor', publicized by the Beast Hunter's Guild than anything else, but it was his fault for expecting better.

"Patience, Maleagant.​

Oh, we have much to discuss.​

From the great spice routes.​

​

To the new share cuts.​

Our enemies and allies.​

What we shall do now.​

​

Erilnar waits, friends.​

We must act decisively.​

Before rivals win."​

​

The truth was that his focus currently was on the Confederacy which had thrown Erilnar into chaos. He controlled most of the erilnarian underworld, but that did little to nothing to dissuade the zealotry of the confederacy's remnants. They still planned attacks and probes on every turn- this was a problem for all three of them, because the attention he spend on them, was attention he could not spend on the export of... agriculture.

The magnetic rail deep under the ground of Erilnar had to be restored.

Much money relied on it, money that would be used to expand their overal reach. They just needed to grab for it.

 

[TB-705]

A physical copy of Twenty-Dozen Ways to Kill a Rancor had been difficult to come by, but the book lay in Thengil's quarters at the temple on Yalara, in plain view for any to see. He had never read it, of course.

However, he did recall a work on the nature of the ruler. The author wrote, "There are three kinds of intelligence: one kind understands things for itself, the other appreciates what others can understand, the third understands neither for itself nor through others. The first is excellent, the second good, and the third useless."

The Cathar's lips gave a predatory twitch as he stared at the peacock.

"I can offer several Thyrsians."

[member="Tai Fa"] | [member="Maleagant"]

 

[Darth Osano]

Several whole Thyrsians? Maleagant restrained a roll of the eyes. Well, if several Thyrsians were clearly at his disposal, Maleagant could not possibly imagine why [member="Tai Fa"] would ever need him. After all, who had any need for a large influx of Helix Syndicate Enforcers when a gaggle of Thyrsians were about to lock arms and skip down the magrail tunnels like nobody's business. It didn't particularly matter to Maleagant how long or how many men it took to secure Fa's fortunes here. The only subject of importance was what exactly Fa wanted out of this spice trade. As would soon be apparent, this little "setup" had not left Maleagant in a particularly generous mood.

"Blackwell Agriworks may transport the spice, but without my contacts in the Core you will find no way to move it past its destination." Maleagant had worked tirelessly to secure contracts with the governments of Denon and Rendili, not to mention sowing the seeds of corruption that would be necessary to get it through customs and get those warehouses set up. "You will take fifteen percent of the profits."

Maleagant looked over to Ri'Shajirr, who had assumed control of the growing operation through sheer force of will. No cunning necessary. As much as it would begrudge him to admit it, [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"] had made himself utterly indispensable to this operation. Without him, there would be no spice to transport or sell. Cutting him out or giving him less than Tai Fa was not an option. It could also serve as a nice insult to Fa. Maybe if the Peacock had asked for involvement rather than groping mindlessly...

"You will have twenty percent of the profits." He said to Thengil.

At the end of the day, this was Maleagant's brain child. He would not settle for less than half of what was made. If either cat or bird had issue with that, Maleagant would find somewhere else to grow his spice and someone else to smuggle it for him. Then these could grope helplessly in the dark of the Core Worlds without the foggiest idea of who to sell to.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]​

​

Unlike Tai Fa's writer the bird himself was entirely undisturbed by the insolence displayed.

This was because he was used to the boorish and unimaginative ways of the lesser folk. They were rabble at the end of the day. Uneducated, stumbling in the dark and wholly blind to class and a higher calling. It wasn't their fault, of course, as such Fa did not take it personally. None at all. Instead, he simply smiled, a beakish peacock smile - the first smile Maleagant ever saw him make.

There came no insult or threat.

Simply reason.

Because Fa was a bird of reason, even if those around him were not.

"I see your point, friend.​

Yet, I must carry the risk.​

To bring these fine goods.​

​

Good reputation.​

It takes time for it to grow.​

To be created.​

​

Yet, here we are, no?​

My ships pass the Alliance.​

Fa's reputation.​

​

Solid as firm steel."​

​

He waved his wing, the feathers fluttered in the draft.​

​

"Forty is for you.​

Sixty will be for us, yes.​

Divided half-half." ​

 

[TB-705]

The Cathar's ears flicked in the way cat ears are prone to do.

Arms still crossed, he looked between the Syndicate leader and the disgraced nobleman. A low rumble formed in his throat, not exactly a growl, but not a purr. It cut off when he spoke, voice robust enough to raise the testosterone level in the room exponentially.

"Fa Holdings, Helix, and Zareca will evenly share thirty-three percent. Without the spice plantations, Helix would have nothing to sell their contacts what was promised. Fa will provide Helix with a portion of the proceeds from the mag-rail line when it is operational. Such is fitting. Such is fair."

[member="Tai Fa"] | [member="Maleagant"]

 

[Darth Osano]

Maleagant's head slowly turned to [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"], bearing an expression of grave... Annoyance. He narrowed his eyes at the Cathar and considered this outrageous suggestion. An equivalent share in this planetary magrail [member="Tai Fa"] needed help constructing would be more than adequate to recoup the monetary losses of losing 66% of his spice profits to skulduggery. Maleagant was only dimly aware of his hypocrisy, having bullied dozens of other sentients into far more disadvantageous deals. Something something, taste. Something something, own medicine. Bah. Maleagant was a Sith now. He was beyond being subjected to his own torments.

But he supposed as of now he was not in a situation to defy it, only to adapt to it. As it currently stood, taking a tidy chunk of Fa's revenue from his magrail would be about as wonderful an adaptation as Maleagant could ever hope for. There was no sense in waiting around for another one.

Softening his expression, Maleagant looked back to the Regal Eagle that was Fa. "I will accept a thirty-three percent share of the magrail operation." He eventually said. "And then I will accept an even split of the profits, as the Cathar has suggested."

Clearly they were not yet on a first name basis.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Maleagant"] | [member="Thengil Ri'Shajirr"]​

​

Well, well, well.

It seemed that Thengil wasn't a huge walking muscle after all. The Thirriken studied him carefully as he made his case, which was eventually followed by a small inclination of his beak as a token of respect. In truth, he did not mind giving a share of the profits to Maleagant, mostly because he was going to be utilizing his Helix mooks for protection and suppression of opposition regardless.

Oh, he had his own mooks.

But they were currently otherwise occupied and could not be reached for further comment.

​

"This seems quite fair, yes.​

Thyrsians and Specialists.​

I will need them, friends.​

​

Renatasians.​

Broken, they do not give up.​

We must wipe them out.​

​

For the spice to flow."​

One of his claws ticked at a button and a holographic representation of the underground complex was revealed. It was gargantuan. A magnetic railway that spanned the entire planet, underground, and tied together all the major cities of Erilnar itself. The Renatasians had been aiming to use the disused tunnels as hide places and spots of security for their own operations- he had even gone into negotiations with one of their leaders.

Little had come of it.

It only underlined Tai Fa's feelings on the criminals bands roaming this Galaxy. They needed firm and strict leadership, if they were ever to amount to something. So why not them?

"Any questions, friends?"​