Private The Spice Must Flow

[Irulan Al-Zahir]

Planet: Corellia
Location: Luxury Penthouse


The Core Worlds. The most wealthiest region in all of the galaxy. If you were among the galaxy's elite this is where you would want to be. There was a slight perhaps jealousy from Irulan, as she looked outside of the glass in her apartment building. She herself was quite wealthy yes, but she was from the Mid-Rim. There was a difference in being from the Core and being wealthy. Chances are there could be many Core elites who would view her with contempt. Irulan however did not fully care, as she was here to meet a contact of hers. Coreilla offered her a chance to make a name for herself back home on Sikarra. Sikarrans had long desired to one day outshine Naboo as the jewel of the Mid-Rim. Yet presently, Naboo was the throneworld of the High Republic, a successor state to the various morally good factions that once dominated the inner regions of the galaxy. Of course nowadays, there were various antagonstic factions that surround the High Republic on all sides. Perhaps fortunately though, the Black Sun Syndicate has retreated from the galactic stage, allowing Irulan to help begin her operations.

Coreilla would be the first step. It is a densely populated world on the periphery of High Republic space. While an important world no doubt, Irulan surmised that High Republic authorities are more alert and focused on the Sith at their borders rather than looking inwards on their planets. The plan was simple. Irulan had made contact with Eira Dyn a woman whom was onboard with the idea of smuggling spice into Coreilla. From there the spice would be distributed to the lower classes, the homeless, the minor criminals. It was in hopes of getting them addicted, to crave more. Once the foundation of the planet was addicted, Irulan then can move spice further and further up the higher eschelons of society, until the planet itself would be addicted. Such a plan would make her a propesctive candidate for Queen in the next election once her mother dies. Irulan took a puff from her ornate pipe, blowing spice into the air as she waited for her contact.

Eira Dyn​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Corellia
Armour: Marwolaeth Ddu
Armour Mode: Hunter
Equipment: Lethal Pursuers, Vibrosword, Blaster Pistol
Tags: Irulan Al-Zahir

Eira still had her mercenary licence, something she had gained in order to work on assassination contracts and be more proficient within the Black Sun Syndicate when that criminal organisation was at the high of their power. It was something she explored less since Eira was focusing more on her Force training, harnessing her powers in the Force to be more of a threat to the Jedi as someone who was powerful with the Force. While also maintaining an air of someone who was an assassin, someone who worked in shadows, who operated with daggers and stealth. Not necessarily known to be powerful with raw power. But that was something Eira would be. She would dominate with the Force when she could.

Getting contacted by someone seeking out the services of a bounty hunter, Eira responded. She ensured that nothing linked herself to the Sith, especially when she saw that this was a spice operation working within the High Republic space. While it was something that Eira was more than happy to work on, the Sith apprentice also knew that she needed to do this without links to her Order. The more it seemed that the High Republic was dismantling itself internally, the better.

Corellia was an interesting spot to begin. It was one that entered High Republic space recently, under new government and leadership. Some former high born Naboo person was attempting to rejuvenate the world. Eira saw this as the perfect opportunity to undercut that attempt and ensure that Corellia was a stain. A place that festered criminals and broken spirits. Demonstrate that the High Republic took from people far more than it gave them, make the populace resent their leaders and the High Republic.

Arriving in her mercenary vessel, Eira landed at the docks and made her way to the meeting point. Her armour was configured into the hunter mode, leaning into the bounty hunter aesthetics. She also had her Force presence reduced and concealed so that no one could detect that there was a Sith located on the world. Best to avoid drawing attention as a Force User, using her tech to cover that instead. She doubted that there would be any Jedi or do-gooders during the mission that would attempt to block her.

"Irulan?" The heavy modulated voice of Eira called out as she saw the woman huffing on spice. "What do you need from a merc?"

 

[Irulan Al-Zahir]

Planet: Corellia
Location: Luxury Penthouse

Irulan turned her head slightly to the right upon hearing the door slide open. There weren't any guards this time no. Could have drawn a bit too much attention to this deal and Irulan needed to maintain her cover as just another rich gal. The Spice Princess turned fully as she smoked her ornate pipe of spice once more, then blowing it out towards Eira. A orange ring of smoke would fly to her and disappear before it Eira's armor.

"Please sit, Eira. There is business to discuss." Irulan said as she sauntered over to the ouch, A slight sway in her hips as she walked. It wasn't rehearsed but very much natural. With a wave of her a finger a Twi'lek server walked over to pour the pair a glass of wine. She would then gently offer it to Eira before she sat down before moving back to a resting position next to Irulan, with the other Twi'lek servant. Irulan layed herself on her side as she then looked to her contact, with the glass of wine in her hand.

"Do be sure to have a taste. I promise you it is not meant to dull your senes. Sikarran wine is meant to be more refreshing if anything." Irulan took a small sip as she placed her pipe on the glass table infront of her. "But we are here to discuss business. So I shall get us started." Irulan would then click a button and a holographic map of the galaxy appeared. It zoomed it on the Inner and Mid Rim, before then color coding the planets who had official political alignments. Then it zoomed in on the High Republic.

"The High Republic, some say it is the spiritual successor to the defucnt Galactic Alliance. Others say it is just the evolution of once was the Royal Naboo Republic." Irulan made a tsk noise with her mouth "Regardless of your viewpoint, it is the desire of my planet and people to one day surplant Naboo. The plan begins here, in Coreilla. I have begun to introduce the lower classes to spice. Hopefully in the coming rotations, it will begin to spready quickly and there will be an epidemic on the hands of High Republic authorities. What I need of you, is to smuggle more of my spice shipments into planets deeper into High Republic territory. Start a bit of a chain reaction. The more planets exposed, the faster the rot grows, Decadence and bliss over take duties to their Republic."

Eira Dyn ​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Corellia
Armour: Marwolaeth Ddu
Armour Mode: Hunter
Equipment: Lethal Pursuers, Vibrosword, Blaster Pistol
Tags: Irulan Al-Zahir

Eira was glad for her mask, she was never a fan of surrendering to intoxications like alcohol, drugs and other such addictions. It addled the mind and prevented one from performing at their best. Eira was too determined to being her strongest self that she could not afford to waste time, money and energy on such things. Even when she would eventually reach the peak in what she desired, Eira could not allow herself to surrender for a moment. Eira had noted the natural alluring sway of hips, it was something that she had done all too often when not operating as a warrior, as a bounty hunter as she was this moment. It was a disarming technique to give the impression she was not as capable in fighting as some might believe, Eira was curious if Irulan was doing a similar thing with her.

She dismissed the servant, understanding that this was more likely a slave than a willing servant for the princess. Interesting. Eira knew that slavery was common in some corners of the galaxy but she also knew it was heavily disliked, such as the Sith Order and the High Republic. Probably the only view that both sides agreed upon. Eira herself was indifferent on the issue. She did not seek out slaves herself, but she would not condemn others for using them. Eira preferred the use of devout followers, those addicted to her, those who worshipped her with religious fervour. It was something that she planned on exploring once she grew stronger. Not too different to how the Kainites worshipped Carnifex.

"As much as I believe you on that fact, I am not a big fan of the way wine tastes." Another reason why Eira did not really explore the way of drinking that some others did. Reserving it for special occasions or when absolutely necessary.

Seeing the map, Eira leaned forward and shifted the map away from the borders of the Sith Covenant and Sith Order territories that the High Republic bordered with. "Then start over in this direction," pointing down the line of planets that bordered with the Mandalorians. "Currently, the High Republic is in a cold war with the Sith, one that could erupt into actual war any moment, their resources should be heavier in those sectors that border with the Sith."

"While they have an agreement with the Mandalorian Empire, so there should be a more laxed presence in these systems. Start at the edges, the closer you move to Naboo, the stronger military presence we risk and higher chances of getting boarded." Eira stated, while it was not a perfect plan, it was one that Eira thought had a stronger chance to succeed. "Bringing down Naboo will not be easy but selling drugs is a beginning step towards that. There will be a lot more that you could do to ensure Naboo's downfall, drugs will not be the sole reason behind it." Eira looked to Irulan, while she kept the presence of her being a Sith low, there was the intensity of a warrior that could not fade from her.

 

[Irulan Al-Zahir]

Planet: Corellia
Location: Luxury Penthouse


"Suit yourself. It is only me trying to be a hospitable hostess for this meeting." Irulan did flicker eyes at Eira, doing her best to try and get a read on her. She seemed to take her mercenary work seriously. There was no play, only business. To the Sikarrans, business and play can be intermixed. It was much more desirable for the two to mix. But her people wouldn't be good traders if they didnt know how to adapt. So business it is then. Irulan turned to her servants simply also waving them away, watching the pair of Twi'leks walk over to the ornate sofa. They simply layed upon it, awaiting for their Mistress's next order as they both sipped on the wine themselves.

Domestic help as the Sikarran Hapans would call it. Sure some would call it slavery but it was such a cruel word to use. They aren't mistreated but viewed as valuable servants, as long as they do what they are told. Irulan seemingly focused more on Eira and her advice as she pointed to the holomap. Eira's advice was sound, so start on the border worlds with the Mandalorians. If security was weak there, then Irulan can exploit it to expand out the spice trade.

"A reasonable plan yes. But I also know it will take more than this to ensure Naboo's downfall." Irulan said as she took another inhale from her spice pipe, before blowing out another ring of orange smoke "I have designs to try and forge trade relatiions with the High Republic itself, give Sikarra a cover story of being a nice trade planet. This will allow us to penerate deeper into other markets, and have their citizens savor after our goods. If you are speaking militarily,...Sikarra doesn't have a standing military like how the Sith or the High Republic does. We supplement with mercenaries to handle pirates."

Eira Dyn ​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Corellia
Armour: Marwolaeth Ddu
Armour Mode: Hunter
Equipment: Lethal Pursuers, Vibrosword, Blaster Pistol
Tags: Irulan Al-Zahir

Eira smirked behind her mask, "I appreciate the hospitalities, but I try to avoid mixing business and pleasure, allows me to focus on achieving the maximum satisfaction in both when I separate them. And I have heard plenty on how... intoxicating the spices from your world can be." Eira selected the word intoxicating intentionally since she had heard rumours of the powerful ways that the drugs from Irulan's world could have on a person. It was interesting and definitely a weapon that Eira was intrigued in understanding more of. Anything that would give her more edges in combat were always avenues that Eira wished to seek out.

"Good, glad to know that you are not a fool and understand that this will be a long campaign." Eira commented, she was glad that this was not going to be an issue. Some nobility held a lack of patience or fools believed that a singular victory meant that war had been won. Irulan was not either and Eira respected that. "Creating a legal trade establishment between your home world and the High Republic is good, it will enhance the stance you are far more reliable than Naboo. That you bring more to the table than the Naboo can." A two prong attack was solid, it would show alternatives to the Naboo in a growing crisis. "Make yourselves invaluable. As for military forces, I was not expecting armies from you. Mercenaries are only reliable as a force while payment flows. Be cautious on relying on such methods."

Leaning back, "we have the time now, I recommend building a force that will be invaluable as a military force. Zealots loyal to an ideal that you control. Warriors that will not falter in the face of adversary." Eira was of the strong belief that a truly powerful leader was one that inspired loyalty even in the possible face of death. "Even a small force of very dedicated warriors, trained well, could burn down an empire like the High Republic." Eira grinned behind her mask, "but that is up to you."

Crossing her legs, Eira held the dominant aura that she always carried with her, "so, how can I help you today?"

 

[Irulan Al-Zahir]

Planet: Corellia
Location: Luxury Penthouse


Irulan smirked at the mentioned of how her contact knew how intoxicating the spices and narcotics from her world could be. There was a sense of pride rising from Irulan. It meant her people were doing well and their reputation was starting to reach beyond the borders of their home star system. "There are some who can multi task and there are some who can't. No shame in those that can't multi task of course. Just we Sikarrans have a tendency to mix both and it has led us to acquire much more favorable deals with parties. But unlike the Zeltrons, we can be purely business should our clients demand it."

Irulan seemingly chucked when Eira mentioned that she wasn't fool and knew that the downfall of Naboo would be a long campaign. She listened to her contact once more giving advice on how to handle the High Republic. "Hmm zealots or warriors that do not fall. Sounds more like something that needs to be engineered, especially the latter." Irulan smirked as she then smoked her ornate pipe, consuming her spice. "Yet..there are ways I can induce loyalty, devotion. After all, how do you think Sikarra has so many domestic help jobs and none of them ever complain?"

The Sikarran consumes more spice from her pipe and she closed her eyes, listening to Eira ask how she could help her today. Irulan would breath out another orange rink of smoke at Eira. "A partnership. One to help the other yes? You're a mercenary and thus know alot about the galaxy at large and can provide me vital intel. In turn..I can assist you in securing your throne." Irulan opened her eyes and gave a smirk at her contact. "A lovely possible future. You sitting on a black throne, the masses worshipping you as their Empress. You are more than just a mercenary if the future I saw is true and that is your ambition. "

"But if you are asking what you can do now, I need to ensure the High Republic's Jedi do not come down on me. Thus I need to win their support or blind them to my more nefarious affairs. Do you have a target in mind on how to achieve that?"

Eira Dyn ​

 

[Eira Dyn]

Location: Corellia
Armour: Marwolaeth Ddu
Armour Mode: Hunter
Equipment: Lethal Pursuers, Vibrosword, Blaster Pistol
Tags: Irulan Al-Zahir

Shaking her head with a chuckle, "you misunderstand. It is not that I am incapable of multi-tasking. It is that I choose to be more singularly focused. That dedicated focus allows me to achieve more, be better and work harder. Both in professional setting as well as in the areas of pleasure. Distractions can impede progress." Eira knew all too well that others were going to be seeking a mix, she sometimes used their desires against them. Leaning into such distractions while still pursuing her path.

"Engineered only in the beginning, keep the devotion and efforts, over time they will beg and flock to you to enlist." Eira stated, while it was not an immediate solution it was one that would have lasting effect and ensure that there would be a strong devoted force that would never be brought or falter if plans did not work in a lasting manner. "Drugs, especially addicting ones, can be an effective tool. But a story, a religious fervour can be equally powerful."

Behind the mask, Eira's eyes narrowed and her face sharpened as she listened to a prediction of a future where she sat on a throne. It was one that fed into the ambitions she desired so there was always going to be resistance to the idea that someone just saw exactly what she desired. However, Eira was also was intrigued by the possibilities that this was a Force sensitive royal. Someone she could train, manipulate and control. Eira enjoyed having tools and avenues to explore, "well. That is certainly an interesting prediction, especially since it will be quite the tale. A mercenary becoming an empress. Shall be interesting to see what you can do to help me achieve such a goal."

Shaking her head, "they will never support you. Trading in spice and having slaves, or the indentured servants as you might wish to frame them as. Jedi do not support such things, it will be smarter to just ensure they never realise what is going on. Convince them of the lie and they will never see the truth, no matter how obvious it may seem. Their arrogance tends to blind them from the truth once they have been deceived, since they always believe themselves beyond deception." Eira pointed out, it was a constant failing of the Jedi, it was why Sith infiltrators were so successful. It was why they could not see the corruption within the senate that was already growing. Democracy was a belief that the Jedi thought had to exist, but it only ever failed and would play right into the Sith's hands.

"Trick the council, blind them from your dealings and they will never be convinced by anyone else that you are truly aiming to bring their Order, the High Republic down." Eira stated plainly. "I do not know their specific members but I doubt anyone of them would be impossible to fool, it is more important to understand what their motivations are and what are their blind spots."