Public A Galaxy of Intrigue

[Kazian Blackwood]

A GALAXY OF INTRIGUE

A Countdown to Coruscant Story

​

A galaxy of intrigue abounds as political tensions boil to another series of interstellar wars breaking out across the galaxy.

The Dark Empire has succeeded in a lightning strike occupation of the Deep Core, and the galaxy holds its breath in anticipation for a full-scale invasion of Coruscant that could result in an unprecedented occupation of the galaxy's heart. For the first time in decades, the Alliance is threatened by spies in their ranks, and the failure of Strategic Intelligence Agency to warn of Imperial invasion has led their director to resign.

But not all is well in the Imperial Security Bureau. The Death of Imperial Despot Ignacious Korvan and the betrayal of the Imperial Warlord Sion of Ord Mantell have placed the ISB on the back foot, in their own backyard.

A paradigm shift is occurring among the galactic intelligence community as the conflicts begin, as the long-established spy networks of the Galactic Alliance and The Empire enter an opposition not seen since the cold war that coincided with the rise of the New Imperial Order.

As part of a crucial attempt to destroy the Galactic Alliance once and for all, the dark tendrils of the Empire begin to spread out, its eyes and ears searching for anything to aid in the impending attack on the galaxy's beating heart. The road to Coruscant is paved with shadowed intentions.

As it happens, a new target has drawn the eyes of the Bureau, a Galactic event promising to be fertile grounds for establishing a powerful new spy network among the upper echelons of Galactic society.

This year, the neutral world of Zeltros has been given the honor of hosting the Galactic Exposition, or GalExpo, an intergalactic trade fair showing off the greatest achievements of culture, technology, and economics. Despite many urging a postponement by the Zeltron government following the Empire's attack on the nearby world of Onderon, the organizers have stood strong in the face of growing hardship in the galaxy. The Zeltron never back down from revelry. The Expo will go on.

Zeltros, already a timelessly popular spot for the galaxy's wealthiest to retreat, becomes host once again to the richest and brightest people the galaxy has to offer. Aristocrats, plutocrats, diplomats and autocrats arrive to rub shoulders, flaunt their status, and scheme among themselves.

The tensions are high, and as the first day of GalExpo comes to a close, a grand party is hosted in the Zeltron royal summer palace for the industrialists, magnates, and politicians who make the Expo possible. Weaving among the guests, and the staff, spies from all over the galaxy play an increasingly dangerous game of hide and seek.

As the party begins, guests are welcomed up the grand staircase to a wonder of festivities. A grand ballroom invites the dazzlingly dressed to show their style, while an even grander bar has multi-armed golden droids serving drinks as fast as their processors can handle. An entire wing of the palace has been converted into a casino, where the money shown off at the Expo can be put where one's mouth is. For those who lack the wealth or speedy lifestyle for gambling, the extensive gardens and forests along the palace hill have been opened to all guests to explore and enjoy.

What deals will be cut over drinks tonight? What lies will be traded between sharp ears and silver tongues? What truths will be uncovered that might alter the course of the wars breaking out among the great powers?

OOC Note: This thread is open to everyone, not just those involved in the conflict between the GA and DE. Spies, diplomats, businesspeople, etc. you are welcome no matter who you represent. Anyone is free to use this thread as a place for their stories to intersect with the happenings of the galaxy, and a place for writers to explore the effects of the conflicts on their characters.

 

[Kazian Blackwood]

The mad swarm of partiers was the perfect place for a viper to lurk. Emboldened by alcohol and Zeltron pheromones, riding high from an excellent opening to the Galactic Expo, the high society of the galaxy loosened their lips and their purses.

My cover was as a gambler, a dime a dozen type who habitually pursued events like this just to satisfy their vice. Not someone with a stake in things, as it were. I'd have preferred something more fly-on-the-wall, like a server, but there wasn't a server here that was human. They were all Zeltron, all courtesy of the royal family's catering, and all ravishingly beautiful so you were never in doubt about grabbing that next drink.

But the crowd of gamblers that I shared a sabacc table with now were a diverse bunch, the highest rollers in the galaxy who only cared about one another as far as they could push a stack of a credit chits.

A welcome change of pace from all I'd been put through lately, and a genuine chance to hook something that Bureau Chiefs could feast on as they drew up the plans for occupying Coruscant. We were fishing for information that would allow us to control the most populous planet in existence. Weak spots were valued like Kyber.

While no gambler myself, knowing people was my game, and the routine sweep of my eyes across the table to my competitors granted me as well a great view of the rest of the casino floor. As of yet I'd seen nobody of note, but I knew that would change...

 

[Rulonom Laborr]

V I C E R O Y
THE TRADE FEDERATION

Counselor of Commerce
Kazian Blackwood
​

The Galactic Trade Federation faced significant challenges, even though it had successfully expanded following the collapse of the New Imperial Order.

Due to its extensive connections with various organizations and factions across the galaxy, the Federation found itself in need of increased manpower, as well as additional financial experts such as creditors, accountants, and bankers, to effectively manage its sprawling trading network.

The Skakoan's mind transitioned into profound reflection, recognizing that the ongoing Alliance-Empire Conflict would deteriorate with the passage of time, leading to frequent economic instability in the galactic markets, everything from shipping to food supplies would be considered a valuable commodity.

Upon anticipating the upcoming conflict, they successfully separated a significant portion of their assets from the influence of the Galactic Alliance. Opting to protect their wealth in hidden underground vaults, made to guarantee that their competitors in the business sector would not be able to challenge them.

During their investigation to find more suitable locations for vaults, they found out that the Galactic Exposition, also known as GalExpo, was taking place on the Party Planet of Zeltros.

"AWEWEEEOROROR..We can only aspire for this experience to be valuable for the Federation" The Skakoan elucidated to a nearby attendant, fine-tuning the suit mechanisms as they emitted a hissing and squealing sound.

Moving through the palace corridors into the main plaza, The Viceroy was accompanied by a legion of attendants, envoys, and escorted by an entire squadron of B2-A Super Battle Droids.

 

[Henri Van Baker]

A lavish suit of elaborate cloth with an external layer of a long, coat-like jacket with exotic patterns going up and down. They were made of expensive materials coming from some lavish clothes store on Coruscant, but they happened to make their way to Henri, given to him at the hotel by his parents, to which a loud argument easily echoed through the walls. He nearly screamed at them. Just like his teenage years some couple decades ago. He was just older now, and had a beard to match.

Coming to Zeltros was mandatory, an odd place to meet family given the planets reputation for decadence, but it had been decades since the whole family came together. This wasn't a happy meeting either, the galaxy was going crazy, major worlds were under threat of being invaded and important, influential and wealthy people have been killed, blackmailed and removed. Times were changing and while it was dark to think about, there was a likely chance this would've been their last time seeing each other. But, Henri wasn't a man of selflessness or awareness, he just wanted to be left alone despite everything.

And also despite this being an important affair of influential people meeting together and his final chance to turn his life around, Henri didn't bother to be meet them. He despised the clothes, despised high society and feared a crowd crush as people of all types came and went. Fingers went around the white collar of his shirt, with him gulping loudly and hastily looking about the place for a suitable place to retreat to. It didn't seem like the crowd would let up, like everyone in the galaxy was coming in. He was getting ready to push past the past all the denizens moving around, get some space and-

People were clearing the way, a Trade Federation envoy and his retinue walking past. Or, something of that sort, he wasn't entirely familiar with whatever hierarchy they had.

Spoiler: walking past

Trade Federation Retinue​

Their arrival made him forget his crowded, panic-inducing environment, briefly raising a brow and looking as the entire entourage were walking- albeit he felt it more like the droids were marching -through the corridor towards the plaza. "Goes to show the kind of important people around here, got armed guards and everything." He thought "Wont be the last of those types, that's for sure."

And as they moved by, the sudden parting of people had lasted for a brief few seconds, giving Henri ample room to suddenly bolt in the opposite direction of the plaza. "Just get to the exit, find the nearest bar and pretend I was never here..." his thoughts- much like his body -came to a sudden halt as he came around a corner to the next corridor, leading to a place he didn't recognize. Everything in this decadent palace all looked the same to him, nice flooring, fancy wallpaper, expensive furniture... "Where was that exit again?"

Tonight was gonna be a long night.

 

[The Vulptex]

The sight of a woman in the crowd with white hair, dressed in a neat blue dress was not an unfamiliar sight. The woman seemed to simply browsing wares of the expo, keeping to herself. She had an eye on Rulonom Laborr from afar.

But a sharp ear can hear a lot. And a keen eye can spot many things.

Elsewhere, a blonde, dressed only in a pair of jeans and a tee browsed nearby Kazian Blackwood , seeming aloof to whatever he was doing. The woman seemed to be eyeing a new set of boots that she was eager to try on.

With the resignation of their boss, The Vulptex crew had gone to make a point. The SIA wouldn't be slandered through lack of evidence.

They were on the hunt.

 

[Trug Zigash]

WEBS OF WHISPER
~the truth is in the eardrums of the beholder~

OBJECTIVE: Gather as much intel, look for a potential ally
TAG: Open​

ZELTROS, INNER RIM
Chaos, all over the galaxy. Just what we need to expand our influence, to transform from a regional power in one of the most backward zones in the known galaxy, to an actual juggernaut. The war between all these major powers is an opening that we’ve been seeking for decades.

The Zeltros royalty has hosted this event for influential people all over the galaxy amidst all the chaos. Such event in such circumstances entails an infestation of swindlers, opportunists, and spies. Securing an entrance is easy, we have our networks in this area of the galaxy. Finding the right people to listen to and to approach is a whole different ballgame. Sure, there are some like Rulonom Laborr whom reputation proceeds himself. Yet people like him are careful in their words and conduct. They know that they are attracting the spotlight. That’s not where the mystery lies.

It’s the people you can’t pinpoint, working for emperors and clandestine organisations you want to get an earful of. Or those drunk, pampered nobles who are just asking for the blackmailing they’re going to get. Lower payoff but almost guaranteed success.

Either way, I’d rather settle myself down and observe for a bit, to make a more informed manoeuvre. That’s if no one’s approaching first. I know that my looks attract all sorts of attention, which is a blessing and a curse. Well, gotta work with what’s in hand.