Objective II: Exo Syndicate
The walled-in grounds sat near a precipice that overlooked perhaps the largest mining operation on Lohopa II. Given their sudden emergence, Dominique suspected they wanted to keep a close eye on their greatest investment. More importantly, keep their armed personnel within a rapid-response distance in case anyone thought to reclaim by force what they'd taken with a few choice words. And a bribe or two. Whatever their reason, and however quickly they'd given rise to the estate, her golden eyes had not seen any sign of haste taken in the construction. No cracks from a poorly prepared foundation. No lopsided corners, or oddly-placed windows or doors.
Those behind recent events had come with a plan in mind.
Good for them. If Dominique saw any reason to believe otherwise, she would make this exchange as short as possible and arrange for a less pleasant transition of authority. Ambition alone wasn't good enough. It didn't do anyone any favors on Denon, and it wouldn't do any on Lohopa II. You had to have more than luck on your side to weather whatever was thrown at you -- like the Alliance's various Agents crawling about nearby, no doubt.
The small entourage escorted their guest down a white paneled hallway further into their encampment. After a brief examination to make sure Dominique wasn't carrying any weapons, of course. Naturally, she understood, Dominique had replied casually to their heartless apologies for any inconvenience.
Hilarious, really. What did a Senator -- from Denon no less -- need with a blaster? Were these bandits? A criminal enterprise? Secret agents of some interstellar government? No matter how powerful or secure they felt in their position here, it wasn't enough. Certainly not when dealing with Dominique Vexx. If they thought to hurt her, or kill her, she would gladly pull the entire planet down with her, and all them -- and everyone they knew -- along for the ride.
She strode through the doorway at the end of the hallway alone. Her escort took up positions outside the doorway or wandered off after the door enclosed a private meeting room. Her eyes drifted along the landscape through the single pane of glass at the far side of that room. For a moment. Then they fell to the man on the far side of the table between them.
"Senator Dominique Vexx, of Denon, welcome." The figure smiled, but did not stand to their feet.
"Please. Join us."
Two others occupied the room. One to either side of the man in the center that had spoken. A female to Vexx's left held a strength to her gaze; likely a physique hidden under her clothing to match. The bodyguard. While another male to Vexx's right had an almost bird-like quality to them; lithe, yet focused. An analytical man, perhaps? Second in command?
After she'd stepped forward and slowly settled herself into a seat across from them, Dominique smiled.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I had hoped we would have an opportunity to speak." That they knew her, and she scarcely knew them did not bother her over much. Annoying, true, but every second only told her more about this Syndicate. Just being there had been quite insightful.
"I thought as much. You hardly tried to conceal your movements among the same people that held our interests." A mirthless smile touched his lips.
"Drink?"
Dominique's eyes shifted slightly to regard a droid that took a step forward out of the corner.
"Please." She waited until the droid finished pouring what appeared to be a wine of some sort into a small wine glass.
"I had no reason to conceal my movements." Unlike whatever clandestine operatives might be about.
"Nor to announce them for all my competitors to see."
"And the desire to meet in person?"
"I prefer to know who my partners are when it comes to business. Too many holo-guises, comm-splices, and so on to trust something so... sensitive as this. I trust the scans taken earlier were to your satisfaction?" Vexx smiled before she lifted the glass in one hand and touched the rip to her lips. She feigned the first sip. That it wet her lips was enough to gauge if they thought to drug her.
The man smiled in response.
"And are you here on behalf of the Alliance or Denon?"
"What is good for Denon, is good for the Alliance. The resources on this world could fuel a number of industries. I see no reason we cannot reach some sort of accord." All entirely true. In one form or another.
Three sets of eyes weighed Vexx's demeanor, her tone, and the content of her words. A little caution went a long way.
"A reliable trading partner would be beneficial."
Vexx lifted her glass and took an actual sip that time as the man spoke.
"Agreed. To that end, however, perhaps a tour? The local governments were falling over themselves explaining the riches they'd found and handed to you for extraction. Sometimes they were so excited I began to question whether they'd found anything at all." The Senator followed her comments with an airy chuckle. Vexx really did want to the see the mine, however, before they started talking about what would be exchanged for its contents.
Spirit of Patience