An Evolutionary Partnership

[Riamah]

Taking a tour of some of the other intelligence branches, Ra returned to Ession. It had been a while since she was here last. Even before she had learned she was a sith lord. While that fact was a well kept secret, two people within the Dominion knew this. This fact was probably what got her the position she had now.

As head of the more clandestine operations with Intelligence, Ra took interest in many things outside of assassination and digging into hidden pasts. She was a seeker of knowledge of pretty much any kind. If there was something she didn't know, she went out of her way to learn about it if she was interested.

One of her passing interests had been ships. A man a few years ago, had taken her in off the streets of Coruscant and taught her some things about ships. Mainly in how to keep her ship flying and knowing when to repair it was beyond what he could teach her. Sadly his life had been taken early and she had taken over his business.

That business hadn't lasted to long, but it had been enough to provide her with credits to stay in flight and find the Dominion. In fact it had been that old business that had drawn her to them. She had been hired to bring in provisions for their founding and how she had become involved in the first place. All in all, she was happy with what had happened to her and wouldn't go back and change anything. However, she knew its days were ending and had done what she had to do to secure her own future.

Walking into the facility on Ession, Ra took note of the people present and made sure an office was prepared for her. It wasn't as well off as her head quarter's, but it would do for a visit. Making sure she had established connections to Serenno and the other locations, Ra picked up a report brought into the office. It was a random one, but she wanted to know what these guys thought of as important.

Taking a seat at the desk provided, Ra looked through what the report said. It mentioned several new businesses that had started and one caught her eye. Well, more the owner caught her attention. There was very little mentioned of him in the report, so Ra took the time to dig further into the man. Being head of Intelligence allowed her greater access than what the regular workers here could get. Pulling up everything she could, Ra added to the file and looked for a contact number for him.

Leaving a message on the business number provided, Ra requested Kainan Wolfe visit her the next day for a meeting. She gave a few details as to who she was, but not fully revealing why she wanted to speak to him. That may or may not be revealed the next day if he came.

If he did come, he would be led into her office where she would be sitting at the desk. Not being at home, Ra wore what she called her business attire. Her shirt had loose enough sleeves that her saber hilts were hidden up inside and not able to be seen unless she pointed them out. Her pants were a form fitting black, but behind the desk with her seated, he wouldn't see them unless she stood up. Hair was pulled back into its customary braid and the spiked ball was at the end. Just an additional weapon if she needed to use one.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

Kainan Wolfe was a businessman. A man with a pragmatic view of things, who judged people's worth in terms of their usefulness to him. He understood that in this galaxy, everything and everyone was a tool. A few choice words, a well-placed whisper, a carefully constructed rumor, were all it took to influence the course of things. In this galaxy, a man had all the tools he needed to bend the galaxy to his will. A man only had to reach out and seize them.

He sat in his office, one hand absently combing through his white-streaked hair, aboard the cruiser Final Verdict, his flagship. His lifetime's work. A ship he had designed and built, through many years of toil. A ship which was only the beginning of his empire.

His ice-blue eyes were glued to the screen in front of him, digging into the image that was displayed, searching, willing the errors to show themselves, so that he may correct them. Kainan Wolfe was an engineer. A man with a talent for taking ships apart and putting them back together. A man with a talent for designing new instruments of destruction.

When the notification popped in a corner of the screen, Wolfe almost missed it. Almost. His eyes didn't miss much. He brought up the message, read it, memorized the details and then smiled. Kainan Wolfe was a businessman. He could smell an opportunity to make money from a mile away.

The Lambda-class shuttle took him down into the city, flying over the housing complex where his company's registered headquarters were, in a small, two-room downtown apartment, which was rarely staffed. The true heart of his company, was aboard his ship, where the workshops and the offices were.

Wolfe made his way to the location specified in the message, a government office. He dressed in a clean, military fashion, his well-fitting uniform draped over his toned body. It was a simple, yet imposing thing. Designed to project strength and discipline more akin to an imperial officer's, than a mercenary captain's. Kainan Wolfe knew the value of a carefully-maintained image and posture.

He was led into the office by an attendant and walked in with his head held high, exuding a carefully practiced aura of casual command as he looked straight into the eyes of the woman who sat across from him, with a serious gaze that said he meant business.

"Greetings. My name is Kainan Wolfe, CEO and founder of Wolfe Design Bureau. I assume you summoned me here to discuss about the ship designs my company has developed," he said in the clear, matter-of-fact voice of an experienced merchant. He suspected the real reason he was summoned here, was something else entirely. But he would not pass up this opportunity. Afterall, Kainan Wolfe was a businessman.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Ra set down the datapad she had been looking at when Kainan entered the office provided to her. She stood up for a moment when he introduced himself and motioned to the chair across from her.

"Please, just call me Ra. Easier to remember than my full name. Would you care for something to drink?"

It was a business office, but would still provide caffe, tea or water if he wanted any. If he did, then it would take a few minutes for it to be brought in. If he didn't, then they would be left alone to have their conversation.
​
"It is nice to meet another businessman. I too have run my own small company in the past."

Before she learned of her true past, Ra had provided transportation of people and goods for a couple of years before being hired on with the Dominion. Since she joined, she carried that on for a short time and then learned of her past. She sat here today because of that past and her loyalty to the Dominion. He already knew this was a government building and that would imply she was a government employee. However, he would have no clue as to what branch.

"I actually requested you to join me for a simple chat."

What information he passed along via the conversation, she would make note of and put it in his file.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

Casually lowering himself into the seat, Kainan waited for her to finish, in respectful silence. Raising an eyebrow at the mention of a simple chat, his lip curled upwards in a slight, knowing smile as he answered her. "From one businessman to another, we both know there is no such thing as a simple chat," he said, in a tone that implied he knew more than he said, as if he had somehow read through her, even though in reality he had not. "I think I will take your offer of a coffee, though," he added after a pause. This, along with his earlier smile, was another one of his little ploys, another strategy for manipulating people he had picked up along the road, something to throw them off and put them in an unsure position.

"Although by looking at my past, you would not be mistaken in assuming that I am a mercenary, that is not my real calling. I am an engineer. I design starships, in particular military ones, for a variety of roles and tasks. I chose to bring my business to the Dominion because I believe in what it stands for, a nation unbound by archaic beliefs in the Light, or Dark Side of the Force," he explained to her while waiting for the coffee to arrive.

"At the moment, my company can offer two starship designs for sale to the government. Prototypes of these designs already exist, they serve as my personal flasgship and its fighter escort," he told her, continuing to deflect her offer of a 'chat' by steering the discussion back towards his company's business. "If you would like, a demonstration could be arranged."

Wolfe suspected that she was casing him. He had spent enough time face to face with the law, to be able to tell when someone was trying to interrogate him. He was not going to give in easily, though.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

She watched as he took the offered and the drink was provided a couple minutes later. In those minutes though, their conversation continued.

"Mister Wolfe, there are various layers to a chat, I will agree with you there."

Returning his smile with a neutral one of her own, they looked across the desk at each other. Ra could tell what he was trying to do, but to put him at ease a little, she allowed him to steer the conversation for the moment.

His stating his calling wasn't as a mercenary, she felt wasn't the full truth. Her intuition told her, he may be this grand engineer, but that he would jump ship if a better offer came along. He may also be the type that could bite the hand that feeds him.

"However, I am not one to lie to somebody," at least not openly. "And really just requested you to have a conversation. You are a new business to the Dominion, so I wanted the opportunity to speak to you."

Leaning back in her chair, the drinks were brought in and set down on her desk. The intern left and closed the door on his way out and did not speak to either of them while he was in the office.

"Yes, the Dominion is unique in that way. That wasn't what drew me here though. I was actually brought on board through the course of business. Hired on to provide supplies at the founders meeting."

Giving a small chuckle at the memory, Kainan would be able to see she was speaking the truth. A little bit of trivia for him. When he pushed back into trying to move the conversation back to his business, she listened to what he had to offer, but shook her head.

"Sadly, that is not an area where I can help. I can pass on the information to the people that do deal with this if you wish."

Leaning forward to pick up her drink, she took a sip and set it back down on the desk.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

Wolfe responded to her explanation with a small chuckle. "Well, since we can agree that there are more layers to a conversation, we can also agree that there can be multiple intentions behind a conversation. I believe you when you say you did not lie to me about wanting to have a chat. I also believe that, like everyone else in this galaxy who has at least an ounce of brain matter, you also have a hidden agenda which has, at least partially, motivated your invitation," he said to her, leaning back in his chair in a manner which suggested a lack of interest. Feigning partial indifference was yet another one of his tactics to put himself in a position of strength.

"The fact of the matter is, I do not discuss my personal life often simply because I do not have much of one. I spend most of my time involved in my work and as such, I have very little time and energy left for anything else. I wake up, I work on some project, I go to bed. That is what most of my days look like," he explained, yet again deflecting the conversation, this time with a plain, boring and oversimplified answer. It was one of the most difficult manipulation tactics he had picked up, lying by telling the truth. These days, it worked more and more often, as he has gotten some experience at doing it, and when it did, the results were satisfactory. However, such a strategy rarely, if ever, worked on its own.

He filed away the bit of information she slipped him, about the beginning of her career with the Dominion. It could serve a purpose, at a later date. It also suggested that her loyalties may be somewhat malleable, possibly even more so if provided with the proper incentive.

"It seems that we are different in this regard, then," he said, his eyes fixing on hers with a powerful intensity. "While you were led here by business, I was led here by principle and belief. But in the end, that is irrelevant. It is the results that matter, not the means by which they were achieved," he continued, taking another sip from his drink and averting his gaze nonchalantly. Yet another one of his mind tricks.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

The mood lightened only slightly when he chuckled and then spoke of hidden agendas for the reason she had called on him personally. There was one thing Ra knew that this man did not, the Dominion was in its dying days. Very soon an invasion and the destruction of them was going to happen. She had been recruited by the Sith earlier and been informed of their future actions. A day would come that she may have to twist the knife in the back of their Archlord.

Her gold eyes looked across at him and his pretend indifference, reading through it easily. When he spoke of his personal life or lack of it, Ra sensed there was much truth in there than in her own little bit revealed trivia. That wasn't all there was, these projects he spoke of were of great importance. He also looked quite healthy and not really that worn out. Maybe he meant mentally and she could understand that. Her own duties required more of her mental faculties than physical ones, that didn't mean she couldn't do physical work. Could the same be said about him?

Pushing that idle thought out of her mind, she listened to how he felt their reasons for ending up with the Dominion were different. She didn't think that was entirely true though. Picking up her cup and taking a drink before setting it down and speaking.

"I don't think we are all that different, Mister Wolfe. Yes, it might have been the beliefs and ideals that initially drew you, however, you are a businessman as much as I am. If you didn't see a potential breeding ground for your creations here, you wouldn't be sitting in the chair across from me."

Her gaze looked at him as she spoke.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

Wolfe's eyes lit up slightly, as if he had picked up some small clue, or some thought crossed his mind. The gesture was barely perceptible, as Wolfe suppressed his reaction as soon as it occurred. Someone who was not an expert at reading people, would not pick up the subtle cue, however Wolfe thought that this was not the case with the woman sitting across from him. He suspected she would be able to see even the most subtle things as clearly as one would see a lighthouse on a dark night. This put him on edge a little.

"I am a businessman, yes," he said to her, leaning forward and holding her gaze with his own. "I am also the kind of man who makes sure that his business prospers. Although I may not be a Sith, or like them very much, in some ways I am like them. I, too, will do whatever it takes to accomplish my objectives and to defend the things which I believe in," he said, eyes narrowing a bit and boring into hers with a powerful intensity. He spoke with a powerful conviction that hinted at a durasteel determination to see his ambitions come to fruition. This was the sort of man who made plans that had wide and far-reaching consequences and had the grit and keen intellect to insure that they were carried through. Those who would oppose these plans, would find themselves facing an extremely dangerous opponent.

"Anyway," he said, leaning back and resuming his earlier relaxed and slightly disinterested attitude. "So far, we have spent almost all the time talking about me. How about you? What motivates you to seek out people like me and invite them up for a chat?" he asked her, a seemingly simple question that held a deeper, more hidden meaning. It was his turn to squeeze her for whatever secrets he could obtain. Secrets were a very valuable commodity in the business of persuading others to do one's bidding. They tended to be very useful when charisma and bribery failed to work.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

When the small reaction was seen by Ra, she gave a mental smile, nothing would be obvious on her face and she kept it at the neutral business façade she had been wearing since Kainan walked in. His attempted manipulation of the conversation hadn't gone exactly like he expected and that threw him off.

When he leaned forward, their eyes locked across the desk. His blue to her gold, his look was quite stunning and powerful. The conviction in his voice hinted at his strong determination. He said he wasn't a sith and that he really like them, but that they were alike in some ways. It was an observation, Ra had already made about him and she had pointed it out to him. The man had no idea he was speaking to a sith and she was going to do her best to keep it that way. The truth would come out sooner or later any way, it always did.

"What do you believe in, Mister Wolfe?"

With the first real sign of any emotion, Ra tilted her head to the side slightly to indicate she was interested in hearing his answer.

"Yes, we have been chatting more about you than me. My motivations are because of the Dominion. I wish to know more about the people behind rising companies, such as yours. You being the owner, I wished to speak with you."

The answer told him nothing about herself personally, but that of her job within the Dominion. However, back in the corner of her mind, she was filing away what information he told her for her future plans.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

This woman had remarkable determination, Wolfe thought. All this time and she kept peppering him with the same questions, no matter how he tried to steer the conversation away from the topics she seemed more interested in. This was someone whom he would have to keep tabs on, in the long run. She could be an invaluable ally, or a dangerous opponent in the way of his political ambitions. The fact that his subtle and effective techniques had failed to shut the questions down, was proof of that. Yet, Wolfe had a few more tricks up his sleeves. When fine tools failed to work, then one must simply use a hammer.

"I believe in a lot of things. I believe in a better galaxy," he said, his tone suddenly growing far more serious than it previously had, during the conversation. His eyes lit up with the same intensity as they had when he spoke of being willing to do whatever it took to defend his beliefs. This time, it made him look intimidating. "I believe in the things that the Dominion stands for. However, miss Ra, I came here to discuss business and I am not one for mixing work with pleasure. What I believe in is of no relevance to the topic at hand and is therefore not up for discussion," he continued, once again in a manner that was meant to throw Ra off and put himself in a position of superiority, as if he simply owned this conversation. It was the manner in which a businessman talked, to impress on their conversation partners that they were taking up his valuable time. His words and the way he said them, had a business-like finality to them, as if the decision about which topics were part of the conversation, had already been made.

"Now, back on the topic of business," he said, returning to his earlier state of feigned half-boredom. "My company currently has two ship designs up for sale. The first of them is a cheap, modular light cruiser which can be deployed to serve a number of roles, ranging from patrol duty, to missions of a more sensitive nature, where it would be preferable to risk a cheaper vessel, over a far more expensive asset. The second one is a fighter-interceptor, with a design and concept loosely based off the ancient TIE Interceptor, a fast, heavily-armed starfighter capable of performing swift and precise hit-and-run attacks and chase down fleeing starships," he said, pulling up a series of files on his datapad. "Prototypes of these ship classes already exist, therefore if you like, a demonstration could be arranged. Perhaps a series of tests?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

After Ra spoke her words, the effect on Kainan was priceless. When she had left her message, she had been a little vague on what department she was with. Though she had given her name and he knew she was with the government. He assumed then that she would be the one he could speak to about his ships. Maybe she would take him up on his offer, but first she did want more information.

In her grand plans she had brewing for her own future, he would be a good ally to have. Once his own operation became more stable. However, knowing the Dominion was about to fall, she really had no grand hopes for him to see his plans come to fruition here. Not yet, in time he would find some place new, a different faction to work with. One that support him. If she had his support, though...she let this trail off and reached out to lightly touch him with the Force.

It wasn't the Dark Side she used, but her eyes may have changed their hue to slightly brighter color of gold, but they didn't glow like a sith's did when embracing the Force. He felt adamant about his beliefs, but the irritation was just a façade. As much a part of him as hers was. They were indeed very much alike. He was trying to intimidate her, but it did not have the desired effect. The woman stared him down, her gaze just as fierce as his.

Listening again to his sales pitch, she picked up the datapad she had set down when he entered. On it, if he had looked and something she had done on purpose was a file she had collected on him. As he spoke, she took note of the personality and additional information he had provided. It would appear to him, that she cared about what his business proposal was. When he was done, she laid the pad back on the desk, this time face down so he couldn't see what was on it.

"Very good, Mister Wolfe. However, the topic of business is you."

Picking up her drink to finish it off, Ra let the silence linger as she did so before speaking again after setting the cup down again. Standing up, he might notice the saber hilt clipped to her hip, but the blaster would be obvious. Walking around the desk to stand next to him, she was in control of the conversation now. It was her own way of showing how she ran things.

"I am going to be frank with you. This is Intelligence. Knowing that now, you must realize I am not who can officially purchase your ships. You give a good presentation though, Mister Wolfe."

After delivering her statement, Ra moved back around her desk and resumed her seat. She had confidence that her actions would put him off guard as well as her words.

"I see great potential for you."

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

And the pieces had finally fallen into place, clicking together with a sort of finality. The questions, her surprising grit and resistance to his tried and true manipulation techniques, the way in which she carried herself, with a certain and dangerous kind of authority. Wolfe let out a bemused smile.

"Ah. It appears that my first assumption had not been far from the truth," he said, pausing for a moment before continuing. "You see, when you began to ask question, I had presumed that you were with law enforcement. Given my past, which I am sure you researched before summoning me here, I was expecting something like that to happen. Afterall, I spent a fair share of time in jail and have pursued somewhat shady careers in the past."

Now it was his turn to finish his drink and stand up. "I presume the glowstick hanging from your hip is not a piece of jewelry," he said, referring to her lightsaber. Other, less observant people would not have noticed it. He did. "That, together with your career as an intelligence official, would explain why you handled yourself so well," he continued, pacing around the room as he spoke, then turning back around to fix his eyes onto hers.

"But I am not an ordinary man, either," he spoke, leaning forward and slowly pressing his hands on the desk, once more pausing for effect. It was a multifaceted message, one meant to convey to Ra that she wasn't dealing with someone that could be played easily. He clearly was no stranger to this sort of mind games. "I can tell when someone is casing me, from a mile away."

Pushing himself off, he straightened, resuming his earlier, business-like tone. "Since we're at the part where we're putting our cards on display, then let's cut to the point. You called me here for a 'chat', proceeded to squeeze me for anything and everything that would reveal to you what makes me tick. Finally, you tell me that you see great potential in me, right after subtly putting your lightsaber on display for me," he summarized, imitating, in a way, the manner in which a law enforcement interrogator summed up his investigation. Although her admission of her being with Intelligence had surprised him, he did not let that show.

"So, Ra. What is it that you want from me?"

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

The light dawned on him that she was different than others he had dealt with before. Not just because his manipulations hadn't worked, but because she could use the Force. The fact this was Intelligence gathering, but he didn't actually know her role in the hierarchy here. Just an additional card she wasn't showing him. If Ra wanted, she could have him disappear and nothing would be found out about him after. As for Force alignment, that was another card she kept hidden. He had already stated he didn't really like the Sith, maybe he would be bright enough to figure it out on his own though. She was not scared of him though, but there was no need for her to flaunt her power or alignment.

"In a way I could be seen as a form of law enforcement. However, it is done without general public knowledge."

That was all she said on her position, the fact could be implied of what her true power was within the Dominion off that one sentence. Letting the subject drop, she moved to speak of what else he said.

She leaned forward and watched as he moved about the room, her hands folded and placed her chin. A thoughtful look on her face, but not one that showed her thoughts. With the fingers of one hand, she acknowledged the fact he was no ordinary man.

With an almost smirk, not quite, but close, Ra gave him a look.

"Mister Wolfe, I haven't even started 'squeeze' for anything. I have no intention of doing that either. Anything you say is information that you freely tell me. Yes, there is great potential for you."

He asked what she wanted from him. Now was not the time to reveal her true plans, the future of the Dominion or any of the information she had at her disposal.

"Anything you wish to tell me. Since this is business and foresee us actually working together in the future, I will answer any question you have about me."

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

Wolfe almost responded with a smirk, but decided against it. It was unlikely that a Jedi would be a member of the Intelligence department. That sort of work would offend a Jedi's sensibilities, therefore it was logical to assume that the woman sitting across from him was either a Dark Jedi, or a Sith. And one could only push such an individual so far, before she snapped and resorted to the usual method by which Force users responded to a wounded pride.

"No offense, Ra. But I am not a man who trusts easily, or who gives out information about himself. I simply do not know you well enough to discuss any such details. I am not opposed to a collaboration between us, however at the moment I do not see how I could possibly help you with anything. I am simply the owner of a company which designs ships. I have no other assets, except maybe my personal ship, which would be of no use to you that I can see," he said, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "And I will not do anything that is against the law," he added. Well, that was not exactly true. Kainan Wolfe would be perfectly willing to be flexible with the law, but he would not risk participating in an illegal venture with a partner he did not know.

"As for my future plans, well, I'm sure you have your secrets as well. Rest assured that I do not plan anything illegal, or that endangers the security of the Dominion, in fact what I intend is quite the opposite. Beyond that... All I can say is that, as a businesswoman, you understand that one can not simply give out trade secrets."

"Right now, the only business I can talk about, is the business of my company," he explained, once again underlining the limits to which he was willing to take this conversation. "While I have done a number of unsavory jobs in my time, like I said, mercenary work is not my real calling. I came here and started my company because I want to leave that particular career behind."

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Her gold eyes started at him as he spoke, they looked like they were reading him like one would a book. Where the pages and details were very clear. His words meant so much to her, they hit very close to her own beliefs when it came to her personal life.

"I understand fully exactly what you mean, Mister Wolfe. As I said just a few minutes ago, you and I are quite alike."

When he mentioned his plans for the future and making sure he wouldn't do anything to endanger the Dominion, she almost shook her head. He was far too late to stop what was going to happen. As for trade secrets, those that she had for her own personal business, she was willing to share. There was no secrecy there.

"Very clever wanting to leave that old career behind. Ever notice the past seems to haunt now and then?"

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

"I simply saw no possibility for advancement in that particular career. War is only profitable if you're the one selling the weapons, not the one using them," responded Wolfe, choosing to ignore her remark about them being alike, filing it away in his mind.

"Although, this particular business can also be used to further... other ends. Weapons manufacturing is a great career for influencing the path which the galaxy takes," he said, choosing to share a bit of wisdom in order to keep her interest piqued. "Regardless of what one believes, the reality is that might makes right. In this galaxy, the one with the weapons and the will to use them, insures that his vision is realized, while the one without... Well, you don't hear many tales of them. Take, for example, Palpatine's empire. It was brought into being because a man had the right weapons and used them. The Rebel Alliance overthrew him because they, too, had weapons and a will to use them. But few tales are told about those who supplied the weapons, without which neither Palpatine, nor the Rebel Alliance would have never rose to power," spoke the businessman, his eyes locked onto Ra's.

"No lasting change has ever been brought on by peaceful means. Vision is useless without the tools and the will to see it realized. I intend to make sure that the Dominion has both," he explained, hinting that his grand projects would involve violence. The scale and target of that violence would, however, remain a secret known only to him, for now.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

"Mercenary work can be quite dirty at times. Working for the credits and not caring about the outcome of the job or who it might effect. So you left that behind and started your business. In time though, you may find you need to be mercurial again. You only changed the medium of how you make your credits. I feel that you'll still sell to the highest bidder."

He went on to speak of producing weapons and then about those willing to use them from the ancient past. Mentioning also that no change has been brought on by peaceful means.

"Nothing has been passed on about who created those weapons used either. Your name will forever just be a footnote at best in the histories written of this time."

They maintained eye contact through the exchange. Neither one of them wanting to lose this battle of words, wit and intelligence. Ra saw them coming to a draw in this aspect. While she had more power within the Dominion, it wasn't something Ra wanted to use. That did not include the fact she could use the Force.

"No lasting change was brought be peaceful means, however peace has followed violence. Until more violence disrupted that peace again. There will always be rebels and rebellions. No one government can please everybody that falls under it jurisdiction. Even people outside of the government's influence cloud are not happy with how things are run sometimes."

While she knew about the upcoming fall of the Dominion, she couldn't outright say anything about it. This was a small hint of the change to come, if he could read behind what she said.

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

"I do not care what they write about me, if at all," responded Wolfe in a dismissive tone. "I care about reshaping this galaxy around my vision," he said, his eyes burning with an intensity that matched the passion in his voice. "To this end, I will go to any length."

Wolfe finished his coffee in one go and put down the empty cup. "This galaxy needs change like a drowning man needs air. This is a problem to which I hold the solution. And I will make that change even if I have to drag the whole galaxy through it, by the neck. And that is all that I am willing to say about this matter, so I would appreciate if you did me the courtesy of not pressing the issue," he said, his tone making it clear that he would accept no further questions about himself or his plans, from this point on. He had revealed what he wished to reveal and nothing more would come out of him.

"What about you? What plans so grand do you have, that they require my humble participation? You seemed to imply some form of collaboration earlier. If so, please state it plainly and tell me exactly what you want me to get involved in. I will not accept any partnership if I do not have all the details and do not know what that partnership implies," spoke the man, implying the warning that he would refuse any sort of scheme in which he would be used as a pawn, for someone else's gains.

[member="Ra'a'mah"]

 

[Riamah]

Ra picked up her stylus and twirled it around in her fingers a few times as she listened to what Kainan said about not caring if he was remembered or not. Then going on about how the galaxy needed changing and that he would do what needed to be done to see that through. In a way they were contradictory statements, but she let them slide. His tone made it clear he was done speaking of himself and his future plans, for the moment, Ra would respect his request.

Turning the spotlight from him, it was now on her. She had learned from her master to stay in the shadows and wait for the opportune times to make moves. To deflect attention elsewhere. That wasn't possible at the moment. Looking at him, still wearing the business façade, Ra's eyes were slightly cold or harsh.

"Like you, in time, my plans will be revealed. Right now things are in motion that need to happen before I can do anything."

Setting the stylus down, Ra leaned forward in her chair slightly, still looking Kainan in the eyes.

"Once these things happen, then I will be at liberty to reveal what my plans are. Not until then."

Her own tone hinted at the same determination as his. It also spoke of her inability to say what her plans were.

"When all is said and done, I'll be in contact again."

[member="Kainan Wolfe"]

 

[Kainan Wolfe]

A satisfied look set on Wolfe's face. "That, Ra, I can understand," he said, his tone almost sympathetic. "In that case, I can only give you an answer when you are able to tell me more. Please don't take this personally, I simply can not commit to something when I don't know what that commitment implies. I am not a man who acts on faith," he explained.

"I have a demonstration of my ships scheduled for next week, at Krayiss II. After that, I suppose we could arrange another meeting and discuss our relationship further," said Wolfe, standing up from his chair. It seemed to him that the conversation had reached its end, as there was no further information to be obtained, by either side. Extending his hand to her, for a formal shake, he filed away the information he had already obtained and made a mental note to have his contacts dig up whatever they could about this Ra'a'mah. She seemed to think in a very similar way to him, which made him respect her more than he would other people. But knowing this, he did not trust her one bit. This would be a challenging partnership, indeed.

"One more thing," he said, as if he suddenly remembered something important. "In the future, use more discrete means when you contact me. I would rather it not be known that I am in contact with the intelligence agency. I would appreciate this courtesy."

[member="Ra'a'mah"]