Back in Business | First Order Dominion of Halm Hex

[Progflaw99]

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Location: The Desert Empress, Halm​

Objective: 1. Oversee Security, Scout Contracts​

Post: 7​

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As Rolf watched Lydia divert her gaze to the glass she held, he recognized the brief shadow which hung over her. The Major had seen it time and time again, that sometimes not so subtle reminder of experiences past. He'd seen it as a Sergeant on Zarnathea, at the Red Nebula - as a Major on Dosuun during the Ssi-Ruuvi occupation of Avalonia. A knowing nod of his head was the only gesture he made as she spoke her mind. It was an honest moment, one Rolf himself had struggled with every time he stepped off onto a shuttle or back onto the solid ground of a planet. What drove him to keep doing what he did? Was it a sense of loyalty to the First Order? Was it the promise of a better tomorrow? Even he wasn't sure exactly, but the camaraderie shared between the men of the Stormtrooper Corps was almost as good an explanation on its own.

The Major joined the woman as she took a long sip of her wine, his own coffee now beginning to cool - the flavor a bit more bitter than usual. As he lowed the small disposable cup his eyes met hers for a brief moment, his chest tightening as she used his given name. It was an unfamiliar feeling. As he considered the woman's words he cracked a smile, amused at her extended arm on the one hand, but understanding the weight it carried behind it. Without hesitation he returned the gesture, taking her hand firmly but gently, sealing the deal.

"Square it is then, we'll not speak of it fur.." a chuckle accompanied by a full on grin crossing his features. "Well, since we're on the topic.." he said, swallowing quickly before continuing. "..Perhaps you'd join me for a quick coffee sometime, between scoops?"​

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[member="Lydia Finn-Camden"] | [member="Hector Finn-Camden"] | [member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="Vitor Avendahl"] | [member="Ardgal Raxis"]​

 

[Leilani Paaie]

Location - Desert Empress
Objective Bringing my own/Economic Summit

The leggy zeltron entered the dining room she smiled warmly at the maître d, “I’m expected, Ms. Amelia’s table” She assumed that the woman who sent her the invitation had set reservations ahead of time.

Leilani wore another version of the black dress that she loved so much. It fit her perfectly accentuating her curves as she moved. The tap of her heels as she moved across the tiled floor were only slightly heard. She followed the maître d silently looking over the top of his head; she could see that his hair was thinning. His comb over hair style could use an update for such an upscale vessel in service to the First Order.

He stopped and stepped to the side, “here madam”

The table adorned with a deep red cloth, a black runner and a candle was revealed. It was empty. It took a moment for her to regain her composure the momentary shock of seeing an empty table unsettled her.

“I’d like a drink please brandy.” Leilani smoothed the fabric of her dress and slid into the seat that the maître d had pulled out for her. She looked up at the man he did not seem disturbed at all by anything, so perhaps Ms. Amelia was just fashionably late.

For a moment she took pleasure in watching the water, but soon the questions began to fill her mind.

What was going on?

Unexpectedly a glass of brandy appeared hovering over her left shoulder before she could reach for it. Someone set it on the table, “your drink” a baritone voice whispered. He was tall about 6’2, jet black hair, he appeared human smiling as he settled into the chair across from her. Oh he was a human alright.

“Palmer, if I had known it was you I wouldn’t be here”

Palmer Kinkade, Owner of Liaisons on Zeltros, well known collector of women, and all too often too full of himself to realize he wasn't wanted. Palmer seemed to think it was his god given gift to entertain women with his presence, a type of gift.

“I knew that if I said I wanted to have dinner you would refuse to come.”

She smiled as she picked up the glass, “Well what do you know old dogs do learn new tricks” She took a sip of the brandy. It was warm welcoming and smooth on the tongue. She couldn’t help but to close her eyes savoring it before she swallowed.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Objective 1
Post 17

"Don't worry, they won't bite," Natasi said pleasantly as she cast her gaze around the room. "In fact, after that display, I'm sure those who know you will be calling to make a consulting appointment, and the ones who won't will be clamoring for an introduction. It's a good thing we weren't being phototraphed by the papers, or you'd never have a day off again." She sighed. "It's very nice to see you again. I've been meaning to make an appointment but -- you know, with the war -- it's hard to find the time for myself. But if you were in First Order space, well -- that would make all the difference, wouldn't it?" She grinned and lifted her glass in a silent toast to the designer before taking a drink.

The gold dress. Natasi remembered it as a low-cut, altogether unsuitable dress. She smirked. "I'm afraid it will be a cold day in hell, Claire," Natasi said grimly. "But there were a few pieces that caught my eye in your latest catalog -- a few black numbers with some gold leaf detail along the waist? And there was a rather remarkable sleeveless number in dark grey silk I could see myself in. And a pale pink chiffon day dress? Oh, and there was a beautiful, off the shoulder beaded piece I could see myself in. And -- well, I could go on and on, but I'll spare you."

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Objective 1
Post 2

It was a relatively short, solitary walk towards the reception area where the vast majority of participants for the Economic Summit had consolidated for, what appeared to be, a cocktail hour. The lingering scent of clashing perfumes, after-shaves, and alcoholic beverages was nearly an all-out assault on Cameron's senses. It wasn't that the Corstris native was unfamiliar with the combination, but after an extended period of time at his family estate on Corstris following Esmae's...disappearance, there were a great many modern affairs that felt...foreign to the Sith Lord.

The current unknown location of his wife was his own fault, of course. Per usual, he had elected to exert his own will and desire on another. What usually ended in resounding success this time, however, had gone awry for some reason. For his penance, Cameron forced himself into a time of solitude and removed whatever traces of his bloodline still remained. It was unfortunate for young Caid - the boy had been promising. Still, better Cameron did the young man the kindness of being spared the likelihood of stumbling through life as his father once did. Further more...it was certainly easier to eliminate the young man than to actually guide him through life. Cameron doubted he would ever truly be the nurturing type.

Silver-green eyes briefly swept the room, taking note of exits, prominent figures that jogged his memory. There was truly only one of the latter, but the Sith Lord did note several others that undoubtedly warranted watching. Cameron had never much been a fan of unknown entities. Adjusting his fitted blazer slightly, Cameron initiated a casual stride in the general direction of one [member="Natasi Fortan"], cognizant of the fact she was presently engaged in conversation with someone whom Cameron did not recognize.

[member="Claire Organa"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Objective 4
Post 4

The Shamballa tended to feel tiny when Ashin was at the helm; she’d spent so many years commanding ships orders of magnitude larger, after all. But now that she walked out on the sand in the frigate’s shadow, she had to respect its bulk. Its landing gear had embedded themselves in the dunes. For a brief, vertiginous moment she imagined some buried rock formation breaking under a landing pad’s pressure and tilting the whole ship down on her. The moment held no actual risk other than dehydration, but she still felt her blood spike. She took a long drink from her canteen and watched Professor Bortuthis’ science team take their core samples. Their drilling rig parted the sand with a powerful, narrow force field, at which point the collection bit sank down to shear into bedrock. A fountain of stone dust puffed out of the borehole and vanished in the wind.

Something felt off, and she couldn’t place it. She knew, though, that her brief irrational fear of getting crushed by the ship was only a symptom of some deeper, nameless unease. A call to her bridge crew told her that sensors were clear: they weren’t about to get raided, and anyways it didn’t feel like danger. It felt like...memory, for some reason she couldn’t identify. For starters, she’d never set foot on Halm.

 

[Alleycat]

Desert Empress
Halm
Objective 1 - A little indulgence before the work begins
(3)

Before [member="Archer Brandt"] could reply to her comment, the head steward walked up to Madlyn as she sat on a deck chair and cleared his throat. "Miss Sol, I am terribly sorry for your long wait. Your cabin is ready now and your bags have already been moved there for your convenience. I am not sure how your reservation was overlooked, but we have taken the liberty of upgrading your accommodations to make amends. If you will follow me please, I will show you to your suite," the human male canted his pepper pot head, then offered his aging hand in a polite manner to aid the younger woman up.

Suite, oh my!

The long-legged redhead gathered her things up including the datapad she had been diligently working on before being distracted by the late comer, then the diplomatic aide placed her petite hand into his larger one and swung herself around to the side of the lounger, standing up to tower over the older man. At 5'9 with heels on that usually happened.

"Thank you, Mister Godfrey. I do appreciate your assistance," Mads nodded politely with a small smile, then her bright blues gazed one last time over at the dusty road warrior before inclining her red-gold head his way and turning to follow the steward towards the lift.

As soon as the steward closed the door to the junior suite behind him as he left, Mads kicked off her heeled pumps and laid back onto the king-sized bed sinking into plush coverings. She could tell the thread count was high on the linens and the mattress was very nice. The best part was the cabin itself was bigger than the regular ones with a separate sitting area and there was a balcony with a real outside view rather than just a porthole with hologram.

If only the Lady Counselor didn't have to work before pleasure... but since her scheduled meet up with prospective investors wasn't until later, perhaps a massage in the spa would be just the ticket.

 

[Zef Halo]

DESERT EMPRESS
HALM

[6]​

And then she was gone.

The Grand Moff had given him the honor to meet the lady in first person and had seen that she was positive on future relationships with Corondex. Granted, could've been just part of a pre-loaded set of answers and responses to every businessman aboard but Vitor still took it as a positive. The Force did not object as well.

Graush returned his attention to the Sith acolyte and once again exposed his authority.

"What could these projects be then, High Marshal Graush ? "

[member="Asharad Graush"]​

 

[Claire Organa]

[member="Natasi Fortan"] [member="Cameron Centurion"]
Objective 1
Post 5

"That's good to know hate to start off having to bite someone back." Claire grinned. She could have a sense of humor at times, but even she would admit there were times it got lost in the stress of the day. "But you know a dress like that is made to make cold day sin hell a whole lot warmer..I'm not giving up on it yet." Claire just wanted her to let her hair down a little. The last time they had a physical meeting she had this feeling there was a lot going on in her life. Then there was Marzena's wedding, was Natasi there? There was so much happening that day. But again that was not for now not really.

"So you have a list, good to know I'll be sure to put them together in your sizes and send them over via the usual courier." She never asked those personal questions either. "The war." Yes she had heard of it, "Which brings me to something else."

From the corner of her eye she saw him coming the gait spoke of someone confident perhaps even worldly. Claire for a moment did not speak then she returned her gaze to Natasi. "It's not official yet but I understand from talks I've had with Queen Faith that she would like for me to represent Alderaan and become Ambassador to the First Order." She let her words settle in.

 

[Asharad Graush]

Post Five.

A'sharad refrained from retrieving his lightsabre from his waist and impaling the Sith Acolyte before him, but he merely smiled pleasantly as he released Lily Kuhn and directed Vitor to follow him. Humming softly when they were in relative silence on the edge of the boat, the sea air passing through their hair, A'sharad said, "You are surprised to see me here."

Evidently, the Sith Lord didn't truly have any projects for the Corondex Owner, at all.

Simply a show for the Grand Moff, at least, for now.

[member="Vitor Avendahl"]

 

[Zef Halo]

Seven​

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The murderous intent of the Sith Lord was registered clearly through the Force but it disappeared as soon as it came. It came to Avendahl's mind that it was not business that the man wanted to discuss and that thought soon became a fact. They both left the ladies behind as they continued their talk.

"Evidently." Vitor retorted. " You did not really specify your rank at the meeting."

[member="Asharad Graush"]​

 

[Asharad Graush]

Post Six.
[member="Vitor Avendahl"]

A'sharad's hand lowered to brush against the lightsabre at his waist, though he made no other threatening movements consciously as he retorted just as drily as the Acolyte had to him. "No one asked." And more importantly, no one had been interested enough to inquire further, not until now, when they had bumped into each other by happenstance. Not to mention, nor had anyone acknowledged the points he made, though, that hardly mattered. The Sith in the Caldera could burn away for all he cared.

"I am openly Sith here," he said, waving a hand over the water. "I have nothing to fear from the First Order."

He had won them countless battles, with him at the forefront at all times. He had actively led their forces more than both the two previous Supreme Commanders... Potentially combined.

"Untouchable."

 

[Zef Halo]

Eight​

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That was interesting information. If it was true. Avendahl could not feel any deception coming from the man.

A Sith being one of the Order's highest ranked army officers and probably most decorated. Quite young for such feats judging by his appearance, as well.

Vitor had heard of the Sith at the Pacanth Reach and their acceptance into the First Order but other than that the acolyte had only heard that the Ren viewed the Sith as they did the Jedi.

Worth a hunt.

Graush was confident, perhaps overconfident but the man seemed capable and had the influence in one of the most powerful governments out there.

"When does your use end ?" Vitor asked, perhaps there was fire there that could be lit. Had Graush ever believed that he was just a pawn in the hands of the Supreme Leader ?

[member="Asharad Graush"]​

 

[Asharad Graush]

Post Seven.
[member="Vitor Avendahl"]

When did his use end?

A'sharad turned away from Vitor, allowing him to view his side and the profile of his face as he watched the water shimmer, gently slapping against the hull of the boat as he leaned over the rail. An amused smile came to his lips and he straightened out before looking back to the man, as if the water itself had given him answer.

"Tell me," he says. "When does war end?"

 

[Zef Halo]

Nine.​

​

[member="Asharad Graush"]

Good reply.

So a war machine. It matched his rank and duty. Alas, the First Order had not been engulfed in full scale war until recently. Skirmishes, yes, but a war such as the one with the Alliance ? No.

"When the expense overcome the profits." Vitor bluntly but honestly answered. "How long till the First Order ends its winning streak?"

"And then what?"

 

[Asharad Graush]

Post Eight.
[member="Vitor Avendahl"]

"The Galactic Alliance is the greatest threat to the First Order. There will be battles all along the borders and vast invasions deep into each other's sections of Space," the Sith Lord proclaimed. That was obvious, that was just the way war worked in their Galaxy. The same had occurred between the One Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic, except, the Galactic Republic tended to keep on losing, the First Order had yet to lose a single battle, not that they had more than one, yet.

Though Vitor sought to question the Sith Lord, to bring him back to a time when he had been young, driven only by bloodlust and the temptation of war.

"Should the First Order fall," he said, his tone suggesting that it was only hypothetical - he didn't believe it would, "Then as is the nature of the Sith, I will find a new order and wage war through them." He says. "Or, I will raise the First Order's remnants and lead them until the last man." A'sharad had no illusions of seeking immortality, living forever.

The thrill of battle came from the temptation of death lingering over every step. If it was necessary, he would die on the battlefield for the First Order. In a way, they had made each other.

Could Vitor... Say the same?

 

[Zef Halo]

Ten​

​

"I do not understand." Vitor began but then remained silent for a moment to formulate his thoughts.

Graush was confusing. He was confident, certainly, of the Order's success. Perhaps even too sure that the Alliance would crumble and the Order would stand upon the piles of ash with pride.

That was not out of the question.

What baffled him was what the man said.

"So you'd either find a new order to fight for or fight for the remains of the First Order until your last breath." He glanced back at the man after gazing into the water. "Is it that not contradictory ? Is your loyalty to the Order or to war ?"

[member="Asharad Graush"]​

 

[Asharad Graush]

Post Nine.
[member="Vitor Avendahl"]

And there was the question that so few, exactly none had asked of the Epicant-Hybrid.

The answer was simple however. A'sharad didn't see himself as complex.

"My loyalty is to the Order, as long as they have means to wage war." Should the First Order fail, and their remnants scattered, A'sharad had multiple ties to numerous companies across the Galaxy, he even controlled his own company as well. He could fund an army if it was absolutely necessary. Not that he wasn't already.

 

[Zef Halo]

Eleven​

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[member="Asharad Graush"]

Vitor tapped his fingers on the cruise's rail as he watched the Lord answer his question. Before he could speak, Avendahl let a few passing pairs leave the range of eavesdropping before he proceeded in a lower tone.

"So your loyalty, essentially, is not with the Order but with war." Vitor's eyes squinted as he tried to put the pieces of the puzzles together. "So you will always have someone to wage war for but for what reason ?"

The acolyte might have made the conversation more direct but he could not help it.

 

[Alleycat]

Desert Empress
Halm
Objective 1 - Spa time!
(4)

As soon as Madlyn walked through the doors of the cruise ship's Spa and Salon, she was whisked away by an attendant to a changing room where her clothes were exchanged for a luxurious white terry cloth robe and a pair of open-healed slippers. The redhead had brought a tie so she could pull her long red-gold tresses up atop her head into a bun to keep it out of the way of the masseuse.

The Lady Counselor came out of the changing room and waited in the lobby for just a few moments before she was taken back to one of the massage rooms. A reddish-brown brow quirked up when Mads saw two tables. The young woman caught that look and explained quickly that they offer couples massages hence room for two at a time, though sometimes if very busy would double up of course only after getting permission from both parties.

When asked which essential oil or oils she preferred, the diplomatic aide didn't have a clue so they were described what each of their benefits were and for ailments they may help. Well Mads did not have any sore muscles to speak of nor did she need something to promote sleep at this time, and an aphrodisiac was unnecessary as this was a work vacation not a sex one though that did kinda sound intriguing. Finally a stress reduction one was chosen, which had sweet almonds and rose oil, the latter part of the aromatherapy being her favorite flower.

The female massage therapist asked Madlyn to get onto the table. She turned on some relaxing music, then left for a moment to allow Mads to slip out of her robe and to get under the warmed sheet provided. The Eriaduan always felt a bit unnerved laying there covered yet naked, though it was the only good way to give a complete massage. And oh boy was the redhead going to enjoy every moment of the therapeutic manipulation of her body tissues before she had to be serious once again.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Location: Marzoon
Objective: Diplomacy with the First Order (Objective 3)
Allies: Rogue FU/Seekers
Opposition: --
Neutral: First Order [member="Zmej Ren"] [member="Kyrel Ren"] [member="Stardust Raxis"] [member="Jaina Ventor"] [member="Torian Pierce"]
10/38

Arisa perked up as she received a prompt response from the First Order on the ground, though then she winced as the respondent identified themselves as a Ren. She would have much rathered dealt with a civilian official or even a soldier as she probably had a better chance of working them during negotiations. At least the Ren was agreeing to talk, which was better than nothing.

"A Ren answered...I'm not liking our chances right now," Norith said, echoing her thoughts. "He's asking you to come to him, while my people are reporting that the FO have the whole complex surrounded."

"I've never heard of the Ren to be the flexible sort, but we don't have any other options. At the very least, I can buy your people more time to prepare. How is that coming along?"

"Still full on panic mode there, but they're as ready as they're going to be I think. Fortunately, we've done some drills on this kind of thing in the past, and we have some solid operators within the bunch."

"Alright, we're heading to the enclave, but I want to stick Mair here with a cache as a contingency."

She looked back at Mair, who nodded in acknowledgment. Arisa stood up and motioned for the girl to follow her back into the cargo bay area where the weapons racks were still open.

With a mental command, her power armor came alive and freed itself from its clasps. She felt Mair stiffen a bit in surprise seeing the exoskeleton move on its own, but soon relaxed as it turned out to be no harm to her. Arisa glanced over at Mair for a moment as she gathered some more weapons and equipment into a pair of duffle bags. It was clear that the former Ren was disturbed, which was one of the real reason she had decided to have her stay back. She didn't want the girl getting triggered by the sight of the Ren on the scene and cause a deadly commotion.

"I'm going to have you sit with my armor for the time being," she started as she passed along the full bags to her armor to hold. "I'm going to give you a cloaking unit, and a biocomm to keep in contact with me. If things go south, then I'll be calling you in for delivery."

Arisa proceeded to go over the controls of the cloaking system. It normally would jam communications and sensors upon activation, but the biocomm would remain unaffected as it worked off the mechanics of quantum entanglement.

Norith was standing just outside the bay doors as Arisa led Mair outside, the Watchman stopping just at the end of the ramp as she watched the girl go into hiding with her armor.

"Let's do this," she told him as she closed up the ramp and returned to the cockpit.

<Hellcat, use passive sensors to begin tracking FO movements in the area, and develop countermeasures.>

The combat AI went right to work, sucking up sensor data from passive scans to begin remote analysis as she lifted off from the ground and made her approach.

Focusing on the area, she could feel a large congregation of Force Users herself, their collective fear and anger as the whole enclave stood on the precipice of annihilation.