Come With Me Now

[Arage Bao]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Bank of Taris - Banking Clan Branch[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.6666666666667px][member="Arrbi Betna"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]This was some time after the meeting with Anja had taken place, the InterGalactic Banking Clan used to have a standing army, a standing fleet - warriors and ships ready to defend the interests of their Muun Overlords wherever in the Galaxy, whenever simple diplomacy didn’t work out. These days the situation was far more complicated, to a degree that the IGBC had to downcut most of its interests, operations and locations; retreating back towards the core worlds of the factions that currently reigned over the Galaxy and their own core worlds.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Today Vassik, one of the Magisters of the Banking Clan, found himself on Taris. They were going over the operations on the planet, trying to figure out how to streamline the economy and lead it back to the more… [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]worthwhile[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] directions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It was difficult to see how the galactic economy had suffered under the constant threat of wars, factions appearing and disappearing in the short timespan of years and rogue Force Gods threatening to cause upheavals in the common axis of balance. Not exactly a pleasant breeding for the confidence of consumers and producers alike.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But the Muuns did what they could to stabilize the Credit, it’s what they did… it’s what they had always done and they weren’t prepared to stop it now. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]An appointment had been made with one of the Field Marshals of the Mandalorians, it was time to start restructuring the IGBC. A personal guard would need to be trained and formed for the Magister himself, before they could start talking about returning back to a time where [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]operatives[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] forced people to avoid defaulting on their loans.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Muun waited on one of the many balconies of the Bank of Taris and a little table had been prepared with some refreshments.[/SIZE]

 

[Arrbi Betna]

Betna was lead into the room where he was supposed to meet this potential contractor. He'd been notified of a potential job, one that was possibly very easy and paid very well, both of which appealed to the Mandalorian.

He'd come in his full armor and carrying his typical weapons. However, he'd been accosted at the door and forced to turn in his weapons for safety reasons. He'd done so after a moment of seriously considering telling the security personnel to try and take them, but figured if he was going to be hired to train, he may possibly be training these security officers. In which case, it would pay off to see how they handled something as simple as a security checkpoint.

Turned out, not well.

"You must be who I came to see. Your boys outside frisked me," Betna said, approaching the Muun. He lifted one hand, showing the other man the gauntlet on Betna's left forearm. The Mando triggered the wrist mounted flamethrower for less than a second, letting the barest gout of flame spark from the small weapon's nozzle. "They weren't very thorough. I take it you want someone to fix that."

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Arrbi Betna"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Magister turned around and studied the gauntlet for a moment, before a thin smile appeared soon after - it seemed that he had made a good decision to start revamping his own security forces, with a defense like that? Even a little toddler would be able to get in and slip a knife into his stomach, not even considering the many rivals within the IGBC who would gladly hire some assassins from Ryloth to end his life just a little bit [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]sooner[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Field Marshal Betna.” Vassik inclined his head as a token of respect, Betna was one of the few Field Marshals currently active underneath the Mand’alor. Which made him a man of power in his own right, it was important to keep note of the players in this game.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“It has indeed crossed my mind that my [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]security[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] is quite… underwhelming.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A very little sigh appeared soon after, one of the few and only signs that the Magister was displeased with his men.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“And then it came to mind that considering the [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]protection[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] the Mandalorians have extended towards Muunilinst, Mygeeto and the InterGalactic Banking Clan it might be prudent to come to you for assistance in this matter.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Protection was one way of describing it, another would have been subjugation. But the Muuns had always prided themselves in being [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]diplomatic[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] when the situation demanded it, there was no need to offend a Field Marshal when no profit was there to gain by it.[/SIZE]

 

[Arrbi Betna]

Betna only nodded once in response and crossed his arms. He still wore his helmet, something that was customary of most Mandalorians. They often saw no difference between an actual face and the faceplate of a helmet, sometimes to the point where warriors could pick out a helmet in a crowd better than a living visage.

"I'm pretty sure if I'd pushed the subject, they'd have let me through fully armed," Betna continued. He'd caught the faint enunciation of certain words in the Muun's comments, but figured he'd let them be. He was here to negotiate work, not negotiate politics. "What specifically did you have in mind for the assistance you require?"

He'd need to know the parameters before he could list a price. From there, the haggling would begin.

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Arrbi Betna"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Muun took in the following statement and then accepted it, there was a distinct chance that this would have happened. But nobody would be served with growing agitated or angry about the situation, it was clear that his men weren’t up to par at this point, which had been exactly the reason why they were meeting here right now.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]To improve that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Security detail first and foremost.” the Magister replied, before continuing after a moment of thought. “What happened today cannot repeat itself, they need to be able to screen any visitors effectively and without qualm.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Which was only the start of it all, of course. There was so much more that Vassik wanted his men to learn - if that had been all, he could have hired a bunch of security operators to train them. But that wasn’t the goal.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“I am currently on a recruitment round, new blood, potential. I will need them to be trained in infantry tactics, hand to hand, weaponry, other suitable equipment, starfighters maybe. Whatever else you might find suitable.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The InterGalactic Banking Clan has always ensured the Credit of the Galaxy, we extend loans to little Pop & Mom shops on the corner, sprawling Corporations and nations that extend themselves across the Galaxy. In this environment… the Banking Clan was concerned that people would start defaulting on their loans, seeing that the IGBC wasn’t as strong as it was in the past.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]This couldn’t be afforded of course, Betna should understand that.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

"Yes.. And Telos," she noted.

And so she concluded what he was interested in, it was now time to elaborate on what she herself wanted in return. "You have a reputation," her hands folded on the table, "you're intelligent, they say, and always find a way to make something work." She continued. Her eyes narrowed slightly, an odd fixation as she felt the air radiate with mystery and poise. It was in that sensation that she became comfortable with the prospects of dealing with the Muun, he knew what he was doing and she felt that. "I'm having warships constructed and we need someone to manage the allocation of resources necessary to manufacture them without waste." Finally an elaboration came from her lips.

The Host Lord leaned forward slightly after she spoke, but only slightly, as she awaited his response.

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]She was having ships constructed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A mysterious buzz in his ears made him miss the prefix that had come before, but the Magister was not interested in what kind of ships the Host Lady was currently attempting to produce. So he was not prepared to ask her again for clarification, it would have only complicated the matter and the Muuns did not enjoy complicating matters all too much - unless it had to do with the letter of the Law and things such as those.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Simple logistics.” the Muun replied with a nod, he penned down some of the details that had already been discussed and the thoughts he had with the discussion. It was important to keep a short log with you, it aided you in remembering the important and crucial details.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Of course, you are now officially a client of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, Lady Aj’Rou. With this comes the accountant-client privilege - whatever you tell me or my associates, will always stay between the two of us.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]This was all rather straight-forward and some accountants wouldn’t have even stated such, but the Magister was bred from a different stock. It was important to disclose to your client the rights and privileges they paid to enjoy, otherwise awkward situations might enfold that could have been easily avoided.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“I will need a full accounting on the amount of resources, a preference of worlds from which they will come and the eventual destination.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]He kept writing.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

"The resources are being acquired in the Chiloon Rift and to an extent on Irn." She didn't ignore the bit of privilege, a factor she appreciated to say the least but needn't say so with words. She like him preferred a lack of complications in affairs. The sooner they got through the details the quicker they'd walk away with their respective gains, complications were bad for everyone involved. Yet some seemed to enjoy it, there were always those who didn't understand the concept of reputation. Those who do poor business will be known as poor businessman, no matter how able they are at covering up tracks.

Anja came prepared and procured a datachip with the necessary information he required of her. Sliding it over to him, she leaned back in her seat and awaited his response.

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Muun silently took the chip and made it disappear within the folds of his toga, the Chiloon Rift was a good staging point for the procurement of the various ores that would be needed for the creation of the… [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]ships[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]. It would need several hours of review, comparing and offers being pitched back and forth between the various partners that he had in the Galaxy, to come up with a preliminary analysis but Vassik wasn’t expecting Anja to wait for that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“I see.” he would reply carefully, before asking a question of his own. “What if maximizing efficiency meant to gather resources from other sources than those two?” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It was reasonably certain that he could gather and maybe sub-contract out these operations with one of his shell companies that were scattered across the Galaxy.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

"I see nothing wrong in that," she concluded to his question.

As long as her resources were allocated properly and that there were no loose ends then she had no reason to be picky with how he proceeded. That was the nature in delegation, you gave people face value and told them find what lies beneath and exploit it. Micromanaging was simply not in the Host Lord's nature and that is perhaps why their conquests have been successful thus far. Previous designs of The Primeval Fleet had focused purely on superior firepower and left a gap in technological advancements, placing them behind the rest of the galaxy in some ways.

Exhaling, "I assume you find no issues in this arrangement, yes?"

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Not at all, my Lady.” the Magister would reply with a kind nod, before making a final notation on that particular paragraph and underlining a few sentences here and there. He already had a few ideas popping up on how to make this work efficiently, cheap and without arising a lot of suspicions on where the goods were going to be going.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Would need to be done as tight as possible, but… it was not a problem at all. To be honest Vassik was surprised that she had brought this up here personally, this would have been more appropriate to have handled through intermediaries. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But perhaps Barbarians do things differently out there.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A final line was drawn, circling across a few names before the Muun nodded again - this time more to himself than anyone else. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Right. The expansions and logistics aside, I would like to talk to you about the current economical situation in your terri-” Vassik was interrupted by- [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]He blinked, time slowed down and he could almost count how every single heartbeat steadily pushed the blood from there to here. How the adrenaline started coursing in response to the ping in the Force that beckoned to him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“DOWN.” Vassik shouted, before throwing himself out of his seat and rolling under the table. Only a second more passed before the whole room was being shot up, bullets and lasers reeling into the glass and through it.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja reacted quickly to the sensation she felt in the moment he did. Using her leg she hooked her foot along the inside of the desk and used her other foot to push off, knocking the chair back and pulling herself under the table with him. Thoughts rushed through her mind as the Umbaran attempted to calculate the situation they were in and what her next move would be.

Looking to the Muun, "I thought this place was supposed to safe?" Her raised voice sounded with annoyance at the lack of security. Anja had many enemies but none she would assume capable of tracking her every move, thus it came to her own conclusion that these were his enemies and not hers.

That was all beside the point, however. The fact of the matter was that they're both in this situation together; being attacked by an unknown adversary in a place that was supposed to be secure.

"What's our next move?" She asked him to think quickly, he clearly knew this place far better than her and assumed he'd figure out some sort of plan for getting out of this mess.

Until he came to some sort of decision, the Host Lord remained put and began to consider other options should the banker prove to be unreliable.

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arrbi Betna]

Betna nodded once. What the Muun wanted was basic enough and simple to do. It was only a question of training and, specifically, how much training. Once that was established, it was a matter of fees.

"That's doable," he said after a moment. "How many troops do you need trained and do you want multiple specialties or just the basics?"

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]There wouldn’t be a next move.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“No next move for now, miss Aj’Rou.” the Muun would reply for her benefit, his species was infamous and renowned alike for its analytical capabilities. Even as a child they already possessed better calculative skills than most adults, and Vassik was one of the best when it came towards the calculations of the [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]odds[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Magister climbed out from underneath the table, straightened himself and then dusted himself off with the indignation and pride of one of his species. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]For a moment he tilted his head, waited to see if he had made a miscalculation, but after a few seconds passed it was clear that today was not that fateful day after all.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]He would gesture for her to follow and then would explain.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“The Spires of Harnaidan are the best defended places on Muunilinst, Host Lord. Even now security is converging and trying to smoke out the attackers, had they tried for a second time they surely would have been shot down by the Anti-Air defenses that are lined across the HQ.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A look of ponder came over him. “No, this was a hit and run, attempting to take advantage of this meeting.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]They assumed that Vassik would have been too caught up with the negotiations to pay attention to his surroundings, and truly… if he hadn’t been who he was - if it hadn’t been for his training? The Muun would have been dead by now.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“But it might be best if we cut this meeting short, I will have to get to the bottom of this and I am sure you have more important things on your mind.”[/SIZE]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Arrbi Betna"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]And the Muun told him the amount of troops. It wasn’t a maddening number, of course, because if the InterGalactic Banking Clan was anything… it was careful in the face of adversaries and possible complications in the future - they weren’t building an army… yet, they were simply making sure that people couldn’t just feth around with them as they pleased.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“I will need separate units with specializations in mind, of course.” Vassik would acknowledge with a nod.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It was important to diversify, to have every capability open to them without having to go outside of the organization and hire there; that could raise questions or create problems in the future and nobody wanted that.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja looked to the Muun who stood up, she too followed in a similar fashion and nodded at his suggestion.

"Yes," she responded, "we'll be in touch." The Host Lord turned and walked from the room to the door before leaving his office behind.

She had come to make a deal and a deal she did make, now with the Banking Clan's support she could truly master the logistics of such a feat and support her construction of new warships. Everything was falling into place as she expected they would and having no surprises, despite the attack, was a relief to the otherwise exhausted witch.

After leaving the building, Anja entered her private shuttle and left the world behind.

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]

 

[Arrbi Betna]

"Diversity is something we can do," Betna said with a nod. "But you're looking at a higher cost the more you do. I don't know how to do everything perfectly, but I know people who can cover the gaps I can't. Thing is, they'll want to be paid and they don't charge cheaply."

When it came to combat and military training, you got what you paid for. Betna could do many things, but he was hardly a master at all of them. He knew his wife could do engineering and flighty combat. He figured Ijaat could help with weapon and equipment design as well as the use of them. Draco could probably take care of vehicles and vehicle combat. He knew he himself could cover infantry tactics and marksmanship. They would each charge a price, however. They didn't work for free and with the high quality of skills and their individual ranks among the clans... Well...

You got what you paid for.

[member="Vassik Kilvaari"]