Deal With The Devil

[Jairus Starvald]

Manda'yaim, Keldabe.

It took much diplomatic capital, but eventually Fa managed to secure a meeting with the current leader of the Mandalorian Clans.

He was called [member="Vilaz Munin"] and was apparently a warrior of much renown amongst his people. It was for this reason that Vnut was sent in his stead, to talk business with Munin. The Mandalorians respected strength - and while Tai was strong in his own right... it was not the same kind of strength they respected.

Do not send a diplomat to barter with a warrior king.

The reason for the meeting had been established beforehand. With the sudden tragedy on Mandalore, there was a need for aid- the corporations of Mandalore could not be everywhere at once... and Tai Fa smelled the sweet sound of profit to be had.

The big ursine bodyguard stepped off the ramp of his shuttle. Keldabe was relatively unscathed, shield generators kept the ash away and it wasn't all too cold here in the bastion of Mandalorian power. A gaggle of Mandalorian Warriors were already waiting on him.

They'd escort him to the Mand'alor himself.

 

[Vilaz Munin]

The damage done to Mandalore was underway as many Mandalorian owned corporations began investing, in a hustle, technology to combat against the natural dangers Mandalore itself was causing. It was all very unexpected to Mand'alor himself. Even with the most exotic and advanced technology that the Mandalorians crafted and produced with their hands and mind, they couldn't make some technological wonder that could warn them of the turmoil that mother Mandalore was in.

But it wasn't just domestic companies trying to fix the planet, it was also foreigners as well.

One in particular, the Silver Jedi, had offered their help and that was something that Vilaz didn't wish to accept. Ever since the history of the Mandalorians reminded him of the Mandalorian Excision, the Munin held a strong grudge towards the Jedi of all kind and wished nothing but vengeance upon them. He saw it as a way for the Silver Jedi to evade war with the Mandalorians, and while no crusade would be initiated, they would still be under Vilaz's radar.

Today, a businessman had arranged a meeting with the warrior in regards to to the state of Mandalore. Another thing that the Munin disliked was others helping the Mandalorians, but he would take most of the help he could get to bring stability to Mandalore.

A unit of Munin clansmen came with a bear in the midst.

A bear?

Never mind that now.

"Tai Fa, is it?"

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

"Vnut of Garnib, Lord Mandalore." The ursine creature corrected him patiently, before extending his arm in a classic warrior grasp engrained in the culture of the Mandalorians. Vnut had much experience with their kind, how else could it be after spending so much time on Nar Shaddaa?

There a Mandalorian Bounty Hunter or Mercenary wasn’t very special.

"Lord Fa has inquired about your people and their ways. It was made clear to him that you and yours respect strength. Warriors, not diplomats." His big shoulders shrugged, before smiling a toothy smile. It was becoming rapidly obvious that Vnut was a dangerous creature.

"I am his chief of security, his bodyguard. He believed you would be far more willing to listen to me, than to him."

If Tai Fa was anything it was a talker and a diplomat. Could he have come here and broken a few bucketheads over his wing?

Probably.

But that would have taken more time than he had right now.

"I am in the position to negotiate with you and inform you on Lord Fa's business dealings."

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Yes, Vilaz indeed respected strength. He looked down on the weak and considered them inferior to him, and even to sons and daughters of Mandalore that weren't capable of honoring the name "Mandalorian". The man grasped the bear's arm and greeted him in the Mandalorian traditions. Surprised the Munin was that this foreigner knew how to greet someone of Mandalorian heritage. Perhaps he once was a warrior of Mandalore or maybe there were some that were a part of this Lord Fa's security.

"While we do respect strength, I will need an audience with your lord. I don't doubt your abilities to negotiate with me, but I will not do any dealings with anyone through a middleman. Tai Fa may appear in person or a hologram, but until then I will not honor any business with him."

All of this was for...national reasons. The Mand'alor didn't had any problems making any deals with foreign corporations, but he would not have anyone or anything take advantage over him or the Mandalorians. And especially not in these times.

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

"Very well." Vnut responded after a moment of consideration. "The Lord Fa can join us by Hologram, while we discuss the matters at hand."

In truth it had simply been courtesy and a study of their culture that had led to this choice.

Tai was most interested in the way the Clans had treated the Republic diplomacy envoy years back. Reportedly, they laughed in his face and told him that they had little to no respect for mere diplomats. So, by sending a warrior of strength instead, he thought it would be taken more seriously.

"Do you wish to discuss this in a conference room of sorts, then?"

 

[Vilaz Munin]

The Munin's helmeted face nodded in accordance with Vnut as Vilaz's proposition was accepted. When a Mandalorian made a counter offer to someone, most people would accept it. Few others wouldn't and in turn would not receive any quality service. The Munin's proposition wasn't too grand, and it would be a waste if the bear wouldn't have accepted it.

"Right this way," the Mand'alor replied back to Vnut and led the way to an unoccupied conference room with the same Mandalorian guards that had escorted Vnut to Vilaz. None of them would enter the room as they knew that their Alor and Sole Ruler was able to defend himself from Vnut...that is if the bear creature attempted to do something hostile.

The Warrior gestured for the bear to sit down on a wooden chair that was right across of him. In the middle of them was a table with a holoprojector installed in it where this Tai Fa would make an appearance.

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

The weight of the ursine made the wooden chair creak under the sudden pressure.

But surprisingly enough it held him... if only just. Perhaps that was unsurprising as the Mandalorians were known to wear their armor almost everywhere, which was also quite heavy and cumbersome. At first Vnut simply waited for the Mand'alor to sit down himself, he was in no rush at all and had no desire to hurry the lad. Because this Mand'alor was much younger than he thought he would be.

Young, hot blood and dangerous.

What a time it must be for Vilaz the Mand'alor. Just been made the leader of his people, just to be hit with a disaster such as this one -- their world in flames, something that they had never experienced before. It must weight heavily on him.

"Lord Mandalore, we are aware of the casualties your people are sustaining and also aware of the moves the Mandalorian companies are making on your behalf to minimize the damage and prevent even more casualties." The ursine began slowly. "Fa Holdings has a merchant fleet at its call -- it is humbler than the fleet of Arceneau Trade, yet, Lord Fa has less allegiances than the miss Arceneau herself, such as the the Silver Jedi Order."

He nodded in acknowledgement of Vilaz's spurning of the Silvers' aid.

"We can supply goods without the weight of the Silvers pressing down on it, to begin with."

 

[Vilaz Munin]

And so the talks of business began once the two had sat down and the Ursine began to talk. The Mand'alor listened to the words of the bear and he could tell that the creature was being honest. No doubt was the Fa Holdings humbler than Acreneau Trade because the Munin, frankly, had never heard of such company. If this corporation just reached to the ears of Vilaz, despite him being Sole Ruler or not, then he would immediately assumed that it wasn't very popular and was yet to be in the big leagues.

"I see you have noticed of our relationship with the Silver Jedi, and I like the fact that you don't have any dealings with them," the Mandalorian said to Vnut.

"Tell me more. What goods can you provide? Medical? Food? Construction?"

The man was more interested in construction and technological goods to combat against the unstable Mandalore than medical and food as they had a healthy surplus of the latter products.

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

"All of the above." Vnut immediately responded, which was true. They weren't just a shipping concern. Lord Fa was a man with connections, subtle ones, but connections regardless. Above all he enjoyed investing in certain ventures. Only a few months ago he had acquired a controlling interest in certain mining guilds of the Kyrikal system, which was quite close-by.

Well, compared to other more vast distances.

"Fa Holdings has invested in multiple mining operations within the Kyrikal system, Lord Mandalore. It would be relatively easy to start shipping building materials for your construction effort on the planet." The ursine creature thought about it some more, before adding more. "I am aware of dealings Lord Fa has had with Echani engineers a week back, depending on what you need, I think we could supply this as well."

"Air filters? Geological survey tools? We could probably hire out the engineers to the Clans, so they may aid in the effort to stabilize the world."

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Oh, this was all sweet music to his ears. There was content on his face to just hear the fact that this Tai Fa was an all around business man. Not one that focused in just mass producing in just one certain aspect in the marketing field of the Galaxy. He knew that the Clans had many technological luxuries, mostly for combat purposes, that were being applied to fight against mother nature of Mandalore, but it was gonna take more than just the Clans if he wanted Mandalore back in a good and stable form in the most efficient and quickest way as possible.

"You and your master surely have made my day somewhat better than it was this morning, Vnut. Tai Fa will have surely have my gratitudes and his help will be rewarded."

"Now where is that contract so that we can officialize this deal?"

He didn't need to ask what else this Tai Fa had in storage because he already sounded like someone Vilaz could rely and depend on as he lived these dark and depressing days of the Mandalorians.

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

A datapad was revealed soon after.

Which had the specific paperwork they'd need to finalize the deal itself. He pushed it over to the other side of the table, before they agreed to calling Lord Fa now. It was important to finalize the deal in short order and the Mand'alor wished to speak to the... man behind the man, so to speak.

It took a minute or so, before Vnut managed to get a stable connection.

Mostly because the atmosphere of Mandalore was still karking crap and kept interfering, but they managed to get through. The hologram flickered and for a while there was only static.

But then it crystalized itself clearly in the form of a space peacock.

Lord Fa first studied Vnut, before inclining his beak to Vilaz in a token amount of respect.

"My Lord Mandalore.​

Honor to you and your clan.​

My condolences, Lord.​

​

For losses sustained.​

They are part of the Manda.​

It's all we can hope."​

​

Vnut waited a moment, before interjecting with a status update.

"The Lord Mandalore and me have discussed the proposal, my Lord. He simply wished to have you here, as we come to final terms."

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Vilaz had seen many things in his life, but never had he come across a sentient life form in the shape and figure of a peacock. And then a mighty and dangerous bear served him as the captain of Tai Fa's guard. Then again, many strong individuals served Hutt Crime Lords which may had seen as a weird thing considering that Hutts were fat and slow, but they were surprisingly strong and durable creatures.

Maybe this bird was somewhat similar or on par with the Hutts.

What also got him off was how Tai Fa spoke. He spoke as if though he was saying some riddle, but he comprehended some of what he said.

"Thank you, Lord Fa, but one thing you should know about me is that I don't like being pitied. Not that I don't take any offense to it, just that it makes me feel uneasy. However, I do thank you for your services. I won't forget your aid."

"Now I am ready to sign this, but I would like to know what you seek in return? I should notify you that many Mandalorians don't like it when a foreigner touches our beskar. However, I can grant you other minerals such as phrik, and pay you in other means as well."

[member="Tai Fa"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

Throughout this all Vnut stayed silent.

His role was over for now and he would not get in the way between the Lord Mandalore and Lord Fa. That was probably one of the main ways to get a pissed off peacock, which was the last thing he wished for. So he calmly sat and watched the exchange between the two sentients with something akin to fascination.

There had always been a healthy respect for Mandalorians, because of their culture and actions.

They did not speak or speechify, they merely acted and committed fully. The ursine could respect such sentiments, even if it was completely against Lord Fa's particular philosophy.

"My Lord Mandalore.​

I do not seek short pleasures.​

Not my concern, no.​

​

What I wish? Bigger.​

Establish relationships.​

My goods and your funds.​

​

Simple credits now.​

If we are both pleased with this?​

We can expand more."​

​

"I am in no rush now."​

Later, maybe. When the trust had grown, they could revisit the subject. But for now, he would agree towards a mutually agreeable relationship of trade and commerce. Credits for goods, easier access to their markets, the usual things that would allow Fa Holdings to help Mandalore better.

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Even more surprised he was. All this peacock wanted was credits and not other valuable forms of currency?

"Very well then, Lord Fa. Let's make this official," Vilaz said to Tai Fa and wrote his signature on the datapad that was given to him by Vnut.

With that all done he returned the datapad to the Ursine and gave his attention to the two alien sentients.

"It was nice meeting the two of you. The Mandalorians will be thankful of your investments. I look forward to the future with you two."

He then ordered his guards to escort Vnut to his vessel, and would wish him a happy flight of wherever he was going off to.

[member="Tai Fa"]