Debauchery At Best [CIS Dominion of Void Station]

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

"Why?" Garron's word was pained, but his eyes... alight with fervor.

A lithe, pale hand reached to cup the man's cheek and she smiled. While she soothed his cheek and not his ache, her mind slipped away. Not far, mind you. Quite near and the waves of the Force swam towards to opposition. Their ghostly tendrils reaching, sliding, coiling about the metal skin of the B2-Super Battle droids and yet, moved past, onward to something boasting more control. Her power crept with no preference to light or dark, it was simply there with no affiliation. Anesia did not draw upon the Darkside then, thus showing no hint of menace. The security unit will do just fine.

Nothing to really feel and definitely nothing to see. It would appear on screen as perhaps a small spat. Anesia played the part with obedience, never stepping past that line, past the droid. She offered the cameras a vision of frozen fear when she peered up at it.

[member="Salem Norongachi"] | [member="Atretes Rhoujen"] | [member="Marek Starchaser"] |[member="Count Morcus"] | [member="Irulan Shae"]​

 

[Salem Norongachi]

A rush of noise seemed to full Norongachi's mind, it wasn't a sound just anyone could hear and even those who were attuned to the every changed flow of the Force were not very likely to hear it either. It was their bond, his and Anesias, that gave him warning of her shaping of the Force so close by. Why she was doing it didn't matter, when [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"] was concerned it wasn't for a noble purpose.

"Excuse me." He spoke hurriedly and then let his feet follow his senses, snaking through the hallways until he found her. "Let him go..." The coldness in his voice outstripped Hoth as he moved toward the Sith Lord. "It only takes one slip, one misstep and this whole deal goes to pot. For once in your life see the bigger picture."

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

As if something so... natural could be stopped. Or let go of for that matter. Anesia turned her head, having felt the fire before it ever appeared. Without missing a beat, the woman stepped lightly just a few steps in front of Garron. She offered Omega only a bemused smile. Perhaps then he would note his surrounding and the rather familiar scent of perfume dotting the air. The Sith Lord never really used her pheromones against [member="Salem Norongachi"]. Then again, she never had a reason to. This... was just happenstance.

The emotions exuding from Garron before only heightened now and she sighed, directing him with the already hardy influence she had over him to move back to his post. Her connection to the Force only nudging him along.

"Lord Commander," she paused, perturbed, "how nice of you to join me."

Under normal circumstances -for the pair- she welcomed his company, even sometimes craved it. This was no such time and it shone in the eyes that matched his, "What on Sullust are you going on about?" The look she projected; it was one of those reserved types, for situations like these, to speak without words and still be understood.

I have yet to begin.

Because it looked like...

Looked like what?

You look ravishing.

I know.

Silence thickened the air and Anesia moved along side him, "I see it as clear as you." I was only testing the defenses, disrupting nothing. "I am curious as to why you would think otherwise?"

 

[Salem Norongachi]

There wasn't a hint of emotion to betray what Norongachi was feeling in that moment. The pheromones in the air had little in the way of effect beyond a minute tingle before his internal, genetically enhanced, defenses shut them down with an innate application of the Force. He'd been on Zeltros before he'd ever known the name of [member="Anesia Jy'Vun"] and on more than one occasion.

The guard still seemed misty eyed, his gaze drawn to Anesia every half a second despite his training telling him otherwise. Salem shook his head and then moved toward the Temptress, slipping a hand around her waist he began to walk them further up the corridor. "Because, dear Aneisa, you are like a child in a shop full of shiny things. You want everything, especially those things which you can't have." They neared a long window that looked out into the speckled darkness beyond. "The mans palace is not our concern, the location of the station and its uses in the future are..." He stopped at the window, it was as tall as they were and ran the entire length of this corridor. They were well out of earshot of the guard now and he took a minute to look at the passing star ships, some were military in design, others civilian or clearly used by the various companies that called Void Station home.

"Do you think they know?" He asked quietly. "Do you think they ever considered that in no time at all, everything is going to change..."

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

A low, echoing throaty laugh surrounded them. One of a more realistic nature and not forced. "I am aware of my ambition," her head full of untamed tresses shook with her head lightly at [member="Salem Norongachi"] and his astute observances. So glad you have taken notice... Now, if you will only appreciate them for what they are.

Oh, but I would rather him like to think that it is, the woman added in confidence, or them. Even through the Force it was only a whisper. Illusions... manipulation. That was the name of her game. So far, it had all been piecing together quite nicely. Their eyes were on her and that was fine. She was rather accustomed to it. Her slighter frame leaned into his once they neared the sky scraping windows. Anesia only searched the stars, past the ships, to the ebony blanket of everything. Hours still to go, she sighed rather softly at the concept.

Leaning up, using her hair for cover, she placed a chaste kiss just at his lobe, "Your plans or mine?" it was mischievous, she knew and the heels of her stilettos touched the ground once again. "I don't think they have in the slightest," Anesia answered, dropping her voice. "What the flames want, they often burn."

 

[Corey's OOC]

There really was something about Anesia, but Marek was going to let her do her own thing. He was working on learning the Sith arts, but she clearly knew what she was doing. That was going to give him a clear path to steer around her, and listen to what she said, follow her example, but ensure he didn’t get too close. It was… something about that. When she contacted him in the Force, he only nodded and smiled back. Clearly entertained.

The major thing here, though, was protecting the interests. The nice thing here, too, was his infochant being more effective than any datapad, and she did seem to have her ducks in a line. Listening, and sipping his drink, he nodded. Merrill, huh? Now that was a name Marek was familiar with. He wasn’t aware if the other knew he existed, but the Foreman sure knew the founded and creator of Silk and the Mara Corridor. Silk was one company he would love to get his fingers into, for alliance, contracts, or really, whatever, beyond their owning of the fuel platforms, and services along the Corridor.

“Any idea how Mister Merrill will feel with us in his back yard?” Really, there wasn’t any bad blood between the Techno Union and Silk, and Starchaser wanted to keep it that way. Nodding to [member="Siara"] Kei, he smiled. “I’ve spoken with [member="Count Morcus"] on working HKD into the Techno Union, I failed to recall the connection of Silk and Void, however.” And for that, he wanted to shoot himself in the foot. “And the Count’s standing back home? That going to affect this?”

Really, keep all the ducks in a row.

 

[Irulan Shae]

Carefully detaching the genetic sampler from the datapad and slipping both into the cushioned pockets of her bag, Irulan inclined her head in agreement with [member="Count Morcus"]. "Of course," she murmured, "And perhaps it would be appropriate for the newly appointed Viceroy of Void Station to address his people?" The words were more than suggestion, though her carefully chosen words and warm tone concealed that fact most artfully. Nonetheless, the Count had formally bound himself to the Confederation now, and given that she had authority over the diplomatic segment of this assignment, that meant that he had bound himself to follow her guidance for the time being.

Smiling to take the sting from her words, Irulan reached into her bag and drew out another datapad. "I've prepared a brief speech for you," he noted, indicating the text that flickered into life on the 'pad, "But feel free to substitute your own words. The important thing is that the people of Void Station understand that they are being sincerely welcomed into the folds of the Confederacy, and that we must all pull together into the days ahead to overcome the trials that will assail us." Generic words, of course, and utterly meaningless, but they could be powerful regardless, particularly if delivered by one with any mastery of oratory.

"After you, please, Viceroy."

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count nodded, before speaking into his datapad across the station's announcement system. ''People of Void Station, this is your generous benefactor Count Veril Morcus, speaking to you live from my office. We have reached a historic day indeed! Our station has been welcomed into the grace of the mighty Confederacy of Independent Systems, to protect us from those who would do us harm! It is up to each and every one of us now to work hard and usher in a new era of prosperity! That is all.'', he said in his usual dominant, awe-inspiring tone. Many of the stations inhabitants burst into cheering and applause. The Count was a master at manipulating a crowd with his voice...

[member="Irulan Shae"]
[member="Marek Starchaser"]
[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]
[member="Salem Norongachi"]

 

[Siara Kai]

The corner of Siara’s mouth would perk in dry amusement, bringing the glass to her lips. The bubbly liquid would tickle her nose as she took a sip. Pulling the fluke back, she would give a sideways glance to [member="Marek Starchaser"].

“Let’s just say that the Confederacy is low on the like list for Mr. Merrill.” she’d say with a dry note,”Having a million credit bounty on your head from the Confederacy for a good amount of time before taking it off as a way of ticking off a man who feels he was in the right for doing what he’d did.” the issue with Genosis and the murder of several members of the Vagrant Fleet and innocent Geonosian Queen and her grubs was a well known fact that still held a bitter taste in the mouths of those who remembered.

“As for the Count’s standing on Serreno… well that depends if you are looking on cashing in on the Houses of Serreno’s credits. There is a standing bounty to get his head on a proverbial silver platter.” her hazel eyes would go drifting around the social area, noticing new faces, registering them to her memory. More people to get information on. The small earbud would be secured, while the small wire activated by a press of a button on her ring would allow her to record what she would like.

“It should not affect any deal with the CIS unless the Techno Union desires to start Fundraising in that sector.”

It was then that the speakers of void station. The words brought a certain raising of her brows. Big words. Words that will likely soon get the Count in deep with Merrill.

"This is going to get interesting." She said in a low hush. She wouldn't be the only one in Void station taking and recording information. Claiming the protection of the Confederacy over Silk was bound to get to [member="Jorus Merrill"]'s ears. It's one thing to run your business --- another to suggest it has now been commedeered.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Void Station's majority owner was Silk Holdings. Somewhere north of thirty percent of the company belonged to one Selka Ventus, an old associate of the founders, Jorus and Alna Merrill. Ventus had been, for some time, the Chief Executive Officer, and had spearheaded Silk's entry into the Techno Union, not to mention construction of part of the Confederate warfleet.

The Count who had just been made Viceroy over Silk's property was a minority owner. Confederate security forces had been confiscating weapons. Things were about to get interesting.

The public address system -- installed and maintained, like all amenities here, by Silk -- redirected itself from the Count's broadcast.

"Void Station," said a drawling, lower-class voice with a touch of arrogant edge, "this is Ventus. Sorry I wasn't on-site earlier. The Count says the Confederacy's here to protect Void, but the three times that pirates and Sith Lords have tried to take over this station, it's been Silk that threw it back in their teeth and patched up your hurt after. Most of you draw a Silk paycheck, and we've always tried to do right by you. And you've worked hard for us, harder than we had a right to expect. You've made this place a capstone of the Mara Corridor.

"Well, today's the day we pay it back. Effective immediately, I'm issuing transfer passes for all employees and their dependents to any station or starport owned by Silk. If you'll look out the window to your left, you'll see the ships that'll take you to whatever new home you select. Silk is transferring operations away from Void Station permanently."

Heavily armed bulk freighters, Peregrine class, appeared out of nowhere, as if they had been cloaked. But who would cloak a bulk freighter? And it didn't quite fit the sensor profile of a decloaking vessel, plus their crews suddenly became detectable in the Force. To the alert and informed, it would appear as if something odd and possibly nasty was taking place. New stealth tech, perhaps. The alert and informed might also note that Ventus was broadcasting from the Silk offices within Void Station.

"All Silk assets and intellectual property will be removed in the short term. Experienced medical crews are standing by to expedite your transit. It's important that this transfer take place immediately.

"I also have a word for the Confederacy. Void Station is an important strategic point, one where Silk's operations would only get in the way. For the use of our station, Silk is prepared to accept a monthly rent of two hundred million credits. Alternately, you may purchase our majority interest outright for one point five billion credits, payable upon delivery."

Meanwhile, a quiet, encrypted message went out to [member="Siara Kai"].

Your debt is void if this goes smoothly.

 

[Corey's OOC]

There was a lot going on here. Marek was listening to the Count’s speech, but he was also focusing on the company at hand. Why did he hire Siara? Because he knew what she was worth every penny. She had a way about her to get everything he wanted to know. The trick right now was how to diffuse the situation that The Count’s speech may or may not cause.

“Yeah, that’s true, especially after visiting us near Druckenwell.” Marek still didn’t know how to exactly handle this upcoming situation. What was the government doing to the free market? Marek was all sorts of a Confederate, but still, this got crazy.

And with so much going on with The Count and his standing? “I don’t know, it might be better if we don’t do bake sales on Void Station.” Was that how they were going to be paying for their new shipyards? It might be if they didn’t do something interesting.

Then [member="Selka Ventus"] arrived. Just lovely. She was a wonderful person, shrewd businesswoman and the company that allowed her to have her own brand of arrogance. Silk was someone Marek wanted to get on his side, not on the opposing side. Really? Losing all the fuel, and the fleets of freighters? Not exactly the people you wanted on your bad side.

Putting his glass on the next tray that came by, he made to give his full attention to Ventus and her words. And the proposition that was proposed. Typically, Marek wasn’t one that would want to go to war with Silk, but maybe there was a way to make this work.

Turning to Siara, he nodded. “Interesting is an understatement, miss Kai. Can you make sure none of our trigger happy comrades shoot anything… at all? And lets see what we can do to meet with Miss Ventus?” Wonderful.

 

[Siara Kai]

The encrypted message in her ear would relay what would prompt Siara to ensure things went as smoothly as possible. That someone was able to slice beyond her flamewalls and forb code and combined with the simple offer meant only one thing.

Only one favor had ever been cast in exchange for goods by the Information Broker. That favor had been with Silk during the Southern Systems Business Bazaar auction. If this could go as smoothly as possible, she would be indebted to no one.

Perfect.

“Agreed.” she’d say aloud, and one would think she would be responding to [member="Marek Starchaser"], but it was to [member="Selka Ventus"].

A waiter came by the long haired brunette, her hand extending to place her half finished fluke upon the tray he held.

“I’ll talk to the head of security. Make sure no one gets trigger happy. Get someone to make sure the honorable Count doesn’t say anything that will be detrimental to ensuring any of Silk’s assets and workers are not molested.” They had to act quickly. A glance over to Marek would prompt a nod towards his own earwig. “You know how to get me.” she reminded him.

Without further ado, Siara was gone.

 

[Corey's OOC]

At least she was on his side here. Marek nodded. No need for unnecessary violence, and causing a station to perhaps fall from the sky. The Confederacy really couldn’t afford that, neither could any of the businesses that are linked in the Techno Union. If they CIS kept blowing things up, the companies were going to end up leaving.

And he really didn’t want that to happen. Linking these business men and women with the Techno Union was a strong move, for his intents and purposes. Looking over at his agent he nodded. “Yeah, make sure that we don’t get them any more cranky with us. And if you can find me a meeting room? Maybe contact the Confederate diplomat as well?” This was going to involve them.

Oh joy.

And now Marek was in Techno Union mode.

Could he just call in Danger for assistance?

Spoiler

[member="Siara Kai"]
[member="Selka Ventus"]
[member="Irulan Shae"]

 

[Salem Norongachi]

Whatever words the Lord Commander had for Anesia Jy'vun were stalled by the announcement from [member="Count Morcus"]. If Norongachi's dark brow had risen any further it would have punched a hole in the ceiling. The Count must surely have known that there were other, far more influential, parties with a vested stake in Void Station? It had only taken a three second search upon the holonet for Salem to determine that when he was bored one night. He was no diplomat, he didn't have the patience to sugar coat his words or the time to waste reading between the lines but the Count had his work cut out for him now.

And then, of course, because the day had been without drama long enough another voice broke over the address system, Norongachi retrieved a cigarra from somewhere upon his person and lit it up while the woman spoke. Usually he would have said this was a touch melodramatic but given that the CIS had, allegedly, laid waste to an entire planet not two months ago, the panic was understandable.

"Norongachi to security personnel within the palace and patrol craft," He spoke into an encrypted com. "Give these proceedings a wide berth. In fact pull all the way back and make sure they see you do it. If something goes wrong today, it won't be our doing." A series of affirmatives answered him and then the line went dead.

"Anesia, I'm afraid to say....I may have work to do after all." Sarcasm? Relief? It was hard to say but he made his way back to the dining hall and let his eye sweep across the faces. The Count was still with [member="Irulan Shae"], somewhere beyond the festival of gluttony. He keyed her com-channel. "I think perhaps, we should address Silk. Nothing fancy, that we are sorry to see them go, wish them all the best for the future etc ect. Work your magic and if she still wants to talk price, having begun moving all her assets and personnel from the station then tell her to give me a call."

 

[Irulan Shae]

[member="Selka Ventus"]' intervention in events had done little to ruffle Irulan's calm demanour. In truth, a slight smile had threatened to play across her crimson lips as she listened to the other woman make her overly dramatic pronouncement, and she had forced herself to take another sip of the Viceroy's wine to conceal her amusement. Yet barely had her lips come into contact with the glass then [member="Salem Norongachi"]'s voice broke through on another channel, one which was as carefully encrypted as any that Silk had access to.

"As you wish, Lord Commander," the young woman murmured, inclining her head in acceptance of her unseen master's wishes even as she set her glass back down upon the desk. Already her mind was working, conjouring up the words she would need for the near impossible task the Lord Commander of the Confederacy of Independent Systems had set her. How should she approach this? Magnanimously, that much went without question, but how best to display that? How could she display the truth of the Confederate spirit whilst the shadows of Druckenwell lingered on?

Ah, yes.

Rising to her feet - she'd always found she thought best on her feet - Irulan took another moment to simply breath, to ensure she had perfect control over her tone and pitch, before switching her comlink to a public address channel and thumbing the activator stud. "People of Void Station. Representatives of Silk," she began, a small touch to highlight the fact that not every soul aboard the station served Silk, "This is Ambassador Irulan Shae of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and I speak to you now in the spirit of understanding and co-operation. For those of you who wish to leave, I bid you farewell with sorrow in my heart, and a promise that you will not be impeded in any way. Indeed, should anyone require assistance in taking up Silk's most generous offer - should they not have sufficient capacity for you and your families aboard their ships, for example - you need only speak to a representative of the Confederacy and they will make the necessary arrangements for you to be transferred to the appropriate Silk facility aboard a Confederate transport." Pausing, letting her words sink in, she wondered what people would make of that offer. Wondered what Salem would make of that offer.

She imagined his face would be quite the picture.

"For those of you who choose to stay amongst us," she continued after that momentary pause, "I warmly welcome you as brothers and sisters. The days to come will be kind to you - my associates in the Confederacy will ensure that you have sufficient foodstuffs, and that a suitable job will be found for you despite Silk's lamentable - and entirely unnecessary - decision to withdraw from the Station. More than this, I can assure you that our people will work their hardest to ensure a drastic increase in living conditions here upon Void Station, and that a delegation of Obsidian Knights will shortly be establishing a Sanctuary here aboard the station to protect you from the Sith and pirates the esteemed Lady Ventus referred to." Another pause, longer this time. She wanted the people to have longer to absorb these words than they'd had to latch onto her previous offer. Yet even so it wasn't more than a handful of seconds before the youthful diplomat was speaking again, this time introducing a tone of sorority into her words as she spoke, "And Lady Ventus, please, allow me to extend to you an offer to rethink. There is no need to withdraw from Void Station. No reason to uproot these families, to drag their children from their friends and schools. You are welcome here, as are the other leaders of Silk. But if you do choose to go, know that you we shall watch you go as a parent watches their wayward child - mournful, but accepting. And of course, like any parent, we shall ensure you have sufficient credits to pay your way, if such is truly your wish."

Her message delivered, Irulan deactivated her comlink and glanced across at [member="Count Morcus"], a coy smile flitting across her features. "Well, Viceroy?" she murmured, "What do you think?"

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Irulan Shae"]

The voice shifted, just so, becoming a hybrid of deep-seated slum accent and old-world corporate diction.

"Ambassador Shae, you take too much pleasure in pretty words, but it's clear to everyone in the system that you have no idea what you're talking about or who you're talking to. You're dealing with a community whose employees have been murdered by Confederate forces on two occasions, a corporation that could buy the Confederate navy with its pocket change, and a station whose inhabitants have been watching and preparing for the Confederate advance for years. If you want to look down on us as a parent looks down at a wayward child, remember that we were here before you, we're worth more than you, we have better technology than you, we field larger warships than you, we take better care of our people than you, our guardians are more powerful than yours, our friends are more numerous than yours, our moral high ground is higher than yours, our territory is larger than yours, and we do not succumb to tantrums that leave entire worlds devoid of life. Also you would do well not to condescend to the makers of the only competently designed portion of your navy. We are not rubes. We don't fall over with gratitude when people condescend to us.

"You speak of uprooting people from a community, but we are the community. Four out of five children in Void's schools are the children of Silk employees. Silk employs their teachers, pays for their textbooks. Many Silk employees are shareholders. We don't run things like the corporate slave state you always upheld on Hypori.

"Feel free to have the last word. But I'd advise sticking to Norongachi's script, girl. We've been burying dead on Druckenwell and we're not fond of altering deals."

 

[Salem Norongachi]

The back and and forth was something to behold. So really, what it came down to, was Silks personal feelings about the CIS. They didn't ask what their employees thought, they didn't consider that maybe some of them just didn't care. A job was a job, it paid the bills and put food on the table. In short this woman spoke for thousands of people, she made wild accusations with not a hint of evidence to back up her claims. She made claims, that could to the causal listener, be viewed as a threat to the CIS government. Was Silk prepared to go to war over...what? What had they done on Void? Had a meal? Spoken with [member="Count Morcus"]? Extended the possibility that there could, at the very least, be a place for the CIS here?

This was all beside the point, Salem thought, for all her claims who was upping sticks and fleeing rather than sitting down and speaking about this in a sensible manner? Norongachi was here, he was ready to talk, and if this woman was in the know as much as she claimed? She could find a way to do it. But no, they were, of course, the bad guys. Thus high horses were mounted, proclamations were given.

It was all very public, it was all very...petty. All Norongachi could do was smile, take a drink and relax while Silk gave up everything it had on Void Station without a fight. Those warehouses, those manufacturing plants, shipyards and whatever else they had here would go a long way to furthering their ambition.

"Another drink, if you would?" The servant obliged.

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count relaxed in his chair, smirking as he sipped his large glass of wine. ''A good speech, mi'lady. With Silk Holdings out of the way here, this station will belong to House Morcus, Hoersch-Kessel Driveworks and the Confederacy. I'll provide the Obsidian Order a section of my palace to base themselves within as a token of good faith. I've been meaning to use up some of the space here anyway.'', he said with a light chuckle, offering to tap his glass with Irulan's. ''Cheers.''

[member="Irulan Shae"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Silk's assets on Void Station amounted to real estate, fuelling facilities, rented ship berths including limited refit facilities, and intermediary warehouses. Silk was not Subach-Innes, to go scorched-earth. The relocation process was just that, a process, initially prepared during the Rostu administration when it became inescapably clear that, sooner or later, the Confederacy was going to try to annex Void. A staged flow of Laekia freight conveyors and Niathal shuttles began executing a comprehensive evac procedure variant that everyone here knew, in the 'fire drill once a month' sort of way. Not perfect, certainly, but this close to the CIS/Black Sun/Republic warfronts that had come and gone over the last couple of years, Silk's local employees knew what they were about.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

The office in which [member="Salem Norongachi"] oversaw the change of ownership was secure, all things considered -- at least, as secure as the incoming CIS and the ascendant Count could make it. No alarm was tripped, no door seen or otherwise detected to be open, nobody saw anything out of the corner of anyone's eye, no Dark Lord perceived a blip.

Between one blink and another, a man with a broad-brimmed hat appeared in the corner of the office.

"Good evening, Norongachi. I apologize that your current title has slipped my mind."