Edge of Steel

[Riamah]

Setting up their capitol above Denon was stroke of genius to Ra. It allowed the people of the planet to continue on about their lives, yet established a presence there. Not yet having done any business with the people of Denon, she reached out to a few of the businesses below.

Seeking out a venue for open dealings with the merchants of her fleet and those on Denon, there was also the opportunity to maybe work in something more clandestine. While she was head of the Merchant Fleet and carried mostly no arms, she could see reason to open the doors to spreading weapons about. Times of war had come upon the galaxy and the need to move weapons was needed.

Having done some research and made contact with a few people, one had invited her to the surface to conduct business. If she was going to be moving his wares, it would be best to meet him on his grounds and he could show them to her. Arranging a time and location, Ra now travelled in her shuttle to where they agreed to meet or as close as she could get there.

Wearing what she considered her business attire, it was a crisp pair of black pants and loose blue blouse. Not wearing any visible weapons, she did have her short sabers hidden up her sleeves and knives in her boots. This was business, not a battle and she didn't feel the need to display what she did have. Instead of braiding her hair, it was pulled back into a nice looking tail nonetheless. Over everything was her dark purple cloak with it's pin.

She displayed her Force sensitivity to appear to be that of a neutral apprentice to those that could pick up on it. Walking with a sense of confidence though that indicated there might be something more she was hiding. Looking straight ahead, she was aware of what went on around her and made her way into the building where she was to meet a man named Macharius.

Her face was neutral and businesslike. No real emotion was displayed and certainly nothing hostile or even arrogant. Strictly business. A small smile turned up the corner of her mouth, but didn't reach her eyes. Overall, it was friendly, but not familiar.

[member="Macharius Solaire"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

The hustle and bustle of busy workers and machinery hummed like a chaotic piece of music. Each note had it's place to be. A purpose. At this factory, that purpose was to assemble the STA Gewehr Sniper Rifle. Denon Stahl Arms only export to the Sith Empire. Only he faced a problem he hoped to resolve today. And it wasn't the fact he was snubbing The Code, apart of the Metal Lord guiding rules. Not that he was beholden to them since he wasn't a Metal Lord. If HK were to find out he'd probably come down for a visit with some stern words. No, it was a more pressing matter. That of shipping these weapons to the Empire. Since the Galaxy had been shaken up the last few months. And a new wide scale war was breaking out even as this meeting was to commence. The company that used to transport his goods had reneged on the contract. Citing it was far to unsafe now to travel the Hydrian Way for fear of the Collective boogiemen, and Mandalorian raiders. Macharius thought that rubbish. The Collective weren't out to stop trade and the Mando's were checked by the Empire itself. They just lacked nerve.

Leaning on a railing above the factory floor he looked out over what he'd build so far and dreamed of what he wanted this company to grow to. Thoughts and dreams were put on hold though. One of his aids popped out of the office behind him and laid a hand on his shoulded. Catching him off guard a bit. Macharius composed himself. It was time. Ra was here and he best be on top of his game.

He brought himself in to the front office where Ra was. With no slouching and a face of stone he approached her. At a few paces away he stopped, gave her a look up and down with his head, not just the eyes. He approved of what he saw. She looked tough, a good quality for a spacer. "Miss Numare. It's good to finally meet you. I thank you for coming today on behalf of the Merchant Feet. I am Macharius Solaire, owner of Denon Stahl Arms." His right arm reached out, offering to hers to shake hands.

 

[Riamah]

Knowing first impressions sometimes could make or break the deal, she gave him the same assessment he did her. He presented the same business manner she did and when he held his hand out to shake, Ra returned it. Not a test of strength in any way, her grip was firm and indicated the confidence within her. Nodding her head slightly at they introduced each other, she let go of his hand and never broke eye contact with him.

Her eyes were a natural gold and not at all corrupted by use of the Dark Side. In her life, she would rather find more mundane ways to solve issues than use the Force. When she used the Force, most of her skills were neutral and while she followed the Sith Code, she was not naturally an evil person. It spoke to her on a personal level, not a grand scale.

"It is nice to meet you as well. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

These were simple formalities to be gone through. Soon they would be finished and they could get down to the business at hand. Display of wares and making a deal. There was no rush though on her end and patience paid off.

[member="Macharius Solaire"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

"It is I who should be thanking you for meeting me on such short notice. Now lets get down to business. Please follow me". Macharius took his guest beyond the offices into a small but empty hallway that lead to the shipping warehouse. They could have gone along the side of the manufacturing area. That would seem a bit rude in a way though. "So I'll be blunt with you Miss Numare. The shipping company we contracted just voided it's contract two days ago. They say it's not safe enough to run the northern Hydrian. The weapons from this factory are for the Sith Empire." Mach stopped and turned around to face her. "So before I potentially waste both of our time. I'll ask if you have a problem delivering things to the Empire. A lot of Core folks have valid reasons to hate any Sith. And I don't know the exact position of the Merchant Fleet on the matter. I run my company as a neutral entity. And I try to keep my personal opinion out of company matters. So what say you?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

He saw the need to get down to the business at hand instead of drawing out the formalities, but that was fine. The most important had already been done. He started walking and Ra kept up with him, allowing him to set the pace of their advance together.

Explaining the situation he was and why he had contacted her. Both were aware of the potenial consequences of this deal. However, the Code of the Metal Lords dictated she couldn't strike a deal with a sith. He wasn't one though. His wares were meant for them though.

The situation brought Ra to a crossroads in a way. In the end, she decided she was unable to use the Merchant Fleet ships for what he needed. However, there were alternatives to pursue.

"I do not have an issue delivering things to the Empire, however, sadly I am unable to use the Metal Lords merchant fleet I lead. That does not mean I am unwilling to help. There are more clandestine means to do this."

It kept him in business and her out of potential trouble with the Metal Lords.

[member="Macharius Solaire"]

 

[Macharius Solaire]

"Denon is not beholden to the code. Nor I, or my company. We hold full sovereignty on most matters. The Merchant Fleet I guess, is though. Perhaps I was foolish to think you'd be able to haul these weapons. Even if I just had you drop them off at Celamon it's still hauling weapons for the Empire, and HK wouldn't like that." A sigh escaped him. It would have been just as easy to contract Danger's ATC to do the job. A rubber stamp contract with a company that is fine to deal with anyone and ship anywhere with few questions. She still seemed willing to help. While it didn't matter much if HK or any Metal Lord found out he was selling weapons to the Sith. Keeping them in the dark did make things simpler. "Alright then, what do you have in mind?"

@Ra'a'mah