Private House of Spider

[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

The streets of Andosha II were like a dizzying maze of chaos, street vendors sold misshapen dried fish, run down cantinas housed drunks and mercenaries all the while thugs stood guard outside spice dens and hideouts of organized crime that infected the planet. Andosha II was once a proud member of the Andoan Free Colonies and proudly independent as they were opted to live outside the development from the rest of the Andoan sectors under the Spiverelda. Of course dreams were only dreams and while some had hoped for a flourishing trade anchor along the Corellian Run others saw the independent planet as an opportune target for less than legal businesses.

Yuria watched from above out the window of a dingy office as a fight broke out below between a towering white Harch and two squat Aquala. The Promised Land was a sorry excuse of a bar that had come to earn a reputation as a stop over for those with something to hide and after some 'tough negotiation' with it's previous owner she had acquired the office space above it. She smirked as the Harch was quickly overpowered by the Aqualish who proceeded to beat the spider with their finned fists, a good omen if she'd ever seen one.

The thud of mechanical footsteps filled the room as a towering droid entered although Yuria was not concerned though, she could recognise the cadence of IG-09's gait from a mile off. The droid stood motionless in the doorway and spoke.

"Ms. Braay, my sensors indicate the spider is dead."

Yuria turned around to see her droid staring at a brown Harch who was slumped over in a chair in the corner of the room. He was dripping with blood and sat motionless. "They're called Harch IG, it is rude to call them spiders." she replied, her tone like a mother scolding a child.

"Ms. Braay the spider was our only lead. You said you would keep him alive." the dull monotone voice of the droid had somehow sounded annoyed. Perhaps it was the phrasing.

Yuria walked over and untied the ropes that kept the Harch bound to the chair and the hulking spider slid off and hit the floor with a thud. If it wasn't dead it was a convincing display. Yuria however didn't seem too annoyed. "He had already told us everything we needed to know. Associates from White Orb Industries picked up our stolen deflector shield schematics days ago, they're probably mulling over the designs back on Secundus Ando using their little brains to try and figure out how to get around it. This one was just the thief who forgot the job doesn't end once the package leaves his hands." she kicked the corpse with her left foot, satisfied the Harch had well and truly expired she returned to the window.

"But don't worry IG, the Ando contacts worked out and they are very excited to meet us." Yuria continued sounding rather pleased with herself.

"And where have you arranged the meeting?" IG-09 asked although Yuria suspected the droid already knew the answer.

"Why here of course, I don't want them to get the wrong idea of the kind of business we'll be conducting." If Yuria had a mouth she would undoubtedly being smiling from ear-to-ear. "In fact." her cybernetic eyes flashed briefly. "They should be arriving very shortly."

Yuria swore she could've heard the droid sigh. Was that even possible? Droids don't have lungs so how could it express such a human action? Before she could question such a philisophical matter any further the sound of footsteps coming up from the cantina filled the room again. If Yuria could guess it was her guest and a sentient with great potential. As the door swung upon she spoke.

"Mr. Ka'bo!" her tone seemed cheerful and contrasted far too greatly with her current surroundings. "Apologies for the mess, this fine Harch industrialist and I had some... business that we needed to take care of." as she spoke IG-09 ripped one of the curtains off the wall and covered the Harch's corpse with it.

"It is business that I was actually hoping you could help me with, some trouble I had on Secundus Ando. If you agree I think you'll find a most ripe opportunity for Ando Mining to expand further afield." her eyes were filled with devilish intent and as always she was careful not to lay all her cards on the table at once.

Brakkus​

 

[Brakkus]

"The Promised Land?" Brakkus sighed, his tone laced with skepticism. Cantinas always seemed to flaunt the most creative, alluring names, yet the reality of these establishments rarely lived up to their extravagant promises. This bar was no exception. It reminded him of the Jewel in the Crown on Nar Shaddaa—a cesspit of narcotics, prostitution, and general villainy masquerading as a reputable diner. The memory alone made him shudder. Hopefully, this experience would be different.

His host had left many details of the meeting deliberately vague. Still, as the rendezvous point was located on Andosha II—well within the Ando Mining Collective's sphere of influence—it hadn't been difficult for Brakkus to make the trip.

Of course, he hadn't come alone. Flanking him were his ever-present bodyguards, the infamous Havoc Brothers. One, a towering mass of muscle, moved with deliberate purpose and could clear a path through a crowd with little more than his presence. The other, smaller than Brakkus himself, was a jittery bundle of nerves. His eyes constantly darted around the room, paranoia emanating from him like an unsettling aura. Strangers found his relentless, unblinking eye contact unnerving. Both were heavily armed, carrying full loadouts of weapons and equipment. Formerly bounty hunters in the Core Worlds, the brothers had transitioned to private security after their "antics" earned them hefty bounties. Now, they owed their survival—and relative anonymity—to Brakkus, who shielded them from the authorities. In turn, they protected him. They weren't exactly the best conversationalists, but their expertise in violence often outweighed the need for charm.

Trailing behind the trio was a standard chrome-plated protocol droid, wholly unremarkable aside from its persistent struggle to keep up.

As they entered the dilapidated bar, a staff member directed them to the upper floor. The meeting was to take place in an office there. Who exactly Brakkus was meeting, he still didn't know. It put him at a disadvantage, but the message he'd received promised a deal too enticing to ignore. Yet, experience had taught him to be wary of offers that seemed too good to be true.

Upon stepping into the office, Brakkus's gaze immediately fell on who he assumed to be his host. A cyborg. Her most striking feature was the metallic aperture that had replaced her mouth. Despite the cybernetic enhancements, she appeared startlingly young. Brakkus found himself wondering what could have driven someone so young to replace so much of their flesh. Perhaps she was one of those fanatics who believed in the inferiority of organic life—or perhaps it wasn't his place to judge. Regardless, she was an intriguing figure.

Brakkus spoke first in his native tongue, the words soon translated by the protocol droid's monotone voice. "A pleasure to meet you," it droned.

"I must say, your initial message, while vague, did pique my curiosity." Brakkus gestured toward the lifeless body of the Harch poorly obscured by a curtain. "But this? Well, now you have my attention."

"Before we proceed, you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don't know yours. Once we're properly acquainted, I'll gladly hear about this business opportunity you've mentioned."

As Brakkus spoke, his bodyguards entered the room, their presence an unspoken warning. They locked eyes with the IG-unit standing nearby. IG-series droids had a notorious reputation as efficient killers, and the Havoc Brothers weren't about to take their attention off it. While most droids were impervious to intimidation, the brothers' psychopathic stares seemed to suggest they were willing to test that theory if necessary.

Yuria Braay​

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[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

Yuria watched as Brakkus entered with his party, the two twins caught her eyes first. Perhaps she should get a pair of oddities for herself, they would surely make better company than her droid . Her eyes then turned back to Brakkus who's bleats and groans that was the Aqualish language was translated by the shiny droid.

"Ah my deepest apologies." she said before looking slyly to IG-09.

The droid seemed to let out what sounded like another sigh before standing up straight. "Presenting Ms. Yuria Braay, representative of Kuat Drive Yards." he droned.

Satisfied Yuria turned back to Brakkus. "Specifically the Corporate Intelligence Committee. I make it a habit to know who I'm dealing with before I meet them."

She signalled to a duraplast stool to the left of the Aqualish before taking a seat in the same chair that the Harch had been bound to not a moment ago. "I'm glad I have your attention, at Kuat we aim to please." she said wiping some spider blood off her hand. "Did you know we have a file on you Mr. Ka'bo? Corporate Intelligence likes to keep files on those with promise, for good or bad."

"Apart from my desire to keep this little meeting on the down low it is another reason I elected to meet you in this fine establishment. Your file states you make a brash negotiator, to me that says you care little for platitude and pleasantries. I do hope it's correct, my month has been spent in sterile board rooms and tedious meetings, I simply don't have the time and patience for the stuff anymore." she allowed herself to lean back on the chair.

One of IG-09s rotating head cogs turned to Yuria and a single red eye stared at her, a cue to get on with it. "To get to the point Mr Ka'bo I have been led to believe you are accustomed to the rougher side of our business." she said motioning to the room around them. "And before I can cut you in on my proposition on the future of Secundus Ando, I need to know you have the will and secrecy to carry out tasks that require a more firm hand than lawsuits and price hikes."

She then extended her arm and inspected the backside of her right hand for any more Harch Blood, the damn spider had bled a lot more than she had expected. She hoped she hadn't got any on her new coat.

Brakkus ​

 

[Brakkus]

Kuat Drive Yards? The Corporate Intelligence Committee? The plot was thickening faster than Brakkus anticipated. As Yuria spoke, he mulled over the implications of a representative from such a prestigious corporation conducting business in the Mid Rim. Kuat Drive Yards wasn't just a household name; it was a cornerstone of galactic industry, with a history stretching back millennia. Their starships, both the cutting-edge and the obsolete, operated in every corner of the Galaxy. Yet their power—and their business—had always been rooted in the Core Worlds. Why, then, would such an influential entity extend its operations into the Mid Rim? The reasoning eluded Brakkus, and the mystery gnawed at him, his thoughts briefly drowning out the words of his host.

"It appears your intelligence is accurate," Brakkus finally replied, his words filtered through the droning voice of the protocol droid, which managed to convey his bluntness with surprising fidelity. "Such pleasantries are for the Lords and Ladies, and it seems as if we are neither." He accepted the duraplast chair offered by the cyborg with a subtle nod.

Yuria didn't strike Brakkus as a corporate spy, but, then again, what did a spy look like? If she was one, her demeanor was a testament to her craft. Despite his uncertainties, he appreciated her candor. Dispensing with hollow formalities suited him just fine, though the lifeless Harch in the corner had already obliterated any sense of propriety.

"I don't know how much you know of Ando, or of the Aqualish, Ms. Braay," Brakkus began, leaning forward slightly, his tone calm but pointed. "But much of the Galaxy already regards us as barbaric, untrustworthy, criminals." He allowed his gaze to flick toward his bodyguards, as if presenting them as living evidence. "Of course, some of us are transparent about our... entrepreneurial activities," he added dryly, "but others prefer a more underhanded approach—beneath the table, so to speak. I suspect someone in your profession is more than familiar with such methods."

The mention of Secundus Ando pricked his interest, though Brakkus remained outwardly composed. His identity as an Aqualish patriot was no secret, and the notion of Ando reclaiming its place of influence in the Galaxy was a vision he clung to. A rebirth of Spiverelda. But the obstacles were staggering. Former allies, like the Harch, had grown insular, hoarding their power and resources. Their formidable military forces further complicated matters. Brakkus had often pondered how to bring such systems into alignment—not with brute force, but through economic leverage. A controlled supply of essential minerals could grind entire economies to a halt, forcing cooperation. Yet, such a scheme required more than ambition. It demanded partners with resources, strategy, and the will to act. Could Yuria and her enigmatic employers fit the bill?

"Now," Brakkus continued, his voice steady, his expression unreadable, "if we are on the same page, I'd like to hear your proposition for Secundus Ando." Though excitement and caution wrestled within him, Brakkus' demeanor betrayed nothing. His eyes remained fixed on Yuria, assessing every word and movement with quiet intensity.

Yuria Braay​

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[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

The Kuati's eyes darted between Brakkus and his protocol droid as the bleats and grunts of Aqualish were translated into basic. Her eyes lit up ever so slightly as he confirmed her intelligence was indeed accurate. It was her job after all and she took pride in it.

"Well then, it sounds like the Aqualish are precisely the people I need." she said on the topic of the reputation of the Aqualish.

"A month back something was stolen from Kuat, experimental shields schematics for a new line of freighters. At first we thought pirates but..." she said her eyes turned to the dead Harch on the floor. "Further investigation yielded some interesting finds..."

IG-09 wandered over between the two and activated the holoprojector built into his head. Displayed before them were a group of Harch, one dressed like an Admiral covered in medals and gold braids, next a towering white female spider in a cerulean blue jumpsuit inspired by the latest fashion trends on coruscant and finally three smaller Harch obscured by hoods and cloaks.

"This is the board of directors of White Orb Industries, a recently formed corporation based out of one of Secundus Ando's southern continents. An unorthodox looking bunch and that's because only one of them is an actual business tycoon." Yuria said refering to the female Harch. "We believe the company is actually a front for a Harch nationalist movement."

"Now, we at Kuat couldn't give two shits about the politics of a Mid-Rim world but, it seems they plan to show off the 'might' of Secundus Ando by targeting Kuati ships. That cannot happen."

"Of course it's too late to recover the plans, I have no doubt they are delving into all sorts of profane R&D to beat our shielding so that leaves me two choices. Destroy or subsume their company. However, there are certain... constraints on the Corporate-Security fleet" she said, her tone conveying annoyance and perhaps a hint of embarrassment. Since the Kuati Crisis all Kuati Security Forces have been on tight watch.

Her eyes flickered back to Brakkus. "So that's where you come in, Kuat is willing to covertly support Ando Mining in taking over White Orb Industries. On top of any territory you gain from such a takeover we would also be willing to discuss a supply contract."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched for a reaction. There was also still the question of how they would do it, taking over a company was no small feat after all.

 

[Brakkus]

The four eyes of the Ualaq were immediately drawn to the projection provided by the IG-unit. A flicker of surprise crossed Brakkus' face as he recognized the white Harch in the tailored blue attire. He leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing. The identity of this individual was unmistakable: Nachiir. She was a prominent business tycoon in Secundus Ando and the surrounding systems.

Brakkus had dealt with her in the past, years ago when both their aspirations were more modest. Those days, however, were long behind them. He hadn't anticipated crossing paths with her again, especially under circumstances like this.

It wasn't widely known that Nachiir harbored ties to a Harch nationalist movement. Brakkus almost scoffed at the absurdity of her limited vision. How could someone of her stature embrace goals so... provincial? The Harch were indeed formidable, with a history of fierce warriors and adept military strategists, but their dreams of supremacy were shortsighted. Without the economic and logistical strength of Ando, such schemes were destined to collapse.

"If I may," Brakkus interrupted Yuria, his tone calm yet sharp, as the protocol droid swiftly echoed his words, "the white Harch is Nachiir. She is well-known in the Lambda Sector. A capable woman, but narrow in her ambitions."

He gestured toward the second Harch in uniform, his tone now laced with caution. "The one in uniform, I do not recognize... Will he be problematic?"

Brakkus understood the weight of such a question. A Harch with extensive military experience was not to be underestimated. Knowing one's enemy was critical to success, especially when facing a challenge of this magnitude. He hoped Kuati intelligence had detailed information on this individual.

The mention of the stolen shield tech deepened Brakkus' skepticism. How had the Corporate Intelligence Committee allowed such a critical asset to slip through its grasp? He suspected Yuria was holding something back, carefully guarding the full truth of the matter. Brakkus couldn't fault her; he intended to do the same.

As Yuria elaborated on her vision for a hostile takeover of White Orb Industries, Brakkus couldn't help but admire the sheer audacity of her plan. It was daring—calculated, even—but far from simple. Success would hinge on meticulous planning and absolute secrecy, right up until the decisive strike.

"White Orb Industries," Brakkus began, his deep voice measured, "as you must know, has aligned itself heavily with the government on Secundus Ando. That likely explains the presence of our uniformed friend here." He gestured back to the projection, where the Harch soldier stood imposing. "Dislodging an interlinked government contractor will not be easy. Their connections run deep."

He paused, letting the protocol droid complete its translation before continuing. His gaze fixed firmly on Yuria, his tone a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"Do you have any ideas how we might tackle this problem? Or is this where my expertise in dealing with such... entanglements comes into play?"

Brakkus leaned back slightly, his posture calm but deliberate, as if inviting Yuria to reveal more of her strategy. The chessboard was set, and every move now would dictate how much of a risk—and how much of a reward—this partnership would truly be.

Yuria Braay​

​

 

[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

It had been a colossal embarrassment that the secrets of Kuat were leaked so carelessly. It was the arrogance of the core, arrogance that refused to believe a determined foe from outside their periphery could even challenge the might of Kuat. People had been fired, some had even disappeared. Yuria had swept the house of those responsible and now she would show White Orb the mistake they made of daring to think Kuat would not retaliate, even with the chains they were bound by.

She listened to the Aqualish's own understanding of the situation, as she had hoped he was very well read. The Kuati rocked on the back legs of her chair as he spoke. Nachiir, a business women who seeked to serve her planet first. It sounded awfully familiar and her brow furrowed when Brakkus called her vision limited.

Then the Aqualish pointed to the neatly dressed spider decorated in medals. Yuria tilted her head at the hologram before speaking.

"I find people who feel the need to adorn themselves in that much silverware are overcompensating." She stopped rocking and brought her chair back onto all four legs with a thud.

"That is retired Captain Octavus Rand. Confederate Navy veteran and chief warfare instructor on the Secundus Ando Naval Academy. He's an unimaginative and boring man and like all unimaginative and boring men on that world he's fallen into the nationalist camp. His military background has allowed him to climb the ranks and he know moonlights as White Orb's head of security. He clings to doctrine like a child clings to a mother and you can expect all security operations he runs to be very predictable."

Then Brakkus brought up the matter of actually taking over White Orb Industries. "Apart from a few contracts the Ruling Nests have no official public connection to the company, youngsters are volatile, hasty and often times their plans come crashing down on their heads. The nests know this and are playing the long game, covert funding and loaning expendable personnel." her eyes turned to Octavus' hologram.

"The nests will only come to their aid once they have tangible results, something they are yet to produce."

She then pointed to the three hooded Harch whos faces were obscured. The wildcards. "These three are my main concern. We have long suspected links to local privateers and we believe that they are White Orbs main effort. They have ships and battle hardened crew. Should White Orb provide them the tech to slice through Kuati shields..." she had got her meaning across. A strong Secundus Ando could dampen any regional power trying to expand its influence.

She clasped her hands together. "Their primary offices and factories on Secundus Ando remain the centre of their operations, they must be rendered inoperable. Fortunately for us many of the privateers who frequent this area are wanted for piracy and so the Ruling Nests turn a blind eye to the whole area to allow them to conduct business." she paused in her assessment and her eyes turned to Brakkus once more.

Of course her office had already drawn up a dozen plans on how to deal with the Harch, ranging from covert sabotage to hostile takeover. But Kuati forces were not here and she could hardly command the Aqualish what to do. Besides, she needed to get a measure of the Aqualish if they were to go through with this.

"Mmmm, I would love to hear how you would deal with such troublesome spiders."

Brakkus ​

 

[Brakkus]

From his experience, he was inclined to agree with Yuria—Captain Octavus Rand exuded the kind of pompous incompetence often found in those clinging to their past glories. The rows of medals on his uniform, impressive during his military career, now seemed more like relics of a dying legacy. Usually, the loudest voice in the room belonged to the weakest, and from what Yuria had shown, Rand might fit that description perfectly.

"This Captain Rand... Is he coordinating the privateers' attacks, or is he merely serving as a consultant?"

If Rand was truly in charge, and as predictable as Yuria claimed, neutralizing both the privateers and White Orb Industries might be more straightforward than anticipated. If not, alternative strategies would need to be explored.

He paused, weighing the complexities of the task ahead. The Ruling Nests' tacit approval granted them some leeway, but any significant damage inflicted on Secundus Ando would undoubtedly draw attention—questions, investigations, and scrutiny that could hinder the Ando Mining Collective's long-term plans in the system. The balance between swift action and careful precision would be crucial.

After a moment of deliberation, he leaned back slightly, his tone measured as the protocol droid translated. "As you mentioned, the Ruling Nests are hesitant to provide significant financial backing until results are delivered. But with your shield technology being reverse-engineered, it's only a matter of time before those results materialize. We must act quickly—hesitation will only give the Ruling Nests more reason to tighten their grip."

He leaned forward, locking eyes with Yuria. "Here's my suggestion. We target their factories—cripple their capacity to manufacture and deploy these new weapons. Ideally, this happens before or during the retrofit of the privateer ships. Two birds, one stone. With their production stifled, the Ruling Nests will likely pull their funding, and Nachiir, ever the pragmatic businesswoman, will be forced to seek alternative sources of financial backing."

He hesitated briefly, knowing that revealing his past dealings with Nachiir might be a gamble. Trust was a fragile thing in early partnerships. Still, withholding key context could weaken his position.

"One such avenue she may pursue is through an old business partner—me. The Ando Mining Collective holds substantial capital and influence in the Lambda Sector. In exchange for aiding her, I would secure a stake in her company and access to information on other shareholders. With financial support from Kuat Drive Yards, I could strong-arm my way to a majority stake. Once in control, dismantling White Orb Industries—or redirecting it to serve our goals—becomes far more feasible."

It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was a solid foundation given the limited time he'd had to formulate it.

"Of course," he added, leaning back with a sigh, "the gaps in our intelligence make precise cost estimates difficult. Much depends on the inner workings of White Orb, which remain largely unknown. What about the Corporate Intelligence Committee? What strategies have they developed?"

Yuria Braay​

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[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

"Captain Rand only runs on site security, the privateers are run by their own shadowy cabal who wouldn't even entertain the idea of someone like Rand leading them. But of course pirate leadership very rarely visits the planet." She replied curtly.

Her eyes flared as Brakkus spoke, of course she needed to ensure that such a scheme they were undertaking was done with competent partners but it was also a test, a test for future collaboration. Yuria let out a small chuckle after the Aqualish had finished outlining his plan. She had worked and met a plethora of men in her time as representative, some motivated by pure greed, others blind ambition. She hoped to find the perfect balance of both.

"Cautious yet audacious. You concern yourself with variables but are not afraid to act decisively." she said thinking aloud.

She got up from her seat and after stepping over the dead harch she wandered over the window.

"It seems we are of the same opinion, hard and soft power combined into one perfect symphony. We developed a few novel ideas involving slicers, kidnappers and pirates of our own but the solution to White Orb Industries must be quick. Had Kuat the resources available we'd assault the factories ourselves."

Yuria turned back to Brakkus and held up two fingers. "There are two matters I would like to propose to your plan that we conceived back at the office. The first is optics. As you can guess the relationship between some of the nationalists and pirates can be described as tense at best. Characters like Rand spent the better part of his career hunting them so there's some bad blood."

Yuria's voice seemed to get giddy as she spoke about pirates. "Our sources also report that while the leadership of the pirates are purely Harch, a sizable portion of their crew consist of Aqualish and other species found within the sector." Yuria's eyes turned to Brakkus' two bodyguards. "Should your men dress like some of the pirates as they hit the factories? Not only will Ando Mining's good name stay clean but we'll shatter the unity of the nationalists."

"Second is certainty. Your familiarity with Ms. Nachiir does give you an advantage but we need to be certain she chooses you. I can have some Kuati operatives ensure that your competitors on Secundus Ando meet some unfortunate accidents in the run up to the operation. We'll leave them just enough to suspect it was Kuat but not enough for them to realize that we are in concert with you."

Yuria stood there with a smug expression on her face. To scheme without fanciful word play or complex tricks to rope in potential partners, it was a true joy.

The Harch under the curtain suddenly twitched and Yuria froze, her eyes locked onto it. Her hand had already drifted down to her pistol holster.

"Just an electrochemical reaction in his nerves." IG-09 said dully. Yuria's eyes now shot to the droid.

The assassin droids spinning eyes all turned to meet Yuria's gaze. "Chemicals stored in his nerves are releasing."

Yuria seemed unsatisfied and nudged the corpse with his foot. Nothing. She let out a small hum before returning to her seat, her eyes remained locked on the dead Harch even as she spoke.

"How does that sound Mr. Ka'bo?"

Brakkus ​

 

[Brakkus]

As anticipated, the plan laid out by Yuria was far more developed than Brakkus' own preliminary suggestions—a testament to the resources at her disposal. He recognized this was likely the product of a team of Kuati intelligence operatives, a fact Yuria herself confirmed shortly after. Still, the two strategies shared notable similarities, and with the appropriate coordination, the proposed operation seemed entirely feasible.

The unexpected movement—or "electrochemical reaction," as the IG-unit had clinically described it—of the Harch's lifeless body briefly caught Brakkus off guard. Once any doubts about its demise were dispelled and all present were convinced the corpse posed no further threat, Brakkus turned to the larger of the two Havoc brothers stationed nearby. After a brief exchange in Aqualish, the towering bodyguard approached, hoisted the Harch's body onto his shoulder, and carried it out of the room. No one would see the remains again, save for the bloodstains left behind as grim evidence of its existence.

With that distraction dealt with, Brakkus allowed himself a moment of silent deliberation before addressing Yuria once more. "The plan is... satisfactory," he began, his tone measured. "I understand the necessity of using Aqualish operatives for this mission, but I am reluctant to send my people into harm's way without adequate protection. It would greatly ease my concerns if Kuat could provide them with the necessary equipment—shields, weapons, sensor jammers, and anything else to ensure their safety."

Brakkus, ever the Ando nationalist, would not tolerate the idea of sending his own into battle ill-equipped. Sacrifice was a part of business, yes, but he refused to risk lives unnecessarily.

"There is also the matter of ships," he continued. "We will need vessels that resemble those used by the privateers. Our fleet of freighters is ill-suited for this task. Naturally, any ships loaned to us by Kuat Drive Yards will be returned upon the mission's conclusion."

He paused, giving Yuria space to reply before shifting the conversation to the issue of Nachiir. "It is highly likely that Nachiir will require assistance in rebuilding the factories. That will be our entry point. While Ando Mining is an ideal choice for such a partnership, we are not the only viable supplier in the sector. Removing competing suppliers from the equation will ensure I have an uncontested opportunity to establish a foothold within White Orb Industries."

Brakkus spoke with calm conviction, recognizing that eliminating rivals would not only benefit this operation but also strengthen the Ando Mining Collective's overall influence in Secundus Ando. Increased leverage now would translate into greater power when the full takeover was set into motion.

The plan was steadily taking shape. If executed successfully, the Ando Mining Collective stood to reap enormous rewards from the venture.

Yuria Braay​

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[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

Yuria's eyes followed the Harch's body as it was hauled out by the larger Havoc brother, she wondered what he would do with it. Eat it maybe. The amusing thought was quickly dispelled, she had tasked IG-09 with corpse disposal many times before and droids did not eat people. Of course she had never helped IG with it, as far as she was concerned when she told him to make it disappear the body was magically zapped into the nether. She made a mental note that she had to tag along one day, see how its done. Maybe then IG-09 would be less boring, caring about a colleague's work could improve team dynamic was what the corporate presentation she had to sit through once advised.

She turned her attention back to the Aqualish. "Ever the bargainer Mr. Ka'bo."

He seemed to care for his men, whether it was a strength or a weakness she could not yet tell.

"Your men will be adequately equipped and you will have your ships, I do after all want this operation to succeed. It would be rather embarrassing if we showed up and were turned around by someone with more gold on his chest than in his bank." she said referring to Captain Rand.

"If all goes well with your partnership Ms. Nachiir then she should be soon out of a job. I will of course ensure that your competition is sufficiently diminished." she said before giving IG-09 a nod.

The droid stood up straight and froze, his red eyes flickered as the droid sent out a transmission back to Kuat. The plan would soon be in motion, starting with the Harch who could threaten Brakkus' bid to rebuild White Orb.

Yuria then reached into her coat and pulled out two metal shot glasses and rested it on a nearby office desk. Next came a small bottle of Deuterium-pyro, local swill that had caught the Kuati's eye because of no particular reason apart from the interesting shape of the bottle. She promptly poured two shots into the metal cups and took one into her hand.

"If we are agreed then Mr. Kabo I propose we settle this deal on a drink, finest of the local stuff I'm told."

Brakkus ​

 

[Brakkus]

With all terms agreed upon, both parties seemed satisfied—not just with their respective roles, but also with what they stood to gain. And, more importantly, what they risked losing should everything go pear-shaped. Kuat's willingness to provide the necessary equipment for the Aqualish workers ensured they would be as safe as possible under the circumstances. It was a promising beginning to what could grow into a highly profitable partnership. But in the business world, alliances could shift in an instant. Today's trusted associate could become tomorrow's greatest rival. Brakkus understood this well. No doubt Yuria did too.

"Indeed, we are all agreed," he stated matter-of-factly before rising to his feet and making his way toward the table where the shot glasses had been set.

Lifting one of the small cups in his large, furred hand, he immediately recognized the strong scent of Deuterium-pyro. It was far from his first choice—nor his second, third, or even fourth for that matter.

"To newfound business associates and the swift removal of obstacles," he said in near-flawless Galactic Basic, raising his glass slightly. "In with the new, out with the old."

A brief thought crossed his mind—how exactly would his host partake in the toast, given her… anatomical limitations? But etiquette dictated he not linger on such details. When the gesture was reciprocated, he downed the shot without hesitation.

Instant regret. The burn of the Deuterium-pyro was a harsh reminder of why it never ranked among his preferred liquors.

Traditionally, a business deal would be sealed with ink and a contract. But given the nature of their arrangement, a simple drink felt far more fitting.

Yuria Braay​

​

 

[Yuria Braay]

Andosha II

Yuria watched as the Aqualish took the glass and inspected it. It looked like he tried to appear stoic as he ignored the scent of the drink, indeed when Yuria had a whiff earlier it had felt like someone had stabbed her brain with vibroblade. Next came his words in galactic basic which shocked the Kuati, her eyes now filled with delight. A pleasant surprise which spoke to his character.

"Yes, the swift removal of obstacles." she said raising her own cup.

As he drank the pyro Yuria eyed her own drink. She had made the decision if just smelling it was painful then she wouldn't even bother to taste it. Her eyes lit up and a low whirring noise came from her maw as she disabled her smell and taste sensors. She proceeded to lift the drink up and into the maw where a small hatch opened to her oesophagus. She poured the drink straight down before removing the cup and placing it back onto the table. A burning sensation in her stomach confirmed it was indeed a good idea to disable her taste sensors.

After the drink had settled she stood up and made towards the door, IG-09 trailing just behind her.

"I am glad we came to an agreement. I can more than guarantee you will be satisfied."

She stopped in the doorway as she spoke and then turned to face the Aqualish one last time, offering a small bow.

"For at Kuat, we are driven to excel."

Brakkus ​