Intelligence at Large

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Lady Kay"]

While Lady Kay was gone Jaster had only been drinking and speaking with his couriers. Jaster was no infermation King, but he knew his way around the trust of others and that earned him secretes. He had spy's and couriers all over the galaxy, informants who Jaster payed well for infermation. And so when he swung around, they came running to give good and bad information left and right, Jaster payed for both.

As she returned Jaster could feel Sempras eyes on him, this did not concern him as the Hutt was well payed by his company. Both Umbrella drugs and supply lines were what kept the Hutts off his back, though that could only get him so far. Lady Kay did not return along, another person in armor had arrived. With his arrival several men in mixed armor shifted and Jaster raised his hand to stop his Marines from interfering. He truly never left his ship without a few guards at his back, Jaster truly never trusted anyone.

"Interesting for another guard to appear, though I must say you seem familiar," Jaster didn't know why, but the build of the man was similar to someone he knew, but the armor covering his body was throwing him off. "Oh well, as to what I want, well that's easy, something worth more then credits or rare crystals, something some people don't give freely, a favor."

Jaster was in the business of neutral medical sells, to do this he needed favors and deals. This was never cheap, and was the only reason he stocked up on secretes and information.

"A favor, anywhere at anytime, when I call, you'll answer, and don't worry I won't ask for something that will endanger your live," Jaster looked over his shoulder to see the young Miss. Cor'lin coming back with Kay's hot water.

Turning back he continued, "In exchange, I'll tell you one thing of anything you ask, from start to beginning, everything I know."

 

[Tenel Daggoth]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Tenel pulled down the hood of her cloak as she approached the entrance of the palace, feeling much more at ease than she thought healthy. Her debts (and Marcus' postmortem) were going to catch up with her eventually and this was her attempt to clear them up before they came back to bite her. Both her and Marcus had been loaned a fair amount of money to buy not only a new ship, that ended up wrecked after their last job, but several thousand credit's worth of weapons and ammunition in exchange for their services by the Hutt Cartel. Now that he was gone, all of that debt was left to her to pay back, one way or another.

That was her biggest problem, paying it back alone. She had no money and since their relationship wasn't anything meaningful by law, all of Marcus' money had been shipped back to Coruscant with his body. The only thing she could think to do was offer her services as a bounty hunter, but she would have to be quiet about it. If the Jedi somehow caught wind of what she was doing, Tenel was sure that they would kick her out in a heartbeat. All of these thoughts were swirling through her head as she announced herself and waited to be escorted into the palace.

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

Lady Kay thought it over. A favour? Be at his beck and call? What if she was out of reach? What would be do then? As the hot water arrived, she dug into her satchel and brought out a couple of sapir leaves. She let them steep while she leaned over the table a bit and spoke to him quietly.

"I will have to think about it. After all, how would I know if the info you gave me was worth this favour of yours?" Kay leaned back in her chair and switched tactics a bit. "I'm sure that things between us would be much different had Mr. Kerkov not attacked us. I'm not like everyone else here and you know it. You already hold one of my secrets and I am holding one of yours, but I am doing so out of respect and in thanks for helping to save my life. I won't blackmail or cheat you out of it." She tasted her tea to see if it was ready. Almost, but not quite.

She glanced over to Sempra and William before looking to Jaster again. "How long are you staying? I've been offered a room to stay in for the night. I would like to discuss this matter a little further with you, but in private. And what I have to say could be very beneficial for you."

Dealing with the Hutt seemed to be a bit easier than dealing with Jaster. But she had dealt with tougher politicians before. It was hard to gain trust sometimes when she didn't have the freedom to earn it the proper way. They could be great allies, but all that he was doing was testing her.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Jaster was a decent man, but trust for him was a powerful thing. He trusted his goverment and they exiled him as a Dar'Manda, just because he wouldn't fight a war he didn't believe in. He trusted his clan members to support him, and they left him to seek aid from their branch clans. He trusted friends and they nearly sent him to his death. Jaster enjoyed the company of people, but trust for him was a difficult thing to give now a days. Now, he was to trust a Jedi with information that could end his career and possibly get him killed if it got out. He liked Kay, she was a nice enough person, easy to talk with, but Jaster knew that personal interest and buisness never mixed.

"I'm here till tomorrow morning, though I won't be sleeping," Jaster nodded his head as a guard passed him and placed a data pad on the table, Jaster placed his hand on it, "as for the info, if I'm right, then then I most defiantly have what you seek."

Jaster finished off his drink as Lady Kay offered to continue the conversation in her guest quarters, Jaster nodded, "Please, after you."

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Tenel Daggoth"]

Jaster might have the info she seeks, but it might not be enough to be worth the price of whatever favour he had in mind. But then again, it might be.

Kay nodded to him in thanks and stood up, cradling her tea in one hand and placing her satchel over her shoulder. She led Alex, Draco and Jaster to the door of the Throne room, glancing to Tenel as they passed by. Kay recognized that look in the woman's eyes, the grief hidden behind them, for she carried that same look herself. She bowed her head to her and then informed one of Sempra's guards to escort her to her quarters. They were going to be watching her all the time while she was in and around the Palace and that was fine. Just so long as they waited outside of her quarters.

The group was soon led down the hall and at about the seventh door, Sempra's guards stopped and stood vigil on either side of it. Alex went in before the rest of them and checked the room over before allowing Kay and the rest of them inside. It was lavishly decorated and held a dining area, a lounging area and then finally a bed big enough for a Hutt.

Not surprisingly, Kay went to the lounging area and sat down on one of the rather comfy looking chairs, sipping her tea as she allowed herself to relax a bit. She looked up at Jaster and started right into it. "I don't know what type of favour you'd ask of me. If it has something to do with the Jedi, I'm not in the Order, nor am I a part of any of their splinter groups that I am only now just hearing about. I was exiled. And I've been alone and avoiding everyone ever since. Until Bakura that is... But do you know what I could have been if I were allowed to stay and finish my training? I could have been a really great healer. I'm really good at it even now and I could've been one of the best. I did a lot of work in diplomacy so that I could prevent conflicts and prevent others from needing those skills. A conflict of interest yes, but I found that it was well worth it. My late husband and I quelled many conflicts, even some between the Jedi and the Sith. So if you need me to heal you or anyone else that really needs it, then I can do that for you."

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Lady Kay"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

Jaster followed them and tword the hall and her new room. As soon as they entered Jaster turned to the guard and passed off a few credits and asked him to take a walk. In his place one of Jaster Marines posted there posing as one of the Cartel Brusers. It was a common thing that Jaster did when working buisness in the cartel. Easier then paying the guards to hold a secrete, which never worked out well.

Jaster entered the room, he listened as Kay talked, she was defiantly one with words and would have swayed him, if Jaster was an ordinary man. Jaster rubbed his knee cap as she mentioned being healed, it would be nice to get back in the armor, but he slid that aside.

"Yes, yes, I know Miss. Kay, and as I'm sure Alex knows, I'm an exile as well, I'm surprised she even puts up with me in the room," Jaster walked over to a seat and sat down, "I have spy's in the Republic, Jedi Order, even the Sith Order, Im good on those fronts, but a COO of a rising arms company, well, that I don't have, but I'm sure you don't trust me so here."

Jaster leaned forward and placed the datapad he had been holding and put it on the table between them. "Sempra is a beast of habit and very confident when working on this planet, same routes and same guards protect every shipment that goes in or out of this planet," Jaster looked around the room for more booze, couldn't find any, "the data pad holds the latest shipment of slaves heading off to spice mines, fighting rings, and pleasure barges across the cartels reach, one of his..." Best come clean now he guess since his name was on the manafest as well, "one of our largest shipments to date."

Jaster leaned back in his seat, "special guards from my company will be escorting the hover-cages to the spaceport located in the datapad," Jaster was just waiting for the evil stare he knew he would receive, "that info good enough?"

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

Kerkov thought for a moment, [member="Sempra the Hutt"] was correct, the OCA was in a slight disarray. With the deprivation of recruitment and the hiatus of two of his officers, the OCA was in need of repair. Before he lost Sempra's attention Kerkov replied,

"Sempra, No the OCA is not ready to commit. But if the Hutt Cartel is willing to wait until I get the OCA back together, that would be very beneficial. And if any of your subjects are looking for a military officer career, steer them to us."

Kerkov gave Sempra a tip of the hat before receding to another room.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra nodded [member="William Kerkov"]. The Hutt did not know how much the man knew of current Cartel affairs. Getting involved now would be beneficial should the Cartel land on its feet. All those backing them at this point did earn the Hutts good ear for sure. But it was a tactical correct choice to remain out of the loop until the dust settled.

Sempra looked up as a slave whispered about the next visitor. A member of a family owing credits to his court. He had not expected them to be in touch yet though. Interesting development he mused.
He put his datapad on the armwrest and awaited [member="Tenel Daggoth"] to approach.

 

[Tenel Daggoth]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Tenel shielded her eyes as the doors to the palace opened and sent dust billowing all around it. She was led into the throne room by one of the guards and left in front of Sempra's throne, once again feeling much more comfortable than she thought she ought to. It was strange though, being here alone without her more charismatic partner there to speak for the both of them. She decided to remain silent and wait to be addressed before speaking, not wanting to interrupt whatever she had just walked into.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra looked up at [member="Tenel Daggoth"]. He watched her for a moment as if her appearance would reveal great secrets of her reasons being here. He hmmmd and pulled a chalice filled with red corellian wine.

"Welcome to the white Palace ms Daggoth. " he began.

"It has been some time now since I last heard of your family. I trust all is well with you and your husband?" he continued peering over the chalice as he casually sipped its content.

 

[Tenel Daggoth]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Tenel's face hardened when Sempra mentioned Marcus. She wasn't going to correct him on the status of her relationship with a dead man, as much as she wanted to. "Marcus is no longer with us." she said coldly, conveniently leaving out the circumstances surrounding his death. "I'm here to settle both his debts and mine, I don't feel like having a bounty on my head for an outstanding loan."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra, took note of [member="Lady Kay"] and the rest departing. He made sure that slave girl that [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] would be brought to his chambers later that evening, something felt strange with that group being so "friendly" with each other. But, unaware of the conversation elsewhere in the palace, he returned his attention to the current matter at hand. He stroked his chin and nodded as he listened to [member="Tenel Daggoth"].

"I see. Correct me if I am wrong but was it not your late husband that owned your family fortune?" Sempra asked in a dark voice. What was this ones game he pondered and watched her curiously.

 

[Tenel Daggoth]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Tenel scoffed. "I'm never getting my hands on his money, even if half of it is rightfully mine. And he wasn't my husband. We were partners." That was the only way Tenel could really explain their relationship honestly. They both lied to and cheated each other, but at the end of the day they were together because who else in the world knew them like they knew each other? Of course, that was before Tenel put a bullet through his head, but that was beside the point.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

[member="Tenel Daggoth"]

"I see. So how do you propose we settle this debt? Unfortunately I can not see how you loosing your... partners share... helps our situation." the hutt leaned forward putting some weight behind his wording.

 

[William Kerkov Sr]

Kerkov decided it was time to retreat to his own ship residing above the planet. There he would begin recruiting more Captains and Majors for the Armada, something of it was in dire need. But as he was leaving Kerkov overheard something, something he shouldn't have. Now his pace quickened for the shuttle. As soon as Kerkov exited the palace he ordered his 6 marine bodyguards stationed at the shuttle,

"Prime your blaster rifles and line up at the entrance of the palace!"

"Yes sir!"

The reply rang across the military restricted comm frequency. When Kerkov reached the shuttle his marines passed him fully armored and ready. The highest ranking soldier approached Kerkov with his visor up. He saluted the Fleet Admiral,

"Sir, the men are ready to fire on your call, do you have any other orders?"

"Sergeant get me one of those rifles, no time for an armored suit."

"Yes sir!"

The events coming to aspire were going to be very interesting.


[member="Tenel Daggoth"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Lady Kay"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Hawk Solo"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"]

But she didn't give him an evil stare. She just kept her eyes on the datapad and kept very still as she tried to figure out her next move. Kay felt disappointed in Jaster and in the fact that he would do such a thing as to transport slaves that according to what she was reading, had only been recently caught. It was rather peculiar how he would help others at times with no benefit to himself, yet he would also help to ruin lives. Whatever his reasons there was no time for it now. The movement of the slaves was to happen in the coming days and she had little time to waste.

Kay had a sip of her tea, holding onto the mouthful for a moment before swallowing it. She cleared her throat a little and then looked to Jaster with determination in her eyes. "You wish to take advantage of my position, so I will do the same to you. I will grant you this favour, whatever and whenever it might be, but on one condition....You said that your guards are watching over the slaves and as you have guessed, I am not comfortable with slavery. It just isn't right to kidnap someone and then force them to do things against their will. I wouldn't want to wish such a fate on anyone, not even my enemies. So my condition is this....I have a couple of smuggler friends that are nearby that will be able to help the slaves get off planet. I need your guards to....let a rescue happen. If some get caught, well, it'll look better for you, but I can't just leave without trying to help them. It can start within the hour and I will figure out some excuse to go back to the throne room so that I'm not much of a suspect. As for you, you can either come to the throne room with me or try to 'help' your men in stopping some of the slaves from escaping. But either way, that is my condition."

Kay got to her feet and approached him, holding her hand out to him. "Do we have a deal?" She kept her eyes locked on his, not even looking to Alex or Draco for at this moment it wasn't their place to speak up. As far as she was concerned, this was her mess to get into and her mess to get out of if it didn't work. And she did not want to have ArmaTech get into trouble for it either. She was determined to take the fall for it should her plan fail.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Jaster needed to think this through, it was one thing to allow her access to secretes that could have someone killed. Now she wished for him to stick his neck out and risk his career and clientele for her moral high ground. Jaster was considerate in her morals though, and as he weighed thee options, the decision became harder.

Jaster grunted as he finally reached a decision, "Fine," Jaster pulled the data pad from Kays hands and plugged it into a holo-display. Up came a map of a ravine and a red line cutting through it to the base of a small hill. A little away from the enterence of the ravine was a spaceport where the slaves would be transported. Jaster pointed to the enterence of the ravine, "there, my men split into two force, one recons ahead to notify the cartel spacers we are coming in, the other camps for the night with the slaves, only 20 officers will be on duty with rotating guards, next morning my officers will hand the slaves over to cartel guards for the final transportation to the port, I don't know their exact numbers, but they are more then 20 but less trained then my guards,"

Jaster stood and walked to the wall, he leaned against it and hung his head as he closed his eyes, he couldn't notify his men unless he wanted to be a suspect. "I'd recommend before or after the exchange to hit the cages, as for me, I've got to speak with Sempra before leaving the planet."

Jaster reached into his pocket to dig out a coded transmitter, "When I need that favor, I'll contact you through this, plug it into any datapad and the info will come up, it's untraceable and only between my transmitter and yours." Jaster slid it across the table in front of Kay. "You know they are just gana hunt down more slaves after you do this right?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"] [member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="William Kerkov"] [member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Hawk Solo"] [member="Pavor Clauditis"]

Kay studied the holo-display and listened to everything Jaster had said. In her mind, she was already formulating the next part of her plan. This area belonged to Sempra and as it didn't appear as though he felt his slave transfers were in much danger in being attacked, the amount of guards were at a good minimum. Well, twenty to one or two wasn't very good odds, but it was something. Here's hoping that at least one of her friends was up to the challenge.

She picked up the transmitter and put it inside her satchel. It would be safe there. What he had said last about them hunting for replacements was true as well, unfortunately. "I know....but I hope not. Yet I can't just sit by and not try to save these people from a fate they never wanted over others that haven't been caught yet. It just isn't right. He needs to learn that not everyone is going to surrender to him."

Kay bowed her head to Jaster. "Thank you. Thank you for doing this." She hoped that he wouldn't get into trouble as she didn't mean to cause trouble. She would've acted alone, but for some reason Jaster had come into her life again, and once again there was going to be a firefight. Only this time the two of them were going to be well away from it.

She stepped away from everyone then, going to her own corner of the room and pulled out her commlink. "Pavor...Hawk...If you are both ready, it's time for phase two." Kay spent the next several minutes explaining their part in this venture. Pavor was to move his ship near enough for the slaves to run to, yet far enough away to not be noticed by the guards. Hawk was to go in there and cause a distraction with his ship and crew, leaving himself to cut through the cage's lock and send them to Pavor's direction. Each smuggler was to get as many slaves as they could on board then high tail it out of there. She'd handle the rest.

Would it work? Who knows? Each of them could modify their part as the operation progressed. In her mind though, it was almost perfect. But then again she wasn't really one for strategy on the battlefield.

After finishing her transmission, Kay rejoined Alex and Draco. "Well...time to go back to the throne room. I forgot to pay for my cup of hot water...."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I nodded, with Jaster out of the room, I turned towards Kay. "When he calls in that favor, you will let me know all about it right?" I asked, hoping she could trust me as much as I have trusted her in the past weeks. I phrased it and kept my tone steady so that it came out like a question and not an order. I didn't like Jaster. He was Dar'manda for one, and second he had a way over inflated ego. If she trusted Jaster, something must be up that was more serious than some slaves we could just buy and pay back with aggression. Heck, my contacts with the Red Ravens might enjoy stomping a mudhole out of this planet.

She probably needed to know what kind of back up I had brought. "If anything happens, make for the dunes. My guards will grab you and get you out. Tell them to leave once you are aboard, I will take care of myself. Do you understand?" I asked again, this time much more like an order. It was a simple question, but one that needed answering. If the worst were to happen she needed to know that her life line was out there, all she would have to do is start running towards them. I looked to Alex, "The dunes to the east, six hundred meters. Get her there and get out if it goes south." I probably couldn't give Alex orders, but they were in Kay's best interest so hopefully they would be followed.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Jaster stopped her one last time as her guards left and there were only them two left to hear what he had to say. "I don't know if this will help, heck I don't know if you will succeed at all, but here,"

Jaster handed her a datapad with continuos changing numbers and letters. The other held a code with a crest picture atop of it, "It's my transmit codes for the slave transports leaving tomorrow morning, two frigate class, only they won't be leaving on the scheduraled time, the other is a crest for the guards that will be at the exchange, I'll figure a way to stall both of them to get you the time you need, use them as you see fit," Jaster had only the last words before heading to a meeting with Sempra, "good luck."

And with a final smile Jaster walked through the hallway back into the darkness where he came.


[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

Jaster aproched the large Hutt from behind so no other could see him and spoke only loud enough for Sempra to hear him, "Hello your Grace, it Jaster."