Opportunity Knocks

[Seris Vant]

Location: Anaxes
Objective: To Offer Help

An enemy to an ally. It was very possible. With a good example of Black Sun itself and the ASA. Formerly The CIS; coming to a stable relationship. Rayl wanted that to happen with The Republic. So he had come to Anaxes to do such. A civilian class ship carried him as an ambassador to the senate building. No logo's of Black Sun were going to be proudly displayed here. Digression was best enacted.

Slowly the ships thrusters brought them down to the landing pier. The hydraulic legs deploying and gently as can be; cushioning the touch down. The engines whined to a stop and the boarding ramp lowered. Rayl was to be received by [member="Kiskla Grayson"]. That is if plans had not changed without any notification. Most likely they hadn't, so the worry over that matter was mute. Boot on metal clunked as the second in command descended the ramp. No arms were on his person, but he still wore most of his armor. Several body guards followed behind. Those men were armed for his protection. Though not terribly necessary, protocol demanded they be here.

Rayl made it off the ship to the open air. The sun blinded his sight and he silently cursed that his helmet on to eliminate the nuisance. Only the figures of the Republic delegation were made out by him. Allowing for a judge of where to stop before them. And so here he was, in the heart of The Republic. Acting as a diplomat.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

A pirate waving the olive branches about was not something to be underestimated. Kiskla had grow up dealing with these sorts of individuals, and had an inkling of understanding about how they operated.

"Keep your eyes on the skies, Commander." The Jedi muttered as a precaution to flight control -- who then passed the messages along to the observation deck. That message had been in passing, and she was now standing alone in the reception hangar.

The incoming ship and landing process caused her fabrics and hair to flutter in response, but she was otherwise placidly steadfast. Wary. The Black Suns had been largely silent after Halcyon and her gang had pummelled them in their own territory. An action Kiskla had been no part of, but inevitably still received some blame for. Such was life.

"Welcome to Anaxes, Captain Wilded." Kiskla greeted plainly enough as she assessed those that accompanied the pirate lord. "I'm Kiskla Grayson-- as requested. I trust you've some interesting thoughts to share." She turned slightly, indicating they should walk. "Shall we?"


[member="Rayl Wilded"]

 

[Seris Vant]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

"Well met Grandmaster Grayson". Rayl's chin shifted slightly as a visible irk to her abstained use of his proper title of Lord. Nothing to do about that though. Rayl stepped forward to match Kiskala's own stride; hands wrapped together behind his back. His guards followed at a distance. "I have a few interesting thoughts indeed, some revelations and a proposition too. Most of course revolve around your current war with the One Sith".

The two carried on walking towards the Senate building as he continued on talking. "I know of course you are not a Senator, nor the Chancellor. You are though in a high office and held in respect. Rather independent too". Rayl halted himself and paused a moment. Taking in a breath and preparing his next words carefully. They were nearly to the doors of these newly christened diplomatic halls; but he had to ask a last time. "Grayson. I'll tell you much of what I have to say won't be pleasant. I need the guarantee of our safe passage should you take ill. I mean no offense but such you may take, precaution is necessary on my part. So will you give such, and will listen"?

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

"I don't keep the correct company for pleasant news, Captain Wilded." Kiskla replied to the drawl of the Lord, to which she didn't know the official name -- the correspondences had been vague for good reason. A Black Sun representative, though boasting as an Ambassador, would not be well met.

Since she was not a politician, and [member="Rayl Wilded"] was not a senatorial guest as of yet, she took a path that looped around the perimeter of the building; not yet going inside. That's when the pirate lord stopped. "I'll listen, and that's all I shall do. I'm not here to cause harm, and you're not here to be harmed. Please continue with what you came for."

 

[Seris Vant]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

"Well then, best I start to spill the proverbial beans then knowing with assurance I won't be staring down another Grandmaster of the Jedi Order". Rayl smirked to the young woman. Hard to believe she was less than half his age and in one of the most powerful positions in the galaxy. "So. I'll unload the shocker first. But I'll need a question answered form you first. What do you know about Chancellor Popo. Before he rose up to power in The Republic"? Quite the uneasiness he himself felt in the question. Knowing full well about Popo himself. If would be interesting to hear what Grayson knew of the Hutt. Then her reaction to his information. Such that if it got out may shake up the foundations of the foundation of The Republic: the people.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla offered little more than a polite twitch of her lips at the Grandmaster staring comment. She and her predecessor had little in common aside from title. They'd defined that while working together, and evidenced it in duty.

Then [member="Rayl Wilded"] offered the bait. So as not to waste precious time, she bit.
"He's the Founder and Chief Executive of Tenloss Corporation, no?"

 

[Seris Vant]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

He could only smirk at her ignorance. Not that it was her fault of course. Popo was a very manipulative and in control being. Like most Hutts, they ran their operations well. "He heads the company now, but Tenloss according to our old records that survived the Plague Era say they've existed since the Rise Of The Empire Era. Nearly nine hundred years. I assume of course with varying degrees of activity". Rayl waved about his left hand to exacerbate the lack of later knowledge from the dark age. "Now I should get more to my point. Tenloss was a more legitimate arm of the Tenloss Syndicate, a criminal organization. Not even we know if that syndicate exists anymore though, but the company does. And here's the kicker. Popo used to run the Hutt Cartel, its resurgence after Black Sun took over Hutt Space. And then he worked with us in a cooperative fashion". This was delicious. The greatest kind of reveal that could be made. Breaking the mirrored glass and revealing the world for what it really is. "So, Popo was a Crimelord. Likely still is. In his own little plan though, one we weren't aware of until he enacted it. He became the senator of the; stolen moon of Nar Shaddaa. From there he became Chancellor. And subverted the whole Republic into buying his companies products, making him an extremely rich Hutt". Rayl folded his arms and looked directly into the eyes of Grayson. "He may very well have even organized this war for the massive paycheck, in service of you all of course. The greatest con since Palpatine took control, all under your noses. And all I can do now is praise him while stabbing his back by telling you". The cats smile wore itself on Rayl proudly. The grandiose plan unraveled and laid bear. And it was but one of the things he wished to talk with Grayson today.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

A blonde brow arched in immediate response to [member="Rayl Wilded"]'s words. Her lips pursed as if blowing a whistle, but no sound game -- only a short exhale before she replied in a levelled manner.
"That's a heavy accusation to bring -- waging a war for personal profit-- no wonder you didn't elect to reach out to the senate with your theories, captain.


Though your people usually don't like to be wrong, do they. Did you investigate? And what else have you to say --- if that's the shocker, I can't wait to hear the buffer."

 

[Seris Vant]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

"I can't confirm or deny we did. But I can assure you Popo is a Crime Lord and have well more than enough evidence to prove it. He of course is not our problem, but yours. Should you wish to bring this to the Senate and see where it would lead I'd be happy to pass our info on the sly for a few favors from the Jedi. Nothing grand or dangerous. Training perhaps for those Force users in our service. I'd much rather have the Jedi assist on this matter than the Sith. Who I know would be more than willing to undertake the task. And perhaps something else". Rayl folded his arms and huffed. Now was the part he knew she wouldn't want to hear from him. Fraternizing with their enemy would be highly looked down on. But he was a neutral third party and they should respect he'd hold diplomatic relations with everyone. "Before I came here I met with the One Sith. Not even a week ago. You will know the one I met as Darth Vornskr. One of their Generals". Rayl paused a moment, holding for any reaction from the young woman, but looking away to save some kind of face. The Jedi and Sith may have personally fought before for all he knew. Picking a nerve wasn't something he wanted to do. "If you don't want to hear about that I'll offer to stop now".

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla’s brow quirked. She was sure that any of the informants within The Republic would more than suffice for uncovering information — even if that meant going beyond the lines of The Black Suns. Here, this captain was requesting that she take the time to train some of their members — even though he just admitted that he had no preference between Jedi or Sith teachings. Personal advantage shouldn’t be spilled so easily when wagging bones in front of dogs.

That said, Kiskla didn’t touch on the subject since the pirate lord continued. There was mention of [member="Darth Vornskr"], and her muscles involuntarily tightened. He seemed to be behind multiple sinister plots in her life, the most recent being Ansion — where he’d laid brutal waste to innocent lives who had refuted Sithly indoctrination.

Her teeth clicked for a moment, before her coaxing for [member="Rayl Wilded"]’s words manifested: “Please continue."

 

[Seris Vant]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

It was very obvious she took I'll of his name. Kiskla's body language screamed discomfort. Decidedly she'd bear on. "Well, we talked about the future basically. And bluntly it focused on the war. Time and again with one exception the Sith have succeeded in both the offense and defensive actions on planetary campaigns. With the odds stacked against them three nations to one. They've done exceedingly well". Smooth duracrete supported his back as he leaned against its structure. Rayl's guards milled about, keeping anyone else away with their intimidating presence. "If The Republic were to fall; Black Sun would gain in more ways then one. The Sith would love for us to help them militarily. And convince our allies to do the same. That could make it four on three. Quite tempting, of course if I were here to threaten war. I'd do it somewhere farther away from your blade with the planning completed. So you can take that as an assurance Black Sun isn't out to make war against The Republic". A chuckle escaped him. She'd probably be somewhat relived there was no conspiracy to expand the war. "I can offer The Republic material goods and services though. To help you in the war effort. Trade you know"?

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla frowned — she’d grown up in the company of pirates and had been exposed to their clever techniques far before she could form sentences of her own. The Star Lord was requesting a trade of material and physical goods, for the expert training of some of his Force Users. This had been after a discussion with the Sith Lord [member="Darth Vornskr"] obsessed with ending her life.

She decided to summarize their discussion so far. Light eyes regarding the pirate Lord placidly; “In exchange for materials and services, your Force Users will come to me and my Masters for training. That’s what your proposing?

I can appreciate the need for you to talk to me about that, since the Jedi are under my command, but trade with The Republic needs to be brought to The Chief of Government, Ms. [member="Aurelia Saelari"] before anything official goes forth — more discussion will evolve.”



[member="Rayl Wilded"]

 

[Aurelia Saelari]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"], [member="Rayl Wilded"]

Chief Saelari was, at that moment, elsewhere in another meeting. However, should it be required, she could head to this gathering if invited.

Quite how she would react to pirates negotiating was another matter, but that would come in time.