Outsourcing

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor​

ONI Blacksite, Orenda​

---

If you can't fix something that's broken, reinvent the wheel.

Soon, High Sovereign Ice of the Sovereignty would retire from his place of power on the throne - one way or another. Soon, there would be a major problem within the Sovereignty, and that was a power vacuum. Soon, if nothing were to happen, they would go against all of their vows sworn on the day of their inception, to uphold the rights and unity of the Sovereign citizens, as it was their government. Zedd Harkor, by the heir succession laws that were in place in the Sovereignty, could not be adopted or delegated to inherit the title of High Sovereign. He would need to literally take the title, or the equivocal rank of the title, by staging his own coup to usurp power. Without violence, of course, was the preferred method, but Zedd knew better of people, and there would inevitably be some.

As much as Zedd would have relied on contingent of Sovereign ground forces to carry out his plans with his strong popularity within the Sovereignty, methodically-speaking, to outsource a company without personal sentiments to Varik or personal ideals to the Sovereignty would be a more shrewd idea, to prevent a web of corruption and possibly sympathizing double agents; credits to this outside source would be the incentive, and would be less fickle and more measurable than sentimental values.

Itashi Mecetti and his private military company would be this source.

Through the sunset of Orenda, a Sovereign Phi-Class Transport Shuttle soared across the faded, dimming sky, housing none other than the Lord Admiral himself, Zedd Harkor. With him, as his escort, were an array of ONI operatives, prepared to do his bidding no matter the act. Orenda was a fair choice to settle this deal. Orenda was remote, isolated, within Sovereign territory, and away from peeling eyes. The Phi-class, beyond a valley on Orenda, disappeared from all sight, as it lowered itself down onto the landing pad of what was an ONI blacksite. As the hydraulics went off, the ramp lowered, which featured Zedd walking down the ramp, accompanied by several ONI agents. Walking across the landing pad, he walked inside, and into the ONI Blacksite structure.

Making his way through the structure of the blacksite, Harkor entered an unused, small conference room. He waited patiently for his new business partner to arrive through the atmosphere, on his ship. Harkor had preemptively tagged his ship to allow for clearance landing. He would then be escorted to the conference room by the blacksite security forces, and he would, of course, also be required to keep his weapons and armor at the door, as protocol demanded.

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Zedd Harkor"]

As a rule Itash Mecetti did not pick sides. This, by extension, meant that that Didact Defense Solutions didn't take sides. In his experience picking sides got you killed. You become political and suddenly you start to make enemies.

That didn't earn you money.

Until it did or until one [member="Cassandra Paige"] gave you her look.

Then taking sides seemed like the thing to do. The latter had resulted in his backing of the Coruscant First movement. The former... brought him here. The idea of having the SOV's backing: being put on retainer, exclusive contracts, access to gear, capital, it all sounded appealing.

It had never tipped the scales for Tash's before. Becoming too reliant on a government? Not smart. But... what if you had a hand in establishing it?

That changed things.

Tash arrived roughly on time with an average sized retinue. Most if them stayed at the ship, a handful followed inside before made to wait outside the conference room. Mecetti wentin alone, unarmed and without armor.

His Words weren't happy about it, but they remained silent. "Mister Harok?" Tash greeted with a smile and stepping up to the other man. "Lord Itash of House Mecetti. You wished to speak with me?"

 

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor
ONI Blacksite, Orenda

---

"I did.". He didn't return the smile per say; his expression was much more solemn and controlled, it might've just been his demeanor. He stood up, turning away from the visitor, walking a short distance away with his hands formally behind his back; "Things are about to change, here in the Sovereignty."

"Our current High Sovereign - Varik Ice - is about to retire from his position, as the emperor-despot of the Sovereignty.", Harkor meant "retire", of course, in the vague metaphorical sense. He lowered his gaze, for a moment, sighing through his nostrils; "He is without an heir."

"As you can see, this presents an issue, in our way of governance.", said he, turning back to face Itash.

"And, as an obedient soldier to this union, I refuse to take a backseat while this Sovereignty falls into chaos.", Harkor maintained firm eye contact with Itash, in an effort to emphasize his point; "I will take direct intervention on the matter: I will usurp the throne to save the Sovereignty."

"And, I require you, your men, and the services that you provide, to aid me in doing so."

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Zedd Harkor"]

Business then.

The smile was exchanged for noblesse passiveness and Itash held that gaze for quite some time while parsing the information just received. So, it was a coup and that just made this a lot more dangerous, but that also made it more expensive. "How many men do you need and which services do you require?" Itash had read up on Harkor before coming here. The man was lauded as the centerfold of the navy's efforts, a brilliant strategist, tactician, a man of the people who had worked decades to get where he was right now. Living proof that if you worked hard enough in the Sovereignty even you could potentially rise to his heights. His men were loyal, stalwart and would go through hell for him.

But hell hadn't been quantified as bucking their sworn Emperor and staging a palace coup.

Tash believed that Harkor had a good chance of pulling it off. He wouldn't have been here otherwise. Now he was interested in what the Lord Admiral thought himself of his chances. After that they could get into just how much he was willing to pay to become the new Sovereign of this nation.

Whilst Harkor had his reputation, Tash had his own.

It would be expensive and he knew that, otherwise he wouldn't have called.

 

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor​

ONI Blacksite, Orenda​

---

"Enough men to assassinate several senators in private, provide a guard detail for the declaration I will have to make, and several contingents of soldiers to deal with the possibility of renegade battalions of the Sovereign Army."

He hoped that answered his question, still standing in front of Itash. He couldn't be absolutely certain of the exact estimates of the adversaries he would face; intelligence reports from the nefarious Office of Naval Intelligence, however, had narrowed it down that at least a couple of large military units might try to resist the coup. Harkor was a man of both the people and the military, and had already convinced a large number of large military units of his plans. However, you could never be too sure. Harkor placed the weight of ONI under them. Hence forth, it was best to over-prepare - which was why Harkor was talking with Itash. Estimating the beliefs of the senators, however, was much easier. Using plants and senators that were in with Harkor, Harkor gathered that at least several would attempt to resist his rule, or otherwise, work against him in the long run.

Inside, he had no hatred or ill-will towards Varik, only to a minor extent, with his unwillingness to see his project through; he only thought to save something from itself. With the entire backing of the Sovereign Navy behind him, and some measure of the Sovereign Army behind him as well, he believed wholeheartedly he could pull this off; he only needed some hardy, reliable insurance in the form of Didact Defense Solutions.

"As a military man, I'm aware of how expensive this matter could be for your company, especially for dealing with any renegade forces: I'm prepared to let you pick your price. Within reason, of course."

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Zedd Harkor"]

Well, this was refreshing.

Part of Tash had been concerned he'd have to deal with another self-righteous braggart who wanted results, but not necessarily approve of how those results were accomplished. Didact didn't judge, neither did Tash (outloud anyway), but it did make his job just a touch more challenging when contracting with those type of people. But it seemed Zedd fully realized that sometimes... you needed to get your hands dirty, if you wanted the results to reflect your desires.

"Any wives, bastards, sentients close to him? Anyone that could be a reasonable claimant, someone who could be turned into a rallying call?" It didn't even necessarily have to be done by their own volition, but sometimes ambitious people would go through huge lengths to get what they wanted.

It would be better to cut that off from the start in Itash's experience.

That last part made the Tapani incline his head. Music to his ears, when a prospective employer wasn't trying to skim off the corners, it was annoying to do negotiations at the same time as calculating the effort Didact would be putting into a job. "As a rule, Lord Admiral, Didact does not pick sides. We are making an exception here." Didact had fought for the First Order, assisted the colonization efforts by the Alliance, the Sith Empire and even ran security for the Outer Rim Coalition.

Harkor would know this and realize that this exception was expensive.

"If we sponsor your ascend, I expect your covert sponsorship of Didact Defense Solutions in return." It didn't have to be public, in fact, Itash preferred that it wouldn't be.

Associations could be problematic in the future.

 

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor
ONI Blacksite, Orenda

---

After Itash raised his proposition in a covert sponsorship, there was a considerable pause in the flow of conversation. Harkor gritted his teeth in concentration and thought; it was the only thing that changed, with his already serious facial expression.

He didn't exactly want to stick his neck out for a corporation, in a public manner of speaking, with planetary and space combined arms support. Instead, he could do so with the intervention of ONI. Before agreeing to anything, however, he needed full clarification.

"We, of course, are different organizations. While Didact Defense Solutions sponsoring my ascent means getting my parliament installed, and this notion is explicit, what exactly would a covert sponsorship on our part entail?"

Harkor interrupted the train of thought, for a moment, deciding to also address the issue of heirs and claimants.

"And, on the topic of heirs and claimants: Varik Ice has no heirs or claimants. No living wives. No bastards. No distant cousins. He was once a barbarian from the planet of Barab II, who's reckless crusades annihilated all other clans on the planet, but ironically, these crusades ended up annihilating his own clan in the process.", spoke Harkor, definitively, hoping to have answered his question.

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Zedd Harkor"]

That made it easier.

Tash didn't have a problem with executing women and children in the night, but as a rule that added complication after complication. The end result usually being the employer getting cold feet and deciding they needed to start figuring out loose ends. Then there was blood and Tash had to start applying specific lessons. Which always turned out into a mess.

"Didact is put on retainer for the Sovereignty, subsidizing locations and operations within your future territory, more freedom and leeway to operate here. Access to tech, tax write-offs," The Tapani patiently ran through the things, he had been sure to discuss it with the administrative department beforehand. "Obviously some parts of our agreement and contracts will be strictly off-the-books."

That would be beneficial for both parties.

Each would receive deniability in some way- it would allow Didact to operate with other nations without any questions of impartiality and it would allow the Sovereignty to easily distance themselves when Didact worked with nations they did not consider their friends.

"Basically the Sovereignty supports and bolsters Didact's growth in a way only a nation of worlds can do."

 

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor
ONI Blacksite, Orenda

---

The requests were sensible.

A natural admiral and commander, as written in his DNA, he was already prepared to make these changes like that of how you would prepare for eventualities in warfare, replying; "Your requests are manageable, and will be obliged.", he rolled his lips, methodically, pausing at this time. "In course with the tax write-offs, you will be granted a series of counterfeit taxes. These counterfeit taxes, no difference between regular taxation papers, preemptively signed with your name, will be stored within the treasury, as your legitimate copy, without having to answer the possibility of prying stakeholders; this is better than simply being written off."

He finished of the matter that pertained to the tax write-offs; he had yet to mention of the access to Sovereign technology, and did so, as he stared into the eyes of Itash, looking down at him.

"As for your access to Sovereign technology, you will be placed on lease to use the technology, and access to this technology may be revoked at any time. The access level to this technology will be no larger than a cruiser, and even then, I expect a cruiser to be used especially sparingly. As for formalities, there will be an artificial document, citing a receit for each piece of technology used. However, in reality, you will be just leased this technology, under the discretion of ONI."

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Zedd Harkor"]

In truth Itash hadn't been considering their starships.

Not because they weren't quality, but because Didact was in full-gear when it came to producing their own navy now. Even though it wasn't exactly the first thing on his mind Tash would not decline. Sometimes it was a good thing to have potential things to fallback to. He'd have his engineers review the specifications and see what would be more cost-effective. There were advantages to keeping design and production in-house, but perhaps there were some alternatives here.

"That sounds entirely reasonable." Tash retorted with a nod. "Our respective legal departments will look over the actual paperwork and figure out how to make this work in legal terms." At least the part that would be 'open for public' so to speak.

But that was understood.

"I will need time to draw a sufficient number of troops without raising attention. I could use ONI's assistance with that as well." If it was as simple as marching his soldiers in? That would have been easy and Didact could handle that themselves. But they would want the troop build-up to fly below the radar, if possible. If their presence was noticed early on that would complicate the matters. Who better to smuggle Didact in, if not ONI themselves?

 

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor
ONI Blacksite, Orenda

---

---

"That can be done."

Staying true to the general agreeableness of the business conversation, the requests and needs brought forth by Itash were reasonable, as the soon-to-be High Sovereign, Harkor, responded in a blunt tone of voice.

"If you so agree to this proposition, your men will be covertly transported and smuggled planet-side onto Eadu.", proposed Harkor, staring into the eyes of Itash; "ONI will be your liaison in this regard, ships equipped with cost-effective covert-stealth technology to prevent not only detection with misleading cargo scans, but to avoid suspicion as well - as well as being able to swindle a sufficient force onto Eadu.".

At the heart of the matter, Harkor was only dead set on cranking out the necessary details concerning the operation. No reflection on what he personally thought. No dawdling in comparable aspects. It was a mentality he knew too well. Only hard logic and purely business-like deliberation. It was apparent, in his manner of speaking .

[member="Itash Mecetti"]

 

[Itash Mecetti]

[member="Zedd Harkor"]

Prior to coming here Itash had done his research.

Harkor had a high chance of pulling this off, if they acted directly and decisively. Ice was gone and that was the end of it. This was about securing the state without the interference of spineless career politicians muddying the waters with their flimsy little rules and laws. Every step of the way Zedd had shown himself to be professional, dedicated and completely confident. Watching from every angle Tash could not find a way that this would truly hurt Didact in any way.

So.

With money, expansion and power on the line?

Itash Mecetti extended his hand for a shake. "Then we have an accord." Well, pending the paperwork drawn up, but Tash was noble. His word was as binding as a legal document as far as he was concerned. Reputation meant everything to a Tapani nobleman. To some degree this was exciting as well. Oh, not just the prospect of a clear line of expansion that would catapult Didact in the galactic sphere, but also the opportunity to apply distinct change.

It was one thing to wage a war.

Another entirely to directly assist with putting a new face in a place of power.

 

[Zedd Harkor]

Lord Admiral Zedd Harkor​

ONI Blacksite, Orenda​

---

---

​

---

​

So it seemed, that the business negotiations were coming to a close, as Itash extended his hand to the Lord Admiral.

The two officially came to an accord, as Harkor shook the hand of Itash Mecetti, placing the sociologically formal seal on their business deal; "That we are.", holding onto the handshake for only a touch longer than what would've seemed to be appropriate; "I look forward to the ends of our business arrangement.", spoke Harkor, letting go of his grip.

"You've discretion to take your leave."

[member="Itash Mecetti"]