Several years prior to the unfortunate escape of Valamir van Lorsteyn.
The Spear of Hoth, a luxury cruiser that had been gifted to Vladimir during a charity fundraiser he held to save the natural wonders of the planet from mining corporations, dropped out of hyperspace above Aeten II. Vladimir was sitting in the captain's chair on board its bridge. The piloting was being done by a droid suited for the task, two guards stood at the entrance, more for form than function. Vladimir could more than handle himself in a fight, though he rarely found someone worthy of fighting. His former tutor had been the last one to be granted that honour and Vladimir still bore the scars from the encounter. Horrible scars that left his face unrecognisable, the reason for his mask, though he would never release this information to anyone he did not directly control. It was a curious life, the life of Vladimir van Lorsteyn, publically the eccentric and reclusive heir to a fortune of a wealthy family from Bastion, privately he was a Sith, gathering knowledge and power wherever he could, though only he and perhaps five other living sentients within the galaxy knew of this duality.
One of these sentients was aboard the Spear of Hoth, aboard its bridge. A perfect replica of his, one that acted as his personal assistant. Ignorant to the fact he was a clone of the man he served, a body to be inhabited by the real Vladimir when the time was right. Memory blockades were in place to prevent him from realising who he was too early before he was ready. They left him with only the identity of Vladimir's long-term amnesiac assistant, his personal medical droids had assured him of this. The Lord's head was resting against his armoured fist as he sat, reclined deeply into his chair, other arm lying casually on the red fabric of the armrest. He gazed out the viewport onto the planet.
"Assistant, contact the miners. I have arrived in orbit and will be making my approach to their facility momentarily. Tell them to prepare my cargo, my men will load it on board when we land. Tell the owner to meet me as soon as I land, too, I do not wish to waste more time than necessary bartering like Tatooinian junkers on the surface of this Force-forsaken rock." His voice was calm, yet impatient. His tone dripped with poisonous contempt as if the very notion of having to interact with these miners offended the man deeply. It was a side only few saw. His usual outward persona was far more charismatic and likeable, though it was merely a facade so no one would suspect his real motivations or intentions. He was a benevolent philanthropist after all and that image had to be maintained.
After issuing the command, he lifted his head from his fist and moved his hands together so that the tips of each finger touched its mirror on the other hand.
"You will accompany me onto the planet's surface, as will the guards. Let the droids load the cargo onto the ship after negotiations are finalised ... and tell Mazonn to prepare my next appointment." His tone was unchanged.
Mazonn Ensis was the highest ranking guard aboard the vessel. One of Vladimir's closest confidants, he was absolutely devoted to serving his master and would go to extraordinary lengths to accomplish a task, something the Lord was well aware of. It was the reason he had taken him on this business deal, should the miners try to add any unplanned terms to their deal, Mazonn would be the one who would deal with the inconvenience and he would do so efficiently. Another trait Vladimir appreciated about Mazonn.
[member="Valamir Lorsteyn"]
