Slow Chemical

[Darth Pyrrhus]

From one ocean pearl to the next. If Glee was a pearl, then this appeared to him a muddied orb dirtied by the rain, of which there seemed to be no end to. It did not compare to his Glee. Of course, he could not be more biased. Especially in these days of turmoil and treachery. To him, his realm was one of the last beacons that remained true to the ideology, where others were corrupted by compromises and greed. All else fell short. Pyrrhus lost faith in many things and many individuals, but if anything, his faith in himself was ever growing. What he saw looking around left him wanting. It was clear to the Togruta that if the work of others was not satisfying, he would create it himself.

Kamino was merely one more piece to the puzzle. He had come personally, to see to it that this key component was given the attention it deserved. Failure to follow the formula would have to be punished. How effective of a piece it would be, he did not know. But if he achieved the results he was hoping for, it might very well become the mortar to his empire.

The sleek, private shuttle touched down on one of the landing pads. He had an appointment, and he expected to be expected. What awaited him he could not be sure of. Easily met demands? Hard pressed negotiations? Regardless of opposition, he would prevail. He always had. The man who stepped down from the ship's landing ramp was not Darth Pyrrhus, or rather that was not how he presented himself. Instead, it was Tanek Santii. Tanek might call himself businessman, though others would likely simply use the label 'slaver'. He was dressed more like a politician than a Sith. Though his robes were no doubt costly, they did not appear extravagant. If anything, he wished to portray power and class, rather than seem flashy or frivolous.

The tall, powerfully framed Togruta made his way towards the entrance.

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Of course, Tmoxin did not know what Darth Pyrrhus was thinking about Kamino, but if she had known, she would have admired his apt description of Tipoca City and the dreadful planet on which Morpho Pharmaceuticals did most of its business. The grey sky was unforgiving and relentless. Sunlight was not only scarce but was basically non-existent, completely and utterly filtered out by the thick clouds that surrounded the water world.

The redhaired Hapan was used to it by now, but in order to acclimatize better, she had a wall length holo-mural of Hapes installed in her loft-like apartment near to the Morpho building. This way, the bright light of the Seven Moons would always shine, even when she was sleeping (which is what they did if one lived on Hapes).

“Who is my meeting with again, Beulah?” she asked her young, dark-haired assistant.

“His name is Tanek Santii,” she answered. “He is associated with the Sith, with Karazak Slaving Corporation but other than that, there is nothing in his dossier or in other records that go back a few years.”

The fact that he was aligned with the One Sith didn’t bother Tmoxin so much as the lack of other relevant information on Mr. Santii. But no matter. Security at Morpho was incredibly tight, especially after her lead researcher was assassinated on the premise by yet another Sith Lord. Smirking, she activated a holounit on her desk, which displayed and rendered 3-D models of the camera feeds from all over the building, including the lobby views.

Among his own entourage, she picked out who she thought was Mr. Santii and was somewhat surprised to see the fairly unmistakable figure of a male Togruta. It wasn’t often she had such exotic visitors to Kamino and wasn’t even sure she was prepared. Did they drink wine? The blood of Thiamiars? They were a primitive species at any rate. Perhaps a simple array of red meat was in order.

She glanced at Beulah sitting on a nearby sofa, working on her own datapad.

“Can you please run and fetch… I don’t know… something raw and bloody for Mr. Santii.” And she waved her hand, a sign that if Beulah didn’t move fast enough, a criticism or two was likely from Miss Temi in the next few minutes.

In the meantime, the Hapan executive kept her brown eyes fixated on her latest visitor, trying to read him from afar and prepare for the business he was to bring to Morpho.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

The lacking information on Mr Santii was largely due to the fact that he had not truly existed for a few years. He had vanished. In his stead rose the might Darth Pyrrhus, and only occasionally did Mr Santii come out to play. It was a cover that held up well enough, though it was hard to prevent it from having an air of mystery to it. Naturally, he knew that his identity might get made from the simple fact that the One Sith order did not sport many influential Togruta Sith Lords.

Though he did not mind the rain, the lobby was an environment far more preferable. He wondered if the white and bright inner architecture of the Kaminoans was in any way intended as a much needed contrast to the ever present grey of the outside. Tanek was curious about the general reception he would receive. Would there be strategy at play already at this stage?

He did little to cause a stir, or otherwise challenge the no doubt extensive security in place at the facility. If anything, he was pleased to see it present. If nothing else, it meant they were serious about at least something. Having made his way to some sort of waiting area, he would stand in place. Stoic, unmoving, though secretly in deep concentration as he stretched out with the Force to scan for whatever additional information his more primitive senses might not pick up.

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

A sagely Kaminoan dressed in a laboratory coat retrieved Tanek Santii from the waiting area.

“I’m Lin Jok, a research assistant at Morpho,” the tall, long-necked alien said in a gracious tone. “Miss Temi’s regular assistant is momentarily busy, so she’s asked me to bring you up to her office."

Once the assistant got the Sith Lord going in the right direction, towards a row of elevators, a couple of Mirari bodyguard droids came out of nowhere and accompanied both alien men. “After you,” he said, ushering Darth Pyrrhus into the shiny, sleek elevators with the droids in tow.

They were let off on the sector seven, and the Kaminoan then lead the Togruta down a nondescript hallway and into Tmoxin Temi’s office. There, Darth Pyrrhus would see a nicely appointed space, not overly feminine but with a few small touches – a magenta orchid, a glass lamp with soft, minimal lighting – however everything appeared fairly expensive. A replica of the iconic Hapan Battle Dragon sat on a shelf behind the red-haired CEO.

And among all of this luxury, there was the distinct smell of raw meat.

Tmoxin was proud of Beulah for being so resourceful. When both women were scrambling to figure out what to offer the Togruta businessman, the young assistant called a nearby chef who they often used for catering, and in about fifteen minutes, the Kaminoan chef had sent over a dozen raw thimiars.

“Chef Iwek warned that Mr. Santii might not like his food uncooked,” whispered Beulah as they watched Mr. Santii enter the room. What Beulah didn't tell Miss Temi was that he also might be insulted that his host just assumed he would prefer his meat raw, but she didn't want to upset her boss right before an important meeting.

By the maker, he was tall and those striped horns nearly touched the ceiling, marveled Tmoxin! He was a striking alien, unlike the Kaminoans, though Tmoxin had gotten used to the particulars of the native species. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve been that close with any Togrutas, she mused.

“Mr. Santii,” the Hapan executive said, approaching him. “My name is Tmoxin, and I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. Please make yourself comfortable. There is food over there.” She motioned to the row of thimiars laying lifeless on a catering table. “Would you like anything to drink? Water, spirits, wine?”

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

"Of course." Tanek said with a dry smile and a little nod, as the servant explained himself. Himself? Herself? He hardly knew. He could barely tell their species apart. Was he even a servant? Spend enough time dealing in slaves, and you end up viewing near everyone working for someone as one. People were either property or potential property.

He allowed the tall alien creature to guide him towards Miss Temi's office. During their brief walk, he couldn't help but wonder if the neck of a Kaminoan would snap just as easily as that of a human. Their shape was certainly strange. And that train of thought got him wondering what sort of price a Kaminoan slave would fetch... They were a peculiar species, but there were even more peculiar tastes he could cater to. But alas, he was here on different business. He imagined bringing up the purchase of her employees' freedom would put a halt to their little business meeting.

Finally, they reached Temi's office. It was a good office. He was met with Tmoxin Temi, making a note of her striking features; far easier on the eye than any Kaminoan. And then... Raw meat? Their customs seemed as strange as the native species. Perhaps this was one of those places where one simply did not cook the food. Perhaps the long-necks didn't have a talent for it. Or perhaps they here on Kamino presented the food for inspection, before doing anything with it.

"Miss Temi" he returned, keeping a civil tone. "A pleasure" Tanek proceeded with formalities. He didn't seem to bother with any further introduction of himself. She already seemed aware of his name. If she hadn't, he might've frowned at her lack of preparation. But so far, all signs indicated she was a true professional. All signs, except the raw meat, of course. Still, a solid 5/7.

As she motioned over to the thimiars, his keen eyes glanced over them once more. Returning his glance to Tmoxin, he offered her a smile. "That looks good. I'll have it medium rare." he said, as if she had simply showed him the menu before sending it to the chef. Even if it wasn't her intent, it didn't matter now. Perhaps there was a little struggle for control over the room. There was a fair chance he was simply testing her, in a diplomatic version of a dance not unike the ones made with the lightsaber, though equally enjoyable. "Yes, I think I will try some of that wine" he smiled again, this time showing hints of those sharp, canine teeth.

 

[Tmoxin Temi]

Tmoxin had no idea how Mr. Santii would behave as a potential contact, but so far he was exceeding her expectations. Her experience with Togruta was extremely limited so, in a way, she expected him to stumble over Basic, to devour the raw meat, to do some kind of bizarre shaman ritutal to take away the endless rain... anything but just be a normal businessman.

But he strode into her office as though he were just another human or Kaminoan contact, speaking eloquently and requesting that the appetizers she served were to be cooked.
Without missing a beat, Tmoxin said, "Beulah, take the cart of Thimiar and have the cafeteria grill them to a medium rare temperature. Assuming, Mr. Santii that those cooking specifications are satisfactory."

The young assistant was a bit bewildered but she did as she was told and hurriedly took the Thimiar cart of the room. Suddenly the smell of raw meat was not so pungent.
Tmoxin's first instinct was to also drink the wine in the room. She poured a glass for Tanek, a very long, long pour, and one for herself, equally a long pour. The pour was so good it was a 5/7.

[member="Darth Pyrrhus"]

 

[Darth Pyrrhus]

[member="Tmoxin Temi"]

With a smile, the Togruta business man replied "They are" He was pleased with how she was handling herself. It would seem both would progress to the next stage of their meeting without any loss of face. He looked forward to seeing what her chefs would produce, though given what he had been shown thus far, a part of him was worried. Tanek wondered if any of it would return poisoned. She had to his knowledge no reason to poison him, but it was a thought that always crossed his mind whenever wine was mentioned. Part of him hoped she would try. He found it ever so amusing when they did that.

Accepting the glass of wine, he raised it while maintaining eye contact. It looked as if he was about to propose a toast. Then, he had his taste. "So tell me, Miss Temi" he started, slowly twirling the contents of the glass. "Out of all the companies in your field of expertise" he started, carefully eyeing her for her reaction "why should I choose Morpho Pharmaceuticals? What can your company offer me that others can not?" A strange approach perhaps, seeing as he was the one approaching her, though he was attempting to have her qualify herself. He wanted to at least give the impression that he had other candidates lined up