Take Off The Mask

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"I assume so." Alric confirmed her suspicion, giving a small nod. "They'll be careful, very careful."

That was a simple assumption. "But in the end all I have to do is what I have been. They always want more people, people like you and I. We have a certain amount of influence, information that they need. If we show them that we think as they do its really only a matter of time before we're standing in the same room as them."

It was an over exaggeration, but a true one.

The Star Cabal probably wasn't hurting for members or leadership, but an opportunity to get Danger Arceneau or Alric Kuhn in their ranks? Anyone with any sort of sense would scramble to secure that.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


It was a very little known fact that Danger had no love for Honky Religions and their practitioners. However, in her line of business, one doesn't go airing out their dirty laundry. It isn't practical for profit. While Alric Kuhn could do by swaying here and there, she had a reputation to keep.

Her smile was polite, but her words clear. "I'm a neutral entity Mistah Kuhn," she told him simply. "Giving any indication that I'm of a like mind would not do well in maintaining that."

Her fingers would tap against the wood grain of her desk.

"However, a word here or there on the benefits of working with a vast Trade Empire would doe just as well, no?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled at her.

"Worry not, Danger." There was that name again. "Nobody will know of your involvement. This is the Star Cabal after all."

That was certainly true. This group thrived on secrecy, on being unknown. If their members were talked about, known, then everything would fall apart in half a heartbeat. It was as much the nature of the beast as it was a simple fact. Secrets were what the Star Cabal needed, and secrets were what they would get. "They won't know anything, and we'll know everything. It will all turn out to be a very interesting game."

He was confident in that.

A new game.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

“Then I guess for now we wait on your word -- and if we cross pass within the Star Cabal…” her eyes would narrow into thin glittering slits, “Mind your manners, Mistah Kuhn.” they were after all, acquaintances. Life had thrown them together in this event and for now, meant she had to deal with the man. Having him call her so intimately by her first name - which still grated on her nerves - was not the sort of candor she desired.

“I’ll keep researching the items on Megasecurity Ward 23; there are some leads to Quesh that I’m interested in exploring. You’ll get word from me then.” she added, her attention drawing over to the thin platinum case by her desk. Palming it, a thumb would flick it open to reveal a row of brow cigarillos. Plucking one from its depths, Danger shut the case with a snap and gave the Tetan a pointed expression.

“Dance your dance, Mistah Kuhn -- but don’t forget your place. Your silver tongue may get you entrance to many venues, but it does us no good if you are dead.”

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He tapped the side of his face, taking a long drawl on his cigar before finally answering her.

"Well, It's good to know that you care." There weren't many that did. Oddly enough, despite the joking nature of his words, he knew that in a way Danger did care about him. She ran into a desert, rushed in after him and tried her darndest to save his life. She had succeed in that, and in truth the two of them had shared an odd bond since then. It wasn't love, it wasn't even adoration, it was...just something. They had a mutual goal, they were both smart, and they both knew what they wanted.

That was enough.

Or it was enough for him anyway. "I'll be sure to watch my back."

"Unless you'd like to come watch it?" Alric mused outloud. "I've been working out."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


Well, at least he could joke about his back.

"And you'll still have those gangly legs," she shot back as a final quip. "Goodbye, Mistah Kuhn." she said, just prior to cutting off the comm. Shaking her head, Danger gave a slow exhale. There was still much to be done, still more threads to pull, more to follow, and then even more to untangle.

"This is just the beginning, Danger girl." she told herself, arms coming up to cross over her chest, hands rubbing up and down her upper arms in an unconscious gesture. What was on Quesh? Just how far did the rabbit hole go?

Right foot crossed left as her slow amble took her towards the analog Dejarik table. It was her great grand daddy's, carved out of Tatooine ivory wood and dark barve. Her fingers delicately would trace with the pads over the nearest carving of a M'onnok.

"Some are kings," she said quietly. "Others are pawns." Her brow furrowed in contemplation of Quesh. What are you?

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

It appeared that Miss Arceneau had no time for long banter today, or perhaps she wasn't in the mood.

Either way they were making progress. Both of them had taken steps towards their ultimate goal, and both of them seemed to be achieving them, albeit slowly. He wondered just how soon the Star Cabal would contact him. He knew that they would be eager, he knew that they would want to come for him soon, but he also knew that they would be cautious.

An organization like that didn't stay alive for thousands of years by being dumb.

He expected them to try and vet him, to put him through rigors and tests, much like a fraternity. The comparison would make him chuckle, though he realized the irony in that. The cigar passed from his lips, spilling ash into a tray that sat on his desk. A small pang would ring out from his terminal, and briefly Alric surveyed the small message that passed across.

Another smile pulled at his lips.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Days would turn to weeks. Weeks into months.

Everything had to be carefully coordinated; everything in their proper place. Ensuring that none would ever suspect Alric or Danger, word would only be sent when absolutely required and highly encrypted at that. The Titan's words would come to a measure of validity, much to his own smug pleasure. Having Arceneau Trade within the folds of the Star Cabal was a feather in the proverbial cap.

It wasn't long before Danger found the small and discrete invitation for herself.

Her investigation of Quesh had taken longer than that of Belsavis, but she did find a rather interesting type of chemical from an old era. The fact that the Star Cabal were so interested in the design and composition of it did not surprise her. The Noghri spies sent to investigate were still gathering more information, but the preliminary results made it appear to be some sort of conditioning agent.

But why?

Glancing at her reflection, Danger would carefully slide a Corseca Gem earring into her right ear lobe. Today was a small gathering on Gala, a small former monarchy world. Those who were within the Star Cabal would join for social hour. It was time to play their parts with a bit more pizzazz.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

A gala.

He had never liked them, they were boring, always so boring. A few times they had come to interesting results, but most of the time they were just boring things. They didn't accomplish much and ninety percent of the time they were naught but self pleasuring for the person who threw it. He supposed that was the purpose of these types of things, to show off wealth, power, and success. Maybe in the future he would be the one throwing the gala, though for some reason he found that rather difficult to imagine. A small smile tugged at his lips, and he shifted his tie around his neck.

His suit was well tailored, his hair groomed and his beard trimmed to perfection.

He was ready for this party, no matter how much he didn't really want to attend.

Alric rolled his shoulders, shifting his weight as he turned away from the mirror and back towards the inside of his ship. There was something in the air, anticipation maybe. It was an odd sense, perhaps because in the end this was more than a simple gala. There was something behind it, something sinister and unspoken. The Star Cabal would be watching tonight, closely.

He wondered what Danger would be wearing.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger would be wearing red.

Maybe it was as a foretelling. Maybe it was to play on her name. Maybe it was just to make a statement. Whatever it was, red colored her good. Red drew the eyes and begged a second stare. The Gala wasn't necessarily intimate, but large enough for one to have a measure of privacy. At least, what would have people expect. Danger knew better though. Every action would be watched under the lens, questioned and surveyed with a critical eye.

No escort save herself, Danger would slowly walk from her ship towards the manor that would host the party. Social hour wasn't new to the Trade Queen. She was well used to having to play the role of a hostess, to give small talk, and to network. Where all the guests of the Star Cabal? Or was there something more to the Gala? What manner of vetting would they ask of her?

It was only the beginning,

Alric was bound to be here, of that she was certain. By now likely having both arms draped by two escorts no doubt.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric was here, though he was practically hiding.

In the past, these events had been met with a smidge of alcohol and the company of a beautiful and boxum woman, this time there was no such luck. Alric was keenly aware that he had to keep his wits about him. Not doing so would very likely see him answer one of the Star Cabal with the wrong things and lead to his death.

He knew that they would be cautious, and he could not afford tipping them off.

So he stood by one of the bars, his drink in front of him a simple iced tea. The Bar tender had been very heavily tipped to switch his drinks, anyone who asked or looked would only gain the knowledge that Alric had ordered rye whisky. It was a small ploy really, and one that really only served to make Alric look normal. It was something he had thought about in advanced, a measure that he had taken.

Appearances were important.

Especially tonight.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Miss Arceneau... what a pleasure." the silky smooth call from Sir De'barbarac of particular Alderaan nobility came slinking over Danger with the silvery tongue of a snake. He even had the narrowed, angular face, squinty watery green eyes, and tiny mustache to match. Danger forced herself to smile graciously and offer hand in greeting.

"You honor me with such a start, my lord." ah, the ever fake game of playing coy courteous. "I am ever so humbled by your invitation." she said, slinking her arm around the thin man's offered arm. "You've piqued my interest." she'd say with a slight incline of her head, a lowering of her lashes. Sir De'barbarac lightly patted her hand.

"You would do well here my dear. " he told her. "You are among our kind." whatever that meant. "Introductions would start shortly...not that any would be required for you." he sang, along with a deliberate sweep of his attention over her form.

"I hear the Bazaar is doing well." ah small talk. Lovely. "Yes, yes it is..."

"Care for a drink, my dear?" Danger gave a dazzling smile at the question. "Oh, I most assuredly would."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He stood and watched

It was easier than approaching anyone, easier than being the usually ostentatious Tetan Prince that he usually was. He knew that eventually they would come to speak with him, he just had to play the part right. The drink in his hand would be swirled as he observed the comings and goings of the nobles, his eyes would wander and dance across the room, latching onto certain nobles and business men.

He wondered briefly if any of them were part of the Star Cabal.

Of course some where, but just how many?

A few times his gaze would latch onto a beautiful women and while he observed the sway of her hips and the bounce of her rear he found himself wondering if she too was in on it. An odd sort of paranoia was born him, a thought that perhaps they might all be in on it, that it was a joke played on him. He frowned slightly, shaking his head and realizing that perhaps the lack of sleep was slowly getting to him.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]


The bar held a bit more information. As did the appearance of another more familiar face. Alric Kuhn.

She didn't dare let her gaze linger, but there would be a moment where their eyes would meet. A cordial smile would announce her hello, as she was wont to do with others who captured her stare. Nothing out of the ordinary, but for them, it meant more. Now was the question on what would be required of them at the gala. A glass of Corellian Whiskey soon met her hand, and with a slight rotation of her wrist, she carefully would nurse it.

One didn't know just what one might find in their drink when they were not looking...

The months that they had pushed forward to find an in to the Cabal had brought to their attention key personnel. These were the figures that both Danger and Alric would have to charm their way into their good graces. From there, the knowledge of where the lab that housed the Alpha Red would hopefully come shortly.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He spotted Danger, but just like her his eyes did not linger.

Even a look could give something away, and right now the important thing was to remain as vague and mysterious as possible. So time passed, Danger got her drink, and Alric simply stood and waited. A few times he was approached by an ambassador or senator, though each time the conversation was brief and filled with less substance than knock off honey.

Eventually however, a woman came to him.

She sauntered passed Danger and swaggered towards Alric, her hips swaying with an oceanic swagger, drifting from one side to another as she stepped towards the Titan. Alric eyed her, pretty blues setting on her form even as she stepped up to him, a small smile pulling across bright red lips.

"Mr. Kuhn?"

Her voice was a soft honey.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Yes, things are moving swimmingly with the expansion onto the coreworlds," Danger would state to the Baron, a coy smile upon her lips. If there was anything Danger could talk, it was about business and profit. A small group had come to call, each with their own introductions. Each with their own soft query. With the quickly growing strength of the One Sith Empire, there was concern about how this would affect trade. One of the reasons why she was invited was because Danger is the cog that spins the mechanism up and down the Hydian way.

"My trade contracts run throughout the Mandalorian territories and into One Sith space." that was the hook, "Arceneau Trade affords the luxury of being able to travel and pass through traditional customs at a faster pace." Line and sinker. That is how she would sell her worth. How she could vet her place.

"If one were to use my cargo liners to run through established blockades..." she gave a pointed pause. "One can only wonder what one could smuggle across enemy lines..."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Yes?" His voice was smooth as ever, laced with a deadly venom.

This was what he was waiting for.

He didn't know for sure of course, but her eyes, the way she looked, how she acted, it was confidence born of backing. Danger had that look about her, she had that act. It was because she had the backing of ATC, the backing of what she had built. This woman he had never heard of, had never seen before, and that could only mean that she had the backing of something he had never seen before.

The Star Cabal.

"My organization has been very interested in you, Mr. Kuhn. Particularly your companies facilities."

He smirked.

Oh this was going to be far too easy.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

They would each play their respective roles. While the Star Cabal would be interested in Titan's facilities, they would see to Danger's reach within the trade lanes as their venue to spread their influence under cover. Danger didn't have to sell herself much, they knew well her neutrality would benefit them well. The gala was spent in discussing matters, give and take, and what manner of profits would come to them all.

Nothing, after all, was for free.

Arceneau Trade would receive a measure of backing for her contributions, and a wider network. If there was any doubt to her commitment, then it would be cleared when Danger would offer the same deal to the Star Cabal as she had to others who used her fleets to smuggles items to and fro. Her reputation, above all else, was paramount and had to remain impeccable. She made that perfectly clear. Any manner of stigma cast her way would be denied, after all, to ensure the continuation of the Star Cabal's interest of course.

If she knew naught beyond what she was required to, she very well could not lie about it. It was an agreement all parties were able to compromise with. The routes ATC took would be of no use to them if the Trade Company was blacklisted from those territories...

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Mr Kuhn."

The woman said his name again, as if trying to catch his attention in earnest. Alric only looked at her, appraising her features as though he were a young playboy looking to get into her bed. It was who he was supposed to be after all. He wasn't supposed to know about the Star Cabal, he wasn't supposed to know who they were or what they wanted. He was only a man at a party, a man looking to have some fun and enjoy himself. It was an easy roll to play.

"I would like you to meet some of my associates, Mr Kuhn. They're very interested in knowing more about you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Your Associates? But I don't even know your name yet. We should probably start with that, and then maybe...dinner?"

Slowly the Tetan moved closer to the woman, a slight shocked expression crossing her features.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"How much business do you deal in the Core Worlds, Miss Arceneau?" came the first question.

Danger would give a slight swirl of her lowball glass, the amber liquid whirl-pooling slowly. "Enough to open a series of new Trade Stations along the Hydian Way." she would state with a light smile. "I've established Starports on Corellia, Rendili, Coruscant, Anaxes, and Oroaturoo."

The latter part of those stations had only recently been established. Not to mention, the recent political shift had ascertained new tariffs and due processes to go through within One Sith space. Thankfully, her previous connections in supplying the needed ores and raw materials for the production of the Immortal Class had given Arceneau Trade a measure of leeway.

"My routes carry goods out beyond to the Tingel Arm and the Outer Rim."