The White Palace's Newest Visitor

[Darth Carolus]

​

The fiery red orb of light slowly sank beneath the horizon, and threads of light lingered in the sky, mingling with the rolling clouds, dyeing the heavens first orange, then red, then dark blue, until all that was left of the sunset was a chalky mauve, and then that melted away in turn as stygian darkness took over the sky.​

​

The old palace stood on a rugged slope, moonlit sand drifts piled against half-ruined walls, the windows dark and gaping. It's battlements glistened with sand in the crystal cold air, their ragged outlines blending into the rocks behind. The walls were a white stone that glistened in the summer sun and the roof was grey slate. It was as huge and complex, and employed a good number of the slaves as servants. Around the palace were tarps of concrete for ships to land and kitchen gardens for the Hutts and associates to enjoy, and around that was a stone wall topped with iron spikes and guarded day and night.​

​

And the Sith Lord entered, first meeting with the guards and awaiting audience, it took time but he'd finally meet ​

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

While the hallways at moments felt vast and empty there was enough movement in the palace to mimic its past glory. The main bulk of its entrance, lined with large ancient Hutt statues, had more or less been renovated but in the side corridors and areas the work still continued.

A weequay guard escorted the guest forward into the throne room of Sempra.

Sempra narrowed his eyes as [member="Darth Carolus"] approached him. The iron mask kept his identity a secret to the hutt. That in itself was nothing strange. Many beings dealing with the cartel had a desire to remain anynomeous. Perhaps they did not realise what honor it meant to bask themselves in the might of the hutts, but sometimes plots to hurt the hutts was found behind those masks, Sempra grinned to himself.

He straightened himself and faced the visitor.

"Welcome to the White Palace stranger. How may I help you?" he spoke with a vibrant dark voice.

 

[Sareen Zar]

Sareen entered the gigantic palace, hoping to find work. Recently any bounties on the list had been dry and used. And it was time to go to the home of bounty hunters and criminal activities, The Hutt Cartel. He let the guard escort him to the waiting room out side the throne, keeping his weapons moderately concealed. All he carried with him was his two Westar-35s on his belt. And he didn't intend on using them.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Darth Carolus]

Carolus would look towards [member="Sempra the Hutt"] and stiffly he would bow lightly, once standing he would flick his hood off of his face but leave the mask where it sat. What he wore was simple, leather with a robe over and the robe hardly hid the two bulges at his hip which could easily be assumed as his weapon of choice.

"Greetings Sempra, I assume I have the pleasure of meeting he."

Waiting a moment to continue.

"Word of the Cartel returning has reached my ears and many others, I have come to discuss your endeavors."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra withdrew some as he noticed, what he assumed would be lightsabers attached to [member="Darth Carolus"] hips. He had encountered force sensitives before, most of them lesser ones. But he had felt the power of the more mighty, and this one carried himself with the confidence and attitude that belonged to a sith lord. Might be an act but he would be careful to underestimate this one.

In the background Sempra also noticed [member="Sareen Zar"] whom he did not recognize. Might be the Siths guard he gathered and returned his gaze toward Carolus.

"I am Sempra Bedadii Dhakun stranger, supreme mogul of the Hutt Cartel. May I have the pleasure of learning who these people you represent are?" he spoke after a moments of silence.

 

[Darth Carolus]

Taking in a deep breath, Carolus would allow himself to manipulate the force and as he exhales, his awareness of the surrounding area would confirm a stray thought that buzzed at the back of his mind. Though, his eye would stay upon [member="Sempra the Hutt"] and with a solemn nod, he would speak.

"My official representations and my personal ones are separate, consider this as my personal interest and as such I am representing myself."

Clearing his throat, before continuing on.

"Refer to me as Carolus, and I you as, Sempra."

His tone and stance reflecting that of a calm nature, anger could be heard but more of a calm before a storm rather than lashed out anger.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra pondered the man Before him a moment. Either he was indeed a powerulf lord of the sith or he was bluffing. Normally he would not take kindly on a stranger to level himself with hutts but there was always a need of caution when dealing with this kind.

" Then tell me Carolus, what are your personal interests in the endevours of the Cartel?" he countered.

[member="Darth Carolus"]

 

[Sareen Zar]

Sareen was becoming impatient with this 'Sith Lord'. Sareen had come here looking for a job and and all he was doing was waiting for a man with no face to mutter some words and leave. Sareen had places he would rather be, not in this smoke filled fortress. SO he waited, tapping his firearms which would not stay holstered for long if this 'Darth Nobody' didn't step aside soon.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Darth Carolus"]

 

[Darth Carolus]

Carolus would listen, he would even begin to speak but his train of through disturbed a moment as he notices the irritation directed towards himself. His body would have small, yet sharp, convulsions which commonly referred to as shivering, his eye brighten a little and his mood picking up.

"I would love to, but it seems that I am the pinnacle of annoyance for another, do allow me a moment as I haven't felt this in a long while."

Almost immediately, not even awaiting a response from [member="Sempra the Hutt"], the Sith Lord would spin on his heel and scan what is behind him, eventually zoning towards the source and his eye would stare directly at [member="Sareen Zar"]. Raising his tow hands, in front of him, he would speak.

"And what can I do for you child?"

His tone would be filled with excitement, with a sever hint of antagonism.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra blinked, a bit astounded by what seemed to be happening in front of him. He did not appreciate being ignored and his first thought was to dismiss the guest and have him escorted outside again. Quickly calming himself he also found himself intrigued and wanted to know more about [member="Darth Carolus"] reason for being here.
Noticing that the sith focused on the trandoshan in the background [member="Sareen Zar"] - Sempra decided that this might turn violent.

How interesting... he mused. For the sake of his own safety he pressed a hidden button on his throne alerting a few elite guards about a possible disturbance in the throne room.


[member="Tiali Orazio"]
[member="Tenel Daggoth"]

 

[Sareen Zar]

"Child?" Sareen chuckled, "I am no child, I am older than you. Now that you are down with your conversation it's time for you too step aside."

Sareen pulled both his pistols on the Sith, his fingers on the triggers. He was not afraid, the Sith was in hostile territory. An area where Sareen had the advantage. Should he pull a move Sareen wouldn't have to worry, because when you make a hutt mad you aren't going to live very long.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Darth Carolus"]

 

[Darth Carolus]

"The scorekeeper must wait longer, for tonight is not my night to settle my score."

Carolus would turn away from [member="Sareen Zar"] but not allow for his guard to be put down and face [member="Sempra the Hutt"] once more, bowing gently again.

"Apologies Sempra, I did not expect there to be an impatient one so shall we continue?"

 

[Lysle of the Hydian Way]

Lonely footsteps echoed in the vast palace. A man clad in the latest fashion moved close to Sempra. His hair slicked back, a brownish blonde. A gray steel gaze swept the room, and targeted on the guest. There was no sign from him, not a smirk nor a frown. He was indifferent. As he approached Sempra he said with a tone of mockery in regard to the guest, "You sure know how to choose them." Lysle was not a frequent guest in the palace as he was constantly busy with other nefarious dealings. This was just one of his few infrequent visits. He stood beside the Hutt, calm and patient.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"] | [member="Darth Carolus"]

 

[Tiali Orazio]

Tialis Helmet com bursts into a distinct beeping sound in the inside of his helmet, pressing a button on the side to disable the sound. Upon hearing it he begins to make his way to the throne room.

The second Tiali enters the room he immediately checks on Sempra. Not noticing any immediate threat but stays to the side arms crossed leaning against the wall, Watching for any danger that could harm Sempra.

[member="Sareen Zar"]
[member="Sempra the Hutt"]
[member="Darth Carolus"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

As [member="Tiali Orazio"] entered Sempra gave him a short nod. It was not the first time the Bounty hunter had shown up quickly at his side when danger rose around the hutt. He took note of that behaviour.

Sempra watched as the commotion momentarily settled and turned his head answering [member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"] in a low tone.

"You assume to much mr Lysle. This development is not orchestrad by me. Although I dont mind taking credit." he winked.

Then he turned toward [member="Darth Carolus"] again. "You have two barrels pointing toward you Carolus. Do you not wish to attend that problem or is it beneath you? You have had my attention for some time but I am no guarantee against unexpcted events such as this one." he answered

"Mind you both...." he adressed both [member="Darth Carolus"] and [member="Sareen Zar"]. "If you aim to entertain me I would prefer if we used the arena." he announced and with a second button he caused the western wall to lower itself into the floor, revealing a large room with a lowered basin in the middle. ITs center occupied with a furious beast, gnawing on a pile of what appeared like human bones. The Garguanta turned its large deformed head upward and roared at the ceiling recognising the grinding work of the wall being lowered. It usually meant food for the beast.

"Naturally I will have the Garguanta removed. I am merely very concerned about the furniture in this room. You see, some of it is imported goods from markets I no longer have easy access to." Sempra pointed out the rug and and paintings with distinct hutta orogins.

"If you prefer a non-violent solution to your quarrel, well then just put down your weapons and I will adress you one at a time from here on."

[member="Sareen Zar"]
[member="Tiali Orazio"]
[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"]
[member="Darth Carolus"]

 

[Darth Carolus]

"Not particularly, does he dare decide to shoot the person who has yet to gift the Hutt?"

Carolus would seem calm, yet attentive as he speaks to [member="Sempra the Hutt"] and keeping his mind on [member="Sareen Zar"].

"Non-violence, something about that-"

The Sith Lord pauses a moment before shaking his head and continues.

"Regardless, you are the leader of the uprising newly reformed Hutt Cartel and it hasn't gone unnoticed that you are quite busy, I doubt that you do not have your enemies and as such people who would wish you harm."

His tone calm and collected, he would then end with.

"It is within my best interest that you remain alive, I wish to offer my services in keeping your head attached to your body."

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

A faint whirring sound and a metallic stench precedes a great shape scudding through the air. The creature has a humanoid form with a sharp elongated skull acting as the head. Its upperarms are like great wings, and its lower legs end in cruel, clawed talons. No skin or fur can be seen beneath the dingy red coat that cover it's upper abdomen to it's feet, only being splayed apart as he walked. "Hm.." a dry gust of air only visible by the tendrils of vapour that leak from its vox-box.

His hand wrapped around his vibroblade, and there was swagger to his step, and it all stopped upon seeing [member="Darth Carolus"]. First there was a groan as hand's tighten, second there was no smiling to his eye's only a glow that permitted slits of hate through those craven caverns.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra looked at the sith with a questionable expression.

"You seek to fall into my servitude sith? It is uncommon for this to happen. I can not help but ask what your interest in keeping my head on my shoulder derive from Carolus?"

"Trandoshan, you are welcome to the palace as well. However mind who you kill, it might be an asset of mine." he added toward Sareen. "Take a seat and enjoy my hospitality, I will see you shortly." Sempra motioned for the tables spread out in the room.

[member="Flannigan Mcnash"]
[member="Darth Carolus"]
[member="Tiali Orazio"]
[member="Lysle of the Hydian Way"]
[member="Sareen Zar"]

 

[Sareen Zar]

"Understood." Sareen holstered his two pistols. So far this trip was tedious, but he would get what he came for, he almost always did. Sareen sat down and watched the newcomer walk in, a pirate captain. But Sareen was not interested in the pirate captain, he only wanted to get a job and get out of here.


[member="Sempra the Hutt"] [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] [member="Darth Carolus"] [member="Tiali Orazio"]

 

[Darth Carolus]

Carolus would take a moment to adjust his stance, simply going from one foot to the other and letting out a sigh. His eye trained upon [member="Sempra the Hutt"] as he speaks calmly.

"Servitude? Not exactly. Simply put, you are very worthwhile alive and I wish to make sure that you remain so. I would say it's in our mutual benefit that you remain alive, despite the enemies that I foresee coming for your head."

He would then take a moment to allow this to sink in, before continuing.

"My interest of keeping you alive, is for multiple reasoning. I am aware that those who assist you, can become more well known and powerful, your power growth would allow your cartel to grow like it once was and thus can make trade agreements with the One Sith like we once had. This has multiple faces, all ending with you growing and remaining alive, with myself raising with you in the process."