Master Sarace Khen Athan
Aetherius Primus; Bakura Orbit; Docked to Safeholm StationSarace sat in the deep and very comfortable chair in the Library of the Aetherius Primus while across from him Saya lounged seductively across a divan with a book of her own in hand, Sarace sighed dramatically as he studied the documents in his hand. Tiresome reports about the frustrations in costs with his industrial plant on Bakura, the managerial staff kept wanting to cut costs. Turning to the hologram. "No Mr Regisson, you may not fire half the staff and replace them with droids, it is bad enough that the CIS is in control down there, you've seen how uneasy people are about droids, if I allow you to fire locals and hired machines I may as well just burn the factory down. And that is the last discussion we're going to have on that topic, am I clear?"
"Yes Mr Athan, I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise the Athan Luxuries Company, my apologies." The hologram cut out with the man bowing politely.
The door to the Library hissed open and Mortein Natureguard entered, the Verpine stood there with a number of datapads in hand. "Sir, the latest bids for contract space in the shipyard have arrived, i've collated and discarded most of them sir, petty affairs discarded as being too small for profitable business."
"Ok Morty, what have you got?" Sarace sat forwards taking the first.
"For the Slipyard, we had a request from the Republic Navy, a major contract to produce new Arquitens, some... less savoury types that wanted us to make some.... well bluntly, pirate ships, but the pay is good so I thought i'd bring it to your attention, then there is a minor contract by the government in the Codia system for some Customs Corvettes, simple work but pays well. The last is a private buyer looking to have a new yacht built." Three other datapads joined the first with the specs. Sarace checked them and instantly tossed the Republic and Pirate contracts away before settling on the Codia Government contract, it paid the best and as a neutral system Sarace had no compulsions in aiding them.
"Tell the Codian representative we'll take the contract for his Customs Ships." Sarace replied taking the next bundles of slates. Morty didn't offer opinions on this. Studying them carefully he chose from the offered contracts. "Tell the CIS we'll take their contract to build Vulture Droids, and the Senten Family that we'll have their Ore carriers built."
Safeholm Station; Bakura OrbitRorken Magson patrolled the Safeholm as he spent his 'off-duty' time on the station. The way he held his Electrostaff over his shoulders as if wearing a yoke like it was nothing. As such the more meek folk visiting the station avoided him and the way he carried authority around him like a cloak.
A feeling made worse by the tune he was humming. Entering the Casino the visitors didn't part around him like a cloak this time. They were too focussed on their gambling. But he did notice when one of the dealers signalled him.
The Twi'lek woman, by the name of Dontc'are smiled at him as he approached and then looked pointedly at the violently overweight Rodian occupying the centre seat at her table and forcing the other patrons to move their seats away. And then he saw what had the woman call him over. The small disclike cheater device hidden in his lap. "Sir, you're going to have to come with me."
"Bugger off Poodoo, you ain't got no authority to me." The Rodian sniggered and put a blaster on the table in front of him threateningly.
"How.. unwise... of you." Rorken replied as he jabbed his Electrostaff into the Rodian's back and the deck shook as the flopped off the chair. "I am Rorken Magson, Kiffu Guardian by Trade, Badass by Choice, Chief of Security for Athan Industries and, I. Am. The. Law." Rorken slapped shackles onto the Rodian, one end on his feet the other on his wrist. He tapped his communicator. "This is Rorken. Security team to collect some trash in Athan Casino and Bar."
Some of the crowd clapped in approval as the Security Troops arrived and collected the Rodian thief. Rorken walked out with a smile. Time to go check on the Construction Bay, see that it was meeting its contract for some orbital repair vehicles. Small shuttle sized ships requested by a minor government to see to keeping their satellite networks and stations in good repair.
Bakura; WildernessJhann Grell smiled as he moved carefully out into the wilderness. Seyn had chosen this for his little proving ground with Sarace's blessings and Jhann always enjoyed proving himself against the Trianii ranger. The damnable cat didn't use blasters, but was damned good with his grappling hook and vibroblade. Jhann was also more of a demolitions man, his tracking skills were lacking, Jhann followed his tracks easily. "You're in the tree fourteen metres behind me over my right shoulder and three up, you were planning on ambushing me as I backtracked along your trail." Jhann remarked.
A deep growl and sigh from the tree met his remark.
Jhann spun with blasters in hand set to stun firing before the Trianii had even completed his leap from the tree towards the ground. "Sithspit!" The husky voice of Seyn barked out when he realised the trap he'd just fallen into dropping to the ground half-stunned the lower setting just leaving Seyn's limbs partly paralysed and tingling. "Sonofabitch. If I could just get my hands on you."
"Then I wouldn't be doing my job." Jhann helped up Seyn. "If only you'd let me teach you how to use a blaster, depending on your blades is true skill to be sure, but if we get in a firefight during our work you'll be little better than a cripple." Jhann sat down on a log next to the Trianii.
"I honour my ways. You honour your way... your ways have no honour, no offence friend, but you are a bounty hunter, cheating to get your mark is sort of the signature of your whole trade." Seyn Kilrathi said as he rubbed feeling back into his limbs, "Well, lets get back to the Aetherius, Sarace probably wants us for something sooner or later and we don't want to keep him waiting."
Aetherius Primus; Bakura Orbit; Docked to Safeholm StationSsark and Lleyan sat upon the cushions meditating together, though their thoughts were very different, Ssark considered his duties and his studies trying to gain a deeper understanding of the force as he remained coiled up high on his coiled body with several of his favourite texts floating about him. The teachings of the Ancient Jedi, so full of contradictions and yet full of much wisdom. He studied as much to keep Lleyan company as any real need for it. The woman strove for balance, but was always thrown out with frustrations and concerns for her master, who she considered as spending too much time with that frolicking trollop Saya.
It just wasn't proper. So now here she was trying to lose herself in a healing trance. Several texts floated about her as well, ones about etiquette and propriety. Of which she had her hands on two unmoving texts, the glow of psychometry over her hands as she tried to glean more meaning from the texts.
Then there was an intrusive beeping.
"Master Athan requests your presences on the bridge." The voice came through, a human voice.
Lleyan was the first to move. "Well, so much for a nice quiet meditation."
And so much for avoiding Ms Bouncy Exposesherself McTouchyfeely. She thought for a moment before, chatising herself, tossed the thought away. It was improper, but such cruel thoughts were better suited to the Sith, no matter how true.
Making their way to the bridge the discussion petered off, Ssark refused to feed her when her feelings were conflicted like this, but finding themselves on the bridge. "Ah, i'm glad you could make it." Sarace said from his command chair. "I've made my plans, we're going to investigate some rumours a little birdie whispered in my ear, that Bothan network I cultivated sent me a message, apparently we have an invitation by someone claiming to be Jedi in the Bestine system. Seyn and Jhann will remain behind to watch over my interests here, but the rest of us will go. The Secundus Escort Cruisers will not be coming with us, they'll hold defensive station."
"Another Jedi?" Lleyan's curiosity overrode her disapproval of Saya.
"So the message says. But be prepared for anything. It could be a Sith trap." Sarace replied. It was time to find out.