A Girl's Night on the Town

[Prudence]

The entire city screamed opulence and wealth. Glistening towers that stretched up to the clouds, gorgeous docks and countless pristine parks dotted the city. All around them the rich citizens of this world wandered about their business, having the pleasure of living on one of the richest worlds in the Galaxy. Solum wore her armor, its muted grays and reds glistening in the morning sun. She had recently abandoned her UAI-19 armor after the fight with Venator where he had trashed the armor, and had adopted this new MMCA armor. She had been training rigorously in the armor, ensuring that it was broken in and didn't appear new. It featured its own scars and scratches as if it was a seasoned set. The natural feel of her armor in a society used to seeing body guards and mercenaries, alongside the helmet masking her face meant that likely none here in Kuat City would know that she was Darth Solum.

Alongside Solum walked one of her few friends, Aethoria, who had recently been appointed to the KDY board of directors. After an older member of the board had died due to heart failure which was convenient but not convenient enough to be suspicious, her charitable 'donation' had secured her a seat on the board under water tight false documentation. So here she was, acting as Aethoria's guard for the meeting and ensuring that her interests were met during which. It wouldn't appear out of sorts to any of the other board members, as they would likely bring their own security. Rich merchants of war always were paranoid.

@The Star of Chaos

 

[Jason Vaiken]

Now this is more to Aethoria's liking, who wouldn't like to sit in an opulent palace surrounded by good looking people? Who wouldn't like to have the ability to pump armadas out? The people of Kuat have always done this and always will. They are a selfish and powerful people, and they are always willing to sell their materials to those they feel would benefit them in the long term. The Ten feel that Kuat is in a precarious position, they know that they will have a target on their backs and shattered shipyards are bad for business and their wallets. Which is why Lady Phyla Miratheon, the former wife of Duke Amexion (who was utterly smitten with her and decided to give her his wealth and position, the Sith secured the rest) is going to the Council meeting. She wants to ensure that her fellows know that the Sith will back them and eagerly buy their ships, and even perhaps give them the ability to create more ships. As she winked at her guard, her lightsabers concealed in her sleeves and a MC MK. 4 under the folds of her dress, designed to be manoeuvrable and easy to be taken off. With that she walked into the chambers.

The disapproving stares of the chamber, after all, she was just a minor noble who got elevated cos she seduced the right person who then died tragically were promptly ignored. The Queen of Kuat, Her Kuati Majesty Anastasia XIV of Kuat then proceeded to do a quick count of bodies and seeing the other eight in attendance nodded to her attendant who smacked the ceremonial mace on the ground. "Her Kuati Majesty declares this meeting open. Is there anyone who wishes to speak?" Aethoria or Phyla rather touches her brow and is acknowledged.

"Your Kuati Majesty, We have recently received a proposal from the Brotherhood of the Sith requesting that through Sienar Fleet Systems that we partner with them to create new designs of warships. They have offered a considerable amount of money on top of requesting an immediate covert diplomatic meeting with your Kuati Majesty."

With that bombshell she cuts it off and allows the other members of the Ten to begin to speak. The general consensus is that, if they do decide to do this, how will they protect themselves if found out? Aethoria smiles and nods to her bodyguard, "The meeting can commence right now if it pleases my Lords and Ladies. Darth Solum, do you wish to address the assembled Ten?"

Shock quickly broke out, followed by fear, then the Kuati Ten schooled their appearances and whilst they seemed like vomiting they all stood and awaited Darth Solum to take off her helmet and address them.

@Prudence

 

[Prudence]

Solum was almost completely caught off guard. The details that Aethoria had given her on the Kuat mission were slim, and had left out important details such as the queen's personal attendance. Solum didn't know what the queen's reaction would be to a Sith proposal, but she was quite sure she was about to find out via Aethoria. As expected Aethoria butted in immediately upon the opening of the meeting, dropping a bombshell upon those gathered that the Sith wished to partner with KDY. She began to run through her breathing exercises, unable to call upon the Force to calm her nerves, and she regulated her breathing. Luckily none of those gathered save for Aethoria were Force users and would be quite unable to sense Solum's anxieties. The moment was over quickly, and the debates immediately set in between members of the council. Of course they would, as each of them were discussing their stakes in KDY, and the potential future of the company. Kira was caught offguard once more when Aethoria outed her in front of the council, and asked her to speak to them. Kira bit back a curse at her close friend and instead reached for her head, popping the seal on her helmet with a hiss and removing it.

"Assembled members of the Ten." She said as the helmet pulled away from her face. She clipped it onto her belt and allowed her gorgeous brown hair to flow down her shoulders, "It is a pleasure to meet each of you. I am Darth Solum, the Dark Lord of the Sith." She could tell in the faces of those gathered that they were caught aghast, equally unaware that Solum's presence would be revealed to them as she had been. "I'm quite sure you've seen my broadcasts from Ithor and more recently Thyferra." Several of the faces went pale at the mention of the torched world, and the Republic world facing war, "I want nothing of the sort for Kuat. This is a beautiful and rich world, and I wish for it to remain so." She put steel into her words, ensuring that the bloated egos facing her tonight knew that this wasn't a request. "To ensure that we must become partners. Those in my government are not very fond of defending worlds who supply the Republic with warships." She allowed her gaze to drift to the window where she could see the ring of shipyards above the world. "I have ensured the Supreme Leader that Kuat Drive Yards is an intelligent corporation, so would you like to enter a partnership?"

 

[Jason Vaiken]

The Queen of Kuat stood up and looked at the other eight members of the Council and nodded to them. "We only have this to say, we are one of the Core Founders of the Republic. Our shipyards have spat out the vast majority of the vessels that the Republic uses to this day... yet, many of us, have come to the conclusion that the Republic is staggering. They have raised taxes on us and force us to contribute forces, this was not what we envisioned the Republic to be. We have no direct quarrel with the Brotherhood, we didn't believe you existed, but, if it helped us sell ships, then that is what mattered. We do not feel it will be for the best that we declare outright loyalty to the Brotherhood yet, or secede, but We do feel that perhaps, it might be in our best interest to accidentally lose some of our best ship designers and engineers... if they wound up in the hands of the Brotherhood, that will be a shame. As would the fact that our orbital defences and the location of the Repbulic garrisons got leaked to you..." it is very clear that the Queen is not happy, but understands that if she doesn't comply with this woman, she will probably lose her head and then have a Sith invasion fleet come knocking. By ensuring a smoother transition, perhaps Kuat can not be utterly destroyed.

Aethoria glanced at Kira and gave her a subtle look saying that it would be for the best to accept this offer. "Your Kuati Majesty, we also would like for you to perhaps loan us a few hostages from each house assembled. The eldest child in order to secure compliance. We will not harm them in any way and will allow you and your fellows to visit them." She felt that by doing this, it would be for the best in order to secure their loyalty. For, with the death of their beloved heirs, their dynasties can be threatened. Also, many of them are the products of millennia of selective breeding, Kira might want a toy or two since she's been in an awful mood for a certain reason. The key is that this deal is accepted and they go out and secure the people the Queen promised to them as well as the hostages.

@Prudence

 

[Jedan Ridan]

Remaining discreetly quiet standing behind one of the members of the Council of Ten, Jedan Ridan effectively hid in the shadows of the nobilities vast chair. Ironic, almost symbolic of how his organisation did business, a silent influencer rather than a more direct broker of power. He wore simple garb, an armorweave tinic hiding his body-armor, a simple Safe-Guard vest, and a simple R-8R pistol and vibroknife; the man had little desire to cause conflict where it simply was not needed.


His robe did well to hide his features, enabling him to blend in well with the other fawning lackeys and supinates who fell into the crowd, hiding in the shadows of the Council. Many stood here, lobbyists, family members, guards and corporate big shots; Jedan was one of them, passing unnoticed in a sea of secrets. The ’Corporate Alliance’ was keen to monitor the progress of the Kuat Drive Yards, partnerships to be brokered relied, after all, on a forewarning of need.


As the CEO of the Criminal Corporation, whose influence spanned far and wide, Jedans duty was to ensure that those who could potentially benefit, and bring in kind, from a partnership with the ’Corporate Alliance’ new of him, and of his services. It was, therefore, with some surprise that he saw the Sith arrive, his shock quickly removed as they started speaking.


Brokers of deals rather than harbingers of war perhaps? he thought to himself, as he remained silent. Now was not the time to speak; indeed, the Sith would not doubt seek to someday do business with the ’Corporate Alliance’ however, evidently, today their focus was on other matters. He remained silent, his place behind the throne continuing to conceal him.

 

[Prudence]

The Dark Lord listened to the Kuati speech by the Queen. She was still quite miffed that Aethoria had put her in this position to have to reveal to herself to the Kuati, but such was life. The Queen was a haughty and proud woman, but even without the Force she could tell that the woman was scared witless and was doing whatever she felt it took to reconcile with the Sith and keep her people, and luxury, safe. The woman's monologue ended and Aethoria piped up once more... asking for hostages. Well shit. That was blunt. Kira thought to herself as she watched the cold hearted fake noble inform the queen that they would be taking hostages. Without waiting for more dialogue she slid her helmet back onto her head and departed the council room, presumably with Aethoria at heel. Once they entered the turbolift Kira would turn to the Sith, her mind teeming with anger,

"You failed to inform me, Aethoria dear, that you would be revealing my identity to the Kuati ruling council... or for that matter that the Kuati ruling council would be the ones who owned KDY." Her eyes were hard, but hidden behind her helmet. She fumed as the turbolift dropped and subconsciously began running her hands along her equipment, ensuring that it was all there.