Open A Planet Up For Grabs

[Dusty Daytonus]

Dusty Daytonus was a bit of a local celebrity on the planet of Ploo II in the Expansion Region. He had earned himself much acclaim and fame on the swoop racing track of his homeworld (where he'd also earned his nickname for leaving opponents in the dust) and he was pretty much always guaranteed a free drink whenever he stopped by at a local bar on his homeworld. His daring bravado and outspoken fearlessness earned him plenty of admirers on the track but then he'd flown against the Sith in the daring battle of Felucia as a mercenary. His free drink offers continued after this and he helped alleviate any claims of being anti-Sith when he took a few jobs from them too in his lucrative career as a cargo hauler. With all that local fame and prestige though, Dusty had absolutely zero experience or qualificatiosn to be a politician.

And of course, that made him the perfect political candidate for the people of Ploo II.

He was practically a shoo-in candidate for both Governor and Senator and every political party on Ploo II was very concerned tonight. For tonight, Dusty Daytonus was holding a massive party and speaking event at the Yellow Moon Casino where racing fans, political news junkies, and curious citizens alike had come to see him speak. It was suspected by everyone that Dusty was either going to announce his candidacy for governor or Senator and, with how corrupt and complacent the political parties of Ploo II were, it was even more likely that he might win.

After a nice, long evening of getting drinks, giving autographs, and playing sabaac with his fans, Dusty currently sat in an upstairs VIP lounge, a couple of hours before he was set to make a speech. Despite the protests of his public relations manager, he hadn't prepared any speech. And that was mainly because he wasn't too sure what he wanted to say yet. Ever the adrenaline junkie, Dusty was sure that he'd have a good time navigating the exciting world of politics, having already conquered the worlds of racing and business. However, he was also a businessman and so, he'd arranged an open door for the next couple of hours for any entity, be that the New Republic, ISC, FWA, Sith, Jedi, or even the Syndicates to come and make their case to Dusty as to why he should consider putting Ploo II in their hands. Of course, Dusty's campaign would need some fundraising, should he announce his candidacy...

OOC: Open to any faction looking to snag a planet.

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

”The illustrious and sublime Nor’baal, countless praises be heaped upon him, offers you a gift, great ‘Dusty’.” a gentle soothing tinny voice wafted across the room, as Nor’baal the Hutts droid spoke to a doorman. Nor’baal sighed and pushed past the Droid who was currently offering the gift he had prepared for the politician to pretty much everyone.

He really needed to get the thing reprogrammed.

Floating up to the man, who was currently sat in a VIP lounge, Nor’baal eyed him up and down, and chuckled. ‘Ploo’.

Ploo.

Ploo.

What a beautiful name for a planet that would soon, rightfully be his.

<Woy mah donpanbipa bai bu cauekepetka, droida> he intoned, shoving his droid forward to the political maverick to whom he was to speak ”The great and illustrious Nor’baal bids you greetings, Dusty, and offers you this gift of a breeding bull bantha, which may be delivered at your convenience.” the droid bowed, and ushered Nor’baal forward.

<Woy uba cohai du bu hutta jensm see Yikkuensm?> he intoned in a deep booming voice.

 

[Dusty Daytonus]

Ever the risktaker, Dusty spoke in a jovial, casual tone that he knew might irk some Syndicates members. The big criminal mafioso types tended to have a rather inflated ego and thought themselves to be impossible to insult.

"Say, thanks fatty! A bull bantha huh? Well, that'd make one hell of a campaign picture, don't you think? Me sittin' on top of that big thing. Ha!" Dusty laughed as the droid went over the generous gift given by Nor'baal. Of course, Dusty had flown enough smuggling jobs to recognize a Syndicates member when he saw one and, thus, knew that this Hutt's metaphorical pockets ran deep and so did their resources. He could make a powerful politcal ally, as well as a dangerous one.

"Sorry to say, my Hutteese isn't quite up to snuff. And with how generous you've been so far, I'd definitely like to keep the conversation going." Dusty told Nor'baal, hoping the droid would soon translate although the poor unit looked a bit befuddled. The Hutt would probably get the underlying meaning of Dusty's words.

Let's keep talking rewards.

@Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

With a degree of contempt, the Hutt looked at the politician with a dull gaze. Doesn’t speak Huttese, pah! he snarled to himself, briefly considering hoisting the politician up, eating him, and cutting his losses. However, he shook the idea off - afterall the brief succulent pleasure of eating someone was nothing compared to the long term joys of owning an entire world.

Nor’baals ill-humour however was tempered when the man honoured him with the honorific title of ’fatty’. No doubt it was some sort of high praise in this creatures culture, and so Nor’baal chose to accept the description with pride.

<Dobra gahke da wa cohanlala kankay mee danko an mah Lanka noa-a bo see besnewe chaweka bai uba.> he said, as his droid garbled a translation. Ideally, Nor’baal was interested in finding out two things: One, what did the man want for his allegiance, and two, what services could the world offer to his own business?

He decided to cut directly to the chase. <Haku bmalewe kaa caiot bu camai see Ploo moolee bai mah donkhamhan, um baw wah chaweka see bacdop see ten?>

 

[Dusty Daytonus]

"A straight shooter huh? I like that." Dusty said, chuckling as the Hutt's words were translated by the droids. Oh this was a slippery one all right but, hey, what was life without a little risk?

"Well, I'll talk just as straight with you. My people says I'm likely to win this here election but I'm still going to need some money for campaign ads and the like. I got supporters but having a big donor like you in my court could definitely help things too. Some security people from you could help as well. Nothing like a couple of Hutt Nikto guards to scare off people. That's why they love me out there. But above all, I'm a pilot at heart. So whatever the nicest ship you can throw my way is will go a long way to getting me to side with you." Dusty told the Hutt.

"As for what Ploo II can do for you? I don't know if you've seen my races but we have a nice little swoop racing scene here. Plenty of interest in Podracing too if those wimps at the top hadn't outlawed it. If I'm in charge, you can rest assured, I'll legalize the shit out of it. You're welcome to open casinos on the world and take a small cut from any of the racing profits we generate. Hell, I'll even let you keep a base on the planet as long as you don't do anything to the local population. If I get a whiff of slavery happening anywhere near the planet, I won't be a happy camper, bantha or no."

@Nor'baal

 

[Ashla Ti]

"Well that won't sit too well with our Hutt friend here," a voice spoke from behind the conversing due as a Togruta woman entered the room, "will it?" Dressed formally, in clothes befitting a government agent more than a Sith, Ashla bore no signs that she was a Sith. She was here to represent the Sith, but not overtly. Everything that happened here would be strictly under the table.

"The Hutts built their fortune on slavery." Coming to a stop before Daytonus, she gave the Hutt a nod before turning her attention to the Glymphid. "My employers on the other hand can provide assurances that slavery will neither be encouraged, nor accepted anywhere in your sovereign space. And we are more than willing to bypass any cuts you might feel inclined to share with the Hutt, anything you earn you keep, to use them as you see fit. All we ask is that ever so often you voice our interests in the Senate."

She would stop, giving him a moment to consider her offer, before pulling out a small holerpojector and holding it out in front of her. "And to show our appreciation," she switched on the device, and a small rotating projection of a state of the art luxury yacht emerged above her hand, "a gift from us, to you." She had done her research before arriving, and had been pleasantly surprised when the ship had ended up being well within the limits of the funds she could draw on for such a venture. There really was no end to the financial might at the Empire's disposal. And so she brought it out not to hammer her point in, whatever the Hutt might offer, she was prepared and empowered to outbid.

@Fantasy Liver @Nor'baal

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

As ever, Nor’baals jubilance was ruined by the arrival of a lesser being. An alien, of a species Nor’baal recognised from the dancing pits back home, this newcomer took immediately, and keenly, to the task of scuppering his plans. The Hutt wiggled, irritably. This alien, the man-of-ploo, as Nor’baal had decided to remember him, was clearly a creature with which he could conduct business - however other spcies, all to often resolved business disputes with violence.

How common of the less-civilised races. the garrulous Hutt considered, as he watched the newcomer offer her paltry gifts, whilst saying nothing as to how she was in a position to do so.

He garbled away in Huttese, his droid stepping forward to translate ”The immense Nor’baal has never dealt in slaves, nor would he wish to venture into such an unprofitable market. However, his grand enormity has one question for you,” the droid gestured at the Togruta ”...the opulent wealth of my master is well-documented, and thus it is clear that he can afford to offer gifts and trade to the Noble Dusty. What is not clear is how you can afford to do so?”

The Hutt smiled as his droid made his question known.

”If you claim that your ‘employers’ can outbid the mighty Nor’baal, prove it. State who they are, so all at this bargaining table might know the truth of your claim.”

 

[Gareth Gin]

"The slug makes a fair point, unfortunately that's gonna work against him, because I certainly can prove our worth." Suddenly, a new challenger appeared as the White Lion of Zaa Fenn stepped from the crowd, one of the legends of Nar Shaddaa, stepped out of the crowd, dressed for bussiness but still wearing the Matukai gauntlets he was known for, Gareth Gin turned his head towards the Hutt he was acquaintanced with, a cocky smile on his face before turning his head back to Dusty "Name's Gareth Gin, enforcer of the Zaa Fenn, nice to meet you."

Bold and cunning, the Miralukan took another couple steps forwards as the spotlight fell on him "So, what would you think about the Zaa Fenn and the Crymorah syndicate? We have a bit of a better reputation that the Hutts, hell, I was there when we killed this one's boss as punishment for the AMS virus he created" The Zaa Fenn enforcer pointed at Nor'baal, the execution of Durr the Hutt was shared to the whole galaxy, it was a good flex of power, another way to claim superiority over the ones that fell victim to the Hutticide "wouldn't you rather be allied to those that ended the cause of it all instead of the ones that sided with the scumbag that started it?"

Gareth opened his arms and looked back at his two rivals, this time focusing on the young one, didn't know exactly what she was representing, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let her take this planet either "With Zaa Fenn's support, you'll have quality and quantity, our organization is made of legends, yet our numbers aren't small either: resources, fame, power, strength, versatility, you name it, we've got it...All you need for us to help you is to make the right choice here."

@Fantasy Liver @Wit @Nor'baal

 

[Darth Draugr]

Walking into the room would be a tall Zabrak man. An aura of cold chills would fill the room around him. Dressed in diplomatic clothing or at least the most diplomatic he had possessed. Ashla was sent to bring this planet under Sith control, should she fail it would be Darth Draugr to come assist. She had not yet failed nor did she succeed, so of course he grew slightly impatient and felt his presence would encourage a change of opinion.

"You asked for the one who can outbid? Allow me to introduce myself."

The Sith Lord made his way in to stand to Ashla's right. She made a convincing argument, but of course leave it to the criminals to lie to the man's face. Draugr didn't care, he knew scum would be scum. It was time for him to bring this meeting to a halt if possible.

"I am Lord Draugr. This is my colleague Ashla Ti. She has spoken the truth. I would like to offer you something, a gift as everyone calls it. Though it wouldn't be money, or luxurious yachts. As a leader I presume you care for your people?"

The Sith Lord wouldn't give very much time to respond as he would continue to speak.

"I offer your people protection. Your entire planet will be offered safety from the outside forces of government driven wars and criminal activity. The Syndicates over here only offer to make your planet turn out to be like the backwater planets they live on. Criminals only know one thing. Crime. Nothing on your planet will make it become the utopia you know you desire. Side with myself and my colleague and I promise you prosperous life, growth in wealth, and the protection provided by my people. Ashla can explain further should you agree to hear our offer out."

Draugr wouldn't look at the criminals in the room. One was a fat slug that would break in half at the will of the force. The other was some scum prize fighter that lost to Cinere, of which Draugr bested so easily. Neither posed any threat, and their words even less. The focus was winning this planet peacefully.

@Wit @llamallove @Versok @Nor'baal

 

[Dusty Daytonus]

"Gotta say Mr. Gin, you're making a lot of good points there, my friend. Only thing I haven't heard you mention though is what you want in exchange for this friendship of ours." Dusty pointed out to the Crymorah newcomer.

Unfortunately for Darth Draugr, he held a bit of a higher opinion of Dusty than the Glymphid held of himself. While it was true the pilot-turned-politician did have a fondness for his homeworld and loved the adoration of the people, he was also an opportunist and priortized his own pocketbook over the well-being of his world. Not out of malice but just because the inner workings and layers of politics were a bit out of Dusty's depth. He might have some standards but piloting came natural to him moreso than political savvy. As such, Draugr dismissing his desired luxury yacht hurt Dusty as it seemed much cooler than whatever vague notion "protection" was.

"Well 'Lord Draugr', I think you're not giving my main slug Nor'baal here enough credit. Because that's not just a luxury yacht. That is one hell of a beautiful ship and it sings to me, baby. And you're talking about crime? We already have that on Ploo II - it's where all the fun stuff happens! Illegal Podracing, daring heists, smuggled Corellian cigars? Maybe wouldn't hurt to have one entity controlling it all."

"But I've worked with Sith before and I respect your guys' style, even if you all dress in way too much black for my tastes. In fact, I like all of your guys' styles. So how about this. Give me one more pitch from each of you. But I'll tell you what - that pitch better include a yacht in there somewhere." Dusty told the assembled dignitaries who were there to court Ploo II's favor. If this was what politics was - listening to compliments and deciding on which gifts to accept - Dusty could get used to this. He took a drag from his cigar and listened to what the others would say, also keeping his door open in case another faction had seen fit to send an emissary.

@Wit @Versok @Nor'baal @llamallove @Scoobert

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Not one to pass up on an opportunity when one presented itself, Nor’baal aligned himself with the Zaa Fenn enforcer. After all, whoever within the Syndicates controlled this deal, mattered not - on that one of them did. ”The Fenn are a fine group and no mistake. And I agree with them, why side with the man who created the AMS virus, which plagues us all?” Nor’baal remarked, speaking directly to Dusty and doing so in basic, as he made his final case known. ”The specific Hutts responsible for this virus, Durr and his ilk, bring shame to us all - and I would be pleased to coordinate efforts planetside to restrict the likelihood of the virus arriving on your world. In fact, I would like to go one step further, and offer you the best of both worlds.”

Moving his sledge to face Dusty, Nor’baal gestured to the Zaa Fenn enforcer and spoke ”With thriving industries on your jewel of a planet, you could be the toast of the region my friend.” Nor’baal placed a chubby arm around Dusty, and gestured to the heavens with his spare hand ”Picture if you will, score after score of ships from across the Sector, nay - the Galaxy - queuing in the skies above to come and witness the greatest pod-racing events of the season, to sup on the finest cigars and so much more. But! They would be doing so at the invitation of the great Dusty - the rest, shall we say, more illicit undertakings I can take care of, with the support of the Fenn, your pocket would be heavy with riches, and your fame well-known across the sector as a legitimate showman, who brought the great games back to Ploo, and twice as large!” the Hutt continued to fill the man’s head with visions of opulence and wealth.

Nor’baal leered with barely concealed avarice as he wound up his pitch ”Sure, the Sith can offer you ‘protection’, but with the wealth, the Syndicates could bring, you could buy your own and have bounty enough to spare. My friend, you and I-” he pointed at his own chest and then toward Dustry ”-we are businessbeings. Think of what we could achieve, the majesty of our minds and the...the…” Nor’baal looked at Gareth and shrugged ”Raw physical prowess of the Fenn, nothing could stop the wealth flowing like a river into your pockets. All I ask in return is that you work with us to expand it, in a mutually beneficial arrangement - you profit, I profit - we profit together.”

The Hutt stopped, pointing to the Sith with a wave of his hand ”These Sith cannot offer you wealth like the Cartels can, no! They can only offer you a fraction of what you yourself can achieve, if only you give us the chance to help you realise that your ambition, has no limits. Finally, you speak of Yahcts, being a man of culture like myself - I offer you one of the finest, a Minstrel Class, the preserve of Ancient Hutta! A gift, from my family to yours, and the first of many such luxuries you can afford, should you accept, the Syndicates as your ally.” the Hutt rounded off his argument, with a proud shake of his fist, as he leered at the man. Truly, a magnificent piece of negotiation.

 

[Gareth Gin]

Well, shit, it was the sith, his "allies", the ones that he was bidding against. Well, on one hand, snatching a planet right from under their noses would be fun. While the sith and Zaa Fenn were allies, taking over a planet like this was something Gareth certainly wanted to do...But he knew the sith were very, veeeery rich, beating them in a deal like this would be kind of difficult, the White Lion had to think...

But then the damn slug started talking and talking and taaaalking...And he left him with little choice. Nor'baal was onto something, and even though he had insulted him literally a minute ago...Now he had to play along "Well, I actually wanted a deal akin to the one my big friend over here offered, so what he is saying makes sense" Gareth said as he turned his entire attitude around and got closer to Nor'baal with a smile, patting the Hutt on his back nonchalantly "My sith friends are warriors, but not many of them are entrepreneurs, Darth Draugr over here forgets that the reason our planets are doing badly is because that plague, that AMS virus, but unspoiled soil such as this? This planet is a gold mine that is not being used correctly. Not only that, but we Zaa Fenn are known for our great security, we are the reason Nar Shaddaa is still standing, after all." Gareth commented pressing a button on his comms before moving from Norb'baal's side towards the other side of Dusty.

"On the other hand, we Crymorah are known for heroic heists and daring deeds rather than such things as exploiting people, we will make sure the planet as a whole gets richer, not just you...Who will certainly be the richest among them all" Gareth looked back at Nor'baal with a cheeky smile "So, with the Crymorah and the Hutts sharing evenly their profits from this mutually beneficial deal with you, you'll be set for life!"

Gareth then pointed at the very serious Darth Draugr as he put his hand on Dusty's shoulder "And, with all due respect, the sith are trying to be a model citizens so the galaxy stops thinking of them as monsters...Which I know for a fact they aren't, but still, that means they are probably not the best people to deal with if you want the fun you've been talking about"

Gareth stopped grabbing Dusty's shoulder and pointed at the biggest window in the room "And finally...the gifts" Outside the window, Dusty would see a expensive yatch passing through: The Getaway, Gareth's personal ship, something he was very proud of "You see that? That's my ship, a Luxury-3000 Space Yacht, you'll get one of those too besides what Nor'baal has already offered...And finally, as a gift from the both of us..." Gareth looked at Nor'baal once again "A Class VI bulk freighter, but not just any old bulk freighter...I'm talking the one that belonged to Durr the Hutt, the one we used to escape the day we killed him, not only is it a piece of Outer Rim history...He also decorated it to fit his tastes! The interior of that ship is worth at least a couple more good ships on it's own...And the way he decorated it is pretty great for parties, he at least had a good taste when it came to that, what do you think?"

@Fantasy Liver @Nor'baal @Scoobert @Wit

 

[Darth Draugr]

Dusty has just proven to Draugr that he is far too easily purchased. There would be no convincing him to do what is right by his people, especially when the criminals want to give him stolen goods. The Sith Lord could outbid the other two, or he could come back at a later date... with the Imperial Army. Especially when Ploo II was just outside of Sith space. The ideal choice was to join the Sith for most smart men, clearly Dusty was not a smart man.

Lord Draugr took a look towards the Togruta and then drew a deep breath. It was time for one last attempt, but this tiem bribery would be the technique used to win.

"Mr. Daytonas. If I may.. I want you to think about your placement in this Galaxy. Look at the Army around your planet, and remember who will be first to defend not just your people but even you. You would not only have a plethora of ships in an arsenal to use at your disposal, but the troops that come with them. Last I checked, criminals such as these two would only tell you to piss off, but the troops under our control follow orders."

The Zabrak smirked as he walked around the room sizing up the two syndicate members in the room. He wasn't worried about them, if they were smart they would stay put like good dogs.

"And with the power of our Army.. well let's just leave it at, you could gain 30 luxury yachts. You could have safe passage through the Sith space. Visit the luxury spa located on Bespin.. also under our control. What does the 5S have to offer? Drugs? Guns? Ships? I want you to think about this. They get what they can... We get what we want. I do believe you know the right decision here."

Lord Draugr took his place by Ashla once more and waited for the man's final decision.

@Wit @Nor'baal @Versok @Fantasy Liver

 

[Ashla Ti]

Ashla had expected the presence of others at this meeting, but Draugr's presence wasn't one of them. His unexpected arrival, and subsequent open declaration of him, and by extension her, being Sith, had rendered her original plans completely obsolete.

Finding herself in the odd situation where she didn't have much to say, and now that they had openly been outed as Sith decorum said that she let the Sith Lord take the lead, she just stood and watched. Observing, and waiting.

@Fantasy Liver @Nor'baal @Scoobert

 

[Dusty Daytonus]

Wow.

Just wow. Dusty's head was filled with visions of what he could do with not one but two luxury yachts. He'd never even piloted one of those two fine crafts but he very much knew he would like to. The thought of the money pouring in from criminal enterprises also made the Glymphid excited as visions of pool parties in the governor's mansion and big bets on Podraces danced in his head.
Not to mention the breeding bull bantha that he'd already been offered? It didn't get much better than that, frankly.

To be fair though, the Sith also had things to say. Boring things like "security" and "think about this" that did not interest Dusty in the slightest. Granted, his Togruta companion was kind of cute but with the kind of money the Syndicates were offering, Dusty was sure that he could have no shortage of adoring Togrutas in his entourage at parties.

"No disrespect to you Sithy bois but hot damn, I think Mr. Slug and Mr. Gin and I are going to have a lot of fun together. As soon as those two yachts, the bantha and the bulk freighter are dropped off, we can start talking Podracing. And more!" Dusty said excitedly, offering both his hands to Nor'baal and Gareth to shake. He then withdrew a small packet from his coat pocket and showed it to the two Syndicates representatives.

"Some...ahem..celebrations are in order, no?" Dusty asked, with what was totally-and-completely-not-spice in his hands.

@Wit @Nor'baal @Wit @Scoobert

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

In classical Hutt style, a booming laugh erupted from Nor’baal as Dusty agreed to the terms he had negotiated alongside the Zaa Fenn representative. A thick mucus of drool gathered across his lips as the undulating slug celebrated the culmination of their business deal, slapping both Gareth and Dusty on the back as he did so.

<Nay, wa cuee woiay besna see mee boha an pacahle bosolag. Dah cohka bu Desilijic an bu Zaa Fenn, chobaso bai bu yanee!> Nor’baal exhausted in his native Huttese, before remarking to the Sith delegation <Kouzago-ake, D'emperiolo. Mah mesohba bai bu Kacmaheatkhena.>

It was a good day to be a Hutt.

/exitthread