Ask A Suit in a Nightclub

[Carrick]

In hindsight, dressing in his typical suit with his ornate lightsaber hilt at his waist, was a statement to be sure - but probably the wrong scene for such a statement.

Stepping into the nightclub that seemed to be at the heart of the Omega station was something that Carrick couldn't have seen himself doing in the past. Back when he had been building his political credit he couldn't afford to be seen here and now that he was in the position he was in? Well he could afford to have some holonet sites posting clickbait about him. If he was considering jumping before he was pushed then it wouldn't be the worst thing to be known to be willing to go to such places and be entertained by such people as Terra.

Who was no longer a colleague... shame that.

Stepping through the crowds, most of them parted not because of him but because of the trio of heavily armed and armoured gentlemen who were following closely behind him. The bouncers had thought better of asking them to disarm themselves and had, instead, merely called ahead to Terra and her officials as they headed up to meet at her office.

Reaching the outside of the office, Carrick would leave the trio of guards from his newly started training school to guard the exit alongside Terra's own people before knocking on the door and waiting to be admitted to the office of one Terra Lanris, queen of all she surveyed on Omega.

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

Terra had glanced over at the security holos at the man that had been reported as approaching with numerous armed guards. She had given exemption and notified the security out front to allow them through immediately. After all, you couldn't keep the Secretary of Defense of one of if not the most powerful government waiting.

She had risen to greet him and opened the door to her office to usher him inside. The incredible sound dampening meant that as soon as the door was closed, the incredible thumping base was reduced to little more than a distant echo that could easily be covered by simple classical music of Terra so chose.

Well, well, it's good to see you again. Come in, have a seat, she said, motioning at a small couch and coffee table area rather than her usual desk.

A drink? she asked, ordering her usual from the waiter who would scurry out to fetch the order as soon as Carrick accepted or declined.

Welcome to Omega, I trust you've found some entertainment for yourself, she said. She couldn't help but notice the lightsaber on his hip, a reminder that he was once a Jedi himself. Odd. She couldn't picture him as a Jedi.

 

[Carrick]

While not exactly opposed to getting down to some dancing, Carrick's own tastes in music ran more along the lines of strings and brass than technical beats that seemed designed to vibrate your bones. So he was very thankful for the noise cancelling, while he imagined that his guards outside would not be.

They would adapt, he was sure, because if they didn't they would have to be failed on their protection duties training. And he had seen rampaging Sith Warriors less angry than the mercenary he had hired to act as their training officer.

Hearing the strings of Terra's own musical collection, Carrick noticeably relaxed despite himself.

"Well your offer of visiting was too good to pass up." he greeted her as he made his way over to the sofa she had directed him to, "And I decided that I was due some personal days."

And this was a personal day - because this was very much not a visit for the ISC. It might benefit as well, but this visit was primarily to see if he couldn't benefit. Smiling a little bit, he sat down.

"I have a craving for brandy if you have it." he admitted easily, "Something local would be lovely."

He preferred Corellian Brandy but, well, with the planet now independent and hostile in it's defence of said independence, it was rather difficult to get the real stuff these days. And when you could, it was overpriced to the point that even he thought it was a waste of good credits. Carrick caught her looking at his silvered lightsaber hilt by his side and raised an eyebrow with an amused expression before unhooking it and setting it on the table.

"You know, I'm sure I absolutely could have. But when I arrived, I found that I only really wanted to speak with you again, Terra." he told her with a smile, "Do you have any recommendations as to where I should start? After all - I am on vacation."

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

Nowhere better to party than Omega. They say you can find anything here, she said, and it was pretty close to true. And if you couldn't get it here, you could find someone here who could get it for you.

In your position, I can hardly blame you, she said. The move for Kessel to leave the ISC was a bit unexpected even for her, but it wasn't the worst thing in the world. While she had lost her foot in ISC policy-making, she had gained a larger stake in Kessel's business dealings, which was proving even more profitable for Crimson Dawn.

Oh, you flatter me, Carrick, she said with a chuckle. She wasn't sure if he was being the charming politician or sincere in his compliments. She would err toward the former until she had proof otherwise.

The North Pole is where the money is, she said. There's always the casinos, too, if you're interested in losing your money, she said as a joke. Really, though, what is your vice? she asked.

As she said it, she finally couldn't resist the urge any longer, leaning forward. May I? she asked, motioning to the lightsaber that he had laid out on the table as they spoke.

 

[Carrick]

"Well then I might just have to indulge - wearing those comically over-sized sunglasses so that nosy reporters can't ever be sure if it's me or not, of course."

He had made a bit of a habit of using the press to further his own agenda so he knew just how much of a pain in the arse they could be if they thought they could smell blood in the water. It would be fake in his case but it wouldn't stop them from trying and his opinion polls were already beginning to take a hit.

Wasn't his fault that systems wanted their independence but it seemed that the great ISC public was showing their hateful tendencies again and a lot of blame was being thrown his way because he was "the forcer". So, clearly, he had something to gain from this wave of independence movements.

Especially since Tinnel IV had left... without calling him in to discuss it either.

"If I say that my vices are alcohol and beautiful women, am I going to be accused of flattery again?" he joked back with a wink, "Though I am particular in my tastes for both. Quality over quantity as they say."

Flirting with a crime boss was rather exciting, really.

Smiling a little wider, Carrick raised a hand and the ornate lightsaber would slowly float over to Terra for her to take into her hand. It would be light and she would get a sense that it was almost like a fencing foil - but any attempts to activate it would find that there was no response when the activator was pressed. Producing the power cell from where it was always hidden, inside a pocket in his right sleeve, Carrick held it out for her to take.

"During my early days as a diplomat and politician, I found myself being taken hostage at an alarming rate. Assassination attempts as well. I found it was best practice to have a very visible, very prominent, lightsaber for people to take from me - they got rather relaxed and cocky when they thought I was disarmed."

He smiled as he remembered, even as Terra would now have the ability to ignite the pale blue blade should she wish.

"Is this the first one you've ever held?"

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

I believe it's only flattery if you're not willing to follow through, she said, and although she laughed, it was only partially in jest. He was flirting and toying, and like any good sabaac player, she wasn't afraid to "call" his wager or his bluff.

She took the lightsaber in her hand and, of course, made an attempt to activate it like any self respecting curious investigator. She was disappointed when it didn't activate, wondering if it was some sort of finger-print scanning saber. He certainly had the money for that.

When he produced the energy supply she gave a playful scowl.

Oh I see, wanting to make me look like a fool, she said. She looked at both pieces before handing them over to him.

I'll let the expert put that together. I've heard they explode if you do it wrong, she said. She'd never handled one before, but she watched carefully what he did so that - hopefully - she could replicate it if necessary.

When she finally did activate it, there was a pale blue glow that was oh-so-Jedi.

Yes, she said with a nod, standing and taking several steps back as she moved it slowly but steadily through the air. It was... intoxicating in a way. It was so light and yet seemed to emanate power.

I can't imagine being able to wield this like I've seen the holos. You're quite the swashbuckler, aren't you? she asked with a smirk.

Not still a white knight, though? she asked. It was a reminder that the man she wanted to bring into the business was a former-Jedi, and that made her skeptical.

 

[Carrick]

Interesting perspective.

Smirking ever so slightly, Carrick merely raised a lone eyebrow as he met her gaze. He was mostly just testing the waters but it seemed that they might be warm enough to swim if he played his cards right - something to think on for later. As much as he might be willing to flirt, there were considerations.

Such as his current woman being a Mandalorian with many guns and knives - even if they had been working apart for long lengths of time by this point. He chuckled a little bit.

"I'd have to try a lot harder than that." he joked back as he accepted his decoy lightsaber back and deftly unlatched part of the body of the hilt to fix the power unit in place, "I've never had one explode but I can't speak for anyone else - probably just someone who really bad maintenance, got some sand stuck in there or something."

Sand was annoying like that.

Carrick smiled but it was a softer one, a sadder one, as he reflected on the lightsaber and what it meant as she lightly toyed with it in her hands - the same way every Padawan did when they first assembled one. He'd done the same when he made his first one and it took his back there for a moment.

"Oh I've gone toe to toe with pirates and corrupt cops alike with that thing by my side." he agreed with a little chuckle, shaking his head as he eyed her seriously, "I'm a politician, Terra. Even if I was the nicest one to ever exist - which I'm not - I'm still far from pure. No, the blue doesn't much call to me anymore."

He pulled his real lightsaber from the hidden holster against his back, flipping the plain hilt around in his hand.

"The red doesn't either - doesn't bring out the colour in my eyes. If you were worried, of course."

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

But you gave up the life of excitement? she said, more a rhetorical question than anything. No, he didn't seem to be like the Jedi anymore, and she hadn't really considered him being a Sith. If the man was a Sith, then he was doing an excellent job of hiding it from the galaxy.

More curious. Sometimes people with too much... she paused, searching for the word. ...rigidity can often stifle their own productivity, she said. In other words, people who were too caught up on "morality" and "helping the downtrodden" usually ended up missing opportunity right under their noses.

I'm relieved to hear that we may be kindred spirits, she said, the waiter returning to the room and bringing them their drinks just then.

She took hers and waited for him to leave before continuing.

Becoming successful in business often requires making enemies, but I usually prefer to make allies if I can, wouldn't you agree? she asked.

@Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

The life of excitement.

He supposed, to someone living through such times, that it probably did all seem so wonderfully exciting. But he had been a Jedi before all of this - before the war and before the Sith even started to hint at their return. Before all of that, he was a Jedi Knight with a famous name and a famous family and he was sent out to do exactly what he had done afterward; to engage in politics. At least when he left the Order and started to do it for himself, he was able to honestly say he believed in the cause (his own advancement) and he was doing it for purely selfish reasons.

With the Order it always felt like he was expected to flog himself for being a good politician.

"Buckling-swash doesn't pay the bills when you're on the side of the angels." he admitted with a subtle smile, "Perhaps I should have just tried being a dashing rogue for my own benefit instead hmm?"

Pirate Jedi Knight had a ring to it somehow.

He chuckled a little bit as he accepted the drink but he made sure not to answer until the waiter was away. Taking a sip of the drink, he hummed in appreciation for the flavour - something about this area of space meant that their alcohol just tasted different than the core. Probably something to do with worse food and drink laws but he didn't much care.

"Terra, I would agree wholeheartedly. As a politician I like to think that the only time you make an enemy is when they have betrayed you - under any other circumstances, it's not worth it. After all, why relegate someone to the role of 'enemy' when you can always come back to work with them later?"

Taking another sip, Carrick set the glass down for a moment.

"If the Sith had come to me, asking to make an alliance, I'd have listened. The people I was raised to hate, to fight against, and I'd much rather I have them as allies than as the enemies they have cast themselves as." he admitted before frowning ever so slightly, "Or the Empire. Or whatever it is that broken state is calling itself these days."

Carrick gestured to the door.

"My pet project is coming along nicely." he told her with a slightly sharper smile, "And they're currently entirely deniable so they're very... flexible shall we say."

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

Terra smirked and raised her glass with a nod. Indeed, she agreed, never eager to relegate someone to an enemy if they didn't have to be. Things worked much better when there wasn't a war. Or rather, when she wasn't at war. Other people's wars were good for business, but Dawn's wars were not.

A practical man, then, she agreed with a nod as he described making peace with the Sith. Just the kind of person she wanted. Someone who wouldn't throw a fit because a certain business might land on a different side of the law from the more "conventional" sides.

I've never been one to want to restrict myself and my interests. There are a lot of... diverse investment opportunities across the galaxy, and sometimes people get all uppity over stupid things, don't you think? We make these social conventions, but somewhere else in the galaxy, no such concerns exist, she said. She was intentionally speaking in vague generalities, but he was smart enough to pick up on where she was leading.

 

[Carrick]

Carrick paused for slightly longer than before, listening but also enjoying his drink. There was something relaxing about being able to philosophize without fear of angering someone or offending someone else or, worst of all, getting the press on his arse again. Of course, it could turn out that Terra was recording them and would either try and sell the tapes or blackmail him.

Of course those kinds of things only worked it certain circumstances and he doubted that she was looking to do either of them to him... at least not right now. She was ruthlessly practical enough to never say never after all.

"Morality is a wonderful thing, within the confines of your own mind." he reasoned, "A sentient should have lines that they feel disgusted to cross within the privacy of thought. But when it comes to business?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Morality stays off the table to make more room for credits in my opinion. It's far easier to push your shame way down deep with an expensive brandy and fine steak." he joked before his eyes focused on Terra again, "These investment opportunities... are they still open for new credits?"

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

But of course they are, she said with a sly smirk. Of course, she had her concerns about bringing him into the loop. There were risks for both of them, but she supposed a leap of faith needed to be taken.

And if it turned out poorly, what then? She was no longer in the jurisdiction of the ISC or any other organization. Kessel was independent as was Omega. And even then, it would be one word against another.

I have... friends who take part in a wide variety of exploits. Artifact acquisition, information brokering, and of course there is the spice and coaxium trade to... all manner of interested parties, she said, listing just a few of the businesses that Crimson Dawn was involved with.

And of course, some... local security forces like my Blue Stars and Eclipse, she said, and it could certainly come to include whatever mercenary force he wanted to create.

I'm sure you have a lot of contacts in the political ring. Anyone who is... likeminded? she asked. Expanding into bribery and blackmail would become precisely the kind of interests she had. And she could provide him with so much in return Oh so much. It was a pure match, wasn't it?

 

[Carrick]

Opportunities needed to be seized with both hands.

There was something to be said for caution but it had a nasty habit of forcing your goals out of your reach. His political career was beginning to wind down and he could see it. The war against the Sith had been both popular - and wildly unpopular. Popular in its inception and radically unpopular in the results of said conflict. Just as he had enjoyed the support of the public to begin with, he knew that it would turn on him now.

Emryc was the face of the ISC and of the War - his reputation was blaster-proof, though, so no one would ever blame him for anything. Instead the blame could, and likely would, be laid at the feet of Carrick. The Force Sensitive Secretary of Defense - he could already hear some of the arguments that would be used against his character.

Some of them had the benefit of being true.

"Very interesting friends you have." he observed dryly, eyes never leaving hers even as he smirked ever so slightly, "And in areas I'd be very interested in branching into myself."

His smirk became slightly more lazy as he took another sip of his drink.

"I am a career politician as you well know. It's a line of work that does not earn many friends but what it certainly does earn is a lot of favors." he admitted, "There are people out there, in the Core and in the ISC, who owe their current positions to me. And there are policies and defenses that exist because of me. I helped build the walls and the gates that protect the Kingdom..."

Carrick took another sip.

"And the backdoors as well."

Setting his glass down, Carrick smiled.

"I might just be able to be the best friend you've ever had, Terra..."

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

Terra smirked. She liked him despite herself. She knew he wasn't a man that she could trust, but even so it was a fun game to play.

Well, that's certainly something nice to hear, she said, giving a charming smile.

I have no doubt we'll both be able to benefit from our new partnership, she said, the words actually sincere. He may have been leaving politics, but his business life was just beginning.

Would you care to join me for dinner? she asked. As nice as Afterlife was, it wasn't exactly a fancy sit down place, but you could find those if you knew where to look. Particularly if you looked in the casinos. The "business" was out of the way, but sometimes mixing business and pleasure wasn't the worst thing in the world.

 

[Carrick]

It seemed that he had passed some kind of tease because it was time for them to move on to the more pleasant and social aspects of his visit. He hadn't been expecting an invitation to dinner, however, and even as he stood to join her, Carrick couldn't help but look down at himself and smile a little bit.

"If I'd known we were going to dinner, I'd have brought a better suit."

Afterlife and Omega hardly warranted a suit at the best of times, much less one of his best. Terra herself though? Oh he'd go so far as to say that she warranted one of his best suits.

Still, he straightened out his suit. Terra would probably be able to tell that part of the action was making sure the light armour plating in the lining was well placed - sometimes it rode up when he was sat down and it wouldn't do to have some of his vitals unprotected during a dinner with the Governor of Kessel.

He had a feeling she was used to going straight for the heart of any matter though.

He held out his left arm for her to take.

"Will you lead the way, my dear?"

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

Terra laughed as he looked down at his state of attire and she looked down at her own.

Well, it's just Omega. Besides, I don't think they're going to be denying us entry, she said with a mischievous smirk that was accompanied by a mostly involuntary flick of her tail. Sometimes it was good to be Queen.

You know, one of these days, I really need to have you teach me how to resist those mind tricks that the Jedi do, she said. Of course, below the surface of the true statement lay the implication of continued, close work together in the future. Something she sincerely hoped would, in fact, work out.

Such a gentleman, she said with a smile as she took his arm and led them out of the club.

She took a back entrance that she had built for herself that took her directly from her office to her personal garage, smirking slightly as he would see that the vehicle she had chosen was a 99-V. A shame it had actual handholds for the passengers and therefore no need for him to hold onto her.

I hope you're game for a little fun, she said, climbing into the driver's seat and slipping on her specially made helmet over her horns. She pulled another one from the side of the garage and handed it back to him.

You know my businesses started with me as a pilot, she said. In other words "I know how to drive" and she enjoyed the thrill of the race.

@Nefieslab

 

[Carrick]

He honestly couldn't help himself.

"My dear, I don't dress for the location - I dress for the company I keep."

If he were not such a good politician and an, admittedly, charming man he probably would have had some HR cases on him at this point. Flirting brightly and openly with people was something he enjoyed - especially people he probably shouldn't be flirting with. The Queen of Omega was certainly someone he probably shouldn't be idly flirting with but when he was relaxed it was just something he slipped into.

Teaching was never something he had gotten a chance to do while he was a Jedi but he had some experience teaching people how to keep Jedi and Sith out of their minds. He raised an eyebrow at the request, becoming slightly more serious before admitting.

"I can do that - but it will likely involve me using it successfully on you a few times first. You need to be able to recognize the sensation."

Seeing her garage was a rather impressive - some of the vehicles were the kind that Carrick himself would actually like to try riding. Seeing the 99-V waiting for them, Carrick accepted the helmet and slipped it on as he mentally agreed that there were many things in the garage he'd like to take for a ride. Settling into the passenger half of the speeder, Carrick took the time to familiarize himself with where the handholds were.

"Usually when someone reassures me that they know their business flying - it's right before I put my life in their hands in the name of fun and thrills." he joked back to her with a wiggle of his eyebrows, "Ready when you are, captain."

@Phoenix

 

[Terra Lanris]

Terra considered the explanation about him having to use the technique on her to teach her and she nodded thoughtfully. She didn't like the idea of him using it on her, but she also knew that she'd rather have it happen in a controlled environment than with a client or someone else who could really screw her over.

I may still take you up on it, she finally said after a moment. I'm sure we can discuss what you would require to make that worth your time, she added.

In response to his comment about putting his life in her hands, he would hear only a light snicker and no other response. The garage door opened up and and revved the engine before gunning it outside. She turned hard, rounding the corner and heading up a ramp toward the higher end of the station.

She weaved through traffic at break-neck speed, but if Carrick reached into the Force, he would notice that despite the dangerous speeds, she exuded perfect calm.

She moved into another lane, gunning it, and slid back across three lanes and into one that was completely clear. She gunned the engine again and tore off in the straight away before finally beginning to slow as they approached the north pole of the station, pulling to a stop as they arrived at a fancy restaurant.

She climbed off and removed her helmet, handing the key over to the valet to take it around to the parking lot while she reached out to Carrick, offering her arm once again.

Ah Administrator Lanris. Oh, and Secretary Carrick! I'll get you both a table immediately! the maître d' exclaimed leading them back and finding them both a table immediately in a quiet, reserved room. Just the two of them.

 

[Carrick]

She didn't immediately agree and that spoke volumes - it spoke well of her actually. Too many people would have thought about their end goal and ignored his rather blunt warning about the dangers and the pain that would come about from his forcing his way into her mind against her will. Even with her permission it would be a brutal forcing of his way inside.

"You'll also have to promise that you won't hold it against me." he half-joked with a small shrug, "It can bring out some of the worst things in your mind by default and it makes it hard for you to look at me without remembering them. That promise, some brandy and a mild favour? And we'll call it even."

Carrick's grip on the handles he could reach were as tight as he could make it even as he opened himself up to the Force, wanting to see if he was going to end up as a splatter on the side of some passing speeder. Thankfully, it seemed that it they were going to crash then it would be as much as surprise to her as it was to him because Terra seemed to think that she had the situation well in hand.

It seemed, that for the Queen of Omega, that traffic laws were more like guidelines than actual rules. Part of him wondered if he might have been able to get away with half of the infractions she was doing on his own planet - before remembering that his own planet had decided to elect a replacement.

He wasn't resentful... not at all.

Pulling himself off the bike to his feet, Carrick was Force Sensitive enough not to be forced to face the indignity of wobbling on his feet but it was a near thing. Holding himself still for a second, he pulled off his borrowed helmet and followed Terra into the room reserved for them. Moving to the table, Carrick pulled the chair out of Terra first with a brief application of the Force - waiting until she sat before sitting himself.

"You sure know how to show a man a good time, Terra."

@Phoenix