Ask Coruscant Hammer and Sickle

Emil Ro

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Mockingjay
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New Republic Sector, Coruscant

Coruscant was a sad shell of the world it had been not that long ago. Ever since the galaxy collectively decided that the galactic capital didn't necessarily have to be in the galactic center, most of Imperial City had fallen into disrepair. But upon its return, the New Republic had reclaimed a district of its own, and returned some vibrancy to it in the process. Emil liked to imagine that the New Republic Sector was what the planet used to look like: neat and orderly skylanes, neon strobe lights powerful enough to pierce the upper atmosphere, and the subtle sense that one could influence the fate of the galaxy if only they survived their stay here.

Somewhat regrettably, Emil pulled away from the sight beyond the train car's viewport to face the man who was at once his temporary ally and a rival. They were both on one of Coruscant's few private monorails at the personal invitation of the Nome family: a clan of Bith starship designers who had fled their homeworld after the Sith took over. The Nomes had Sith history in their family and weren't keen to repeat it. But there was very little they could do from the safety of the Republic embassy on Coruscant. They needed allies. And, as it happened, so did both Emil and Jin.

"Remember," Emil said despite the fact that Jin would forget whatever he had to say next just to spite him. "The Nomes have somewhat of a fondness for nobility. Must be the stench of obscene wealth you lot exude like flatulence. So, do us both a favor and turn up the charm, yeah? At least smile instead of sitting there looking like an unwashed turnip."

Emil hated to admit, he'd come to love these exchanges with Jin. They kept him on his toes and were oddly stimulating despite how obviously the two wanted to claw out their throats. Here, though, they would need to behave—in front of the Nomes, at least. After all, they both needed this deal to go through. @Feng Mian
 

Jin Vaisra

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Senator, Fondor

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Jin was already beginning to regret agreeing to come along with Emil to meet the Nomes. This was something he could have done on his own, and yet the Senator from Balmorra had an annoying number of connections on Coruscant that made his presence useful if not necessary. The Nomes’ reputations as starship architects were legendary, and their presence would reforge Fondor into a shipyard world that could once again rival and potentially outmatch its competitor, Kuat.

Even so, that didn’t mean Jin had to sit there and take Emil’s word vomit without retort. “If I am an unwashed turnip, then you are an onion, Emil. An onion of disappointment. I can peel away one layer and you will never fail to bring me to tears. Sometimes laughter. Other times, an irresistible desire to kill myself.” Which, as I’m sure we both already know, you would enjoy watching, Jin thought, but didn’t add.

Remind me, exactly, why you’re here again?” he continued. “I mean other than as a useless prop to sit behind me and make me look more appealing. We secured the meeting easily enough. I don’t need you to be my chauffeur.

He didn’t need moral support, either. Jin was perfectly capable of negotiating a trade deal on his own. He’d dealt with plenty before his appointment as Senator, representing the interests of the Vaisra family since he learned to hold a pen, and today, he suspected this little conference would be the same.

@Mockingjay
 

Emil Ro

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"I am here," Emil said, the restraint it took to keep the annoyance out of his voice already slipping, "as a third party witness to whatever deal comes out of your brilliant negotiations. And to cut a deal of my own with the Nomes. Consider it a finder's fee for bringing the two of you together."

It was selfish, and greedy to boot, but the Nomes were renowned starship developers. The ship Emil rode from Balmorra to Coruscant every trip was passable, but in politics 'passable' was not acceptable. Right now, his ride was the ride of any senator with moderate wealth. A nameless model, a forgettable brand. But that would change with the Nomes back in business. A Nome starship was a sign of status. In the cockpit of one, every politician in the Core Worlds would know what kind of connections Emil had curried.

Normally, he would want to leave Vaisra out of the loop on such matters. After all, Jin was a rival and one Emil didn't trust to sabotage him in some way. But by bringing him and the Nomes together, he had scratched Jin's back—and now, Jin would need to scratch his.

"Besides," Emil continued. "You overstate your ability to make allies. You have a stony disposition and all the charm of a Nightsister. So, I'll be the pretty face who distracts them while you bore them with the details of whatever it is you're plotting."

Not a second later, the door to their cab swung open, and a remarkably tall Bith man strolled into the room. Mephistus Nome, patriarch of the Nome family and descendant of Rugess Nome, known to history as Darth Tenebrous. Emil at once snapped to attention. Few in the galaxy knew from whom the Nomes descended, but he had learned through his contacts that they favored those who did and showed them the respect they felt owed from it.

Odd for a family who wanted to distance themselves from their Sith ancestry.

"Gentlemen," Mephistus said.

"Magistrate Nome," Emil replied, bowing slightly. "It is a pleasure to see you again. Might I introduce the son of the Jade Dynasty and Senator of Fondor, Jin Vaisra."

"Ah, yes," the Bith said, and his empty black eyes made it hard to tell if he was sizing Jin up or not. "I am told the royal family has a proposal for mine. I would hear it, Jin Vaisra." @Feng Mian
 

Jin Vaisra

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A deal of your own?” Jin cocked an eyebrow. “Interesting. Well, I’ll try not to fuck this up for us both, then.” His grin was vicious. He was almost tempted to ruin the negotiations, if only to spite Senator Ro, but his military career was banking on this meeting. The future of his planet and the rest of the Republic demanded that he see it through and ensure that the Nomes joined Fondor in its plans to construct the largest fleet in galactic history.

A navy of unimaginable scale and power. All of it, with Jin at the helm. He was practically salivating at the idea, enough to where he didn’t even bother countering Emil’s insult with a worthwhile quip. Instead, he shook his head and sighed, “You are a deeply unpleasant man, Senator Ro.

In the single moment after, the cabin door swooshed open and Mephistus Nome, magistrate and the head of his family, strode through to greet them. He was tall, slender, like a wintry birch tree. One axe to the trunk and the whole thing would come crashing down. Jin avoided projecting those thoughts, of course, in fear that the Bith might see through his politician’s mask. If anything, he was the charming pinnacle of Fondorian royalty.

Magistrate Nome, it is an honor to finally meet you,” Jin said, following with a particularly respectful curtsy. Seeing as the Bith had no intentions of playing a game of pleasantries, he was quick to offer them a brief taste of his proposal. “I’ve invited you today in hopes of recruiting you and your family’s brilliant starship designers to the New Republic.

He gestured toward the nearby booth, waving down an attendant to bring drinks. “But please, let’s not jump to business just yet. Sit down. Relax. I've had the finest wine readied just for this occasion. From Alderaan, or at least what’s left of it. Vintage and aged in clay.” He snapped two fingers at an attendant. “I’d be happy to hash out the details with you over a glass.

@Mockingjay
 

Emil Ro

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There it was. That charm Jin was known for. The charm Emil pretended didn't exist. It did. He was very regal when he wanted to be—and it was effective. Mephistus Nome was practically salivating, and Emil didn't think the prospect of wine was the culprit. It was the dance, the spectacle. The magistrate felt seen by royalty, an influence he had craved for so long. He and Jin would not have to do much to get what they both wanted out of this Bith.

That was the beauty of it. Jin got a victory, sure. Fondor would directly benefit from the presence of the Nomes in their shipyards; but Emil would win the biggest prize of them all. As the one who had brought Jin to the Nomes, the one who had the influence to make such a meeting possible, the Nomes would show him similar reverence. They would want to keep him close. And they would do favors for him to make sure that happened.

"You are most gracious, Senator Vaisra," Nome said, accepting Jin's offer to sit.

An attendant appeared, handing them both a glass. Emil took one too, sipping at it casually from the side of the train car. This was Jin's moment for now, so he remained quiet, carefully watching and listening to the talks as they got underway.

"You have a fine taste in wine, Senator. And to have brought so rare a vintage. A man of culture, too, I suspect. It is refreshing to see that at least this slice of the galaxy has not fallen into the hands of animals."

The Bith's flattery was enough to churn Emil's stomach. Any more of it, and Nome might just get on his knees and finish Jin off another way. Fortunately, the business side of the alien's mind finally kicked in, and he homed in on the details of the Fondorian's supposed offer.

"My family and I have some stipulations for our services," he continued. "I should warn you that they are rather costly given the state of the galaxy at the moment. But, before that, I would hear these details you propose." @Feng Mian
 

Jin Vaisra

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Jin reflected the look of wonder on the magistrate’s face. Emil hadn’t been lying about the Bith’s admiration of royalty. Honestly, it was surprising how easy it was to charm them, especially when all he’d done was curtsy and offer wine. Wine that, as a matter of fact, did not originate from Alderaan’s vineyards, but from an underground brewing plant on Fondor, where sunlight rarely shone. It wasn’t like the Bith would know better. He, nor anyone else in the galaxy right now, would even know the taste of old Alderaanian wine, given its unfortunate state.

As they sat and drank, Jin basked in the magistrate’s honeyed words, trying his best to appear flattered, and not annoyed. He despised pleasantries and hollow praise, even if he did practice it in every charity ball and Senate congregation he attended. The only reason he could tolerate it now was because of Emil’s own reaction, including the slight, downward tug of his lips, which made Jin’s own smile widen. Any effort to make the Senator jealous or annoyed was a win in his book.

Thank you, Magistrate Nomes, you are too kind,” said Jin, and as the Bith shifted gears toward business, so did he. “As for your stipulations, I’m sure we can come to a reasonable deal. I’m not asking for too much, only your insight and support in rebuilding the Republic military.And more importantly, in making Fondor the new, improved Kuat, Jin thought, but neglected to add. Everything designed by their family would be used in his shipyards first.

After all: first come, first serve.

I intend to give you, and your clan, both work and sanctuary. Fondor is in desperate need of new ships, new designs, to update and transform the current Republic fleet. Our shipyards will be running at full capacity soon, and we will need administrators and architects to keep it rolling. I am only hoping the Nome family could help fill that gap.” Jin steepled his fingers, ready for whatever argument the Bith might throw his way. He already had plenty of responses in mind.

@Mockingjay
 

Emil Ro

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Emil watched the magistrate turn over the proposal in his large, bulbous head. Though he kept these thoughts to himself, he was aware of how good the deal was. Fondor's shipyards were currently only known for supplying medical frigates to the Republic's relief effort for the AMS virus. In the past, they had merely been used to produce Kuat's products. With the Nomes running the shipyards, though, Fondor stood a chance at standing out from the pack—rivaling, if not overtaking, Kuat completely.

Mephistus Nome had to know this. "My family is indeed desperate to return to our work, and I could think of no nobler employer than your royal mother."

Emil smirked, knowing how that must have smarted Jin. He couldn't claim to know Jin intimately, but he suspected the senator hated to be overshadowed by the women in his family. More than that, Nome's suggestion made it clear it was the Empress, not Jin himself, the Bith was eager to impress.

"Kuat's designs are outdated," the magistrate continued. "And they should not be rewarded for their part in manufacturing the war machines of the Empire and the First Order. The Nomes can help bring fresh ideas to the New Republic's navy. But there is the matter of our stipulations."

"The Senator and I are eager to hear them," Emil said, speaking this time and this time only for Jin, in the fear that the younger senator might pop a vein.

"None of our work is to be sold to the Sith. Those vagrants now have control of Bith and that is more than enough for them. It does not entitle them to our ideas and our products, as well. Secondly, because I think we all in this car want to turn a profit, something must be done about the Supreme Chancellor. His leadership is... ineffective, and not conducive to this line work. He will need to be out of the way if we are to proceed."

Emil was almost shocked by how forward the magistrate was. To remove the Chancellor would require a vote-of-no-confidence and enough support in the Senate. No small feat, but not impossible either. The Chancellor had been unpopular for some time.

Emil's eyes slid down to where Jin was seated. The man's face was inscrutable, but something inside of him told Emil that this was precisely what Jin had been waiting for. @Feng Mian
 

Jin Vaisra

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Jin’s smile was wickedly cold. He hid it behind a raised glass, sipping from the manufactured wine, more than satisfied by the taste and by the magistrate’s stipulations. Jin had expected steep monetary demands, maybe even an outright refusal, but the Bith seemed completely in line with his interests. He had no interest or reason to sell any ships to the Sith, given the current state of affairs. It was far more likely the Republic would go to war against them. As for the Chancellor, he’d been planning the man’s expulsion for weeks.

Everything was falling into place.

Fondor readily accepts your conditions, Magistrate. I assure you, none of our ships are dealt to the Sith Empire or corporations associated with them. Only the Republic, the Free Worlds Alliance, and other interested parties.” A slight lie. Jin had known some shareholders to sell to the Empire on a number of occasions, and there was also the Five Syndicates to consider, which gave Fondor a healthy stream of income in many under-the-table deals.

As for Chancellor Owusaan, he should be no problem. In fact, I promise you I can have him out of office within the month. No, the week.” A thin smile curled his lip. Jin set his drink aside and leaned forward to face the Bith. “What do you say to that, Magistrate Nomes? Does that satisfy your interests?” He wanted to reach out and offer him a handshake, perhaps a contract and dotted line for him to sign, but Jin had a feeling the negotiations would not be over just yet.

Despite this being seriously outdated and late, I refuse to have 'stalled' listed under my thread list, so I am now reviving this thread for completion, @Mockingjay. <3
 

Emil Ro

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"For now," the Magistrate said, though the glum look on his face told Emil he wasn't saying everything. "We'll make the necessary arrangements come the morning. There's lots of paperwork to be done, but you're both tired from the journey and a rest would benefit all of us." Here, he paused again. "I should warn you to keep your guards up, though. We've been dodging assassins sent from our homeworld for weeks."

"That seems like something important to bring up earlier," Emil protested, though it certainly explained the moving train as a meeting place. They didn't want to be a target. He huffed and waved them out of the car. "I'm sure we'll manage. The paperwork will be done in the morning, and we'll be gone soon after. Long before any shots are fired."

The Magistrate and his retinue bowed and left them as quickly as they had come. Emil was still reeling from the revelation, but didn't want Jin Vaisra to see his concern and think him weak. So, he did what he did best. He sauntered up to the man and smiled wickedly at him. It wasn't hard to rankle Vaisra's nerves. The man's body was a husk piloted by pure ego, after all.

"Don't worry, Vaisra," Emil said playfully. "I'll protect you when the boogeymen arrive. Forgive me for saying so, but it doesn't look as though you've fired a shot in years."

It wasn't true. It couldn't be. In fact, Emil was willing to bet Jin Vaisra had fired more guns in the last week than he had in his entire life. And Vaisra knew this. Which was why hearing Emil taunt him in such a way would be infuriating. Emil did so love these games they played. @Feng Mian
 

Jin Vaisra

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The Magistrate and his bevy of guards left as soon as they’d arrived, with a quick curtsy and little fanfare, disappearing into the next car. Jin looked over to Senator Ro as if to say, I wonder what that was all about, but shrugged and slumped back into his chair. He replaced his glass of supposed old Alderaan wine in exchange for some brandy, although didn’t bother offering it to Emil. If the man wanted to indulge himself, he could grab it on his own. Jin was anything but his lapdog.

Please, Emil. You couldn’t protect me from a fucking housefly.” He sloshed his brandy in his right hand, his gaze dismantling the Senator up and down. Had they not been rivals, perhaps the man would have made finer company elsewhere.

Jin’s attention shifted as someone else stepped into the cabin. A waiter in a dress suit, with a raised silver tray and only one set of cutlery. The man cleared his throat. “Gentleman, I apologize, but your dinner for the evening?

Pardon?” Jin said. “I didn’t order anything.” Especially a plate of what looked to be stale oysters. The smell was enough to make him nearly gag. But the waiter didn’t seem remotely daunted. His eyes seemed to rake around the train car, searching for something, or perhaps someone. “My apologies, sir. I believe a Bith had requested for the dish. Do you happen to know where he went?

Jin eyed him suspiciously. “Can’t say for sure.

I understand.” The waiter visibly grimaced. “Well, considering the Bith already paid for the order, you are more than welcome to the dish then, sir. Do you require a shucking knife?” Jin frowned. “A what?” The waiter sighed. “Forget I even asked.” Then, without a second thought, the man flashed a long dagger, a blade that looked nothing close to an oyster knife, and swiped it toward Jin’s throat.

@Mockingjay
 

Emil Ro

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Emil suspected the waiter immediately. It wasn't the seafood platter that tipped him off. It was that phrase. "The Bith." The Magistrate was a well known figure, and a frequent patrol of the rail system. He would have been a familiar face. Whoever the waiter was, he'd probably been hired for the job of assassinating the Magistrate without being told much of the details. Smart. Prevented a paper trail.

Before he even lunged for Jin, Emil was in motion. The train car had precious few items that could be used for weapons, but Emil didn't need a blade or a blaster. The waiter was focused on Jin. So, when Emil reared back and kicked, he never saw it coming. The assassin flew back into the wall hard, knife clattering to the ground and spinning under a sofa. Where there was one, there was likely to be more. But, for the moment, he was unarmed.

Emil flipped his hair. "You were saying?" he said to Jin dryly.

About that time, the waiter recovered and, sure enough, had another weapon up his sleeve. This one was closer to a shiv than a knife. Also smart. Much easier to conceal, just as deadly if he stabbed Jin enough times. Only, he didn't aim for Jin. Emil's kick had really pissed him off. He jabbed at the Senator's center of mass. @Song
 
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