Meetings in the Night

[Prudence]

Coruscant
​

Commander Harren sat alone in the conference room, his legs crossed in front of him. The room itself was like an impenetrable shell, walls made of solid durasteel with devices implanted to ensure that no listening could occur. The only doors in the room are blast doors. Said doors had been sealed shut, and could only be opened via passcode to ensure that no one would eavesdrop, or interrupt, this important meeting. His guest had been ushered to the facility via a shuttle, and did not publicly appear outside at all - as no one would be allowed to know that this meeting was happening. Officially, on the Imperial aBooks, this never occurred. It had been made clear to him that as far as the Mandalorians were concerned, teh same was true.

Shaan picked his clear glass of water up off of the table and took a nice long sip of it, waiting for the young Twi'lek woman to arrive. She would be escorted through the facility to the room, where upon arriving she would be scanned for listening devices, before the door was keyed open and she was allowed in. The exterior of the room was guarded by Stormtroopers, ready to stand and die incase another mad bomber attempted to interrupt the important business at hand. Though he was yet unsure of the outcome of their meeting, Shaan had a feeling this would be a good day for the Empire.

 

[Diva]

Chief Fibuna, an office has been set up in your quarters, per your requests...

A short, dark blue twi'lek woman turned tightly on her left heel, and offered the soldier a terse nod of approval, and a clipped thank you before dismissing her with the rest of the escort. They obeyed without question. This life offered immense satisfaction and no shortage thrills. Now alone, she enjoyed a moment with the reflecting glass in her makeshift quarters. Who knew one could experience such comfort on Tatooine? This was a life she could enjoy, certianly better than the mines, and all because she was a dead ringer for the most powerful Twi'lek in the galaxy. Juri Telis whispered a silent thank you to her identical patron...

*************​

The shuttle transfer on Tatooine meant a longer ride in an unmarked shuttle, manned by an Imperial crew. Well worth it for the added discretion, and it was favorably noted that the empire extended the courtesy of not sending a Sith to accompany her escort. With her she brought two of the most loyal protectors, who had traveled separately and were now each dressed in lightly armored Imperial uniforms. One was particularly large, and clearly more seasoned than the rest. His name was Tannen Bralor, and his stoicism had reached a whole new level.

Nalu graciously surrendered her baton, and very mediocre but decorative blaster to the stormtroopers at the door. There were no clever tricks or hidden bugs to be found beneath the asymmetrical layers of black fabric she wore, and she gladly pulled back her baklava for further inspection. She left her data-pad with her faithful hodgepodge of a droid, her only other companion, and turned to faced the sealed entrance to the conference chamber. Tannen flinched, but quickly remembered himself with a polite glare from the dark blue woman beside him.

She entered the room alone, and waited patiently for the doors to close behind her before beginning her brisk approach to the Commander Harren. She was careful not to be rude, but there was no handshake to share at this meeting. Instead a simple bow of the head would suffice, and she sat at the table, arms folded in her lap. A fleeting memory of her last time on Coruscant provided an anxiousness Nalu didn't expect, causing her to linger longer than needed in the silence before she spoke.

Well, Commander, I appreciate the lengths to which the empire attended to our security. For now, however, I am at a disadvantage, so let us make most of our brief time together. I offer you the floor...

@Prudence

 

[Prudence]

Shaan leaned back in his seat, propping his feet up on the desk before him. He yawned a bit as he looked the Twi'lek over, analyzing the diplomat that he had been sent. It was his understanding through the commlink in his helmet that she had left her weapons and her guards at the door, a trustworthy maneuver to be sure. Stretching a bit in his seat he waited for her to speak, listening to her short but sweet bit as she did so. The Twi'lek wasted no time, and got to the point, more or less asking Shaan why it was that she was here.

"Well, allow me to get straight to the point here. It is quite clear that your people are doing quite well for themselves." He stood up as he said this, pacing a bit to stretch his legs. A bit of excercise kept deep vein blood clots away. "Though, that is to be expected considering the generous amount of aide that the Brotherhood gave to your fledgling cause. You could even say we... made the Dominion."

Shaan took a pretentious seat on the side of the table, "It leaves us in a bit of a predicament, wondering where our alliances sit? Because you see the powers that be... those that weren't removed by the former supreme leader..." Shaan raised a hand to his mouth to suppress a forced giggle, "Are a bit unhappy about the cold wall we've been receiving from the Dominion." He stood from his seat and moved to face Nalu straight on, "We gave you a hand when the chips were down, we expect our return... now."

 

[Diva]

Ugh. The ego...

Nalu Fibuna had taken great pains to prepare an arsenal of patience for this meeting. It was her instruction and prerogative to remain receptive to anything that may bring further prosperity to the Dominion, and she intended to do so; but this? She was dangerously, naively unprepared for the juvenile and bullish assault on her reason from a man who seemed, at the very least, to be accurately embodying the ID of his superiors. This was not a promising start, but with the help of a deep breath she retrained the urge to yawn, and managed to release any frustration into a single wrapping of her fingertips on the cold steel table. She remained seated, and surreptitiously crossed her legs.

Is that so? Commander Harren, If the Sith Empire believes for moment that it can leverage the Dominion by taking responsibility for its existence, you have been paying very poor attention. Very poor indeed. Since the formation of the Dominion, our polices and actions have very firmly reflected our absolution of all debts and allegiances, with particular attention being payed to distinguish ourselves from the activities of the Deathwatch organization, with whom you seem to confuse us now. Furthermore, if memory serves, we are currently meeting on the former jewel of the Republic, are we not? If I recall, that invasion force boasted the command of a former Mandalore, with the full strength of the Deathwatch behind him...

Nalu narrowed her gaze at the man. She had done a great deal of research to prepare for this delicate affair, and should not have expected much else, but after months of heading a galactic superpower, it was frankly offensive the manner in which the Empire, or at least it's vassals expected others to just hand them things in exchange for operatic bravado. Still, she returned his entitlement with an angular smile, and laced her fingers around her raised knee. She had come all this way after all.

In fact, Commander, I know this because i was here that day. I saw it with my own eyes as I fled Coruscant, and left my livelihood in the Empire's capable hands.

The Dominion owes you nothing, neither retribution or aide. If you would like something from us, please be specific, concise, and unwavering; and be equally clear about what you wish to offer in exchange. I've not come this far to offer you a deaf ear Commander, but I must insist you speak to me without platitudes or equivocation if it is to remain that way.

 

[Prudence]

It took a serious effort for the Commander to keep from giggling. The diminutive woman had clearly stockpiled her patience to deal with him, and her ability to stay relatively calm after he verbally smacked the shit out of her was impressive, for a Twi'lek. He rolled his eyes behind his visor as she continued, talking about how the Dominion clearly was Not!Death Watch. Of course, the rogue Mandalorian organization that took over Mandalore just suddenly fizzled away and all their former champions just joined the ranks of the legitimate government, sure.

Her next address after she scowled at him actually brought a grin onto Shaan's face, conveniently masked by his helmet. She asked him what it was he would like, and wanted him to be specific. He stood and walked to just five meters away from her, so that he could look at her straight on.

"Well if we're being upfront there are a lot of things I would like. I would love for Moff Kryst to come back from beyond the grave so that I could spend a night in her chambers. I would love to take a swing at the Jedi Order's new lead woman. I imagine she makes a mean breakfast, the morning after. More than any of that, I want war. War generates instability. War claims the lives of those that stand in your way. Most of all, war is fun. I enjoy the feeling of a being dying in my arms, their life draining away from the husk they once called a body. The Republic is a weak opponent, as evidenced by our presence on what once was their jewel. There is only one left who can stand toe to toe with us," The implication likely was the Jedi, that he was asking for her help to kill the Jedi. That he wanted the Dominion and the Sith to ride side by side upon their last holy worlds. In an instant his hands snapped up, grabbing the CZ-6100 that already hung upon a harness on his chest and firing an HE round towards Nalu's chest. "and that would be the Dominion. They made it all too easy, sending a glorified slave girl to negotiate with a Commander."

 

[Phoenix]

Thread locked and voided per this ruling.