Sleight of Hand

[Sergei Petrov]

verything was in order. Imperial agents had been briefed and dispatched throughout Cato Neimoidia to embark on their own individual missions. Sergei Petrov had personally overseen their departure and each update of their rendezvous, arrival and engagement. Like a true Admiral, he was knew everything. He was in control. Even if he was on the lower rungs of the Imperial ladder, his position over the operation was unchanged. Should it likewise succeed, he would earn a much needed boost in prestige. But failure? That was not an option. Not for Empire. Especially not for him.

Two Imperials were to be dispatched to convene with a representative of the colony. While the ambassador believed they were entering negotiations about Cato Neimoidia’s independence, that option was never on the table. What the Empire demanded is complete and total surrender.

Everyone and everything in the colony would submit to the Imperial Republica, as was its right, for their attempt at treachery. If the representative refused the terms? The Empire was not against getting his hands bloody. After all, the rest of the operation was composed of ransacking the planet. The death of one ambassador was nothing. In fact, the death of half the colony did not matter. Punishment was due. They had to learn.

“Agent Fleck and Acolyte Noms, I understand both of you have already been briefed on your objective. Forge a treaty, stall the ambassador, play your games. What you do with him is of no concern to me, although a smoother transition of the colony assets would be preferred.” He paused and the hint of a distant smile passed his lips. “But not required.” The man crossed his arms as if he was sizing up the pair, even if his figure was nothing but a shimmering hologram. His tone shifted back to its cold pitch. “However, proceed without delay. The Empire expects quick work and I will not tolerate any setbacks.”

His posture changed. Head raised and looking to each Imperial, he nodded. “That is all.” Without hesitation, his figure dissipated and the message vanished, leaving the pair to do their work.

@Alhon @Ulysses @Malon (DM)

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric had worked with Percy before. He had enjoyed the experience and knew that he was with an skilled negotiator. The naval officer, he did not know. He did not even know his rank or how he fit into the structure. In particular, he did not know who he was to tolerate setbacks or not. However, he had been dispatched to help in this mission and so he would get the job done. It was a point of pride for him, even if nothing more.

The acolyte wore his Sith robes, as befits a representative of the Empire, with a simple black cloak over the top. His helmet was clipped to his belt, just beneath his right kidney, opposite his lightsabers. His cloak covered all.

As the hologram flickered into darkness, he turned down his hood and remarked to his companion: "feels like deja vu."

Saric was ready to meet the ambassador: ready to dispense the Emperor's justice or mercy, depending on the response he was met with.

@Malon @Alhon

 

[Percy Fleck]

Percy watched the Admiral’s image dissipate and vanish, the man’s words hanging on the air. The young Sith had spent a fair amount of time with the military over the years, but he’d never crossed paths with this Petrov. That would have to change; it was a name he’d heard more than once in recent times and they needed men in uniform with a little umph right now.

The Neimoidians, by contrast, were everything Percy hated about aliens. Well, perhaps not everything, the ugly creatures did seem to have a certain skill for commerce and credits. It hardly made up for the green skin, whiny voices and squalid worlds though. Cato Neimoidia was no exception.

“You're damn right” Percy replied, smiling at Saric’s words. Their task was indeed one of persuasion; a skill that the young Sith had all but refined into an art. He and Saric had been dispatched before to bring wayward folk into line. They would undoubtedly succeed.

“Looks like we’ve a freer hand this time” he said, remarking on the option for silencing the ambassador permanently. “Though, personally, I find it’s much more fun to break them than end them. Our boys will have an easier time bringing these insects to heel if we can dress it up a little”.

The shuttle hatch hissed open, revealing the embassy only a few yards away.

Percy clicked his fingers excitedly. “If the frog won’t sign a treaty, then you and I will make him”.

@Malon @Ulysses

 

[The Storyteller]

"—and remember," the holographic image of a Neimoidian aristocrat, in the palm of the mercenary's hand, said shakily. "If they give you in any trouble, you know what to do."

"Don't worry, Your Eminence," the mercenary's voice mechanically cracked through his helmet. "We've been sufficiently paid. Your interests will be represented quite well at this meeting. Let's get this over with, boys."

The job was simple. Some Imperial scum had come to Cato Neimodia thinking they could conquer it. They could not. A meeting had been arranged to negotiate some terms, but the Sith had underestimated just how paranoid the Nemoidians could be. Lance Rusk's job was to facilitate this meeting and scorch the Imperials if anything went haywire; and he had brought five of his best men with him to ensure that purpose was abundantly clear.

The mercenary stepped out from the embassy, flanked by his men, all of whom were armed to the teeth, and blocked the path of the landing pad the Imperial shuttle had just set down on. "You must be the reason we're here," Rusk said with a slight Corellian accent and a chuckle. "No need to go any further. I've got my orders to keep you right here while the ambassador negotiates with you. And, just so we're all clear, we'll play nicely as long as you do, but, since you're Sith and all—well, boys?"

The five men behind him spread out and pointed weapons at the two Imperials. "One lightsaber. One gun. One hint of the Force or any other betrayal, and all they'll have left to bury of you will be ashes—and only then if the wind doesn't carry those ashes away. And don't bother being edgy and threatening me back. I can count clearly enough to see there's a lot more for you to worry about than me. Are we all clear with one another? Yes?" He didn't wait for the Imperials to actually give an answer. Instead, he pulled out a circular, palm-sized holo-communicator and turned it on. "Good. Ambassador, take it away."

A small holographic representation of the Neimoidian ambassador shimmered into existence above Rusk's palm. "Good day, gentlemen. I apologize for the way we must conduct today's negotiations, but, you'll forgive me, you Sith have a reputation that proceeds you by several centuries and I needed to be certain that these negotiations were carried out on somewhat even ground." The froglike alien coughed. "Now, how can I assist the Sith Empire today?" @Alhon @Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

Clearly this one missed the diplomacy lessons at diplomatic school.

"Your excellency, I can see your concerns; but don't you think this is a little... melodramatic?"

Even for a toad, this was a low move. The whole planet was due the Emperor's justice. Those who will not walk in her light, will not walk at all, and a singular diplomat was only frog spawn in this particular pond. The planet will come as a supplicant or not at all.

Saric turned to his companion: "Master Fleck, perhaps we should return when the planet is ready to take us and our offers of peace seriously?"

As if to emphasise his point, he pressed a remote, opening the boarding ramp down again on their transport and started towards it. His exterior was cool. The mercenaries would gain nothing for their master by opening fire other than swift retribution from a star destroyer.

@Alhon @Malon

 

[Percy Fleck]

Percy had to admit, this particular Neimoidian had distinguished himself.

The Crusader slipped from the Vector-class shuttle with Saric in tow, coming to a halt as the six mercenaries emerged from the embassy and took positions between the Sith and the entrance. Percy listened impassively as their leader set out the position as he saw it, his accent a familiar one in the Core worlds. A Corellian if Percy wasn’t mistaken.

A Corellian with a high opinion of himself. That much was clear from the outset. Percy had to concede he’d made some good moves; taking control of the situation, evening the odds, laying down some clear parameters. But either he had no experience of opposing the Empire, or he was deluding himself.

His control was an illusion. His odds were grossly underestimated and his parameters would be easily overcome. The ambassador had made a bold play, but these six men were fools to have put their trust in it.

The Crusader scowled as he listened to Neimoidian’s words, dripping in slime and delivered by holoprojection. Where was he really Percy wondered. Inside the embassy perhaps? They may yet find out. Then the alien would truly experience the personal touch.

Saric’s words were courteous enough and Percy could certainly agree with the sentiment. Indeed, a broiling anger stirred in his gut. Fury that the insolent toad even dared to goad the Empire in this way. The same Empire that had people crawling all over his world even now, crippling its every defence.

He flashed a glance at Saric, speaking mind to mind through the Force. Be ready.

“I certainly sympathise with my comrade’s disappointment, ambassador” he said, now addressing the holo image directly. “We have taken the trouble to travel to negotiate in person and we represent an Empire of billions. One that all but encircles this world. All this you know, yet you greet us down the barrel of a blaster rifle”.

In truth, Percy didn’t favour wasting much time on the ambassador. His particular persuasive talents were near useless on a holo-projection and the frog's mercenary allies made him feel he had the whip hand. Still, the Neimoidians were not stupid, being famed for their commercial acumen. Perhaps they could still make the ambassador see that the most profitable outcome was surrender.

“You know our position, your excellency. Your people have exercised your colonial authority here to escape the Imperial rules and regulations to which your homeworld is subject. The Empress’ entitlement to set that wrong right is absolute. Killing her emissaries today may delay Cato Neimoidia’s reckoning, but it will be all the more punitive when it comes”.

“Agreed terms will mitigate damage, both real and economic. You personally might yet save your people and industry a great deal, and prove yourself a capable bureaucrat on whom the Empress can depend”.

“Will you at least discuss your surrender?”.

@Malon @Ulysses

 

[The Storyteller]

"Rest assured, Agent, I have no intention of killing the Empresses's ambassadors so long as they behave themselves," the Neimoidian ambassador said with a light chuckle. His hologram flickered momentarily before he resumed speaking. "As for your 'claim,' I'm afraid you are gravely mistaken. Your empire isn't fond of aliens like we Neimoidians and nothing in the law precludes us from seeking a home outside its boarders." The hologram clasped its hands in front of itself. "If nothing else, we're doing you a kindness by removing ourselves from the Empire's jurisdiction."

Another light chuckle escaped the frog's throat. It was rare to see the Empire in a weak bargaining position, but that is currently where they found themselves. Times really did change after all. "As to your other claims—or are they threats?—please, Agent, do us both the favor of speaking honestly about this matter. Everyone has seen the HoloNet by now. Your Empress is currently locked in one-on-one combat with her would-be-usurper: a man who is far older, harsher, and more experienced than her. Her victory, and reign for that matter, is far from certain." A wicked smile crept over the Neimodian's face. "Any real damage you could bring to this world would have to wait until after her duel with Darth Vrael is over—if she wins. As for economics, I'm afraid the uncertainty that has recently been introduced to the market by the previous Emperor's deposing, this Sith duel, the civil war, and the Mandalorian rebellion has had far worse effects than any Imperial sanctions are likely to cause."

The ambassador left out the part where a victory for Darth Vrael would be more likely to produce results, as the Old Empire province had always been more accepting of aliens. He had made his point better with the facts of the arrangement. The smile on his face faded. His mind was mostly made up, but the greed that frequently afflicted Neimoidian businessmen, as it did Hutts and Weequay alike, made him only slightly curious if the Imperials could still offer a better bargain. He doubted it. Neither one of these Imperials really had any authority back home, but he decided to test the waters anyways.

"So, I'm afraid there will be no surrender," he declared. "You don't have the numbers or the leverage to possibly make that threat have any teeth. If your Empress—assuming she survives the duel and continues to rein—wants this colony to sign her treaty, I'm afraid I'm going to need more... substantial assurances. Perhaps you might be more willing to grant me those assurances, ambassador?" @Alhon @Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric was angry. Not the red, blood-boiling rage that blinds but the white-hot ire of just indignation. He turned back to the hologram.

"Look around you!" This first was short, sharp and designed to startle. "Look around you." This was slower and softer, but each syllable enunciated to its full effect. He continued softly, so even the bounty hunters would lean forward imperceptibly to hear.

"What do you see? A paradise? A utopia?" He paused. "Or a noose closing tightly round your people's neck. Our men are already on the ground as we speak. Your choice is only this: does the noose snap shut." He clapped a hand against his breast, startling one or two of his audience. "Or does it stop at a leash," holding up his fingers up and closing them together in a circular ring, "on a tame beast? Now who do you think might be at the head of that beast?"

Saric allowed the point to linger before adding quickly and with energy. "Forget about what is happening light years away. That is there, this is here. Look around you. There will always be an Emperor on the throne. That is the difference between us and those red rebels. Do you think they will be as forgiving as the Republic? Or tolerant? They only know the rule of the strong. We bring order, peace and prosperity. We only ask that you play by the rules."

"What do you say? Will you meet us to discuss terms? Or would you rather your people had new leadership, backed by the Imperial might of the Republic?"

@Alhon @Malon

 

[Percy Fleck]

Percy did his best to let the ambassador’s bile wash over him, smarting at the arrogance and sense of triumph. The Neimoidian would not have dared be so brazen in person. Nor would he have taken leave of his senses so.

Yet, his final words left the door open. Perhaps he just simply needed to be wooed. Summoning a little more perseverance, the young Sith followed up his counterpart’s words, glancing at Saric. Stay on your guard.

“You mistake me, ambassador. I have been speaking honestly from the start. The consequences are resisting the Republica’s will today are very real.” Percy didn’t waste time speaking of law and justice, the frog had already demonstrated just how little loyalty meant to him and his people. Instead, he spoke of commercial realities.

“Those consequences are also very close, ambassador. Even if you are fool enough to believe the Old Empire your ally, they are half a galaxy away. We are here, today, just like my friend here says. And if not us, it will be others, next week, next month, as soon as the Fleet can carry them”.

“For ours is an Empire of a hundred fleets and a thousand worlds” he continued, raising his voice so he might remind the mercenaries too. “The Empress may fight the pretender even now, but the Drast line will endure whatever the outcome. Besides, I would recommend you price in her victory. It was not all that many centuries ago that a young Empress took a broken galaxy and fashioned an Empire that still stands today”.

Green eyes flicked from the holo-image to its dutiful mercenary holder, to the wide lawns either side of the landing path. A silver sprinkler glinted in the sunlight.

“I’m no fan of your kind, ambassador. It’s true. No more than you’re a fan of mine. But we have common interests; stability, wealth, industry. Hell, you people even make some half decent clothes. The Sith of the Old Empire value none of that. They will raze the Core to the ground just to see it burn. Your people will lie among the charred corpses, alien or not”.

“If you want assurances, then name them. Put your stock in me, and you will find I can be most persuasive on your behalf”.

@Malon @Ulysses

 

[The Storyteller]

The ambassador's holographic head turned and focused entirely on Percy. He ignored the other man entirely. It was quite clear that man didn't fully understand the dilemma the Imperial Republica faced in taking Cato Neimoidia. This man, on the other hand, seemed most aware of it, though he veiled his understanding behind empty threats and political speech. Yes, this was a man he could bargain with. He cleared his throat.

"Do you know what sort of business funds the lavishness of this colony, Agent?" the Neimoidian asked. "It's not the type of business your Empire could easily sanction, even with an entire fleet of capital ships. And as for the so-called 'Old Empire,' you're quite wrong. Why, they are some of our biggest customers!" The ambassador fought back a smirk. "Each Neimoidian baron here operates a vault. Top security. There's a reason your masters covet us, after all. Those who pay to use our vaults and their security hide the most delicious of treasures. Designer clothing, ledgers, trophies, artifacts—you name it. Some of the greatest Sith Lords keep their most valuable treasures right here."

"Even so, there is always more that can be done. More layers of security that can be added to protect our customers' valued items." A shit-eating grin spread across the Neimoidian's face. "We have learned that the Sith are capable of sealing doors and objects through the Force. A protection few are capable of voiding. Security of that magnitude would make Cato Neimoidia's vaults impregnable. I can only speak for my colony at the moment, but I would be willing to sign you treaty, and pledge my support to your claim to add this world to your Empire, if you agree to lend the secrets of these techniques to me. My vaults will become the most secure on the planet, allowing me to outstrip my competitors, and you will have the treaty your masters sent you for."

He allowed a pause in the conversation so that the two Imperials could mull over his offer. "Those are my terms. Take it or leave it." @Alhon @Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

If Saric knew anything, it was when to be quiet, and now was one of those times.

For a start, he could tell that his speech had had the desired effect: namely to give the slimy businessman his opportunity to make his peace with the empire like a man; or alternatively to drive him to Saric's silver tongued colleague who would deal with commercial realities.

Second, he knew what had to come next, and he didn't like it. Although he could see that the amphibian had driven the Imperials to it and only had himself to blame, Saric's word still mattered to him. He would prefer the refusal simply to be met with raining fire from a star destroyer. Yet the Empire, in its wisdom, had decided on a different course.

And so Saric would stand there, without a flicker on his face as his colleague lied to the frogman.

 

[Percy Fleck]

And here it was. The ask. Percy didn’t like to admit it, but this particular Neimoidian had earned his grudging respect. The ambassador might be a frog, but he was a frog who knew how to bargain and, in his own way, stand up for his people.

The young Sith listened carefully as the ambassador expanded on Cato Neimoidia's repute as a bastion of security for the galaxy’s rich and powerful. As it happened, he did not know much of what he being told. The exploits of alien races had rarely held his interest. Perhaps he should have paid more attention, studied them for how he might use the information to his benefit. But he was looking back, and that was something he did not do.

“The powers of which you speak are indeed in our gift” Percy replied confidently. The ambassador spoke of course of the art of sealing with the Force. An intriguing ability, it was one of the more unusual branches of study, and thus one that held a personal interest for Percy. “Your vaults would be the envy of this sector, perhaps even the galaxy if used on the right scale”.

The Crusader was playing for time of course. Surrendering Force secrets to pondlife like the ambassador was not strictly part of his brief. He also faced a second problem.

He did not possess the power himself.

For while sealing was among the talents he planned to develop, he had not had the time to uncover its secrets. Green eyes flicked from the holo-image, to Saric, to the mercenaries still holding their weapons at the ready. Percy still believed they could take them if necessary.

But for what? They would achieve the Empress’ goals perhaps, though with much violence and expending of effort.

But what did he gain from it? It wasn’t a question he had asked himself before, but recent times were changing his outlook. Percy had given fifteen years to the Republica, pledging his devotion before Emperor Elix himself. He’d even given a hand in service to the Empire, a sacrifice that should have had him carried through the streets. But instead he received a medal for meritorious service and some warm words of encouragement. He didn't expect the world, but there were few prepared to fight the Republica's corner so. He wanted more in return, more for him, as well as the rulers he served.

Perhaps here was an opportunity to take just that.

“Very well ambassador, you have a deal on one condition”. Pressing the toad even an inch more was dangerous, but Percy was gambling it wasn’t a big ask. “If we are to share our secrets, then we must be the teachers. You will need those attuned to the Force to safeguard your vaults in this way and you would be unwise to entrust the task to wayward souls without training or discipline”.

“You sign the treaty ambassador, and I personally will oversee the upgrading of your vaults. Today has been a poor introduction, but with the opportunity to advance our interests together, we may just surprise one another”.

@Malon @Ulysses

 

[The Storyteller]

"I agree." The Neimoidian was pleased with himself. He had initially worried about these Sith, but they had played into his hands just as he had hoped that they would; and it helped that they were getting something out of it as well. The hologram steepled its fingers and nodded at the agent. "Very well, Agent. You have a deal. I will sign your treaty. In the meantime, go and inform your masters that your mission was a success. I imagine there will be much to discuss over the coming days."

The hologram vanished and, without a word, the mercenaries all lowered their weapons and began to pull back towards the embassy. None of them particularly liked the Sith, but they didn't have a stake in the matter either way. All they cared about, in the end, was getting paid. As for the Sith, their mission, while rocky, was a rousing success. And it was very likely that their Imperial masters would be quite pleased. @Alhon @Ulysses @Deviant

End Thread​