Ask Suffer the Little Children

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

Takes place after the events of "For the Glory of Mon Cala"​

Mordeth the Hutt had been on Mon Cala for three days and seen the extent of Za Fenn's devastation. It was beyond her how the fools could have done something so cataclysmic for their business. The world would never be open to them again. But the Hutts still had an opportunity if they moved quickly enough.

Mordeth was surprised that Commander Jal Widase had taken her invitation for a meeting. The stalwart commander had forbidden members of the so-called Five Syndicates from attending the wake held in honor of the dead. Some in the galaxy thought the Syndicates were one monolithic unit. In truth, they were as likely to war with each other as they were with anyone else. Most of all, they didn't like when another Syndicate cut in on their business and cut them off from their partners. This meeting could be the first step towards rolling some of that animosity back.

The restaurant Mordeth had made reservations at was modest. She had chosen a local-run shop instead of a chain store in the hopes of showing her "support" for local businesses harmed by the incident. She had also put her credit line on the tab. Let it not be said the Hutts were not good hosts when they were called to be. Only, she wasn't the host was she? He was. And she hoped he wouldn't throw her out at first hearing of her proposal.

«Ahban Widase,» she said when he had arrived. «Jee sonpa che paknee ata tah manpanh cay mi. Kolka ahban pee bagn uba bacaka. Tah catkkoscaya baa hoscayaconha doth dah mi.» @Fine Dining Set

 

[Jal Widase]

'Commander' Widase was Commander no longer. In the aftermath of the disastrous events on Mon Calamari, he had been demoted, officially, to lieutenant. Unofficially, with the world in such a sorry state, he effectively had even more say into the military's affairs as a result of his experience. Of course, the military had a much smaller territory of control, now. Only Dac City was fully within the military's purview, and the well-staffed rescue organization ISCRA arguably had greater footholds on the world than the official government did.

Widase still knew how to sense an opportunity. He had been a smuggler, once. Before he became the fierce opponent to piracy and smuggling he had grown into. Before his pride scarred his entire world. Now, once again, those connections had become valuable. Smuggling and organized crime had only risen after the collapse of government, drawing even more of the villains to his world. This chaos was...repulsive. Desperate gunslingers fighting each other over petty beefs. Spice addicts, high on the streets while their children starved.

When he heard word that Mordeth the Hutt had interest in a meeting, it was for these reasons he agreed. The Hutt had ostensibly charitable motives. More than that, though, the Hutts' attitude as a species was one that was sometimes necessary in a galaxy of growing conflict. Many often shared a wise philosophy: Bloodshed is bad for business.

"I apologize, my lady. I cannot speak Hutteese, and I do not have an operable protocol droid. If you could converse in basic." It was an insult and a lie at the same time. Huttese was the second-most spoken language in the galaxy. In his years smuggling, he had begged and plead at their feet. This was more than a small, petty slight, though; it was a test. Could the Hutt put aside their species' considerable pride and ego for a business deal? Or did she fit the typical role - in desperate need to project power "But, thank you for the lunch. I look forward to the conversation more, though."

"It is said that, once, your people were great generals and conquerors. Philosopher-kings who ruled the galaxy with the supreme organizational skill that only a military hierarchy can bring." Before they became drug kingpins, of course. "As a military man myself, I appreciate that history." He appreciated what organization can offer to crime.

@Mockingjay

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

"Basic works just fine," Mordeth said, adjusting to the language shift. She had not spoken Basic in some time and still had a deep Nal Huttan accent whenever she spoke it. Still, one had to know it to do business and she was happy to oblige in this instance. "What you say about my people is true, Commander. It is said our leaders even banded together with the Jedi during the age of the High Republic to beat back a great threat. Would that we could recapture those days."

She had a platter of various detoxified sea foods brought to them and a glass of water each. Mordeth rarely drank when she did business. It was nearly impossible for a Hutt to get drunk, but she didn't like to encourage potential partners and clients to get drunk either. It wasn't conducive to good deal-making.

"I came to your world several days ago to deliver supply crates in aid of the recovery effort. The Five Syndicates often get lumped together, sometimes rightfully, but the Hutt Clan wants to make it known that we do not condone Za Fenn's behavior. Bloodshed is bad for our business. We prefer to make lasting partners through peace." She sipped deeply at her water and took a small handful of shrimp into her maw before continuing. "So, I won't beat around the bush and waste your time, Commander. I would like to commit funds to building an orphanage here in Dac City for the children of those orphaned by Za Fenn's foolishness. Consider it an act of friendship between my wing of the Hutt Clan and your world."

"But before I can do such a thing," she continued. "I will need your stamp of approval. That is why I have arranged this lunch. To see under what terms you would be willing to allow this to happen."

The Mon Cala would have terms. She knew this. She already anticipated having the facility heavily inspected and perhaps having to pay quite a penny to purchase property on a world where Hutts were seldom allowed. But gaining a foothold on Mon Cala in this moment was paramount. Nor'baal could not be allowed to make the first move here. @Fine Dining Set

 

[Jal Widase]

An orphanage? That was an...unexpected request. What use could a Hutt have for an orphanage? Widase had imagined that the woman would demand a dock, or a restaurant to use as a front. Was she trying to amass a child army? Or was this actually what it appeared to be at its face - a public relations attempt for the embattled image of the Hutts. Either way, he had his questions.

"Your generosity is astounding, my lady, but...you understand an orphanage would be highly scrutinized, yes?" Not only would it cycle its way through galactic news, such an organization would damn-near necessitate frequent checks and monitoring. "If I may be so bold, my lady...why an orphanage?" He certainly had terms for doing business with the Hutt empire, but chiefly, his curiosity needed to be sated.

He thought to the other 'terms' that Mon Cala would need. "Obviously, you will have to purchase the property under a legal, Mon Calamari-approved business entity. I imagine that won't be a concern?" He imagined the Hutts had a number of front organizations that they use to do business in civilized space. As to other conditions, he didn't want kickbacks or bribes from the Hutt. Such dealings would tarry his reputation even further. No, he was here to broker peace.

"Our world is in a vulnerable state. Our security forces are stretched thin. Meanwhile, mass mobs of looters, arsonists, and murderers lurk the streets uninhibited. Mon Calamari and Quarren extremists both plot acts of terror. Workers threaten strike each day." It was a dark time for this world. This once-perfect jewel that Commander Widase had so adored. "Their are certain actions a government of the people cannot take. If you can help solve these problems with your unique, renowned skills as a negotiator and peacemaker, we would be in your debt." Get rid of the criminals ruining his city, and you can have the run of the lot.

He felt like he was hitting his stride. "No drugs." Arms running, protection rackets, smuggling illegal goods, and gambling were all well and good. Some vices helped people get through such times. But rampant spice use was turning people into shells. He could not condone such activity. "And, you fund the construction of an independent community health clinic in this ward."

@Mockingjay

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

The talk of chaos in the streets was just as she had told Damon Kross. The Mon Cala were stretched thin. The Free Worlds Alliance didn't have the infrastructure to help them, the Consortium was locked in a war of its own with the Syndicates, and the Republic was crumbling under the weight of its own corruption. But Mordeth had ways of dealing with the waves of criminals the Commander spoke of. Looters just needed goods to calm down. Food and water, basic needs met. Once the orphanage was built, the Hutt could have food kitchens and pantry drives started to handle that problem.

All of this infrastructure would be good for business once it got off the ground. "I'm well aware of the scrutiny orphanages bring," she told him. "Especially ones run by a Hutt. Nevertheless, that is all it would be. The spice market is not very large here on Mon Cala. It wouldn't be profitable to use the orphanage as a front for such activities."

In this, she told him the truth. She had brought spice to Mon Cala with the help of her smugger. But the supply was limited and, once the crisis was over, the market for it would go away. No, she had bigger plans for this orphanage. More subtle plans. And in the meantime, it would serve the people of Mon Cala exactly as it was designed to do, all while giving the Hutts the PR they needed.

"I can also help with your criminal problem," she said. "I have some experience in that matter. But before I do either of these things, I need a location." She sipped her water. "I was hoping you had a suggestion for an ideal place in this city for the orphanage to be built. Preferably somewhere in walking distance from a city park where the children can play supervised by employees I hire from the local community." @Fine Dining Set

 

[Jal Widase]

The Hutts played games that lasted lifetimes. Blessed with both a venerable lifespan and enormous dynasties, all of their plans worked for futures that many of their vassals would likely not live to see. Widase found himself in the position of a 'vassal,' today. He could not see the scope of her vision. But he knew there was something there. There always was. But, if it could help to stop the problem now, he could alert the King to future developments of the Hutt Cartel. It was a bad choice, but they had been thoroughly deprived of good choices they could make.

"If you're agreeing to these conditions, then yes, I can help you find a location." There were a number of places that would be appropriate. "Perhaps, deeper into the interior of the island, there might be a suitable location for you." Dac City was located along and into the coast. The farther one strayed from the coast, into the lush jungles of the island, the further one left Mon Calamari civilization as a whole. It would be a decidedly bad idea to offer the Hutt a stronghold away from prying eyes, but there was a particularly troublesome district in the outskirts of the city, now overrun by a violent militia of Mon Calamari aristocrats and ethno-nationalists. They who blamed the Quarren for their planet's problems, and who were raising the funds and arms to enact a violent revolution against the provisional government.

Their virulent hatred of foreigners would surely make the Hutts a target of their surveillance. The Hutt's power from uffworld and desire to build a foothold would, too, force her to negotiate or retaliate against these extremists. The King's forces could play them against each other. And if they came together, that could be a blessing; they could each mellow out the other in their shared territory. "Now that I'm thinking, I may have the perfect location for you. Several clicks northeast of here, there's a crater where once a great city-ship was located. Families, businesses, entire industries left when it fled for the stars. If the mighty Mordeth Anijiliac would consider building her orphanage there..." He leaned his head into his chin. Perhaps he was coming back to life, sitting in the negotiator's chair again.

"Perhaps, it would be approved. Do you have any questions of me?"

@Mockingjay

 

[Mordeth Anjiliac]

The Commander was no fool. Mordeth knew that he knew she was up to something. He was making his play right now, just as she had given him the opportunity to do so, with the selection of a location. And she was going to let him play that hand. She was going to bite and buy the location he suggested. There were reasons for this. The Mon Cala would put her in a place where they thought her criminal activities could be checked. And that suited her just fine. The more comfortable an adversary, the easier it was to subvert them.

She pretended to think for a long moment. Showing too much eagerness was certain to set off alarm bells. She needed to appear as though she were genuinely reconsidering. Then, when she thought long enough, she said, "No. I don't think I have any questions. You've made your points succinctly, Commander, and I thank you for that. I think I will take your advice and purchase the location you mentioned. I will foot the bill for construction costs and list you as a reference when I lodge my purchase with the local magistrate."

With that, their business was concluded. After their lunch finished, Mordeth would head right over to the city magistrate's office and file for purchase of the land in question. Her ship, the Opulent Pearl, was already en route to Mon Cala with members of her organization from Ord Mantell to serve as construction crews. The only thing left to think about was a press release. It was time the Galactic Senate were not the only ones getting credit for handling this crisis.

/End