Ask Ryloth The Spice Must Flow.

[Covax]

Things were falling into place for Tenloss Interstellar. The new headquarter station was nearly in place in CSA space. A mutually beneficial was struck with Blackwell Tech, allowing Tenloss instant access to droid and munitions. Vastly expanding the company's capabilities nearly overnight. The subsidiary companies were formed, at least on datapad. It was time for the next phase of company expansion.

Just months after another failed social gathering. Covax was done with distractions, it was time to focus on work. On setting up shop on the first of three different mining operations. Thanks to a little help from @Emryc Thorne, the Modirin Mining Company had been issued the rights and listens to operate in ISC space. In this case, Ryloth.

The crime boss was aboard Tenloss' new Gozanti freighter, escorting the mining company's Control Core. The freighter was more of a poor man's Corvette, fully stocked with a squad of Blackwell model D3's and four of Blackwell model droid starfigher's for support. Another of D3's were stored in the cargo hold if they were needed but not currently activated. The egg shaped core ship would be the heart of the mining operation. Equipped with mining and refining machinery, and a wide array for labor and utility droids.

The ships currently held orbit over the equatorial region of the planet. Not often seen or used by other mining companies. And for good reason. This part of the world was home to some of the planets toughest and most predatory creatures.

@LadyRen

 

[Electra Juvexia]

Quite some time had passed since the escalated date night on Cantonica, but it hadn't been the last time Electra had been in contact with her favorite neighborhood crime lord. He knew, she knew, so far no one else apart from her sister did. She and Covax had apparently played with fire one time too often and now she was in hiding while her twin sister played the Queen. Not that they hadn't done this every now and then, but she wasn't exactly pleased about the news.

Obviously, Electra’s first reaction had been shocked and she was obviously considering to reverse this mistake, but no. She had actually decided against it. Why? Because someone, it made her feel alive. The spark that Covax had lit inside her had been fueled by those news a few days later and she had decided to message him, explaining what had happened and that he was just as to blame as she was.

With her sister in charge and doubling as the Queen Electra could retreat from all the royal bullshit and actually use some me time and also, she had more excuses to stay away from the Palace as her sister was usually playing a random and easily exchangeable handmaiden, so Electra had gotten a new idea of her own.

Why not meet Covax again? She had kept her informed about his whereabouts and obviously her Whispers had kept their eyes and ears open as well, so she was en route to meet him, probably crashing in right into one of his businesses, but she didn't mind that too much. He would be glad to see her, she thought and the Queen wouldn't wait for him to be finished as this was an important matter after all. His men would see her ship approach and obviously she would announce herself in time, however, he would probably be surpised about her just randomly showing up in the middle of space.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax was busy looking over scans of the surface. Looking for the perfect area. Pockets in the forest region wide enough to land their part, while also being in the area of known spice deposits. The crime boss was narrowing that search when the sensor warning went off. "Incoming vessel Sir." a droid crew member confirmed.

"Who.." Before Covax could even finish the droid continued. "Ship ID confirmed. It's the Queen's shuttle Sir." The droid said in a dead pan digital tone of basic. Covax was unable to hide his confusion over what the fuck she was doing out here. Or perhaps more importantly, how she knew he was out here.

"Confirm, sent the ship to the side docking ring. Then prep fighters. I want the clearing this sector here." Covax ordered. Sending the LZ coordinates to the command droid before headed from the bridge of the ship, down to the docking ring where two of his D3 droids waited to greet Electra.

Covax didn't even wait for the door to finish opening before he let into her. "What the fuck are you doing here?" The irritation in his tone being obvious. His glare at her suddenly shifting as the door quickly opened all the way, revealing her baby bump. "What the is that.?" Confused not for the first time by her appearance.

@LadyRen

 

[Electra Juvexia]

The Queen was clad in another insanely expensive dress, however today she wore dark green instead of gold. It matched her eyecolor and elegantly suited her shape, yet the baby bump was obviously no longer hideable.

She gracefully descended the ramp and walked strode through the docking bay with a small assortment of guards and two handmaiden. She was traveling lightly, as the majority of her court stayed with her sister who was posing as her, but she obviously still couldn't just sneak away on her own.

"What the fuck is that? Are you kidding me? Isn't that obvious?" There was a dangerous hint of annoyance and vitriol in her voice, but she herself noticed and thus cleared her throat. The hormones were constantly pushing her over a thin line and actually, she wasn't here to attack him as this matter was...well settled somehow. Still, he had an interesting way of greeting her.

"It's nice to see you, too, again" she said to him, not yet fully able to hide the sarcasm in her tone though. "You look surprised..." she pointed out, rather teasingly now. "What are you up to here?" now, curiosity won.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax sighed, rubbing the temple of head as he tried to calm himself. He was fuming, he didn't have time for this, for her. Even if she wasn't with child. But she was. Not only that but like usual, she had to travel with a fucking hoard of useless people. The sad excuse for guards especially.

"It looks like you invited yourself were you should not be. It also looks like you changed your mind." He said behind clinched teeth. If she was not here to annoy him she had a piss poor way of showing him. However, like it or not she was here now. And though he was a criminal in many many ways. He would not abandon her or the child.

Covax took a slow deliberate breath in through the nose and out his mouth. Then choose his next words carefully. "I'll have my medical droid prepare one of the privet rooms for you. Your maids can stay but your guards will need to leave. This is not up for discussion. They can leave or they can die. But they will not remain in this system." It was said with such conviction that Electra would know not to press the matter. Besides, by now she trusted him enough to know he would not harm her.

Covax gave her a moment to dismiss her men and see them off his ship. He would then send her maids away to the room along with the medical droid as promised. He would then take her gentlemanly by the hand and lead her back to the bring of the ship where he could finish conducting the first phase of the mission.

"Sir, a landing zone meeting your criteria has been found. On your order." The pilot droid confirmed. "Do it." Covax commanded. Then turned back to Electra, "Well you're here now."

@LadyRen

 

[Electra Juvexia]

It did really bug her that he was so unamused about seeing her. Admittedly, she had intercepted at whatever the fuck he was doing here, but as the fine gentleman was usually rather busy, she hadn't seen a quicker way to reach him and somehow she had strongly felt like seeing him again. It had been a while...

She crossed her arms in front of her chest as he pointed out that she had invited herself...He obviously wasn't wrong, but they both knew that, so why stating the obvious again. She was glaring at him, not saying a word, but a dangerous fire in her eyes as he talked about dismissing her guards.

Sure, in his presence she had no need to keep them around, by why would he consider them a threat for himself? After a while, she turned to them, curtly saying "Leave us. You can wait on the ship" and thus ordering them to leave, which they did without a single complaint.

She assumed they weren't happy, but his ship, his rules. "Fine, done" she said to him rather coldly, forcing herself to breathe and calm down. "Thanks..." she added as they started walking and she was surprised that he now took her hand.

The warmth slowly returned to her while her facial expressions slowly softened. It wasn't very lady like to burst into whatever he was doing here and well, he had a reason to be a little pissed. She watched him work until he'd gaze flicked up to him, the slightest smirk crossing her lips. "I'm here now, yes" she confirmed, slightly amused by how he pointed out the obvious again. "As my sister is managing business, I thought why not paying you a visit?" she casually added, now a rather playful smirk on her lips.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

The issue of outside interference taken care of. For the moment. Covax would return his attention to the task at hand for the moment. Namely landing the ship and preparing for the job. Such things could not be ignored or left to "just happen". The bulk freighter would land in the accepted clearing in the forest, while the core control ship continued to hold orbit above the world for the time being.

Once landed, the Tenloss droids would go into action. The pilot and co-pilot busied themselves with switching to control and command, while a squad of D3's secured the area around the ship. Shortly there after, a single probe droid would be launched to survey the area.

With these things now in motion, Covax could turn his attention to Electra. "You wanted a visit?" He asked. "Or you wanted attention?" To someone else the two might not be mutually exclusive, but for his, whatever she was to him, they were not. She was a Queen and expected the attention and oggling it came with. He knew that. He also knew that if she wasn't getting it, she would go find it. He wasn't annoyed by this, simply calling her on her bullshit.

If she was here for the latter, she would be still found wanted. Because Covax was focused on other matters. That part of his life that made him so appealing to her. A chime from a console pulled his attention from her. Turning, he looked to see what it was. As one of his droid's gave it a voice.

"Sir, it appears the probe has found what you are looking for." Commented the pilot droid. Covax would look over the screen himself to confirm. The old quarry from imperial records was still there, but so was the native village. Not so primitive as those discovered and thought to be slaughtered by Lord Vader. But, villagers all the same.

Returning to Electra, "Much as want to discuss this" He said, waving a finger around her belly. "I'm here to do business, and unless you feel like helping ?" He said trailing off as he started to leave the bridge of the ship and head for his personal quarters on the ship. Presumably to prepare.

@LadyRen

 

[Electra Juvexia]

She feistily glared at him, her jade eyes dangerously glinting as she decided not to answer his question. She sometimes hated how easily he could read her and as he didn't need an answer, she was simply moving on, replying as casually as possible, even if that was a little provocative.

"Like I said, I'm here now, I won't just fly back. I mean you've even been as kind as to prepare a med droid..." she was giving him a smirk and then as she began to follow. "Tell me what you're up to and I'll help" she demonstratively crossed her arms in front of her chest, emphasizing her point by keeping the sarcasm out of her voice.

She was bored...on Juvexia she was basically in hiding while her sister did the business and ironically, she had even missed him. It had annoyed her greatly and she would have never admit it, but it somehow felt good to be back, even if he was amidst some presumably important business.

She followed him into his quarters unless he stopped her, laying down on the bed and slowly began lolling about on the bed while she kept her gaze on him."Who are you fucking over this time?" she wanted to know, actually finding it hot to see him in action.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

He lightly smiled at the glare of her jade eyes. He was not only coming to expect them but look forward to seeing them. A feeling perhaps as odd to him as her own feeling were for him. In any case, he took them as the only answer he needed. He was right, she was bored and needed attention, his attention.

"I never suggested you do. However, from now on it's just you. No guards, no maids, none of your little whisperers." His smile faded and he gave her the look of the very cold blooded criminal she knew he was. "I see them again in my business, and I'll have no choice." He continued to check his gear as he spoke. "You, I can handle. Your people are a liability."

Covax waited for Electra to tell him that she understood him. That if this thing between them were to continue, she needed to know the risks it came with. He trusted the programming of his loyal droids, and the few living criminals he worked with. Not the slaves of nobles who were treated like less than droids.

"Through the efforts of my mining company. Tenloss will be assisting in the reactivation of a spice mine here on Ryloth. It is our hope to enlist the help of the local people. Providing them with jobs and a growing economy." He said to Electra in his most professional tone. What he meant though was the time honored tradition of corporations everywhere. Turning a the tiny village into a corporate own workforce. Being paid a tiny wage, only to pay

@LadyRen

 

[Electra Juvexia]

This smug grin that followed...she would have loved to wipe it of his face. It was so frustrating, yet she somehow wasn't angry. He had basically insulted her and she didn't even felt the urge to sent her Nexu after him. She simply scoffed and shook her head, the playful smirk spreading.

However as he continued, it was getting worse and he was starting to play a dangerous game. "So you're commanding me to send off everybody? Calling my people a liability?!" she repeated, her eyes dangerously glistening as she walked up to him and grabbed him by his collar.

He was commanding a Queen! Or well, no technically the Queen of Juvexia was at home in the temple...With a flick of her hand she sent the handmaiden off too. Now she was quite annoyed as she glared up at him, the tension in the air high before she finally pressed her lips onto his, passionately and quite demanding, yet just quick. Why...why why why did she found him hot and irresistible?! She blamed it on the damn hormones.


She still knew no harm would come to her or the child and the droids would do what her handmaiden did and they were probably even more intelligent. She stepped back a little and sat down on the bed, fumbling around on the cheap sheets with a hint of displeasure on her face.

As he replied, she looked back up, tilting her head to the side as she said. "Ah. So you're fucking over the locals to push drug mining to profit. Or let me rephrase that. Enslaving them to work for you". There was a definite hint of amusement in her tone before she shrugged. "Why do you even invest any efforts in making it sound like you're their Knight in shining armor?". As if she cared about slaves...lowborns were worth nothing.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

He watched as the look of amusement slowly changed to irritation. Not at the fact he made a demand of her, but rather at the fact that she didn't mind doing it. Some tiny part of her seemed to even enjoy it. She did not admit it to him but he could see it in her jade eyes.

Covax knew he was playing a dangerous game with Electra. Not by being himself around her. But by being with her at all. Having relationships, families, loved ones. They were a weakness for his enemies to use, or as he feared more, his boss to use to leverage him. As he'd done to convince Covax to take hold of the Crymorah in the first place.

"Yes." he answer softly but sternly to Electra. She took him by the collar then, and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. Which he returned with equal enthusiasm as he embraced her, careful to brace her small but obvious bump. He still wasn't sure what this was, but he found he missed it.

Their embrace soon broken. Covax finished getting his things together. Taking her by the hand only moments after she sat down and leader her to the cargo bay, answering her as they walked. "This mine need to follow the rules and regulations of the ISC. Open slavery is not permitted, however there are work around's for such legalities. One just needs to play the game correctly."

The couple would come to the bay where a very basic looking speeder waited for them. Driven by yet another combat model droid with another riding shotgun. Covax helped Electra inside and sit beside her. As the speeder left the cargo bay it would soon be trailed by another. This one armed with a heavy repeater on the top of it. Soon enough they were hovering down the jungle at speeds no human would dare go.

@LadyRen

 

[Electra Juvexia]

She simply enjoyed their little games of power, even if a part of her hated that he was always winning when they were on his territory...Well, she was never surpised by it, but Electra was simply no woman who enjoyed giving up control...neither was she a woman who usually have up control at all.

With him...it was still different. Being a little vulnerable was okay with him. It had never been, but she had somehow gotten used to it...and yeah, she even enjoyed it a little as she still found his power sexy. "Ah. I see. So minimum wage, yet the exploitation is the same" she replied amusedly as they started to walk, her eyes still directed up at him. She had missed their passionate kisses even if she didn't say so.

As he led her outside, she couldn't help but to chuckle a little. "My vehicles are more...brilliant. And faster. I see why you need that mine", she couldn't help but to continue the playful teasing, knowing that his patience with her was much bigger than his usual, but all the same went for her.

Obviously, she didn't even care about the speeder, but it was good that an armed vehicle was following them as she couldn't quite assess the dangers that waited here. "So the ISC wants its rules enforced, yet it's fine with a crime lord fostering a spice mine?". It was surely lucrative, but that was interesting.

@Taz