Second Glances in the Den (EA3)

[Moyr Ahaya]

"No. Whatever this heist is, it's not worth it. She remains on the verge, despite her flip. We don't want her deeper into the blue field." Moyr replied smoothly.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Understood. Even then, she is still covered by the established RoE. So long as she does not make herself a target, she should be safe," Hala mused.

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr nodded. "But you could work her. She likes technical challenges more than anything else, so bring her a problem of this kind and some money to do it, and she may walk across the line to get it done. Like we have spoken before perhaps, she rejects dumb ideology of either colour. Get her to the level of practicality, and she'll be willing to cooperate." She paused. "Bringing up my name will make a difference too, but not in excess."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Understood," Hala said, her voice lowering slightly with thought.

"I wonder if it would do to cause her disillusionment with the Republic...."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I think she is pretty disillusioned already, the Jedi offer her a better spot to do her thing than we did, and that's the real problem. Trying a negative spin may just get her entrenched from natural opposition to being said what she has to think about things she already has a pragmatic opinion about." Moyr thumped on the table with her fingers.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Of course, my lord..... is there anything you have planned that you will require my assistance with?"

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Things come up all the time... Once our gamble with Vora succeeds I want you to accompany me to see Corso as a co-author of it. This way you'll be able to handle it from there even if I am unavailable."

She paused.

"It depends how much you're going to be involved in my other activities. I could use assistance more often than not but while I have more contempt than anything else toward those negotiations you take part in I don't feel like compromising your line of duty."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"So long as one does not interfere with the other, or when I receive orders that I am no longer to worry about successfully negotiating with neither the Hutts nor the Republic, then I am of course able to assist you as I'm able my lord," Hala enumerated in a deliberate pace, watching the twi'lek carefully.

"While I know your thoughts, I do not know Darth Xevious'. I expect him to keep his own council, but I prefer to... have more direction."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Very well. Are you aware of the situation with Lord Zhorrid, Hala?" Moyr said with a frown.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Not in the slightest, my lord," Hala said with a dry laugh.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"She basically claims that the boss is dead and she should replace him on the Council." Moyr frowned, leaning in. "By virtue of this, she has tried to usurp my apprenticeship. To say it lightly, she is unfit to replace him in every possible manner. Especially that I have reasons to believe that while he is in danger, he is not dead."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"So what needs accomplishing with Lord Zhorrid? I assume you could not simply orchestrate for her to have an encounter with Lord Yukon's murderer. That would settle at least one outstanding issue...."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I think it'd take a little more than that, though your thinking demonstrates we're on the same page about this. But the pieces will fall in. For now, I just want you to be aware of the situation and its possible consequences. Also, if you get on any trace of where the boss could be now or how he can be contacted, let me know."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I will. The Empire needs stability, and restoring your master would help that."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"My turn. Does the agency need me for something I already don't know of?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Secure the cooperation of the Mandalorians and keep Sith politics and in-fighting to a minimum. Those are the only orders," she answered, shaking her head.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"No promises about in-fighting. As for your first order of business, however, I had been on it long before it became a thing for the agency." She relaxed her face. "But I think you know both of these things."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I do," she answered, her tone slipping from the rough cold of the Watcher.

"I am operating without a strict chain of command, and I am not sure whether I am to liaise through Watcher-5 or report to him.... perhaps I should ask for an audience with Darth Xevious to pierce the veil of things."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"The chain of command is confusing indeed. But I'll pay Watcher-5 a n overdue visit and figure a few things out."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I am sure he will appreciate anything you can do to further his tasks."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I will appreciate whatever he can do to further mine." Moyr calmly corrected. "The fewer masters one acknowledges, the better."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"This is so," Hala agreed.

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr rose.

"It sounds like we have a few plans to execute. Come by to my ship at some point for a more relaxed get-together."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Do you have a preference for when? Tomorrow evening, the day after, or should I just await your call?" she asked, standing up stiffly before tensing up into an attentive stance.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Let's make it the day after. This way we'll be able to discuss the events that will unfold tomorrow."

Moyr chuckled.

"Don't be so stiff, Colonel. Passion gives more strength than emotional indifference."