Ladies Have Their Expenses [EA8]

[Moyr Ahaya]

They had met at the spaceport to agree on the scheme, but entered the casino separately. The Wraith was supposed to control the game, so she had taken the 'special' dice the Colonel had. The trick was just to slip the unto the game.

Eventually, they joined a sabacc table where Corellian Spike was played, as separate players.

[Hala contributes 272, Motr contributes 228]

The game went smoothly.

EA8. Gambling (Tier 2). Cheating (Deception). Hala's Dice & Assistance. Influence. Mask.: 2eP+1eA+3eB+1eF+1eC+2eD 4 successes, 2 advantage, 2 Light Side


[Dark Pip for additional Advantage, +30% to bets]
[Hala nets 272 + 82 = 354; Moyr nets 228 + 68 = 296]

[Col. Hala Moraal]

Hala played the part of a beaten player, but never the less moved to congratulate the victor of her table.

"When they say never bet against a Sith, I didn't feel it was supposed to be taken literally? Perhaps I should know better..." she said, shrugging as she knocked back the last of her complimentary drink.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"This is a good piece of wisdom to acquire for the money you left at the table, Colonel." The Wraith said in neutral voice. "Are you often trying your luck in places like this?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"It's a place to hear things, learn things, or just let my hair down when I'm off duty," she said with a shrug.

"Colonel's pay doesn't go very far. Have to have some kind of savings in case something catastrophic happens, no?"

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Ah, a war chest during peace talks. How sensible." Moyr laughed. "What are the interesting things you've heard recently in places like this one then?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I heard that we may have some help this afternoon, I heard that things with Corso are going well, and I have heard all matter of business and pleasure in exquisite and lurid detail," she said, swirling the dregs of her glass in her left hand, "All perfectly normal, mundane, and boring to one such as yourself I expect."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Oh, of course. You have no idea what a Sith like me could be doing." The mask hid a silent snicker. "I have talked with our afternoon helper too. He has committed to help us on the other outstanding matter."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Outstanding. I've been looking into his pet project, and I am happy to pass on whatever information I find to the both of you," she answered with a polite smile.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"He'll come to you when he learns what we want. But then, we'll have to act quickly, so it's better to have things set up for launch." She mused. "So you say the moods in the Viper are good? I can confirm that."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"They certainly were as of this morning. And the morning before that. And the morning before that. It's good to let them know we still care."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Caring is not enough. We need to provide them with opportunities."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Did you have something more in mind than simply letting them off the leash every now and then as privateers? The ones on retainer, I mean?" she asked softly.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"The interests of our deceased entrepreneur are being advanced without you, or any other Imperial involved. By an individual who hasn't participated in the early developments. I suppose you can assume what that means. I am thinking about formulating an elegant yet proportional response." She remarked in a murmur that could be an afterthought.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Alert the other side of the commercial interest?" she offered softly as an opening suggestion.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"The question is of course how to get the omitted party's interests secured while being disadvantaged by infeasibility of direct involvement."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"So the omitted party is still going to see their interests through rather than just burning the offending party?" she asked obliquely.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"That would be bad for the..." Moyr chortled. "...the peace talks and could easily become very, very tainty for those involved. I think some getting used to operating through proxies isn't that bad."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Well, I meant more by informing the would-be mark in an anonymous fashion. You have something else in mind?"

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Oh the target may still be bulldozed for all I care. In fact I think this is the prerequisite of a successful mission. I'd prefer our friends to claim whatever there is to claim, even if it stays at their sole disposal. Self-interest is one of the best motivators. After all, we're not too afraid of strengthening our allies ahead of their ambitious agenda that will benefit us, are we?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"And claiming something might have a unifying effect on disparate elements."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"This would be a welcome secondary effect. New entities need their foundational acts." Moyr agreed with a nod. "It's why the leadership might be interested."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I concur."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Looks like we have a plan then. Though it's still missing some key elements I hope to obtain sometime early tomorrow from our mutual friend." She mused. "There is of course the interesting issue how the sidelining has happened in the first place. A blunder on the omitted side, or a concerted premeditation on the omitting one. Has the sudden disappearance of the slicer ever been explained?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"No, but there was another slicer in the group. The original could have been pushed out to make way for the cutting out...."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"And that other was... the Togruta?" There was gravity to Moyr's question.