Nar Shaddaa

Zeno had been waiting on his father's arrival, and when he got notification that he'd entered the system he made his way to the spaceport, waiting in the hangar where he would land with his squadron, ready to greet him.

The ships arrives as if on cue and the squadron comes to attention. There is an incoming holo message from Zash as well.

Zeno opens the call, suspecting she wishes to speak with Mennius. "My father is arriving currently Lord Zash," he says to her bowing his head to the holo projection.

"Good, I could feel his presence near you... I wish to be here to greet him, apprentice," she says with a smile.

"I assumed that is why you called," he says with a nod. "I'm sure he'll appreciate it. Well... that's a lie. I'm not sure of what he would appreciate, if anything." He waits for her response or his father's arrival, whichever should come first.

"He sounds like a hard man, I admit we have not spoken of him much, though it has not been a concern until now. Anything I should know?" Zash says with a smile.

"He is practically your opposite, personality wise," he replies. "And he's a man that prefers violent solutions. I know you know I like violence because the challenge is thrilling. For him... the vast majority of problems are nails. And he is a hammer made of thermal detonators."

"By the way, I have those geo samples. And I hope that the book was delivered and to your expectations."

"I am pleased by your diligence. As for your father, I will keep that in mind," she says with a cheery attitude.

"Of course master," he says giving another head bow while he waits for his father's arrival.

The transport opens and a procession of honor guard spill forth with precision. They flank the walkway as Lord Mennius descends down the ramp with a walking stick tapping against the metallic ramp ad then floor of the space station.

He approaches his son silently and says in a rasping metallic voice, “Darth Zash.”

Darth Zash says, “Lord Mennius, it is a pleasure.”

There is breathing and then he focuses on Zeno and says, “Son.”

Zeno offers a bow of his head, short bow of respect without averting his eyes. "Father." He knew well enough that his father preferred to do things his own way. So he waited for him to share what he wished to.

He taps his can lightly as he moves past his son and speaks in a rasping tone, "What have you been doing with the resources of my House?"

"Keeping them at the ready in case the peace talks fail, necessitating the deployment for the empire. Minor tasks other than that since things haven't exploded between the Empire and Republic," Zeno answers.

“These Peace Talks are a farce and they were being kept at the ready just fine. I do not like leaving my home, the air here does not agree with me. It is filled with… weakness and cowardice,” he says dismissively in his rasping tone.

“When this farce has ended you will return home.”

"Depending on my Master's orders, I will do so father," he says with a nod. "I also have a pursuit with Darth Hoshi's apprentice to bolster Imperial influence in this sector. But I expect that will be wrapped up before the talks."

“Your allegiance should be to the House and to me,” he says in a rasping tone as he walks, the cane tapping on the metal walkway.

"It is to my house and to my master," he states in response. "In service to the empire. She is aware of my stance on loyalty to those important to me. And I cannot afford to limit my growth as an individual and must expand beyond what the house can teach. Darth Zash is among the most knowledgeable Sith in the Empire."

“We shall see, report to me tomorrow, son. I have a task that needs doing and will serve our House,” his father replies.

"Of course," he says with a nod. "I'll be hunting an acklay in the morning. I'll come speak with you when that is finished."