Nar Shaddaa

The Red Wraith was hanging at one of the sabacc tables, cultivating drinking and small talk while winning some money.

LM8. Gambling (Tier 1). Bet: 100. Cheating (Deception). Influence. +1 Dark Pip (Mask): 2eP+1eA+1eF+1eC+1eD 1 advantage, 1 Light Side


[Pip for Success. +100 Credits]

For a time. Among the Mandalorians, her mind drifted to issues she had neglected over the past few days in the flurry of others. So once gambling was over, she wandered to a quiet spot to make a call, choosing Durasay's code on the comm console.

----At the Jedi Enclave----

After watching the lightsaber demonstration, Durasay was alerted by the commsignal going off in his coat pocket. Excusing himself, he walked out of the garden, moving for a quiet spot away from the others.

It seemed to take a moment for Durasay to pick up, almost too long. Just as it was about to hit that edge of frustration, he finally picked up.

"I wasn't expecting you to call me. I had to move away from a crowd... Good Morning."

"Hello, Durasay. Am I to assume you do not appreciate this surprise call?" She sounded amused.

"Now, I didn't say that. Maybe that it is only a call." There was a hint of bemusement.

Her voice was sonorous, yet an edge of danger. That dark feeling slipping down his spine, that tingling sensation...

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"To my curiosity, and delivering on my promise to pay attention. Have you made any progress on Azanak?"

She sounded casual, but there was an edge hidden behind the mellow cover.

He found a small alcove, leaning against the wall. Looking about, he had another small grin. "In fact, I do. I had a meeting with our friend the Colonel early this morning." There was a slight pause.

"She is dedicating more resources to my detail. In exchange for some diplomatic work on my end. My partners are also tracking down another lead. I feel that this matter will be handled with finality. One way. Or another."

"This is a pleasure to hear. Using Imperial assets for your own gain is precisely what I would expect of a resourceful man. After all, they would look bad if the murderer of Lord Yukan remains unpunished, especially with both Col. Moraal and Darth Xevious' protege already involved? Some Trueblood Sith might take issue and get angry. If you play this right, it may be one of many favours you can accrue from the Empire to further your agendas." She said quietly after her own chuckle.

"Benevolent self interest always plays well to me." He honestly hadn't taken that into account. Yet there was an underlying current of excitement.

"I think you may be right, though. I'm glad you approve."

"Another interesting thing to consider in this context is your involvement in the off-world Czerka business, the Project Evolution."

"Interesting in that, unlike it's originator, it stays alive." He didn't really laugh at his own joke, more of a very small sigh.

"My crewmate had been contacted about it. We've been hired on. I thought with the loss of the contact, it was dead and gone. Has the Colonel been informed? I know she was there with the initial conversations..."

"To my best knowledge she wasn't. Whoever has hired you must be pushing his own agenda on the matter." There was a click of tongue. "Sidelining Imperial stakes and interests may mean a couple of things."

He went silent for a moment, the comm held with purpose. "I'll pass along when we are planning on executing the plan to you or the Colonel, as soon as I know." Durasay didn't honestly believe someone was sidelining the Sith, but it waa curious.

"Especially because the Colonel was instrumental in keeping that organisation from collapsing."

"That would be useful information, but I want to avoid any direct confrontation in the spaceport or in the orbit. What is most important are the coordinates. Having this, the Colonel may be able to do her job in a more elegant way. Have they already been made available to you?" She mused. "The other thing is the name of the organiser of the effort. I wonder if the person was involved in securing Aris' assets, or is it someone new." She chuckled. "I assume it was someone new because you wouldn't have been silent or surprised if it were an overt Republican who have hired you, their motivations would have been quite clear in sidelining the Empire. And that also brings about a bigger question."

"Not yet. One of my associates made the deal while I was unavailable. I'll get pertinent information to you the moment I have it." Musing for a moment, he then pursed his lips.

"What is your bigger question?"

"Who informed, sent or sponsored the hirer. Because I don't think you have a low price tag on your whole-of-ship services. I believe that is something Colonel Moraal would really like to know. And in fact I as well. I personally knew Aris and was the first to approach him about the job."

"I'll see if Craw will tell me. I will know before the afternoon is out." Another pause, a consideration. "He seemed on the level when we initially met with him about the job. Personally, I like the idea of taking Czerka down a peg or two." His laugh came easily, before shaking his head.

"You and I seemed to be running in the same circles before truly meeting."

"So it appears." She returned a small chuckle. "But I don't truly believe in circles, but in direct contact between two people. Only that can be meaningful." She paused. "I wouldn't mind it either. But what in effect be the pegs being taken down? And where will they go?"

"I'd like to see them buried to the ground, nothing but a mote of dust in the story of the Galaxy." He'd seen the horrors that Czerka was capable of.

The 'employment' of beings that was just barely above being called slavery.

And they grew fat and rich, because of the 'good they did for the galactic economy.'

Who knew souls had a price.

"If this brings that one step closer, it'll be the next one on the path of Justice." Again that bitter edge of hate curled into his voice, anger at the memories of what he had seen in the past.

Mining towns where the people could never hope for anything more than to toil for that company.

"Ah, so this is very personal for you, and you desire their destruction. Good, I like it." She did. "But what if this is something you can use, bargain with? Would you still destroy it, or consider securing it to be at your disposal?"

He could do a lot of good if he controlled Czerka. If he turned it to his agenda... "That is not a possibility I had considered. Then again, I did look into preserving Aris' network for my own agenda..." Durasay tightened the grip on his commlink.

"I'll keep my eyes open for opportunities."

"Craw may be a mercenary to the core but you're not, Durasay. You're a leader. Leaders make their own judgement, don't follow other men, but gather them behind their agendas. Whatever you're lead into with the Czerkas, don't let be outmanoeuvred. You're the only one to know that the Empire will respond."

He let out a small chuckle. "Flattery gets you every where. I appreciate the vote of confidence. You can count on me, I remain very cool in situations like that."

He was a Leader. He also knew not to be taken so quickly by sweet words. Even if they felt like magic to his ears.

"I'll be careful. And on the look out for any advantage I can take."

"Flattery? I call that correct assessment. We can focus on your flaws some other time, Durasay. Besides, for now I choose to nourish what makes you strong ahead of both challenges." She actually didn't chuckle at that.

"Understood." He let go of the humor in his voice when she didn't laugh. It was rare when he misread a situation, but when he did....

"I'll make sure that nourishment is not misplaced."

"I believe that you will." She responded without doubt colouring her voice, though there came a pause right after. Their conversation might have as well ended then, but it didn't. Not yet. "...Is there currently something you'd wish of me, Durasay?"