All The Intel Ladies [Day 0 - The Bitch]

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Peace is a lie," Hala agreed, "It is time for us to rebuild and consolidate our gains while preparing for the truth to return.

"No. At least, only where the Hutt are concerned with them. Diplomatic analyses of consistent cultures I expected to interact with. If I knew who the Republic was sending to negotiate, I would have arranged for a third reference volume but as things are...." she shrugged, "I was not allocated any operational liquid assets so I will be required to procure almost anything I may come to need on site. I do have a small intelligence database concerning Nar Shaddaa itself though. It seemed more prudent to query after the moon rather than some region of the planet below or a nearby system."

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr was slightly elsewhere with her thoughts. "Your database, how much does it have on the Undercity?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Locations, venues, colorful characters, fences, vendors, places to stay, places to avoid. Any listing of territories is probably somewhat out of date, but it would help illuminate something you wished to know," Hala answered, eyes narrowing slightly to analyze where the Twi'lek had gone.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Detailed architectural plans of venues? Ventilation systems?" The tip of the lekku tapped like the tail of a rattlesnake.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"No, but it probably includes information where floor plans and schematics can be found. Heads of maintenance departments, repositories of architectural history and word of mouth tradition. Not what you want, but where to get what you want," she explained.

She tapped out a few times and pulled up the head of utility services for the red light district, a lanky Rodian, and showed his contact information as an example.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"That's even better. I like working with organic sentients more than with computers. In the first case I almost always get what I want." She paused. "And if we are at this, I'd like some data on slave and proletariat leaders on the moon."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Those may not be contained within the database, but should be the sort of thing that I can make a request to the Hutts or through one of their administrators for names of people that can be interviewed. Even Nar Shaddaa has a semblance of a governmental apparatus and that can be used to serve our needs."

Hala tapped on her pad again and a strange pin flickered into life along her collar. On either side of the centerline, the symbol of the Empire winked into existence. When her pad turned back around, it now displayed a partial dossier belonging to Hala Moraal. A colonel in the Imperial Navy with an innocuous sounding liaison assignment to the Nar Shaddaa consular envoy and the authorization of limited immunity along with several other customary notations and privileges assigned to diplomatic representatives.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Not this way. I don't want to let the Hutts have too much to think about on what I do and why and how I do it. This has to go under the radar." She mused, watching the lights of new gadgets on Hala. "On your way to shed the uniform and evolve into a civil servant?" Moyr tapped her chin. "I don't think you can keep your shadow in the spotlight."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Not for some time, I expect, but the same shadow can be cast by many things in different light," she said with a shrug. She tapped the pad again and the holo-emitter turned off.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Military background, duty to the intelligence, and now an agenda of dubious political nature replete with Sith rope-pulling. Sure you can make those meet?" Moyr rotated on her chair, then checked the consoles to turn of the INN. It was getting on her nerves.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

She shrugged simply.

"It is all in the service of the Empire. I will serve until there is nothing left of me or nothing left to do."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Or to the point of your incompetence." Moyr mused. "You are short on personnel and you've prepared for greater public exposure. How exactly do you plan to operate?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Picking my engagements carefully and fulfilling my responsibilities as best I am able," she said with a smile, then added, "Probably stimulants."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Chems." Moyr said disapprovingly, but did not elaborate. "I need to think how you can still be useful to me rather than some other Sith despite your changed focus."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

She shook her head, "My focus is still the same and I am still as I ever was. My casting and pic face has just shifted slightly. And if not chems, how else am I going to keep up with the pride of Korriban?"

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr scoffed, then reached under the hem of her jacket and produced the mask. She did not put it on, just weighed in her hands. "Pride of Korriban? No, this is not who I am. Perhaps you'll meet some of those who deserve this title better. I might even introduce you to a few. Korriban tried me, and took from me, stripped me bare, tearing away weakness and illusion. But it gave little in return. It is Yavin that made me Sith, beheld me to the Code. It enabled my passion, and with it the strength, the power, the victory and in the end - my first steps toward freedom. Through blood and terror, defiance and murder." The Lethan spoke calmly, without agitation. "I am the Red Wraith, Hala, whenever blood is to be spilled and terror is to be sown, and I don't need any other moniker. I earned this one. I midwived the rise of the Queen of Yavin, and the mask is the symbol of it. The day I donned it, I killed 13 Massassi." She returned the mask to its place behind the jacket flap. "As to your question, how about efficiency? Knowing the right people before rather than after it becomes necessary?" She paused. "Have you heard about Rumun Gol?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Sith, Duros. He was on Korriban around your time if I am not mistaken. A disciple of Darth Hoshi if I am not mistaken, and an information broker," replied the Watcher, her tone losing any amusement it had borne. It became dry and perfunctory, and her posture stiffened slightly towards attention.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"And a former slave whose soul had been broken by failure and personal degradation until the power of the Dark Side moulded it back through recognition of the Sith Code. An associate of mine. We have worked together, and the bond he has formed with Darth Hoshi could not please me more. He has also been invested in some matters related to Darth Skotia, and by extension to... Zash." The omission of the title was deliberate and coupled with a frown. "He has had prior dealings with the Hutts, and is largely responsible for the logistical greasing that lets Darth Hoshi's war machine churning forth. Let's give him a call. I'll introduce you."

Moyr linked her personal commlink to the cockpit holoprojector and sent a seeking signal toward Gol's personal code. Then she sat with dignified charm, straightened her jacket, and waited until the hyperspace-hopping signal would be received.

"Rum! Long time. Handsome as ever, but where's the hat?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

Hala brushed down her uniform, adjusted the code cylinders within their catch pockets, and the holo emitters activated in their normal mode. Her face instantly appeared several years younger, the lighting catching her face more favorably, and becoming more presentable. Her attention turned to the holoprojector and she waited.

[Rumun Gol]

The Holo-signal suffers a bit of interference as the holonet beacons tracked the position of Rum's comlink. Finally after a few seconds the call is answered, not by Rumun himself but by an imperial droid.

''This is 2V-T5 protocol droid and co-pilot of The Greyspectre. You have been trying to reach master Rumun Gol. Please identify yourself and your bussiness with my master.''

After identifying herself, 2V-T5 redirected Moyr's call to Rumun himself.

'' Well I must say that today has been a day of surprises. Lady Moyr. '' He smiles and bow to Moyr. '' How wonderful to see and hear from you again. It has been a long time'' Rumun's raspy voice echoed through the holo-screen. The duros looked the same, except for being bit toughen. Seems like Hoshi's training was getting some results.

'' My hat? Unfortunately I lost it during an operation in the Outer Rim. I guess battle and fashion don't mix together very well. '' He chuckles a bit. '' And rumours say that my master hated it in the first place so...yeah.'' He shrugs.

'' How have you been Moyr? And what can do for you?'' He asked politely.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"A pity." Moyr chuckled, returning a respectful greeting gesture. "That Darth Hoshi and I don't share fashion sense. But I suppose this leaves space for convergence on matters that matter more."

She regarded the Duros carefully. "Frontline life has served you well. I don't even have that much of a need to ask you how you've been because your exploits have been on the news quite often. Compared to you, I've had some quiet months of serving my lord. It's not every day that one is credited for helping ascend their masters both to the title of a Darth and to the Dark Council." She demonstrated respect once more. "We both have come a long way since the archeological dig in Korriban."

She then glanced and gestured at Hala. "If my political sense doesn't fail me, I think I could expect our reunion on Nar Shaddaa soon enough. That presents opportunities beyond sharing a drink in good atmosphere between you and me, especially with the proximity of Nal Hutta, wouldn't you agree? But I'd like you to meet someone trustable and efficient. Colonel Hala Moraal of the Imperial Intelligence, an attache to our delegation with full diplomatic authorisations and clearances. She will be of great assistance to us in handling various issues on the the Smuggler's Moon."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Indeed. '' Rumun nods. '' But my exploits surely are pale in comparison to what The Red Wraith of Yavin must had being doing under the shadows. '' A bit of praise. '' Besides, everything that I have done is thanks to my master's training. I'm just a cog in the machine'' He adds. '' A very big important cog, I might add. '' He chuckles.

'' Well, the force is indeed converging into Nar Shaddaa, so it seems. Just a few minutes ago I spoke to Remmington and he is also traveling to Y'Toub as we speak. I suppose that no one wants to be left out of such an important ocassion.''

Then he turn to Hala.

'' Coronel Moraal. '' He bows. '' Rumun Gol, apprentice to Darth Hoshi. It's a great honor to meet an imperial intelligence officer. '' He presented himself formally and respectfully to the Coronel.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"My lord," she answered in return, dipping her head deferentially.

"It will be my pleasure to serve the Empire in the coming days. If you require my assistance, you have only to ask."

[Rumun Gol]

Rumun bows once again. '' I glad to hear it. And if the Imperial Intelligence need any help, I'm also will be glad to help you, Coronel''

''So I guess you have some plans you want to achieve in Nar Shaddaa, right?'' He asked both.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"The shadows is where I will more or less remain most likely. Nar Shaddaa practically invites it." Moyr inclined her head, lekku levelling to pseudo-gravity. "With Colonel Moraal as one of our public faces, it will be easier. How about you? What mode of operation you will choose for yourself at your Darth's behalf? I suppose the passing months have left you with a wealth of experience in dealing with various organisations of the Outer Rim. One important issue is of course how we are going to deal with the Hutts. This is probably one of those things you and Colonel Moraal may find a common platform on."

She paused.

"My plans? Peace is a lie. I guess we both know that much. It's better to be prepared for the time someone calls it. Would it be right to assume that Darth Hoshi perceives the whole peace talks idea as a stick in the spokes of her war machine?"