Everyone Has a Price [D0 - Skidbladnir]

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington heads for the holo-deck. Opening up Holonet, he looks through his contact list before making a call on the Galactic Network.

[Rumun Gol]

After a while Rem's call was answered but not by who he was expecting. An imperial droid appeared in the holo-chat display.

''This is 2V-T5, protocol droid and co-pilot of The Greyspectre. Currently owned by master Rumun Gol. Please identify yourself and your business with my master''

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington is a little surprised but answers the question. "This is Remmington Thalalas. Captain of the Skidbladnir, Sith, and fellow graduate of Korriban Academy. I wish to extend greetings and salutations to Sith Rumun Gol whom I have not spoken to in some time."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Very well then Lord Remmington Thalalas, I will pass your call to my master.'' The protocol droid replied and the holo-image disappeared for some seconds.

Then a familiar duros appeared in the holo-screen.

'' Well, well, well. Now, this is a surprise that I was not expecting. Lord Thalalas '' The duros said with his typical raspy voice and bowed respectfully.

'' Oh, I must apologize for my protocol droid. It has recently received a memory wipe so it still re-learning basic communication etiquette. It has been quite a time since the last time we spoke at the Academy. How have you been? and what can I do for you?'' The duros asked politely.

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington chuckles. "Not at all. I am thinking of picking up a droid sometime in the future as well. They are pretty useful. I have been well. Aside from travelling around the Outer Rim for a couple of months I have been staying on Korriban to handle some things.

I haven't heard much about what you have been up to. I hope you are well too. Just wanting to catch up a bit and see what your plans for the more immediate future are."

[Rumun Gol]

''Outer Rim? I can only imagine that your training with Lord Von has yielded some great rewards, right?'' Rumun asked politely.

'' As for me, I have been travelling all around the galaxy, fulfilling my master's wishes. From Ziost, to Korriban, to Dromund Kaas, and then to the battlefields of the Outer Rim. That has leaved very little time to dedicate myself to personal wishes, but then again, that's the life and road I have chosen to walk through, I suppose. ''

Rumun seems a bit different. It would seem that his time and apprenticeship to Darth Hoshi has toughened him.

'' Right now, I'm travelling to the Y'Toub system, to the peace talks between the Empire and the Republic, sponsored by the Hutts. And you?''

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington nods. "Jaina is a tough instructor. Hard work is it's own reward."

He looks at the Duros on the holonet for a moment. "Looks like you put on some muscle since our Academy days. Though funny you should mention that, I'm heading to Nar Shaddaa as well. I was wondering if any of the graduates were going there so I thought I give you a call."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Oh, really? I suppose that the force is converging to Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa with so many force sensitives gathering in the same place.'' The duros wondered.

'' Well, some of our classmates are apprentices to members of the Council. It will be rare to not see one or two around. In any case, I'm going to Nar Shaddaa by order of my master. I guess that she has plans involving the Peace Talks. And finally to enjoy some 'leisure' time in the Smuggler's Moon.'' Rumun smiles. '' You?''

[Remmington Thalalas]

"No real orders. Jaina just told me not to die. It's cute how she worries about me." Remmington replies jokingly.

"We're probably going to see some Jedi there too then. I wonder what they will be like. Though we'll see when we get there I suppose. Since we are going to Nar Shaddaa I was just wondering if you may be interested in making any credits. I hear Hutt Ball is pretty popular there. Plus there are bounties."

[Rumun Gol]

''Well I guess that keeping oneself alive is a good teaching lesson.'' He nods.

'' Hopefully this gathering progresses in an orderly and peaceful way. I mean, peace is a lie but not because we are at war we should not act in a civilized manner. ''

'' Credits?'' Rumun sighs. '' Well, I'm always interested in those. The affairs of the Ministry of Domination suck credits without end, not counting the war efforts in the Outer Rim. Hopefully we can made some great deals with the Hutts to keep the Imperial economy healthy. And a bit of gambling could also be interesting. For cross-cultural research and integration purposes of course'' The duros smiles. '' I don't think I will pursue bounties, I mean, I'm not a bounty hunter. But if you need help with some issue or you need to research something I will be glad to help you, Lord Thalalas.''

[Remmington Thalalas]

"Just call me Remmington, Rem, Remmy, whatever you like. Seems a bit too stiff between us." Remmington replies.

"I will keep that in mind. Would you be interested in playing Hutt Ball at all? If you need help with anything as well like upgrades and such to your equipment let me know. I'll keep my ears open if I hear anything about resources that the Empire can use. You are probably better with handling that than I." He smiles back.

[Rumun Gol]

''Very well then, Remmington.'' Rumun replies.

''Ah, yes Huttball. I heard a bit about that game. Seems like an interesting challenge, though I don't think I could be of any use...'' He shrugs. '' My abilities seem to be more focused in knowledge and research. If I'm correct, Huttball seems to be more of a physical game. '' He adds.

Rum was interested in Rem's help proposal.

'' Actually, I do think I will need a bit of guidance or help in regard of mechanical upgrades to my equipment. I'm not very instructed in that field of knowledge, so I will be grateful if you can help me.'' The duros says.

[Remmington Thalalas]

"Yeah, that'll be no problem. We don't have a machine shop easily at our disposal on Nar Shaddaa like we had back at the Academy. If you provide me with the parts and cover rental fees for the shop I can do a better job than most of the mechanics that you'll find.

Though if you want ship upgrades that may take a bit of time even for me." Remmington chuckles a bit.

[Rumun Gol]

''I will apreciate that. First I think that I must make some money then I can start thinking in upgrading my equipment I suppose. '' Rumun chuckles.

'' Well, that's a disappointment. I was going to ask you to construct a star destroyer for me...'' Rumun joked.

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington chuckles at that. "Is that so? Well I would have you charge you a bit of labour for that. No worries, I'll give you a good discount."

"If you are not planning on doing bounties or Hutt Ball. Do you already have some sort of plan to earn a lot of credits? If you want some help, I would be interested in that too."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Excellent, I will send you the blueprints of my Star Destroyer so you can start working on it immediately. I will probably need a flotilla of those. Easy work. '' He continued joking.

Then he put a more serious tone.

'' Well, my master has various interest in the region as the head of the Ministry of Domination. Her military campaigns, as you probably can guess, need a lot of money. Money that corporations and intergalactic creditors and banks have been investing happily as my master's forces have succesfully pushed forward the frontier. But wars are expensive and credits are always limited.'' He explained.

'' The Hutts own an important piece of intergalactic trade of both the regular and underground economies. I believe if we can influence the Hutts to intervene more proactively in the Empire's favour, we could boost the war effort, or in case of temporal peace with the Republic, reinforce the macro-economy of the Empire until the inevitable next stage of the war. For that we need to shift the Hutts' cartels support to the Empire.''

''With that done, which will not be an easy task, credits will flow'' He adds.

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington nods. "Well that is certainly true. You need credits to fund a war and soldiers cannot fight with empty stomachs either. Resources are limited. It certainly is a grand endeavour that you are in... correction. We are all in.

Very well. I'll see what I can do to help on my end once we get there. Resources and trade that we can deny the Republic is a win for us even if there is a peace treaty signed."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Yeah, well, Peace is a Lie. This peace talks will be undoubtedly be broken in the future. The jedi and sith ideologies are very different. It will be only time until some party breaks the agreement. ''

'' It is impossible to coexist with the Jedi. I respect their dedication to their ideology, even though I don't share it. But sooner or later we will come to blows with them. The only reasonable way is to crush them completely. '' Rumun says with a calm voice tone.

[Remmington Thalalas]

"As long as there are sovereign nations, there will always be war." Remmington says with a nod.

"There is a time and place for everything. The Republic and Jedi may view war as something repulsive or vile but war also drives innovation and culture. Having a common enemy also gives the Empire and Sith something to unite against."

[Rumun Gol]

Rumun nods.

'' Yes I do share the same belief. War brings dynamic change and unity to the empire. It gives a purpose and objective to each sith and citizen.''

'' Without adaptation, an organism becomes stagnant and eventually it perishes from lack of innovation.'' He adds.

[Remmington Thalalas]

"Just for the record, since the Emperor decided to go for peace, that is the goal I shall be pursuing. Though I will still aid your war efforts. If I come across something that you can use, I shall bring it to your attention." Remmington smiles.

"The Republic and Jedi need to see that at least 1 Sith is honestly wishing for it."

[Rumun Gol]

''Of course. I don't think that each idea are mutually exclusive. I think there's enough space for pursuing war and 'peace'. Sounds contradictory but I think that it is not. ''

'' In any case, do you have some plans for your arrival at Nar Shaddaa, Remmington?'' He asked politely.

[Remmington Thalalas]

"Well I think I'll start recruiting for a Hutt Ball team right away. Though I'll be getting anyone with skill. No matter which side they are on. Plus if things go well it will give me an in with other factions and groups. Hopefully I can become rich and famous in the process." Remmington chuckles.

[Rumun Gol]

Rumun laughs. ''Well, If you want to meet to further discuss your path to wealth contact me on Nar Shaddaa''

[Remmington Thalalas]

Remmington grins as well. "Will do. Anyways, good seeing you again Rumun. I should get back to the cockpit. Hope you enjoy the rest of hyperspace and I'll see you on Nar Shaddaa."