All The Intel Ladies [Day 0 - The Bitch]

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I have been alerted that there are SIS operatives in the area. I intend on identifying them. Then it can be decided whether they should be brought in, fed false information, turned, or simply retired. I believe the rest of the agenda speaks for itself between the Republic, the Hutts, and any other significant unaffiliated interests. Though there is an open question as to how should we proceed with the negotiations. Should we play along nicely or not?"

[Rumun Gol]

'' Well I do have some contacts among various peoples in the Outer Rim. Mostly free slaves and contacts from the underworld. '' Rumus says.

'' Hmmm, yes peace is a lie, there's only passion. Whatever result comes from these talks, war is inevitable. If peace is achieved it will only will endure for little time. Jedi and Sith are diametrically opposite in the force spectrum. Both ideologies cannot coexist. It will be only time until us or them start a new conflict. ''

'' In any case, my master, as you guessed, is against the peace talks. War brings dynamic change and unity to the Empire and her military efforts in the Outer Rim have pushed back the frontier and it will not be long until she defeats the Republic forces completely. But wars are expensive, she knows it and while there a lot of galactic conglomerates, creditors and imperial banks funding the war, credits are always scarse.

'' The hutts' cartels own a sizeable piece of both the regular and underground intergalactic economy. Shifting their support to the Empire is , in my mind and I think my master shares this thought, a priority to continue the war. We need to make great trade deals with the Hutts. With those new sources of credits the Empire can finish the Republic, or in case of temporal peace, to reconstruct those worlds that have been devastated by the war, so as to prepare to the next stage. The hutts know that very well, and I think these peace talks are nothing more than an opportunity to them to see which side is more worthy to fund. ''

He then talks directly to Moyr.

'' I know that you are not a pro-hutt, Moyr. Nor am I, nor my master for that matter. But unfortunately the reality is that the galaxy in it current state need the Hutts. Perhaps in the future when the Republic is crushed, the Empire will mobilize their forces to crush the Hutt blight. But one enemy at the time is the best way. You don't split your forces into two fronts. You crush your enemy completely with a tremendous force, then the next one, and the next one...you get my point.''

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr listened intently, playing with the tip of her lekku.

"Call me a Hutt-sceptic, Rum. I don't have your expertise, of course, just my smuggler experience, but I don't exactly see how those 'great trade deals' could come about with the Hutts having an option to leverage us any time with a Republic counteroffer. Anyone in their privileged position would do so, and they are shrewd enough to play us until eleventh hour. If we refrain from putting pressure on them, we will have few ways to convince them that our predicaments and difficulties are worth their investments. There are also irreconcilable differences between slavery-based economy of the Hutt Space and Darth Hoshi's manumitting agenda. If power projection is not on the table, they will seek other Darths to deal with than your master. You might also consider how concessions and compromises with the Hutts will feed back on the cohesion of the force you have helped her assemble."

[Rumun Gol]

''Hutts are fascinating beings indeed. They have powerful bodies and minds. They can live and plot for centuries if not millenia and their capacity to process and keep knowledge is inmense. Their ambitions probably are on par with many of the greatest of the Dark Lords in the Council. I must admit that sometimes I envy them.'' Rumun says calmly.

''But with all their greatness they have weaknesses. Everyone has them, and the hutts are no exception. Their overconfidence probably is their greatest weakness. Overconfidence can blind us. The Hutts have inmense wealth and assets to their disposal, but they lack a foundation or base from where they can achieve supremacy. I mean, look at their armies for example, mighty at first glance, but most of their troops are inexperienced indebted servants, mandalorian mercenaries or slaves. Morale probably is low. The Empire armies could crush the Hutts without doubt. We have been fighting since the restitution of the Empire.''

''The problem is not conquering the Hutt space, the problem is the aftermath. First conquering them will divert crucial resources from the main front against the Republic. Also a collapse of the Hutt cartels will probably put the entire economy and galactic trade in complete disarray. Imagine if the IGBC in Muunilist collapses suddenly, It will be total chaos. Same principle could happen if the Hutts are crushed without a foundation to replace them.''

'' If we can somehow show them our superiority in power projection and broker a deal with them it will benefit and integrate their economy into our own. But there's another point to considerate, Hutts are not united, they have different kajidics with different agendas. If we can divide them and sow distrust between them and the Republic and among themselves I'm sure we can dominate their syndicates individually. Divide and conquer. A basic principle.''

''And finally there's the slaves factor. Slavery, I find it an inefficient system. Too prone to rebellions and riots. Inefficient in production. While my master has been liberating and freeing slaves across the Outer Rim, I don't think she does this for altruistic efforts. You know what the code says 'Through Strength I gain Power, Through Power I gain Victory, Through Victory my chains are Broken' only direct action can free those who are brave enough to make something about their lives. My master understands the code and gave them that choice to those she liberates 'fight for your freedom with her or perish and disappear into oblivion'.''

'' What are your thoughts about this situation, Coronel? How you think we should proceed? '' He asked politely to Hala.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I generally agree, my lord," Hala answered slowly after she was addressed.

"I favor measured expansion, with periods for consolidation of our gains. It doesn't matter if the Republic survives 10 years or 100 years so long as in 1000 years it is the Empire that rules. If we expand too quickly, we risk losing our gains and the treasure and blood spent securing them. Not that we shouldn't seize opportunities that present themselves, but we should be cautious. A single war at a time suffices. There will be time to deal with the Hutts and with whatever successor state tries to inherit the remains of the Republic as it crumbles. With time and care we will gain control of the galaxy and safeguard the future of the Empire."

She fell silent, but her lips twitched. As if compelled to continue, she added, "I do disagree slightly on one point though, my lord. Slavery may be an inefficient system, but efficiency only matters in the long term. And slavery is only one type of coercion. With all forms of coercion, there are limits beyond which a subject will break rather than continue to bend, but in the short term it can be useful. I don't have an ethical view on the practice in general, and uprisings could be encouraged to destabilize the Hutts once we are done, but any systemic sign of resistance in the short term will raise their defenses and provoke their ire whether the other parties deserve it or not. So unless there is something significant to be gained by it, I think we should avoid depleting the Hutt's labor force for the time being."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Hmm, A thoughtful and interesting approach...'' Rumun thinks for a moment. ''Well, certainly liberating too many slaves will hurt the Hutts' economy and increase their paranoia.''

'' They would not expect it from us though. I mean...'' Rumun started to think aloud. '' Sith trying to liberate slaves? We could blame this to Republic agents and the Jedi Order. Sow distrust between them. Subtitute their numbers from the Empire own existing enslaved population and offer them as a gesture of goodwill between the Empire and the Hutt cartels. But the timing should be precise so they don't suspect from us... Oh I'm sorry, I have a bad tendency to think aloud...''

*Ahem* Rumun cleared his throat

'' In any case, I think it is for the better to change the policy of slavery in the Empire with something to replace it. Hope and fear, nationalistic fervor and unity. But that's a philosophical discussion for another time. Thanks for your insight, Coronel. ''

'' What do you think, Moyr?'' He asked.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I live by the Code and I see slavery through its lens. There is no other path to freedom than through passion, strength, power and victory. Of all Sith, you should know tha, Rum." She regarded the Duros with some amusement. "I would like to simplify this before we get too philosophical though. Some of the importance of the Hutts is what they have made us believe to be. There are other cartels and organisations that would fill the void if the Hutts were cut to size. Even other Hutts would fill it as some dominant Hutts were cut to size, as you pointed out."

Moyr looked at Hala briefly. "I of course don't advocate a two-front war, or any sudden conquest of the Hutt Space. This would be redundant, and in fact not in the capacity of any of us to decide on. What I do claim is that we need to put tangible pressure on them, not some abstract one. Like making sure during the coming negotiations they have a problem they need us to solve. We could of course blame it on others, but unless we are ready to act on it quickly it would be short-sighted too because the truth will come out eventually. In the end, they need to know we have the capacity. If we create a capacity to destroy something of value to them, we have the power over it, and so an asset in whatever deals we want to make."

There was certainly a difference of opinion between them, but Moyr had her own ideas she would not abandon. "I would not rule out a slave revolt on Nar Shaddaa during the talks. I don't think it would be too difficult to arrange, and its scale and efficacy can be managed so it can be anything from nuisance to existential threat to the Hutts. If this occurs, I think it would leave the Hutts and the delegates of the Republic with less options than us."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Any slave riots should not happen in Nar Shaddaa unless we are ready for it. The Hutts are suspicious to a fault and would rather expel the diplomatic parties than suffer a greater loss of face by the insurrection of their captive labor force," Hala added gently, turning towards Moyr as she explained her opinion.

"The planet below is risky but still possible. Other nearby systems should be relatively anonymous enough, particularly if we divorce ourselves publicly from the effort. Would you just like to airdrop them weapons from an unmarked freighter and see if they fight for their own freedom, or did you have something else in mind?"

[Rumun Gol]

'' Well I guess everyone have some sort of different approach to the same problem. Although, I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Surely there's common ground for the application of each idea.''

Rumun sighs.

''But then again, this is all theoretical at this point, without the official position of the council and the Emperor. Darth Xevious will enlighten us of what is expected from the imperial forces at Nar Shaddaa.''

''In any case, I appreciate this debate. Now each of us have a clear idea of what the other want to do and design a plan of action accordingly.'' He smiles.

He then waits for Moyr response to Hala's question.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"They may happen whether anyone's is ready or not. What better moment for them to revolt than when the eyes of the galaxy are turned toward Nar Shaddaa?" Moyr mused, looking at Hala with a cooler gaze. "I think incidental acts of terror speak louder than any kind of organised guerilla."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Depends on what you wish accomplished by it, but unexpected terror will always draw greater attention for the same effort because it is unexpected and shocking. Do you want to brutalize the slave population into action then?"

[Rumun Gol]

Rumun listens intently to Moyr's suggestions of strikes.

'' It is not a bad idea. Untraceable strikes camouflaged as nothing more than disorganized locals against the Hutt's rule.''

We could even strike some of our own forces to camouflage that operation, a false flag attack. Rumun thought but he didn't share this time tht part with the rest. He liked this debate. He was fascinated by the different possibilities

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"It would implicate us less to simply provide materiel and intelligence support rather than personnel and advisors on the ground my Lord. If you follow that plan, it's much harder to trace if we were simply never there."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Coronel, I think you are much more qualified, and wiser than me, to organize such type of cover actions. I'm sure that the imperial intelligence agency will devise a plan once we know the general mood in the Y'Toub system. ''

'' For now, I think information gathering should be the priority. Or at least that's what I will do'' Rumun smiles.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"The details, the required level of support included, must remain sketchy until we learn what is the situation in the Undercity. I believe there may not even be the need to brutalise them any more than they have already been for the discontent to take more tangible forms. If there is samone resolute and competent among the slave leaders, all it takes is to give them some intel and some... toys." Moyr allowed herself a small, feral grin. "But yes, Rum, getting the data is paramount now. I want to stay in touch with you on the matter once we arrive." She did not comment on Hala's leadership.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Information gathering, specifically on the political mood of the Republic, the Hurts, the Mandalorians, the local populous and slaves, and identifying SIS intelligence operative. Have I missed anything my Lord's, save for learning the will of Darth Xevious?"

[Rumun Gol]

'' I don't think there's anything else to add. Moyr, you want to add or discuss something else?'' He asked politely.

[Moyr Ahaya]

The tips of Moyr's lekku shuffled horizontally for a 'no, nothing to add', then she regarded Rum again with a small smile.

"Still interested in following on Hazzan's trail?"

[Rumun Gol]

'' Heh, that bring back some memories. I remember that we were attacked by the massasi during the research. '' Rumun chuckles. '' Of course I'm interested in further research. '' He says and waits for Moyr to explain more details.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Nal Hutta is one of the spots on his starmap, but it's a big planet so it may take us some time to determine where to look. Still, I don't want to tarry."

[Rumun Gol]

'' Interesting. What do you want me to do?'' He asked.

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I'll call you soon enough with more details. For now, your interest is all I need."

After some parting words, they disconnected.

/scene