The Spear of Akrulta: Plotting and Scheming

Keeping his distance, Hawke addressed the newcomers and asked the question sure to be on everyone's mind.

"Greetings Unnamed-Organics, do you have an intragalactic multi-phasic frequency modulator or any parts with which to assemble such a device?"

Lissewa smiled at her BS-10 security droid, that she colloquially refers to as 'Sebastian'. "No, Sebastian, we will be able to handle things on the ship ourselves. If you would, please keep a look out for any uninvited guests. As long as we stay on the ship we'll be vulnerable to ambush."

As BS-10 proceeds to carry out her direction, he stops for only a moment to stare at Lissewa, his robotic face emotionless. He leaves without a word, exiting the ship and conducting patrols of the hangar and lobby at a predetermined interval calculated in his computer systems.

Lissewa on the other hand, pays her droid no mind because now she turns her attention to her returning comrades. "Oh, it is great to see you all. I am so glad to finally see you are all unhurt, not that I had any doubt that you were in any danger. My time, while not quite as exciting as yours I'm sure, has been very enlightening. I have been speaking with Nash, the contact that Zhaff set us up with and we have been discussing on how to proceed with out mission. You are free to join us, of course."

She returned to her seat and looked at Nash, waiting to see if he had a response to Hawke's request. She was pretty sure she knew the answer at this point, which annoyed her a small amount.

Tajanna stared at Nash with a shocked look on her face for just a moment, then quickly forced a more natural expression, and sat down at the seat opposite Lissewa's.

"Nice to see you alive and well, too, Lissi. We were worried that something bad had happened on your end, given your radio silence for most of the night. It's relieving to see that that apparently wasn't wasn't the case."

Tajanna then reached reached into her backpack, and pulled out the breath mask she had borrowed from Lissewa's survival kit, and slid it across the table towards Lissewa.

"Oh, before I forget. I managed to procure my own respirator. You can have yous back."

Now this is certainly an interesting development. I'll have to see how it plays out for the moment.

Lexi smiled inside her mind. Interesting. So we were out fighting through all manner of vagrants and such, and this one has been having a pleasant talk with our contact. I wonder how much of our mission she's divulged.

"So, Nash, tell us a bit about yourself. How do you propose to assist us in our goals?" Lexi said, not wanting to give any information away in case Lissi had needed to fabricate some bits of their presence on the planet. Taking a position near the side of the lounge, she found a comfortable place on the wall to lean while they had their conversation.

Just Lissi with a contact and two guards. If it comes to the fighting, we'll need to make sure the guards are incapacitated quickly. Another leap like the Espo got should take care of one, though I imagine this one would be more aware than the last fool was. Shame by carbine is still on the ship. That would be the idyllic place to be, at the far end of the room blaster in hand.

Nash, this man's name is Nash. The outrage of it all; the comfortable familiarity of the man she entertains as if she had just meet him. Then the audacity to negotiate, some kind of deal with this criminal without informing the rest of us. Any viloent move performed here would ensure a fight, a fight that might cost one or several of there lives. The best play here is to go along with the play. Listen and observe for the moment, perhaps some details about the end game will be revealed.

Krosus slows his breathing and opens himself to the force, hoping to catch the emotional state and thoughts of the human Named Nash.

One of Nash's bodyguards, or what you assume are bodyguards, takes a condescending interest in Hawke's question. "Oh, of course I do." The sarcasm is thick. "I always have one of those on me. You know, or the parts to ma--"

Nash cuts him off without so much as a look in his direction, voice raised, but controlled. "That's quite enough. These are new business associates. As such, you will, accordingly, show the respect due." The witty bodyguard instantly goes silent, eyes drifting toward his feet. Silent moments of tension pass. The other bodyguard looks at the witty one, and just shakes his head.

Eyes still focused on the recent arrivals, Nash continues, his words relaxed and methodically cadenced. "What he means to say is that he doesn't have one, but he might know something about getting one, although I doubt it would be as simple as dropping the credits at the local MechTronics." He pauses briefly. "My apologies for the outburst. Good help can be so hard to find." He fixes an icy glare toward the witty bodygaurd, who looks up at Nash briefly, fear written all over his face.
Nash smiles at Lexi as he opens up a small metal case. "Well, I suppose..." he pulls a deathstick out of the case, "you could say I'm a businessman. Somewhat similar to corporate, but much less active when it comes to profiting by legal methodologies." Lighting the deathstick, he takes a long drag. "In fact, despite my position as an Espo Investigator, the truth is that my most profitable, and, of course, less than legal business practices are largely based on my membership in an organization known as the Corporation. It gives me a power base of sorts to work with. You understand."

He looks at Lissewa, the hint of a smile on his face as he smooths his hair straight back with both hands, deathstick jutting straight out from his mouth. "Although recent events in the past few months have seen my position within that organization usurped, and I find myself demoted in a sense, unofficially you could say, working street level again. More like an entrepreneur these days. Not that I mind. Reminds me of when I was younger."He looks wistful for someone who couldn't be older than 30, at most.

Nash gave both of his bodyguards a brief look, then nodded toward the door. "Wait in the corridor." The two men immediately walk out of the lounge, door sliding shut behind them.

Another hit from his deathstick, and Nash continues, attention focused back on Lexi and the new arrivals. "How can I help you? Well, if the Sith have plans for taking a majority shareholder's interest in the Corporate Sector, you'll want to start with Kraspen, which is essentially the capital of Bonadan, which, in turn, is the crown jewel and distribution hub for the entire Corp Sector and all of the systems it controls. And, if you want to make that happen, I've got connections, insight, both legal, and less than, which should prove invaluable. And the ambition."

He ponders for a moment, then his tone becomes less cordial, much more direct, forthcoming, and right to the point. "Lissewa has filled me in on the grand strategy, although I'll assume not every detail. But, I think I know enough. What I hope to gain out of this is power, and position. At the very least, Lissewa and I have discussed positioning me as the controlling member of the Executive Board on Bonadan. A power play. Someone to serve as a figurehead, I would imagine, a willing partner in the Sith's ambition for galactic dominance. And the Sith plan is a sound one. The Corporate Sector is one big business. Take control of the top positions, and the CSA will be yours, giving you the power base and foothold you need to more capably move forward from there, although the Empire and the New Republic are not to be trifled with."

He takes another long drag from his death stick. "As far as specifics for the immediate plan? Placing me at the top of the Corporation would be a good start. Granted, it's not the same as being on the Executive Board, but putting me in the seat of power for Bonadan's premier criminal organization is an excellent start."

He glances again at Lissewa, smokes, then puts out the deathstick. "I believe, however, that your associate Fleshcrawler would need to be dealt with first, on the path to taking over the Corporation. You see, it would appear that he's the reason for my recent, albeit, unofficial demotion, and the one who did this." He gestures towards the web of scars on the left side of his face. "Lissewa and I have come to a sort of conclusion that your Fleshcrawler may have inserted himself into the Corporation, and seeks to gain power for himself, rather than perform his duties for the Sith. That is, of course, assuming we're right about the whole thing."

FLeshcrawler would not betray the cause, in fact his slaughtering of the gangs that had been awaiting for them when they first arrived was evidence enough that he was on their side. So everything these two are talking about is pure bantha podoo. Of course they will have to play along with this until they could make contact with fleshcrawler.

Krosus speaks up after relaxing his body posture. For a minute he had forgotten how tensed he was in anticipation of combat, but the combat facing them now was of the verbal type. This is very insightful information, you have brought us Nash and disturbing as well if your suspencions are correct about Fleshcrawler. I agree that a partnership with you would be a wise course of action for us. However the final descion will be up to the rest of the group. Krosus gives a brief glance at his comrades around the room.

Of course where are my manners, would anyone care for some caf? I could brew us a fresh pot in no time.

Hopefully the others take my que and decide to go along with this, that is of course until we have all of the facts.

Lexi smiled as Krosus volunteered to brew a pot. That would be wonderful Krosus. she said with a smile.

Interesting. Well, more interesting I suppose. This one, that we had no clue about prior to setting out that just happened to be a friend of one of the only ones left alive in the slaughter upon our arrival is perfectly poised as a pawn to be used? Plus he knows all about the Sith? Just how much did she reveal in the short time we were gone? I do not like this. Back home if I were to accept just - any.... her thoughts trailed off as she flicked her eyes around the room. If I were home, I'd be serving as a proper Eye, not out here trying to play corporate matchmaker and architect of schemes. This isn't my training! I live to serve the Divine just as the Divine serves to fuel my rage. an almost imperceptible nod as Lexi shook her head slightly.

If you are as connected as you say, how would you suggest we insert you into Corporation's top spot? You're a known quantity to these people, and seem to be on the outs. Lexi cocked her head to one side lightly, trying to draw out anything that would reveal more.

Lissewa curls her lips into a smile. "Well, you see, Nash was once a well respected member of the Corporation, only to find himself pushed back into serving as someone's lackey. The fact that he wasn't simply killed in order to usurp his position shows that any means to exert your position within the Corporation must be respected."

Lissewa stood from her seat and walked over to Nash. She moved to place her hand on his shoulder. "Simply put, we will do what we came here to do. To use our prodigious abilities to enact change within the structure of Bonadan. We start by eliminating those who would seek to destroy us by taking their power for our own. As we continue to gain power, it will open up opportunities for us to move farther up the ladder. Nash's master was able to get to his position within the corporation in a matter of months and he didn't have an elite force such as ourselves propping him up."

She walked away from Nash and toward the center so that all eyes were on her. "And regardless of the identity of the Master, he is a known threat. Nash confided in me when we decided to work together. The gang that we encountered upon our arrival was sent by him to eliminate us, by order of this Master."

She folded her arms and adopted a stoic expression. She acted as if this were something that was obvious and would therefore lead to the conclusion that they had already discussed.

"I'll have mine with two blue milk and one synthsugar, please."

Tajanna smirked in Krosus's direction, and then turned her attention to Nash and Lissewa, adopting a thoughtful but somewhat skeptical look on her face.

"If this 'Master' sent a gang to eliminate us, then who sent the second gang that fought them? And what exactly are the specific actions we are to take with this 'prodigious abilities' of ours, other than some vague notion of gaining power and eliminating enemies?"

This information doesn't yet conflict with what's already known. It's possible that Nash is actually sincere in his intentions, but I don't want to commit to anything rash before knowing more. I also don't like how much Nash already seems to know about us and our mission, and I question Lissi's judgement if she's the one who revealed it to him, but there's little that can be done about that now. Other than just killing him, I suppose.

"I'll pass."

Need more information. Too many unknowns.

"Nash, Lissewa, tell us everything that happened starting when we split up."

Nash perked up at the thought of refreshment. "Although I am most appreciative of your offer, perhaps you could put together one more glass of Corellian brandy, if it's not too much trouble? I find alcohol to be my personal drink of choice during these kinds of conversations."
Nash gave an immediate reply, confidence oozing. "By guile, or force, much as my Mast-" he shook his head "this Master, who inserted himself into the Corporation. I won't be his pawn anymore, and although I may be on the 'outs' now, as you say, there are those in the Corporation who would be thrilled if I assumed a position of power, especially leadership, as their star would rise again, with mine."
He looks at Lissewa with a nod. "She's got the right of it. We take the power that would most serve our purpose. Careful elimination of one's enemies is an excellent means of doing so, its greatest quality being that it tends to prevent them from seeking vengeance."
Nash's tone was somewhat apologetic. "First off, allow me to say that by no means was that my idea, to have you attacked by the Dead Floaters. The 'Master', as he likes to be called by those who serve him, willingly or not, forced my hand. He enjoys torturing those who fail to meet his demands, and I have come to appreciate not being in excruciating pain." You can see the recollection in his eyes, followed by an almost invisible shudder. "He has the most... peculiar device. An imperceptible weapon in his palm. Some new tech that streams bolts of electricity." He looks at Lissewa, then addresses everyone. "As I told her, I'm done being his lackey."

Nash's attention turned toward Tajanna. "As far as who sent the Mech-Zecutives to the spaceport? No idea. Perhaps there's more going on than we're aware of, or maybe it's as simple as the Mech-Zecs somehow picking up on the DF's plan, then making a play of their own."

His finger absent-mindedly taps at the deathstick case on the table. "As far as specific actions, well, that depends on how you want to play it. I'm more than willing to help, but if I'm going to take on leadership of the Corporation when the dust settles, it's better off if I stay in the background. Perhaps the 'Master' disappears, and I take back what is mine? Maybe more, depending on how many who's disappear in conjunction with our efforts to exert authority."

Nash pushed the case away as he relaxed into the comfortable cushions of the lounge table's seating. He addressed everyone now. "Lissewa and I talked about my role being that of a figurehead for the Sith Empire, a face to rule over Bonadan and the CSA's Executive Board. I believe, with... the right kind of support, namely yours, I can attain that position and play that part masterfully, smoothing the transition of power in the CSA over to the Sith. This would allow your Lords to exercise control from the shadows, until they desire to make their presence fully known to the galaxy. In the end, I would like to think you and yours would come to appreciate my talents, and efforts, as part of your empire's endeavors to dominate the galaxy."
Nash chuckles at Hawke's question. "Well, I don't know quite when you split up, so I imagine Lissewa would be far more capable of answering that."

You guys have options here as far as your next major move, some more obvious than others. There are no rails here, and whatever path you want to set out on is entirely your choice.

I don't want you to feel hurried, and neither am I remotely suggesting you're taking too long, but I want to remind you that time isn't stopping for you in the game, and the powers that be/characters in the game have their own agendas and timelines, as the game world around you is by no means static, waiting on you. In the simplest mechanical terms, I do have a timeline of events that can and will occur in the game, which naturally will, depending, react and sometimes change accordingly to your actions, which may, in turn, affect the if, how, when, etc of that timeline. In sum, I try to make your game world as real as possible.

Corellian brandy is no problem. Krosus responds with a cordial smile. Drinks coming up.

Krosus steps behind the counter of the autochef, his walk slow with eye's averted toward the flooring as the thoughts come flooding through his mind about the thoughts he captured from the man named Nash. What did he do to Lissia? Does he have a force user on his side? If so is it possible that she could be under the influence of some force power or chemical concoction. Or she could still be acting on her own. Which was the most logical assumption. The man was alone with them at the moment, all he had to do was drop a NEUROPARALYTIC toxin in his brandy and in no time they would get the answers they needed. This would also draw out Lissa's true allegiance. No,No,No too risky at the moment. He needs to get Lexi or Tajanna alone so he could tell them what he had learned.

Lissewa nodded. "Yes, of course you would all like to know how we even came to this arrangement. Nash demonstrated his resourcefulness to me during the time we were separated. Soon after I contacted him you all got into trouble. He deemed it prudent in our situation to leave as quickly as possible."

She stopped her story and moved towards the bar with Kross in order to help carry drinks back. "He insisted that we move quickly and quietly. Apparently, he has some pull in the area. We were able to leave out the back without any interruptions. He took me to another building behind the bar that he had access to where we were able to lay low for a minute to wait for a good time to leave. He had a ride waiting for us on the other side. With all this preparation, it was clear he is a professional who is always thinking ahead about how to deal with any situation. I admired that quality in him, I thought to myself he would fit in well with the Empire. At the time he insisted that he take me back to his Master. I only realized after the possibility that he was taking me into danger but he made it pretty clear to me he has no love for the person he serves. I saw that his ambition outweighed his fear of those he served and so I took a chance. I convinced him to come here instead and I shared information with him. All of it. And that is how we came to our accord. He believes we are who we say we are and are able to grant him the power he desires should our mission be successful."