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Post by kharivestra on May 28, 2011 13:37:59 GMT -5
There he went again, fishing for answers, and all Cian could do was nod and smile in all the right places...he really wanted to know, didn't he?
"Well you'll just have to wait then, won't you...it's not over yet, and nothing to worry your pretty little head over. But as for how I know? Female intuition...I'm going to win." Keen to move on, she stepped out into the plaza and walked with him to hail the nearest passing air taxi.
When one stopped, the conversation had moved to other things, and she slipped into the back seat with no trouble at all, doing her darndest not to show her disgust at the destinct smell of wet bothan in the back part of the cab. It had been raining on and off, and the taxi's last occupant had left more than just a tip to remember them by it seemed.
"Let us hope this smell doesn't cling." She whispered conspiratorially to Tress when he slid into the seat next to her.
Apparently that had struck a nerve, bad time to comment perhaps, but he was taking the split rather badly. Unusual for him, he hadn't seemed nearly as devastated when going his separate ways with her - was that jealousy causing her to think that way? She wondered.
"You're fooling no one...you're smiling." Cian commented slyly, keeping the tone light, and earning herself a glare for her efforts. Well he could suit himself then, though some of what he'd said had her grinning like a maniac themselves.
"I imagine you'd want to be viewing that on a vidscreen when it happens, my friend. All nine hells of Corellia hath no fury like a woman scorned. Not only will you have scorned her, you will be taking something she probably believes is her own....hey, what do you know, I'm sure your predecessors would have been so proud." She gave him another nudge, trying to jolt him from his mooching.
"Of course you are..." Cian said to his declaration of mastery, he was probably right to some extent but it never hurt to do the opposite of stroking someone's ego now and then, it kept them grounded. Plus made an excelent razz.
She should have known he would get her back for it though.
The drinks she could do, that wasn't a problem, she was still keen to see this ship of his, the one he had been raving about for almost two standard months when they had still been an item - turned out Tyber had left his grandson something aside from the family business. And what a something by the way he'd made it sound. Sadly the senatorial elections and the split between them had put a dampner on things for a while, but they remained firm friends.
So when he uttered those last words to the driver, her thoughts had been so consumed by the past that it almost slid by her completely. Until the driver, a modestly dressed Rodian, turned around, one arm crooked over the back of his seat and fixed Tress in his sights, musically responding in that way all rodians did,
"I'm an air taxi driver, not a private transport owner, do what you like but you're paying for the valet."
Cian's gaze, almost as wide as the rodian's beady one, slowly turned from their driver to Tress in succession, before a snickered, shoulder-wobbling laugh finally rolled through her. She really should have expected something like that.
"The Outlander Club...might as well start where it all began eh? And don't worry about the valet." Though she spoke to the driver, her rueful eyes were still holding Tress in their sights, the occasional shake of her head every now and then as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a credchip, then handed it to their driver. "..that should cover it."
The resulting silence was all the proof anyone needed to know Cian had just paid over the odds, but the chances were that the driver would have a story to tell too, she was recognizable, a lesser degree to Tress but the generous tip would have that Rodian telling his stories to all who would listen and eventually gossip touts would be relaying that all over the place.
Might as well get it out there that the Zann's were back to stay.
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Post by tress on May 28, 2011 17:58:26 GMT -5
 in route to Vos Gesal Street, Uscru Entertainment District TheOutlander? He raised a brow at that one asking silent questions, then wrinkled his nose at the smell. That place was entertaining to say the least, had every vice a person could want. From gambling, drinking, drugs, and even a prozzie or two with rented rooms, but there were VIP rooms up stairs for private parties. There were bound to be friends and acquaintances they both knew there. Most of the wealthy went there for excitement, to live on the edge. "I like the sound of that. The Outlander it is then." But he was still watching her as she handed the driver a creditchip. "Tress Odak-Zann is the name. " he added with a twinkle in his eye understanding her game now. "Just drop us off on Vos Gesal Street....nice night for a walk." he tells the driver. Might as well let others see what was about to be common gossip, let it add to the stories. So when the driver swerved down to the street to drop them off he winked at Cian. "Don't mind the walk I hope. Just want to see the climate, get a feel for things down there. Rumors of Coruscant having problems, wonder if there true. "In the ground, he opens the door and steps out looking around. Holds out his hand to help Cian out as he reaches in his coat pocket for his shento cigar hes always with. He had stopped while with Khari, for some reason. "Don't mind do you?" he asked indicating the cigar. When she was ready he offered her his arm, and they started off in the right direction. |
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Post by kharivestra on May 28, 2011 19:15:57 GMT -5
Seeing that he'd gotten the idea, she settled back, as well as anyone in a cab that reeked of wet bothan could, before they set off, the journey to the somewhat lower levels taking little time at all when the company was good. When eventually they arrived, none worse for wear, the nightlife was truly booming.
At one point in time the Outlander had been a very reputable club, frequented by the who's who of Coruscanti life at the time. Since then it had fallen in reputation from the high class beginnings, to a more modest den of ill repute...or not if gambling was your thing. She liked to dabble, as he well knew.
"The climate?" Cian asked curiously, linking arms with him and drawing herself close, for all intents and purposes they would look like any other couple just sharing a moment here, "Well, aside from the plague that had us in lockdown for goodness knows how long, I don't think the lower levels even heard about it, everything here is as you left it, life goes on, but here, it goes in cycles. You'll find the same regulars there as when you left."
The walk wasn't a problem, it served a dual purpose, firstly they could hear eachother talk, and secondly, well...everyone was watching weren't they? News would reach the ears they wanted it to, though even she was a little cagey about that. She didn't know this Khari from the next person, not personally anyway, only what she had seen or heard in the media and that wasn't always the best thing to go on. People that young didn't come into such wealth of power just by inherritance alone, which meant she had to have trodden on a lot of toes to do so...or simply had the opposition removed. The latter was sounding very Kuati and Cian had no desire to suddenly go missing one day...especially considering her family's relation to the Kuat family in particular. Why did she feel somewhat irked by that then? Jealousy, or some other reason?
Let them talk then...She could deal with the consequences, she hoped.
Stirred from her thoughts, she took a moment to focus on what he was asking, eyes glancing down at the shento cigarra he held in his hand...she had thought something about him hadn't seemed quite complete, now it made sense.
Cian shook her head, or was about to anyway, "No, go ahe-" when something stopped her, "Actually, wait a moment, there's something I have been meaning to give you since you arrived."
Without premable, she turned to face Tress fully, pulled intimately against him as she was anyway, it was as simple as replacing a footstep, and before she could reign in the idea, she was kissing him, softly, perhaps a little hesitantly at first, rethinking her strategy, but that went out the window just as fast, replaced by insistance alone, deepening that kiss for all it was worth. When next she drew breath, and indeed put a marginal distance between them, she almost didn't know where to look.
Yes...she had actually done that and yes, in full view of the holonet report that was going on outside the club they had decided to frequent.
Cian didn't know what the story was about, probably another fracar, but she had picked her moment very well.
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Post by tress on May 30, 2011 0:17:55 GMT -5
She was right, didn't look any different from the last couple of times he'd been there. Laying his hand on hers as she linked her hand on his arm, he looked around. Little trash cluttered here and there, dark and lighted areas along the walk way. People standing around talking. Sounds of speeders over head passing by. Though over it all there was music and laughter coming from the open doors of the clubs. "Ah, yes the dreadful plague. Something the RGE set up along with their Vong conspirators." he said off handedly. It might have been said just loud enough so those close could hear it. It would be passed around like all gossip does. "I was there in the meeting you know witht he Regent when out comes out this vong..." he was breaking laws in so many ways, but he didn't need to worry much. Unless they said his name specifically no one would know it was him. Gossip tended to change from saying to saying, it would be exaggerated by the end of the night. "I wouldn't put it past them to do something like that." he tells Cian with a wink. She had wanted fun, well the night was still young.
As they walked the noticed people they knew, some wealthy off worlders they knew in passing. Others from around here, like the CSF chiefs son and his friends out for some fun. Tress noticed some of his own men around and nodded to them in greeting. Stopping he looks around and disguises it by pulling out a cigar. He spoke to Cain while his eyes moved here and there. Word got around fast it seemed, that or.....no, it couldn't be. He was about to ask Cian something else whens he surprised him.
The kiss was unexpected, but he returned it moving his lips over hers before she pulled back. Shocked was not even covering what he was feeling, not that he minded when a beautiful woman kissed him. He was looking at her now, not knowing what to say or do, but he could still taste her on his lips. "I should go away more often..." he said at last.
He looked around to his right and then left and stopped as he saw the holonet reporter catching it all it seemed. Well he was caught, no use in pretending otherwise. Showing them a lopsided grin and a small wave was all he could do really. "Might as well add fuel to the fire you started." he tells her as he reaches out and pulls her into his arms. His hand cradling the nape of her neck he whispers for her only. "This isn't for them, this is all for me...." and kisses her there and in few view of everyone, but they were soon forgotten in the moment they shared.
When he broke the kiss, he didn't stop, but continued to linger before he decided to shock her this time. "That old fool, I told him to lay low." this time he nips at her lower lip, barely sliding the tip of his tongue across it for a taste. He pulled away and sighed. "Lets go say hi to the Zann, and Urai no doubt."
She wouldn't know that he was still alive just retired, to the galaxy he was dead and gone. It was set up that way to let him live the rest of his life in safety, but leave it to him to come out of retirement when his money was being thrown left and right. All she knew was she was allowed to send money into an unknown account every standard month. Never did she ask who it was, nor could she find out who it was. Once wired it transfered, got scattered, sent to other accounts, moved again over and over. It was useless to track or to time consuming.
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Post by kharivestra on May 30, 2011 9:14:59 GMT -5
"I don't know as it was, you know?" She questioned, "There were various rumours, the official causes were outlined in a hazy report, they might lay the blame at the door of the Vong, but who really knows for sure? Weren't they exiled?" Cian shrugged non commitally, whatever had caused it, the results had been less than truly devastating, the creator of such a plague had failed in their task of getting Coruscant to grind to a halt and pay attention though, life always carried on here, even during the planet's occupation by the Yuuzhan Vong, it had continued in some dank, dark places, unchanged.
"But tsk tsk, is that treason you are speaking there?" She chided, slyly shaking her head in mock-disapproval. There was next to no true connotation in that though, he wouldn't have been the first Senator under the rule of the RGE to have slated them for something, each person wished to change some aspect of the political body they were part of, some way that would inevitably benefit their own needs or that of their homeworld most prominently.
A stream of familiar faces passed them by, Cian couldn't remember all of them on first inspection, some people she hadn't seen in years, truly, it felt like years since she had been out and let her hair down. The moment they were caught up in, she had taken a chance on kissing him, and yes it had been for the benefit of herself as well as those cameras, she really couldn't lie to herself about that. The last thing she expected, was for him to reciprocate.
More than pleasantly surprised, Cian's mind was thrown into chaos the second she felt his hand slip around the nape of her neck, and heard him speak those words...all for him? Well that was an outright lie, she was enjoying this every bit as much as he was, perhaps a little too much. He would get no protest from her though, drawing her into that kiss with every brush of his lips against her own until she deepened it suggestively. Cian forgot everything going on around them in those moments, trying to dampen down the urge to let her hands, which were currently resting at his back, really begin to explore. But breathlessly he drew back, not yet breaking contact, undoubtedly able to feel her breath falling in measured exhalations against his lip while he teased...but his gaze was wandering, so much so, she drew back hazily, craning her neck to see what he was so interested in.
All she could see was a small crowd of people entering the club, obscured from view, mostly, by the entourage of people milling in and out of the main entrance. Nothing to write home about, but something so innocent wouldn't have drawn Tress' attention. The heated press of their bodies together was what had her looking back at him now, rather awkwardly.
"I don't get it." She said, meaning what he was looking at, though he could have taken that another way.
Cian frowned, still not understanding what he meant, "The Zann? What Zann, I thought you were...You're giving yourself titles these days? I knew the Kuati had gotten to you but that's..." To the best of her knowledge, she hadn't heard of Tress having any siblings, so it could always be his father, but Cian had never met that man, nor did Tress speak often about him, and when he did, it was always in a past tense. She had surmised, therefore, that he was either deceased, or they were estranged for some reason or another. Neither option left her wanting to ask questions or pry deeper than necessary. But there were many secret transactions she had been asked to perform in Tress' stead, syphoning off credits to various unmarked accounts to later be transferred to others, not governed by the bank of the core.
"Urai is here too? Did you know they were going to be here?" She had picked the location, how could he know? So with that realization, she waved off that question, "Okay, enlighten me and lead the way...this will be interesting if nothing else. Oh and the drinks, are definitely now on you. I just got a craving for something strong."
Following on, head still full of his scent, his taste, she quietly reached the assumption she was going to win that bet after all. At least now Urai was here, he'd be here to hear the news first hand.
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Post by tress on May 30, 2011 15:25:30 GMT -5
He scoffs at that, "I'm not in RGE territory, so if it is treason....they would have to come get me here." he pulled her closer and whispered for her to hear. "Besides, and this is just between you and me, Anaxes is thinking of dropping its support of the RGE. When we joined them it was thought they would regain control of the Core. We have yet to see their attempt, besides we have always supported the Core and might ask to rejoin the GA." he shrugged, well it had been spoken about on his recent trip homeworld at any rate.
This deal he was making would further sweeten the deal he hoped, possibly gaining a lucrative shipbuilding deal with them. The shipyards over Anaxes would serve as the secondary production site, and Rendili as the major site. Rendili StarDrive would set about producing a new prototype of a Star Destroyer soon after he gained control of it.
He hadn't either at first, but the more he looked around the more he was sure. They were his own men now after all. "Defilers in plain clothes? If you know what to look for, you can tell them apart sometimes. A few people hanging around here as we walked in i know. They are guarding someone valuable to the Consortium."
He did mention the Zann, well he was supposed to be dead, had helped plan the funeral himself. Paid extravagantly to see that it was well done as people from all over came to pay their respects. Cian had been there come to think of it. No one besides Urai and himself knew it was an elaborate hoax to trick everyone for eight years. Then he shows up here out of all places.
His comlink beeping pulled him out of his thinking. Pulling it from his pocket he answered. "Ah, hello Mina my dear. How is she....oh, she wants to talk to me does she? Great put her on...."
To Cian he grinned, "From Kuat....dont ask." he rolled his eyes. "This wont take a moment, but if you want go inside and I'll meet you there."
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Post by tress on May 31, 2011 2:06:24 GMT -5
Well she had a point there, but since when should he care if she had a point or not? This was all her doing not his. "You will find I will be interfering with alot of your business from now on and in every way possible, too." he warned, not really knowing if it was wise to say that or not at this point in time. "She is something i want, badly, and you will come to see that i get what i want."
Arri while everyone wanting her for their own reason, was someone of a prize to some people. In his hands she was a means to an end, a means to get back at Khari in a small way. She was important, had been a trusted friend and confidant to Khari and had even been present in some shocking moments in their relationship. It was for that he wanted her, there was something to settle between them and he was planning on finishing it. The falleen with her if he found him was a bonus of sorts, useful if he found out his game, but it was Arri he wanted and needed.
He was just about to let that breathe of air he'd been holding out in relief when she blasted him with her rage. He was hoping that kiss would air later tomorrow if anything, but he wasn't so lucky it seemed. He let her go, there was no point in lying and pressing his luck, yet. He let her rant go and finally said something. "She's an old family friend and has better manners than i can say of you mother. The Outlander Club has improved its reputation in the last years, besides it shouldn't matter who i am with since you kicked me out of your life."
"What? did you think I would sit around and seek someone that clearly didn't want me around anymore? No, I am doing things as I always have...seeking to protect my family, my loved ones and those that are loyal to me." he hoped he sent that message loud and clear to her. "I might do things that don't make sense at the time, but they are and were necessary."
"The Nine hells it has...." and he ends the call suddenly. Cursing his luck he stands there looking up, his mind a raging jumble of ideas.
With a curse he walks inside the Outlander Club and looks around, a head shift and a look was all he needed by a Defiler that they were all upstairs. It was where Cian was no doubt now, walking down a hall he looks in the first private room that was being guarded. "Don't you know the what low key is?" he looked at Urai after he spoke to the man sitting chatting up Cian. "What were you both thinking? This is dangerous for all of us here, and I brought Cian into it." he was angry at them, at the situation and what he was going to be forced to do now.
It was time he took matters into his own hands and lead the Consortium like it used to be run. "Your no longer command, I do." he tells the older man sitting near Cian. "Urai your fired, you are his body guard only now and serve as an adviser like that old fool will be. Des will take over your position within the Consortium." he tells the avian who is as close to him as his grandfather was. Last he looks at his date for the night, and has the manners to feel like the bottom end of a Hutt. " Cian I regret this but have to leave, there is something i must do right now, can you please keep on that buy out..." he did add a soft kiss at her temple before leaving.
Outside he gets stopped by the old man with a hand on his shoulder, "Hold on a second, Tress. What was all that about?" he turned and gave him a glare.
"Do the words,...To soon, mean anything to you?" there was a plan and plans had to be followed or things fall apart. "I'm going back to Kuat to settle things once and for all. If I am not back give everything to Siara."
"No one knows me here, its the last place they would expect me. As the Consortium would now be likely heavily invested in Coruscants future I thought it would be wise to seek about establishing operations here. What do you think I am doing here? I know the plan, I'm not going to ruin things for you....this is way more outrageous than i ever tried. I want to see how it goes for you." he pounds on Tress's back and grins devilishly. "You will being more notoriety and fame to the Zann's then anyone has, but why go back there. You want some company?" the grin on his face, seemed to settled the mood tress was in and he shook his head.
"Sure why not, you can see the woman that broke my heart and the reason i started all this over." Tress tells him. "Come on I want to show you my new paint job courtesy of the very same woman we are going to see." A quick report to Urai and another goodbye to Cian and they were off and on their way to Westport.
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Post by kharivestra on May 31, 2011 13:39:45 GMT -5
Cian had left Tress to his communique and headed into the club, she was immediately redirected by one of the defilers, at least that's who she assumed they were, they wore plain clothes, and no outward signs that they were anything more than patrons themselves, but since they seemed to know who she was travelling with, and they were the ones Tress had pointed out earlier, that was her best guess.
So there she was, reunited with some familiar faces and one she didn't recognize outright at all, in his twilight years by the looks of him though. Tress had seemed to know who he was and had spoken something about 'The' Zann being here, but so far as she knew, he was the soul survivor, the heir to the consortium had taken up his place...what was going on?
She had bided her time in idle chit chat with Urai when Tress had returned, a less than favourable look on his face and he didn't seem to want to make eye contact with anyone initially. Tense wasn't the word, the entire room seemed to be wary and when he spoke, he was terse about it.
Cian knew it had to have been about that call, she was less than impressed by what she had heard the woman on the other end reffer to her as - cheap accessory? Tress had really picked a winner there hadn't he? Sarking aside, it didn't take a genius to work out that he was in a foul mood because of what had been said.
Shouting the odds, or organizing them, seemed to be order of the day, though that wasn't the source of her disappointment. That came in his declaration of leaving. A certain resolution about herself, she simply nodded in accordance with his request, a small sigh escaping her, so much for that night out then. Cian didn't need to be a genius to work out where he was going either...although why was totally beyond her, he was wasting his time as far as she was concerned, but she would still be here when he came back.
"Do what you have to do, and don't concern yourself with the rest, I will take care of it." She tried to sound more reassuring than disappointed, though it didn't really work as a cover up.
Sparing Urai a glance, she rolled her eyes in that way that said 'He'll regret it' then debated continuing on with the night anyway.
"And listen to him." She added soon after, with a nod in the old man's direction, "He talks a lot of shrewd sense for an old guy" her comment was in good enough spirit, though she doubted he'd appreciate the humour now. Even so, she needed to lighten her own mood too.
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Post by tress on May 31, 2011 15:59:23 GMT -5
Urai could only stand there and even looked over at his companion blink. Since the beginning he had served as second in command to the Zann's in the consortium. Though in the last handful of years, he was noticing more and more he was losing his excitement of adventure. He had begun training Des a childhood friend of Tress to take over some of the duties he had. Left him free to travel and seek new markets in which to exploit. Suited everyone just fine.
It came as no surprise, that he was out and at least it wasn't of his own doing...well directly at least. He was going to set up operations here as per ordered. Coruscant was a prime example of the corruption the galaxy was steeped in. It would suit them well to invest in establishing a control of the action there. Intimidation, out right assassinations, blackmail of the lesser degree of those politicians controlling various departments that would need to turn a somewhat blind eye in things. The norm, you know police officers, the republic guards, officials of Galactic City.
Looking over at Cian, "Excuse the dramatics there, has alot on his mind that one does." he chuckled and sat opposite of her. "Can we count on you to keep that secret..." he motioned to where the other older man had sat before leaving with tress. "He reviews the accounts and saw a huge spending spree and wondered what was going on. Hes come out of hiding to help if he may." he watched her close to see it sink in and wondered if she would speak out loud in surprise or not. They were alone, but it was better if she didn't say the name out loud.
"The Consortium will be making a play here in the entrainment district first, just so you know, and will be trying for a stronger presence on the planet. I feel the need to offer you some sort of protection. You are the only connection that is outside of our influence, and might become a target. So I would like to get in touch with your Security chief and add additional ...."assets" to their team." His defilers where infiltrators, they would seek any way in cracking her set up security systems and shore up weak spots. After that they would act as body guards for her.
"Shall I take you home or would you like to continue the night out?" Urai asked politely.
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Post by kharivestra on May 31, 2011 16:39:03 GMT -5
Urai's throaty tones had her looking away from the door as the other two made their way out, affording the avian a wan smile, he had reached the conclusions she had and that was no surprise.
The rest was what had her intrigued, she'd had her suspicions about the old man, but had not wanted to speak them alloud lest she face rebuke from any number of his associates in the room they sat in, for doing just that. What Urai said only confirmed those suspicions.
"I had always assumed he was dead, Tress never said anything to the contrary...did he know?" She realized that she might be prying a little too deep and then shook her head, flushing a dusky shade in embarrassment, "Don't answer that, you don't have to tell me...and yes, as always you can be sure that what is said in this room stays here." That professional masque of calm had descended upon her again, though there was still no hiding her astonishment at the huge deception these people had been maintaining all these years. It certainly explained a few accounting discrepancies.
That was a sobering thought, even under the influence of the acrid 'eyeblaster' she was drinking, how she had let him talk her into this beverage - which, she might add, he had said was lightly spiced, not spicy enough to blow your ears off, but that was the tastes of an alien pallette, not her own. Cian had never considered the possibility that she could directly become a target, if simply for the fact she wasn't under the same level of protection as other members of the consortium, simply, she wasn't a part of the consortium. The offer however, had taken her aback, to the point where she stared like a wide eyed child who'd just realized the magnitude of what they had gotten themselves into.
"Defilers? If you....think that is necessar. The security where I work and conduct myself if some of the best around, but you would know better than I...and I think I am going to need another eyeblaster." The blonde said bewildered, having drained her current glass in a hurry to stave off the urge to speak up earlier.
"Thank you, by the way, I don't say that often enough." With one hand she reached across the table and patted his feathered one, then settled back in her chair, if a little tense considering the turn their conversation had taken. "It's a waiting game regarding the assets Tress want's seized, but I can give the importants at Rendili a prod come morning. I think it best that is brought to a swift conclusion."
There was a quandry, or maybe just a forgone conclusion. Her night out as it were, had been somewhat ruined by that communique Tress had received - as if she needed more reasons to dislike people from that world in question, arrogant bunch, thought they founded just about everything in the core...and maybe they had, but who gave them the right to act as they did? Ah, the penalties of a free galaxy...and there was an oxymoron in it's self.
"You know..." Cian said belatedly, "...I'll have that second eyeblaster, and then I might call it a night."
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Post by tress on May 31, 2011 17:51:12 GMT -5
He shook his head, "Not at first, no." he remembers back and the discovery Tress made. "But he did a few years after and by that time he was well off fighting the Vong like we all were. Afterwards he got us all together and set plans in motion for the future for all of us." plans that changed radically when he met someone from Kuat, but no less inspiring and just if he did say so himself.
It would right every wrong done, and seek to build better relations with the others. That was his vision for the future, that and wealth and prestige like no Zann had had before. Anaxes would prosper as well as all those that joined him, if not he would seek to destroy or disable them....then buy them on the cheap
He waved the server over and ordered her another, "Just as an added precaution, if not i will be around if you need me. Cover all bases if you know what i mean. They will be around, but out of site so you need not worry about them." loyalty to the Consortium with extreme methods was what made the defilers so prised.
He waved off her thanks, but nodded just the same. "No need to thank us, you and your family are well loved and respected by Tress and the Odak-Zann's...." he tells her honestly. They had each worked hard to help and strengthen their bonds of friendship. Both sides no doubt wanted a united bond, but things didn't work out that way.
"Ah, yes Rendili is crucially to our plans, it will add credence to the next step. With that in our control, other paths will open up. Stick to that if nothing else." that was important, and he would be around to help with that while doing his own business dealing here on Coruscant.
"That is fine, but about our bet...."
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Post by kharivestra on Jun 1, 2011 7:14:40 GMT -5
This was understandable, though it must have come as a shock to find out he'd actually been alive all those years. The war with the Yuuzhan vong had unturned quite a few interesting stones, some boulders even, she'd seen some nice returns as a result.
"Say no more, I didn't mean to pry, he just seemed so surprised to see him here...no more surprised than I was, or so I thought." She said nonchalantly, she was more bemused than anything, the man was a little shorter than she'd imagined. Holo's made for interestingly innacurate references, but she never had been much of a history buff.
It was still unnerving, not that she didn't trust him to do the best job possible, but having a blaster pointed at your head, be it through the scope of a sniper or directly in front of you, was a chilling prospect she had never really had to deal with in her line of work. No, if ever there had been a raid on the bank of the core, it was the lowest ranking members of staff who bore the brunt of that. She was well out of the way of harm...and yet not, she thought, another icy chill rolling up her back.
"Even so, thank you, I can rest a little easier now." she voiced, though she was anything but rested.
When her drink was brought to her, Cian took another searing sip and contemplated actually making a night of it, but that was no fun on your own, even if she had half of the Zann's entourage in tow. No, there was work to be done, she would get on her way after this.
Cian winced visibly, ah she was waiting for that to come up. Yes the night was still young but she had already lost that bet, if Tress was indeed going to do what she thought he was. How foolish of her to think any other way.
"Yeah yeah, I know, I owe you credits. Don't fret your feathered little head over that one, you'll have them by morning." Winking she sighed tiredly, and what a spectacular failure that had been. "He's got it bad, hasn't he?" It wasn't much of a question, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer either, somehow she had hoped they could have just picked up where they left of, she and Tress. That little encounter, for the benefit of the cameras or not, had given her a shred of hope. Then came that call...he was going to get more than his fingers burned one day, she thought.
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Post by tress on Jun 1, 2011 18:22:39 GMT -5
"Not prying." he waved that excuse away. "Your trusted, an adviser in your own way and close to Tress and his family. There is no harm in you knowing any of this."
"He was rightly surprised cause of the significance of him coming out of hiding. Seeing him here out of all places was no doubt a shock to him. Something else must have happened, to set him off though." he had this far away look as if lost in thought. "Has he told you the whole truth? That kuat woman made him change the first plan, but the set up is almost the same, and will shock the business world for years to come."
To her thanks over the added protection it was best all around if it was there. She could be an honorable member of the Consortium with all the perks it had, he'd see to it but keep her off the employee list.
He had to laugh at that one, something he hardly did. He was serious to a fault, but he could find enjoyment in small things such as bets. "He has it bad thats for sure. Its the reason hes pushing for this deal, this plan. He will get her back and be wealthy by the end of it all."
"But, keep the wager. Cause i offer you another." he tells her looking down at his hands. "Who will be the victor and who will be the loser?" could there be a victor and a conqueror?
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Post by kharivestra on Jun 2, 2011 11:35:22 GMT -5
"Mmhhmm" Cian hummed, sipping her drink casually, placing it back down on the table a second later while she savoured the spicy tang. "Every detail, but you shouldn't take my word for it of course, security in a plan like this is everything." Something had been puzzling her though, he never really did explain what Tress intended to do on Obroa Skai in the first place, that was where he had stated he had encountered Khari.
"How did she change the plans exactly, by spurning him or by just being there to begin with? Seems a little coincidental that she should be on Obroa Skai when he was, did he not intend to double cross her in the end?" The idea of Tress passing up that opportunity seemed a little far fetched for her liking, she would have done it, and she was 'legitimate'. But the mind worked in mysterious ways and when she'd seen him talk about that Kuati girl, she had seen the unmistakable pain in his eyes. Now she was rather wishing she'd stuck around for that conversation.
"Change of plans or not, I am on the verge of making a deal with that corporation at Rendili that will blow an offer from KDY out of the skies. The problem with a corporation such as KDY is they have had a major monopoly on the market for so long, they are overconfident. They are going to greatly underestimate us."
And with that comment she had heard foist over the comm earlier, it was going to be a pleasure doing so.
Now there was a wager, at present it could go either way, KDY undoubtedly had a stronger grip on most things when compared to the Consortium. Their proverbial fingers were in an awful lot of pies already, they had a foot in the door and a foothold on the ladder that was built on a reputation unmatched for centuries. In terms of personal vendettas though, Cian knew first hand how detrimental to one's health it could be to rattle the Kuati, she had no desire to be napped in the middle of the night and quietly disposed of by whatever mercinary they had paid to do their dirty work - they would never sully their own hands. And where Khari might have the credits and credentials, Tress had his tenacity, there was a lot the Zann consortium could offer a place like Rendili, CSD and a whole host of other, smaller companies. To be a big part of the next big thing was just one of them.
"You sound like you've made your wager already, so go on, enlighten me? I'm a facts and figures woman, you know that, based on the figures, well...the Kuati have you there. But facts? Well, the consortium can be very persuasive." She said slyly, glancing at her drink but deciding not to take another sip, the fire had yet to die in her mouth anyway.
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Post by tress on Jun 2, 2011 16:35:56 GMT -5
"I know that boy well, just like i know his grandfather. I have lived a long life and through out it all there were few like them. Stubborn, lucky, over achievers, but honorable and loyal to those that have earned it." he tells her, remembering back. "There has always been some trouble with Kuat, they took things to heart over Tyber seeking to cash in on what the Emperor stoled or had hidden away. He attacked them not for anything they had, though thats partially a lie,.... no he did it for his plan on robbing the Empire. He was kicked out of the Academy, did you know that....?" he looked at her.
"His family, his father cut all ties to him almost. So he held the empire responsible, those that stood in his way to get his revenge ended up just a few more victories under his belt. Black Sun and the Hutt Cartel a few of those....but, to answer your question. He always intended to strike at Kuat, just changed his plan when he met her to get an inside to her world. Gain her trust, seek to distract her from what was going to happen. The Vestra's will be singled out for part they played in things. They were chosen almost." chuckles at that one. "Inside man is or was contacted before starting the plan in motion, so there is still someone on the inside if we need it. Everything is well underway, just one or two last pieces will be moved into place ....."
He didn't know all the ins and outs of the plan, but he did know that was part...a big part of the plan to Tress. That Rendili StarDrive was the key to things. "They will indeed. " the added smaller companies bought up will boost their power, there was even talks of producing some new designs on a large scale. While not as big as the KDY corporation, Rendili under new management would seek to be a thorn under their skin.
"Always there are victors and losers, but what if they both lost or won in the end?" A lasting peace. A stand off. A continued hatred for the other. "There are no facts or figures, just the end result....winning. Though what is the definition of winning? A topic for another night i think." he stood and offered her his hand. "Let me escort you home."
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Post by kharivestra on Jun 2, 2011 17:11:16 GMT -5
"The history holo's tell it a little differently, but I think I like your version better, history is written by the victor so they say, though I hardly think the imperials fared well out of that debacle. Did he ever consider writing his own biography? I am sure there are a few spacers out there who'd love to read that." And she wouldn't mind reading it herself, but the galaxy wasn't a safe place for people like Zann. While other one-time-criminals had managed to make a name for themselves in their twilight years, sell holomovies made about their lives, tomes of information to various institutes, it wasn't as if Zann was reformed. There were still those out there who wanted revenge, or a small slice of what he'd been able to harvest from Palpatine's vaults.
Cian's smile was plaintive and unreadable as much more than smugness, "Ah yes, Tress mentioned him, was he not involved with the Vestra's himself? The Kuati Senator, I believe...at least once upon a time, I lose track of who is seen with who at all these boredom inducing functions I am often invited to. A score of his own to settle, and who could blame him, it's not easy being a man on that world, Tress had better practice his bowing and scraping." She said rather jokingly, she could never see him doing that, more making a total mockery of it, and that she might pay to see. But the younger Vestra girl wasn't anywhere near as easy to read as her mother, which was a novelty to say the least, most Kuati were said to have no character at all. Cian had found that to be pretty much true. Though now she was biased. "Maybe not, but I trust this man is reliable?"
That was cryptic, Cian thought as she frowned ever so slightly, but she didn't dwell on it, she supposed had he wanted to tell her he would have and it wasn't wise to pry where this one was concerned, she knew better than that. But she did wink back.
"Alright, keep that one to yourself, but I might have to wave that wager until I have a better idea of where this might go, hedge my bets a little."
Accepting his hand she rose with help, then turned to face the door, casting a look back until he fell in step with her,
"Home it is, mine again unfortunately."
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Post by kharivestra on Jun 6, 2011 15:10:55 GMT -5
-Some Hours Later - Cian Praji's Apartment.
When she arrived back home that night, there was already a message waiting for her. With interest she had beamed when she settled at her desk to read who it was from, and for a good reason too. Rendili star drive had gotten back to her, their interest piqued by Tress' offer, and under the psuedonym of 'Azure' they appeared to have overlooked the fact that it was coming from anyone with the last name Zann - that or they simply didn't care. The thing about Tress going somewhat legitimate with his appointment to Senator of Anaxes, was that it had done his name some seriously good PR.
Sat at her computer she keyed the message open, then cast her interested gaze over the contents.
"Paydirt...someone's potentially going to be a happy boy." She said to Urai, whom she had left in the living area, this being an open plan arrangement, he was well within sight of where she was sat now. "Tress was right, it appears our friends at Rendili are looking for a better offer, it wasn't anywhere near as good as the one I am going to offer them, though." She explained, tilting the screen around to where the avian would be able to say it, "Apparently Tress' old squeeze has put in a sizable offer herself."
Wryly, she turned the screen about face again and set to work typing in a few little details of her own in a counter offer.
"We'll see about that." A couple of well placed offers later, she sat back and waited for the response. For all it's wealth and custom, the Zann consortium could offer them much more than they had at present. Becoming part of a larger conglomorate would benefit them in all the usual ways, and allow them to reap the benefits by the droves. That said, Kuat Drive Yards could do likewise and may well try to slip an even bigger offer in there at the end. The point was they didn't need to, as it was they already had more than enough holdings. Azure would seem somewhat innoccuous initially, something of an unknown that would take time and effort to acquire information on. Meanwhile, they would be buying up little companies left right and center, from there they could only branch out and gather pace. It was a simple strategy, the Kuati might even be aware of it, but the passive agression would go a long way to seeing to it that the Zann element of the deals went unheard of for some time.
A bleep of a response suddenly drew Cian's attention back to the screen and from her reverie, that had been expediently fast.
The smile that graced her lips was slow in manifesting it's self, but one she was unable to mask even in the slightest degree. This time it was official, the deal was practically done, they just wanted to meet to go over some of the variables.
Her part in this was done for the time being, though she would be the main point of liason for all financial aspects of the transaction. All she needed to do now was pass on the good news, it might even lighten Tress' mood a little, were things on Kuat not panning out as well as he hoped.
Picking up her comlink she winked at Urai, satisfied expression not yet diminishing, today wasn't so bad after all. "Offer taken into serious consideration if not outright accepted, the folks at Rendili wish to meet with you at your earliest convenience to iron out a few small details. You can thank me later."
Snapping the device shut, she kicked up out of her seat and crossed the floor to where Urai sat, staunch and alert as ever, then settled opposite across the small ornate table that centered the entire ensemble.
"Zann Consortium 2 : Kuat 0" Cian cited, referring to the tattoo that adorned Tress's behind, whether Urai would have understood her true meaning or not, she didn't know, but it seemed apt at the time.
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Post by tress on Jun 9, 2011 17:35:50 GMT -5
At her place now, he was going to leave but wanted a look around first. Spot security risks if he could find some before his men came over to redo things. It was a nice open floor plan, plenty of places to hide if needed. The expanse of window to the outside was a problem that they would need to strengthen...some sort of mag field there would help.
Urai got closer and looked at the screen frowning. "So it started already, then?" he was just thinking out loud there. Sooner or later they would have tried, but Rendili wouldn't fall to KDY. They had withstood buy outs and attempts by them for years. "Kuat gaining control of them would be fortunate for them, make them even more powerful, but they will see our way in the end."
Khari was starting to become a problem. Tress would have to see reason soon or they would lose this game, maybe it was time to bring up the question of eliminating her once and for all. A direct threat to her mother perhaps, to nail the point home to her.
He watched Cian do what she did best and sit back. He had already turned away and was looking around continuing his sweep of the residence and looking over at the near by buildings. An attack from there with sniper rifle or missile would be bad, so they would need to see to that, but again that magfeild would take care of most of the problems.
He turned back at that one laughter in his old eyes. "I wonder how he will take that news." he shook his head and patted her on her shoulder. "You did well. thank you."
Where ever they were they would get that message and soon sort of the phase two, and if they were where he thought they were. It would happen there with an opening salvo right at the heart of the problem. "Could be three soon if i know Tress." He knew of what she spoke of, that tattoo on his bum as a joke to the Kuati out there.
He himself had work to do here on Coruscant, then Rendili but he was sure that Des take care of that. Now that Des was the second in command, its where he would be. Taking over Rendili's planetary black market operations. It wold serve to discourage other criminal gangs from trying to thwart their plans. Corrupting the government was not something they would do this time around, but would support them or someone else that had views parallel to where they were going.
"Cian. If Anaxes were to join the Republic again....would that being nothing or would investors lose alot in the switch?" might as well warn her now, let her save as many influential investors as she could. Never know when it would be beneficial to the Zann's.
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Post by kharivestra on Jun 9, 2011 19:20:29 GMT -5
She had watched him out of the corner of one eye, slowly meandering around her apartment, viewing the various pieces of decorum and admiring the architecture. Or what would have appeared as that anyway, but anyone who knew enough could have told you he was eyeing up angles, variables, with a carefully trained eye. It had occurred to her early on that perhaps she was in over her head, but then when hadn't her family taken a series of long coming risks? It was something she had never given a second thought to after spending some time with the Zann's. But she probably shouldn't be asking what it was Urai had spotted that had him so concerned and fussy about the view...Cian suspected she already knew.
"That transparisteel is reinforced, but you're probably right regardless" She said, appearing to have read his mind, she was no jedi or trickster, she couldn't have done that in reality, but the situation and his stance was obvious.
"And don't worry about Kuat, you're absolutely right. That's exactly what they'll do, at the moment this war of sorts is personal, moguls like Vestra soon see the error in those tactics, if Rendili show disinterest first or she simply considers it not worth their time, it will come to be in the possession of the consortium."
"Graciously," Cian said, mirroring that laughter in full, "though I am yet to see him gracious about anything that didn't tempt the need to gloat copiously!" She could almost see him now. And after the stories she had heard him tell her in that air taxi about his time in the bacta tanks, she could imagine what that would look like extensively.
What the avian brought up next, though, really did have her thinking. Why was he asking that, exactly? Did Anaxes current government have plans that weren't to their liking? She knew she should have kept up with the news lately, one slip and she was playing catch up. Or was she?
"That would depend entirely on their own allegences, and if the companies their assets are tied up in had any contracts that the RGE are liable to pull as a result of the links to Anaxes withdrawl."
Cian considered, "The exclusive kinds of contracts would be their most lucrative and where the losses are likely to be highest. The current relations between the GA and the empire are strained over this Corellian situation. That's great news for the ship construction industry as a whole, bad news if those contracts are taken elsewhere....say Kuat for example." There would be a time for Anaxes to turn it's back on the empire, she surmised, but perhaps now, on the cusp of everything, it wasn't ideal.
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Post by tress on Jun 13, 2011 18:14:09 GMT -5
He turned to look at her eyeing her carefully, "You are full of surprises, Cian." he tells her with a tone of approval. There were those that never learned the art of reading people, but it seemed she was a quick study and no doubt it came from how good she was at her job. "But your possibly right it should be enough, will give you time to react after the first shot or attack." It was the most he could ask for, a chance was all she needed, just like with everyone else. "A durasteel plate shutting over the transparisteel after that first impact and you basically have yourself a protective shell here. A secret exit and your good to go."
"There is nothing gracious about him, he will gloat at the first opportunity against the Kuati if he can use it to hurt them." he tells her shaking his head over the thought. "This is personal to him"
"There was talk of joining the GA if control of Rendili was accomplished." he told her. The company being a GA aligned company and the goal is to profit, dragging them into the RGE wont serve that. It would cause problems they didn't want at this time or maybe they did. "There also was talk of going neutral and selling to both sides, though with Corellia possibly siding with the RGE only the GA would be open to us now."
"We might have been looking into this all wrong then..." he thinks out loud. "Maybe we should put everything under the Rendili control. It being a GA company, and Anaxes being a RGE planet they could open up a new market without haven't to leave the GA flag?"
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