KDY Array

[kharivestra]

The story so far...

Orbiting the planet of Kuat, at the famous Kuat drive yards star docks, Kage Corey Dooku communicates with officials in order to allow his badly damaged fleet to dock for repairs. He speaks directly to CEO Khari Vestra, who unknown to Dooku is amid the chaos of cleaning up the scene of a crime, the execution style killing of her treacherous telbun, Taru. Blindly and caught in her own moment of shock, she agrees to meeting with Dooku in person to discuss the repairs and modifications to his star destroyers.

Traveling with Tress Odak-zann, grandson of the famed criminal Tyber Zann, Vestra heads down to the main spaceport where Dooku has informed her he will dock his living ship.

Knowing that KDY has been attempting to build and market partially organic ships for mass production, both Khari and Tress (now in the guise of an unnamed investor due to his grandfathers bad ties with KDY) are avidly interested in procuring as much information on the ship as possible. Khari's aide, Arri, is sent on ahead to negotiate terms and see that the Kages needs are met.

When Khari and Tress arrive, Dooku is exiting the craft with Arri, he becomes incredibly agitated when he notices that the pair have dared to lay hands on the craft and berates Khari in particular. Ever the opportunistic, Tress takes the time to procure a small tissue sample from the hull of Dooku's craft while he is distracted. Offended by Dooku's reactions, Khari leaves, informing Arri to take care of the rest of the deal in her absence. Now free to do as they please, Tress later reveals to Khari that he has procured a sample from the living ship. Enamoured with this result, Khari passes on the sample to KDY's head of research and development in the belief they could make considerable progress on the secret living ships project.

Meanwhile, Arri arranges to meet with the Kage later that day, giving him a chance to get himself together before they discuss the final details of the repairs he wants carried out on his star destroyers. Arri heads to a nearby cantina to wait, settling down to go over a few details herself when she receives a message from Khari, requesting that someone keep a close watch over Dooku. Knowing just the person to arrange this, Arri gets in contact with another member of the ruling houses of Kuat. They arrange for someone to meet her before the kage is due to arrive. As the hour wears on, she is approached by a mysterious Falleen male, who later identifies himself as Zanear.

Believing Zanear is the operative supplied by the ruling household member Taya Kuhlvult, Arri begins to explain the situation to him, when unexpectedly, Corey Dooku arrives ahead of schedule.
Therein followed a brief confusing discussion, which lead to Dooku leaving in a hurry, Zanear trailing him at Arri's request.
Dooku retreats to the arrays high speed shuttle service in order to rendezvous with his apprentice, Raj Grievous, who has just arrived at the main spaceport. But when he notices he is being pursued he redoubled his efforts to get away. Seeing this as a sign of great suspicion, Zanear attempts to stop Dooku close to the journeys end, by making the shuttle crash. Dooku senses this and escapes by the skin of his teeth leaving the Falleen to report back to Arri that he is giving chase once more.

It is at this point Dooku gives the word for his partially damaged fleet to attack the orbital array.
Khari and Tress set off for the imperial capital, just before the attack begins, mostly oblivious to what is actually occurring the other side of the array.

Colonel Klask, the officer whom is charged with the security operations at the main spaceport, becomes aware of a fight going on in the main hangar bay, alerting his staff he gives the order to request all combatants stand down. Among them, two of Odak-zann's bodyguards and Raj Grievous, who are later joined by Corey Dooku and the still pursuing Zanear.

Choosing not to heed the warnings issued to them, the standoff is thrown into total chaos when the colonels own men appear to fire on the group without warning. It is at this point an emergency crackdown team are dispatched to deal with the issue, managing to.arrest all involved, but not in time to.prevent serious damage to the spaceport. Nor indeed the battle still raging outside.

With the Kage and his apprentice in custody, Klask makes a split decision he knows may well cost him his title, possibly his career.
He contacts an old friend in the imperial navy, calling in a favour in the belief that the empire is better equipped and qualified to deal with the attainment of force users. Admiral Tuulk is dispatched to deal with the issue, bringing with him the atrocity- eclipse class star destroyer - to offer assistance to the Kuat home defence fleet.
With the system under lockdown, news reaches Arri's ears of the incident and she seeks out Klask immediately. Between them, they try to ascertain the cause of the situation, but draw many blanks due to Arri's code of confidentiality and private deception. She contacts Khari Vestra, who cuts her trip short to return to her home system at once. When she arrives she gets far more than she bargains for.


Receiving reports from Klask, she is most displeased when she discovers the Imperial presence in system, resolving to speak with Klask on this judgement at a later date, but she assures the colonel that she knows a means of stopping the enemy fleet in its tracks and all it Will take is a seemingly innocuous burst of communicative transmission.

Leaving it at that, Vestra and Tress make their way to the bridge of the eclipse to speak with Admiral Vohn Seinheild, who will be taking over command of operations in the wake of Klask.
Observing the scene before them, Khari requests that they move the eclipse closer, ensuring all protesters that she knows what she is doing and she will require the communications officer to send a Shortwave information burst on her signal, she then begins putting a series of codes into the transmission. Recognizing the information as classified, the officer questions Khari's actions, stating that if he sends that transmission, the enemy will pick it up and all the classified information therein. Khari responds with a knowing look, adding that she is counting on it. The information is that laid down decades ago, a code that was input into every military ship KDY has ever constructed as a failsafe were anyone to turn the Kuati's own weapons against them.

And it succeeds in shutting down all the enemy vessels systems the second it is received.
The ships now disarmed, the admiral and colonel both can go about the task of cleaning up in the aftermath, answer getting to the bottom of this ugly mess.

Khari and Tress travel back to the array to ensure the release of Tress' bodyguards, but this renders Tress' cover null and void. Leaving him the excuse of official business as to the reason for his presence. Unknown to all, he and Khari have developed a close relationship behind closed doors, keeping it to themselves for the sake of avoiding an outcry among her enemies within the ten.

The meeting with Klask goes better than expected when it becomes known that Corey and his apprentice have been frozen in carbon and transported to the Atrocity, leaving the living ship impounded at KDY. This news is only marred slightly by the level of damage to the spaceport and the unsettling Fact concerning the unknown Falleen that has been released into Arri's custody. Khari truthfully admits she does not know this male, and her suspicions as to how much she can truly trust Arri begin to grow.

Elsewhere, Arri confesses to Zanear that due to her status as a telbun, she does not own much to her name, but enamoured with him as she has become, she states that she knows somewhere they could rest for a while amongst other things - namely Khari's private residence aboard the array.


Back at the spaceport, Khari receives word that the imperial regent, Kommisar wishes an audience with her, thus saving her a return journey to Carratos. Khari also goes on to state that the matter concerning Klask and the small matter of military oversight is not something she can take lightly, that much hinges on the meeting with the regent. Then leaves it at that.

About this time she also receives a report that her private residence has been broken into, not aware that it is Arri who is responsible, she asks Klask to send a security detail down there to apprehend whoever is inside.

Back at Vestra residence, things have heated up a little, culminating in Zanear offering Arri a means out of her conscription if she is willing to take a chance on him. Hastily, she agrees, stating she knows a means of acquiring the credits they may well need to get as far away from Kuat as possible.
At the same time, Klask’s squad are forming up outside the door and once it is opened
everything descends once more into chaos. With the arrival of the Regent and KDY still attempting to deal with the mess in the wake of an attack, there is no more room for mistakes…

[kharivestra]

As Khari approached the Regents assigned quarters, she did her best to retain what was usually her calm collected, if not a tad imperious, nature, sliding a glance at Tress who would no doubt facillitate this little meeting further. She had to wonder if the Regent was aware of everything he had been doing here, though unlikely, it never hurt to exercise further subterfuge.

She had long since shelved her thoughts concerning what was currently going on in her own quarters, trusting Klask's team of personnel to have that taken care of. If that particular incident had anything to do with Arri, and she really did hope it did not, she wasn't going to be nearly as lenient as she had been in handing the Kage over to the empire. But she trusted the security team to ascertain the facts before she would be consulted. She did not have the time to be dealing with conspiracies in the most subtle way. Better to tear them out by the roots, before they have a chance to grow, she had thought to herself.

"And you did not contact the Regent at all?" the Kuati was asking Tress as they walked, traversing the long, pleasingly lit corridor that lead up to the room they would use to conduct their discussions, "I do hope the little fracar that happened earlier has not swayed whatever decision he had made to do business with us. It will not go well for us if we cannot appear to keep our own system in order."

All that still hung in the balance, and a very tenuous one it was too. Having little time to freshen up before she had been called away for this meeting, Khari was still arranging her ridiculously complicated hairstyle as they strode through the halls, tutting and sighing whenever an errant lock of inky black hair weedled it's way loose. She was fussing and she knew it, but anything was better than wondering just what this was going to be all about.

Flanking either side of the grandiose doorway ahead of them, stood two of her own security personnel, the Regent's flanking them. One never could be too careful, but it did little to settle her in regards to what she had assumed prior, the security of their system. Acknowledging her presence, neither set of personnel did anything to stop her entering the room, elaborately irising doors cycling open to reveal the lavish interior of the space beyond. There, at the center of it all awaited Kommisar and his entourage.

Executing a polite incline of her head, in recognition of the Regent, Khari cast her dark eyed gaze only briefly over the others situated around the large table that dominated the center of the room, in particular the tall humanoid female who seemed only marginally out of place. Her attention just as soon returned to their original interest.

"Regent Kommisar, it is an unexpected honour to meet with you here. But I welcome you to Kuat Drive Yards, I trust your needs up until now have been met?" If they weren't heads would roll, no doubts there. Now all was left was for them to explain just why they had taken the trouble to come all the way out here in person.

[tress]

There they were finally outside the Regents rooms. Things had finally gotten to this stage, now just to get through this meeting. Things were as prepared as they were going to be. Research reports and experiments where underway. This had better work.

"And you did not contact the Regent at all?" the Kuati was asking Tress as they walked, traversing the long, pleasingly lit corridor that lead up to the room they would use to conduct their discussions, "I do hope the little fracar that happened earlier has not swayed whatever decision he had made to do business with us. It will not go well for us if we cannot appear to keep our own system in order."

"Not once." He tells her with a grin. What was he suppose to tell him? 'Hi, I am the new Senator of Anaxes and i am to busy to show up to assume my duties but i am over here on kuat making a deal. Want to come?' That was said was a slight chuckle.

"Yes, but it seems things are under control now. We should get this over with as quickly as possible now and send them on their way." Never knew what else could happen. IT was the safe thing to do, otherwise things would get more complicated than they wanted.

"Shall we then?" He waves his hand letting her go first. He followed her in and stayed at her side waiting as she introduced herself to the Regent.

"Regent Kommisar, it is an unexpected honour to meet with you here. But I welcome you to Kuat Drive Yards, I trust your needs up until now have been met?" If they weren't heads would roll, no doubts there. Now all was left was for them to explain just why they had taken the trouble to come all the way out here in person.

"I hope your trip was quick and uneventful, Regent." Tress speaks up, too.

[Zanear the Edge]

Things had begun to move at a rapid pace, Zanear couldn't shake the feeling that they needed to leave, and right now!. His comm call was encouraging, he knew they had a way out one way or another. So as he and Arri got ready to leave, that tingle went up his spine again, almost screaming for him not to open the door! Instead, he listened, and subtly locked it from the inside. Leaning against the door, he could hear armored men, moving ever closer.

Raising his eyebrows, he motioned to Arri to move back down the hallway. Tell me there's another exit out of here! he whispered in her ear. Pointing at the door, he said to her, We've got company. Looking hastily around, he found a pair of fire retardant canisters, the kind used to put out small indoor kitchen fires. He listened as she spoke, leading them to the far end of the hall, hiding around one of the corners.

[Heg'zi A Klask]

"Captain, it appears they have moved out of line of sight"
The sniper team calls in their most recent visual, having confirmed to within a reasonable doubt that it was indeed the assistant to the CEO and the Falleen from earlier.

Captain Banner stands in the hall with part of his heavy squad around him as the report comes over his com, a few of the men are working on bypassing the locks so they can simply walk in and avoid any needless damage. With a slightly audible click followed by a very clear and bitter expletive, a corporal confirms that the reinforcing latches have been engaged. Short of knowing the exact code, the only ways in now is a very good slicer, or cutting charges. Knowing the former will take at least 15 minutes to arrive:
"Get the cutting charges into place, try to keep the damage to the absolute minimum... Harri, contact maintenance and get them to get a team up here to repair this so they can start right after we finish."

Fiddling with the small aerosol dispenser in his hand he things to himself that the Falleen is good... almost too good... the nonchalant arrogance comes either from stupidity or extreme skill; even with the limited time he has spent in the man's presence it isn't stupidity.

With a gesture of his head to three of the men in the group:
"Go to the access-way and get into the service corridor, they might be trying to sneak out another way... It is limited space so should be easy for the three of you to hold them up while I bring the rest of us into play."

The men move out to the nearest entry point and after a few moments gain access, the first one in shakes his head in disgust, seeing the cramped space and the intersecting corridors. One footstep inside and already it does not match his HUD. It is going to take some time to trace their way into position.

[kharivestra]

Raising his eyebrows, he motioned to Arri to move back down the hallway. Tell me there's another exit out of here! he whispered in her ear. Pointing at the door, he said to her, We've got company. Looking hastily around, he found a pair of fire retardant canisters, the kind used to put out small indoor kitchen fires. He listened as she spoke, leading them to the far end of the hall, hiding around one of the corners.

At the first sign that Zanear was even more agitated than he had started off being, Arri was hesitant. Making her way down the hall, the instant she caught sight of him leaning there against the wall, stock still, just listening as though waiting for something, she froze.

For a moment all she could hear were the subtle sounds of her own breathing, the gentle beat of her heart and the air recyling vents tinkling every so often with the subtle exchange of temperature. And then Zanear...

No, she thought, it was probably a case of them never having been alone for long after that knock had come at the door. Blast it! She really should have pressed the issue for answering it, but that was cold comfort now, whatever was happening out there had gotten the Falleen rankled enough to unsettle her, too. He who seemed so calm and collected in most situations, now pressed to the door just listening, waiting for....something.

Arri took a few steps back down the hallway, still barefoot, it made next to no sound at all on the richly appointed carpet beneath her feet, every step cushioned by the plus surface. But Zanear had asked something of her too. Brows beetled in consternation, she remembered just where there was an emergency exit in this apartment, but he probably wasn't going to like it...come to think of it, she wasn't going to like it either.

"Yes," She mouthed at him, voice more subtle than a whisper, "Follow me."

She had beckonned him to follow her, but as yet he had not made his move, instead he remained there, perhaps trying to ascertain what the personnel on the other side of the door were doing. At that point he began looking around for something, picking up the two safety canister's sequestered away in a slip-back panel directly parallel to him on the wall, then stalked back towards her ever silently, leading them back down the hallway again until they had taken cover behind the wall.

"What are we going to do? Do they know for certain we are here?" She whispered a hiss of urgency, never having to have dealt with something like this, much less the security forces in which she had always placed her trust, she was a little lost. But she was going to have to find her feet quickly or this would end badly for them both.

"In the bedroom, the far back wall, there is a panel there, a door into a crawlspace that leads out over the....well never mind that right now, but it's not somewhere we want to get caught in an exchange of fire." Arri tried to explain, the means wasn't the problem, getting there would be, especially if security thought to break down that door.

[Emperor Ire]

"Uneventful indeed, Senator." Kommisar says upon seeing Chairbeing Khari Vestra and Senator Odak-Zann; Kommisar bows and shows his respect to the CEO of the KDY Shipyards as she introduces herself to him. He smiles as Khari asks if his accommodations were up to standards and inclines his head. "Indeed they are, Chairbeing, I am surprised with the high level of efficiency your station maintains in the wake of an attack and your cleaning service is top notch."

Kommisar gives a slight laugh at his last part of the statement as he straightens out his robes to break the ice and show that his is in good spirits over all this. Looking over to Kaalyanii, Kommisar motions to her and introduces her to the KDY people. "May I introduce my associate, Lady Hul."

Kommisar decides as he is introducing Kaalyanii to Khari to not inform her of the Lady Hul's heritage, less it might not be favorable to reveal now. This was all a game to Kommisar, a twisted game of truth and lies hat needed to play out so the rewards and losses could be tallied, but fun none the less. For his part in the game, Kommisar gives an eager smile and rubs his hands together in anticipation as he appears to want to get the meeting underway. "So, shall we all adjourn to the nearest meeting room so we can get this bantha to bed?"

[Zanear the Edge]

He follows her down and back to the bedroom, a giant mess they had left. He grinned thinking about what they'd done here. He'd truly loved every second.

But now was the time for escape, and he wouldn't hesitate for another moment. Let's go, this is better than the alternative! he waits for her to get things open, and once she does he hands her one of the canisters. Use this if we come across something we want to avoid. The spray should foul up visuals and give us a extra few seconds.

As he waited there he looked down at her, and saw bare feet! BARE FEET! Oh, Force, she needs boots on! was his first thought, but the time, the time! Reaching into the nearby closet, he realized it was a walk-in. Damn rich people... he muttered, cursing his luck. Chaos could be such a fickle bitch....

[kharivestra]

"Not once." He tells her with a grin. What was he suppose to tell him? 'Hi, I am the new Senator of Anaxes and i am to busy to show up to assume my duties but i am over here on kuat making a deal. Want to come?' That was said was a slight chuckle.
"Yes, but it seems things are under control now. We should get this over with as quickly as possible now and send them on their way." Never knew what else could happen. IT was the safe thing to do, otherwise things would get more complicated than they wanted.

"Shall we then?" He waves his hand letting her go first. He followed her in and stayed at her side waiting as she introduced herself to the Regent.

This just got more curious, she thought, but tried not to invest too much thinking time into it, all would undoubtedly be revealed in a few moments time. Or so she hoped.

"Lets." Was her simple reply prior to entering the room, letting Tress get his introductions out of the way first, there was bound to be question as to his presence here so it was better that things were out there in the open before proceedings began, she was willing to let protocol slide for that much.

Kommisar and his companions seemed none the worse for wear despite the chaos the traffic system must have been thrown into, there were reports still coming in of 12 hour waits. Khari, of course, had seen to it that this particular visitation had been given highest priority.

"Uneventful indeed, Senator." Kommisar says upon seeing Chairbeing Khari Vestra and Senator Odak-Zann; Kommisar bows and shows his respect to the CEO of the KDY Shipyards as she introduces herself to him. He smiles as Khari asks if his accommodations were up to standards and inclines his head. "Indeed they are, Chairbeing, I am surprised with the high level of efficiency your station maintains in the wake of an attack and your cleaning service is top notch."

She smiled thinly, offering a brief nod of acknowledgement at the mention of all that trouble they had been having, it wouldn't have sufficed to allow it to upset things too much, especially now. Though it did occur to her that if he had expected that, it didn't exactly speak of the highest standards. Another unimportant thing to overlook, or utilize to their advantage.

"We wouldn't settle for less. Though I believe we have some of your own forces to thank for the 'containment' of one particular issue." That smile transgressed into a knowing one, befitting of the issue at hand. Whatever line Klask had crossed in getting the imperials to sit up and take notice of things occurring here, she was grateful for the help. When this was through, she would set into motion plans for adapting some of their security teams to specialisms that would see to it that things were better handled, should there be a next time.

Kommisar gives a slight laugh at his last part of the statement as he straightens out his robes to break the ice and show that his is in good spirits over all this. Looking over to Kaalyanii, Kommisar motions to her and introduces her to the KDY people. "May I introduce my associate, Lady Hul."

And that was when he had motioned to the imposingly tall female at his back, watching with a curious eye, Khari observed the woman step forth and execute a brief bow, one that for some reason, unsettled her slightly. It seemed oddly familiar somehow, and yet she couldn't pinpoint just why. The other woman did not speak, did not utter a sound and her face remained partially hidden behind the cowl of a long, heavy cloak that barely brushed the floor as she moved. Perhaps she was one of these Sith, the Kuati wondered, perhaps someone else entirely. Whoever she was, there seemed a likely possibility that if Kommisar was introducing her, that all would be revealed later.

Kommisar decides as he is introducing Kaalyanii to Khari to not inform her of the Lady Hul's heritage, less it might not be favorable to reveal now. This was all a game to Kommisar, a twisted game of truth and lies hat needed to play out so the rewards and losses could be tallied, but fun none the less. For his part in the game, Kommisar gives an eager smile and rubs his hands together in anticipation as he appears to want to get the meeting underway. "So, shall we all adjourn to the nearest meeting room so we can get this bantha to bed?"

Without further ado, she gestured towards the door, elegantly.

"Indeed, I am eager to hear the reasons behind this visit, the conference room is not far."

Another nod of her head to conclude things, and she was turning to go back the way she had come, Tress in tow, she slid him a curious look as they traversed the space between the guest quarters and the conference room, each filing into the huge space aptly suited for meetings of this calibre, the far wall completely made from transparisteel, offering a unobscured veiw of Kuat it's self. After all, there was little more they liked to do so often than admire themselves.

Khari waited for their guests to get settled, holding a small conversation with Tress in the meanwhile as she settled at the opposite side of the table, comfortably.

"Feel free to add what you may consider useful, you know the ways in which these ones work better than I." That wasn't to suggest she was oblivious of course, but his opinion would be interesting nonetheless.

[kharivestra]

He follows her down and back to the bedroom, a giant mess they had left. He grinned thinking about what they'd done here. He'd truly loved every second.

But now was the time for escape, and he wouldn't hesitate for another moment. Let's go, this is better than the alternative! he waits for her to get things open, and once she does he hands her one of the canisters. Use this if we come across something we want to avoid. The spray should foul up visuals and give us a extra few seconds.

Arri took ahold of the canister in one hand, then tucked it into the sash of her robe, she didn't know if she trusted herself to be able to hold her own in a fight, she certainly preferred flight to that, but if push came to shove, she wasn't going to have much choice in the matter. And with that in mind, she wasn't arguing with him.

Making a dash for it, she made for the bedroom in hot persuit of him, somehow the fact her feet were left bare aiding the speed at which she moved across the floor. Her eyes scanned the viewports just in case they were being watched from all directions - and then the thought came to her, it was a fools hope, she knew how security operated, they were always being watched. If things went badly for them, they would be caught in an exchange or a battle of wills either way. If time was still on their side, they would get out of this by the skin of their teeth and little more.
Preparing herself for that eventuality was the first step to attaining freedom - because if she couldn't hold her own, there was no telling what waited for them once arrested. Khari would kill her, possibly literally. And if she chose to be lenient, her master certainly wouldn't, not knowing she had been 'defiled' by another, a Falleen at that, the evidence strewn all around them was damning.

Frantically she searched with fingertips spread wide across the wall, for the touch panel that would depress to give them access to the hatch and the service corridors beyond. Once inside, the hatch could be sealed again, and the wall would be rendered relatively normal looking again, possibly giving them a little more time while the security team looked for an access point. Beyond the hatch lay a very long drop, and for one who had often fell afoul of vertigo, she wasn't looking forward to the long climb down into the main service ducts. There was a turbolift, naturally, but Arri wasn't willing to risk it in the event that the small chance remained the power to the service duct could be cut off.

As he waited there he looked down at her, and saw bare feet! BARE FEET! Oh, Force, she needs boots on! was his first thought, but the time, the time! Reaching into the nearby closet, he realized it was a walk-in. Damn rich people... he muttered, cursing his luck. Chaos could be such a fickle bitch....

As if the rising panic between them both was not enough, Zanear completely threw her concentration by diverting off to the side into the huge walk in closet to one side of the room, muttering and cursing alloud when he had noticed the size of the thing.

"We don't have time for a wardrobe change, they're probably already halfway through that door!" She called, palm connecting unexpectedly with the hatch release panel, which opened the hatch nearby with a soft, relieving hiss. Her deep green eyes widened at the sound, and a second wave of adrenaline washed over her.

Spinning back to face the direction Zanear had gone, she frowned as she observed him searching frantically through the mass of containers, now understanding what he was doing, when she saw the large piles of unpractical footwear strewn around him. "Leave it, i'll be fine..." she stressed, they could find a means of sorting her footwear issue out later, but now they really needed to get moving.

This greatly narrowed their options, she really hoped he knew what he was doing, that whoever he'd had that comm conversation with, was going to be in a position to get them as far away from the Kuat system as possible.

[Heg'zi A Klask]

The Colonel had watched Khari and Tress zip off to their meeting... in the very vehicle they came with. With a deep sigh to himself he considers the mountain of paperwork that will be awaiting him upon his return to his office, more than likely he will be quite involved with that monumental task and the resulting debriefings for some time to come. Considering this and the darker implications thereof, his mood darkens.

He reseals the hangar, locking behind the access codes of the KSF's best of security protocols; he conducts a quick surprise inspection to ensure guards are on the job and not getting complacent due to the tedium of a boring detail such as watching a hangar.

He commandeers a nearby small cargo transport to shuttle him back to where he can get a more appropriate vehicle from a KSF station to back to his office. After traveling only a short way, he pulls over off the main traffic-way and retrieves his personal com-link from his pocket.

His wife answers with all of the questions and abrasiveness one would expect of a Kuati noble-woman who is hiding her concerns behind a mask of anger. He holds the com-link away from his ear for a moment while the worst of it subsides, eventually she pauses to draw breath and actually get some sort of answer, though in her mind more rope to hang him with. Unwilling to play this game, but unavoidable to avoid it all, he lets a brief silence develop before he speaks.

"Brayia, it has been quite busy and it is not over I may not be home for the next few nights, or longer. You had been saying about going to see your sister... It might be a good opportunity to do so. And Atalai might be happy with escorting you there, you know how he loves going to the casinos.'

He concludes with a mock sigh, and then silence follows for a moment. His wife, of an ancient line of Kuati nobility was used to being pampered and having her way. The mention of her visiting her sister though immediately disarmed her; for the woman had died on Corellia only about two months ago, where she had been living with her husband.

Brayia's total silence meant the message had gotten through to her, even though it had not been arranged exactly that way, she was well versed in Kuati intrigue to figure it out. Her reply to those who might later listen in on this conversation indicated her acceptance of his "gesture of apology" in visiting her sister, but the following brief acidic statement "We will talk further when I return" was only her acting, and confirming she understood the situation. She hangs up on him a moment later.

As he slides his com back in his pocket, he leans back and closes his eyes for a moment. He is weary, and now that the adrenalin triggered by the fast paced events earlier has run it's course, he feels every bit his age, if not well older.

Kuati military commanders have a habit to be thrown to the wolves for political expediency. He knew that when he took the job, but he had never counted on something like this. He is surprised that Vestra had not had him locked up, for within the last few decades the turmoil of Kuat of Kuat, the various schisms and infighting between the houses that seem somehow to have worsened, and the culmination with the arch-traitor Viqi Shesh... His actions could easily result in a very "terminal" termination of employment.

As his sits, he wonders if even now there is not an assassin tailing him, waiting for the confirmation order to strike. He considers this for a moment and the lack of news about what has transpired. The Ten have not taken matters into his own hands yet, either there is someone powerful enough behind the scenes to stay their collective hand, or they are waiting for the girl of a CEO to make just the right mistake before they strike at her.

"Girl" He chuckles out loud. She is a snake, a first rate viper; though that is the crux of it. A dangerously capable mind, encased in a master at charm and tact, a master manipulator, in a body that is all too easy to underestimate. That "girl" stands on the verge of becoming a Kuati hero, or another in a growing line of villains. And his destiny in that regard is tied to hers.

He begins to notice that the handle of one of his blasters has been digging into his hip. He savors the discomfort for a moment, as he wonders if that after all might be the best for him now. His wife now informed will get away, their youngest child Atalai, not so young anymore will also be safe provided she can get in touch with his wayward playboy self in time. The money and assets well hidden, and as ruthless as they are the Ten do not cross certain lines, most likely for fear that one that cage of rancors is opened it will never end. No, they will not seize and cut off her stocks and dividends, and if they forced them to be sold, it would be at going rate. She will become just another Kuati exile, along with Atalai. The other of their children were married off well, and the families of their spouses sufficient to protect them. One brief flash and to him it will be over, it has a certain appeal to him, being the stoic he is.

With a sigh, he opens his eyes leans forward before continuing on his way to his office. The Colonel is Kuati after all, and if Vestra succeeds... it will be outstandingly profitable to be in her camp.

[Zanear the Edge]

Jan 13, 2011 12:02:05 GMT -5 @kharivestra said:

Arri took ahold of the canister in one hand, then tucked it into the sash of her robe, she didn't know if she trusted herself to be able to hold her own in a fight, she certainly preferred flight to that, but if push came to shove, she wasn't going to have much choice in the matter. And with that in mind, she wasn't arguing with him.

Frantically she searched with fingertips spread wide across the wall, for the touch panel that would depress to give them access to the hatch and the service corridors beyond. Once inside, the hatch could be sealed again, and the wall would be rendered relatively normal looking again, possibly giving them a little more time while the security team looked for an access point. Beyond the hatch lay a very long drop, and for one who had often fell afoul of vertigo, she wasn't looking forward to the long climb down into the main service ducts. There was a turbolift, naturally, but Arri wasn't willing to risk it in the event that the small chance remained the power to the service duct could be cut off.

"We don't have time for a wardrobe change, they're probably already halfway through that door!" She called, palm connecting unexpectedly with the hatch release panel, which opened the hatch nearby with a soft, relieving hiss. Her deep green eyes widened at the sound, and a second wave of adrenaline washed over her.

She'd found the access, yet he barely noticed. Why was he in panic mode all of a sudden? This was so unlike him, for him to worry. He could certainly take care of this sort of thing himself, he'd been in worse scrapes before....and that's when he froze stock still. That was the whole point, he thought to himself. Because it's not me I'm worried about... and with that thought he gazed at her. Taking a deep breath, he held it, then blew it out slowly. He'd need to be calm. Be the Center of Chaos, not get swirled in her powerful winds.

Jan 13, 2011 12:02:05 GMT -5 @kharivestra said:

Spinning back to face the direction Zanear had gone, she frowned as she observed him searching frantically through the mass of containers, now understanding what he was doing, when she saw the large piles of unpractical footwear strewn around him. "Leave it, i'll be fine..." she stressed, they could find a means of sorting her footwear issue out later, but now they really needed to get moving.

Ok, no shoes, no worries! He said to her smiling. We'll get some later. Now... and he waved his hand in front of her in an almost courtly fashion, indicating for her to enter the shaft first. Ladies first! he said in that charming voice. Yes, now he was back in control, he had almost lost it. Funny, what caring for someone could do to you...

Once she entered, he followed behind her, letting her activate the panel to close the opening, and hide them from view. This would buy them some time, and they'd need every second they could get. As she began to climb down the shaft, he looked above him at the turbolift. And that gave him an idea. Taking the canister, he pulled a access panel off of the bottom of the turbolift, placing it inside. Angling the nozzle, he pulled the trigger, firing the foam retardant all up and into the systems. That will give them pause! he thought to himself, then began to follow Arri as she climbed down. Lead on love, the faster the better! he called down to her, moving as quickly as he could.

[tress]

He stood there taking everything in, looking at all present just out of habit. With Khari at his side, it was the Regent and his guest that took his attention, it wasn't hard to appear to be paying attention to the Regent when he was studying the guest of his.

"Uneventful indeed, Senator." Kommisar says upon seeing Chairbeing Khari Vestra and Senator Odak-Zann; Kommisar bows and shows his respect to the CEO of the KDY Shipyards as she introduces herself to him. He smiles as Khari asks if his accommodations were up to standards and inclines his head. "Indeed they are, Chairbeing, I am surprised with the high level of efficiency your station maintains in the wake of an attack and your cleaning service is top notch."

Kommisar gives a slight laugh at his last part of the statement as he straightens out his robes to break the ice and show that his is in good spirits over all this. Looking over to Kaalyanii, Kommisar motions to her and introduces her to the KDY people. "May I introduce my associate, Lady Hul."

Nods in way of greeting, nothing forthcoming from her he didn't say anything back. She was tall for a woman, graceful if you took into consideration in the way she moved. He wondered if she was a bodyguard or if there was a reason she was there with the Regent.

Without further ado, she gestured towards the door, elegantly.
"Indeed, I am eager to hear the reasons behind this visit, the conference room is not far."

He followed beside Khari while trying to make small talk. "How are things on Carratos, Regent? The Emperor is well, I hope?"

As they walked it was mostly in silence, but there was some talk of things back on Carratos and the RGE. Though when they finally reached the conference room, they all sat down and got to business.

"Feel free to add what you may consider useful, you know the ways in which these ones work better than I." That wasn't to suggest she was oblivious of course, but his opinion would be interesting nonetheless.

"Well, OK then." He says after hearing Khari, as he looked around at the faces at the table, he continues. "For the last few weeks I have been trying to set up some sort of economic treaty between the RGE and KDY. I am not just talking about military contracts, though those will be there. I am talking about the future...." He waves at Khari. "I will let Lady Vestra explain the rest."

[Emperor Ire]

Smiling at the Chairbeing's curiosity as to his visit, Kommisar can't help but here the Senator ask as to the situation on Carratos. "The Emperor is good, under Lord Ire Carratos is continuing to serve as a beacon in these dark times, much like Kuat if I might make that comparison."

Kommisar's words are meant to be flattering, a little bit of fluff can go along way, granted it isn't far from the truth. Kommisar continues to listen as the Senator speaks about a possible economic treaty with Kuat and this only makes him smile again. "Well, I'll have you know, that is the very reason for my visit today."

He lets that bit of news sink into both the Chairbeing and the Senator's mind, he knows they are both probably very curious as to his reason for being here but for now comes the great game of political cat and mouse. As they all settle into their seats Kommisar decides to find out what the Senator and the KDY CEO have come up with. "I would much like to hear what you have discussed thus far, that way I can help move everything in the proper direction. I can say with all honesty that the only person who wants to be in good terms with KDY more than myself is the Emperor."

[kharivestra]

Ok, no shoes, no worries! He said to her smiling. We'll get some later. Now... and he waved his hand in front of her in an almost courtly fashion, indicating for her to enter the shaft first. Ladies first! he said in that charming voice. Yes, now he was back in control, he had almost lost it. Funny, what caring for someone could do to you...

The sudden change in him had been noticable, but now back on track he seemed true to form, she would remember to ask him about that later, but for now they needed to get out of here, preferably before the door came down.

She didn't need any prompting, passing through the hatchway into the space beyond, which was surprisingly spacious, something Arri had rather hoped it would not be. The larger the open space around them, the more vertigo tended to get to her, this was going to be one trip she would never forget, she could not afford to let her irrational fear get the better of her, it would likely mean both their ends and she had enough guilt on her mind as it was.

You can do this and a whole lot more, you have seen far worse - her conscience reminded her, and that she might have, but then she had never had several armed security personnel on her tail at the time, the wrong end of a blaster rifle pointed in her general direction. That was if they even bothered with those, if vertigo took ahold of her they'd need to pry her white-knuckles off the ladder first.

"After me, right...no problem." She cited alloud, though even she wished she could believe herself on the latter count.

Once she entered, he followed behind her, letting her activate the panel to close the opening, and hide them from view. This would buy them some time, and they'd need every second they could get. As she began to climb down the shaft, he looked above him at the turbolift. And that gave him an idea. Taking the canister, he pulled a access panel off of the bottom of the turbolift, placing it inside. Angling the nozzle, he pulled the trigger, firing the foam retardant all up and into the systems. That will give them pause! he thought to himself, then began to follow Arri as she climbed down. Lead on love, the faster the better! he called down to her, moving as quickly as he could.

Negating the need to look down as she grasped ahold of the support rail and turned about face, she kept her eyes dead ahead, at the wall the ladder was affixed to, then began to make her way slowly downwards, hand over hand, foot passing foot. She was about five to ten rungs down when she dared look up at him, only to see him pull the access panel on the turbolift and taking out the canister he had kept for himself.

Confusion furrowing her brow, the Kuati had been about to ask what he was doing when it became abundantly obvious. The flame retardant foam began pouring at high pressure from the canister's nozzle, gumming up the inside cicuitry and causing much of it to spark and fizzle out in a puny mock-firework display of sparks and burnt fusion welds.

"Well that solves that problem." The woman had been about to glance down before she mentally caught herself, he would need to be their eyes for the duration of the journey to the bottom, or at least to the next level where they could find a means to escape the shaft without too much consequence or drawing attention to themselves. After all, what was so noticable about a tall green reptillian humanoid and a barefooted telbun going for a brisk walk through the corporate sectors of the array? Arri repressed a groan, her stomach was doing flips within, she needed to get over it.

"Alright, onwards and downwards...."

And down she continued, as quickly as she was able, phobia or not, now wasn't a good time to be letting fear overtake her. Adrenaline was really going to have to see her through this one, it had gotten them this far and she hadn't gone to pieces when Zanear had sensed danger in the apartment, this was a good sign to her. It wasn't in her nature to outwardly betray her inner emotions anyway, and it wasn't as if she wasn't physically fit for the task either.
But what was fast becoming aparrent, was the problems they would face when trying to leave the array. Stealing or even being picked up by a ship was not the hard part, getting through security would be, they were going to either need flawless disguises and identichips - both of which they weren't going to be able to procure at such short notice, or...and this was the one Arri leaned more towards, they needed collateral.

"We need to take a detour!" She called up to him, "When we get out of here, we need to find a temporary place to figure something out, I might have an idea."

[kharivestra]

"For the last few weeks I have been trying to set up some sort of economic treaty between the RGE and KDY. I am not just talking about military contracts, though those will be there. I am talking about the future...." He waves at Khari. "I will let Lady Vestra explain the rest."

For that much, Khari listened and nodded where appropriate, there was little point in her repeating what he had said, for he was speaking the words she herself would have spoken regardless. If Tress was in a position to better facilliate these contracts, all the better for her, personally or otherwise. Of course, his involvement would rattle the proverbial cages of many among the Ten, but she happened to believe she could pull this off. She had reassured herself time and again that she wouldn't fall into the same traps her predecessors had been prone to, and the negative light Kuat it's self had been placed in for some time now, should be shifted elsewhere. It was what they needed, what KDY and all those connected at a close level required. Khari would see that done.

Smiling at the Chairbeing's curiosity as to his visit, Kommisar can't help but here the Senator ask as to the situation on Carratos. "The Emperor is good, under Lord Ire Carratos is continuing to serve as a beacon in these dark times, much like Kuat if I might make that comparison."

Kommisar's words are meant to be flattering, a little bit of fluff can go along way, granted it isn't far from the truth. Kommisar continues to listen as the Senator speaks about a possible economic treaty with Kuat and this only makes him smile again. "Well, I'll have you know, that is the very reason for my visit today."

He lets that bit of news sink into both the Chairbeing and the Senator's mind, he knows they are both probably very curious as to his reason for being here but for now comes the great game of political cat and mouse. As they all settle into their seats Kommisar decides to find out what the Senator and the KDY CEO have come up with. "I would much like to hear what you have discussed thus far, that way I can help move everything in the proper direction. I can say with all honesty that the only person who wants to be in good terms with KDY more than myself is the Emperor."

Yes, thought Khari inwardly, I wager he is.

The Regent's admonishment was a surprise to say the least and the Kuati did little to hide her interest, the tell tale signs of curiosity playing across her fine features for more than the usual second it took for her to bring them all back into check. Had Tress known about this, then? She almost felt somewhat bad for her mind having asked that question, questioning his agenda even this slightly, struck her as a small betrayal and it wasn't like her usual self to have felt something thus. More food for thought, but as for the here and now, she would need to tread carefully. Offer Kommisar too much, as she had expressed in her concerns about any sort of alliance to Tress, and the empire might well try and seize control of KDY once their foot was in the door. Give them too little and they'd see the Kuati as duplicitous, witholding something potentially detrimental to the empire it's self. A balance needed to be struck.

"Perhaps, if you would permit it, an exchange is in order? My line of discussion would pertain to the research and development of a new range of vessels, currently being engineered at our proving grounds as it were, in system. You will understand if I do not volunteer the location, I am a stickler for protocol when it conerns something that could be quite so profitable." Khari informed as pleasantly as she were able, without appearing haughty.

Allowing that seed of suggestion to be planted in Kommisar's mind, she took a measured breath and continued,

"My reasons for bringing this to your attention, Regent, would be that the empire has a long standing affinity with KDY and we, as a result, prospered greatly as a result. While our ultimate independence is still of great value to us, we are not ungrateful by any stretch of the imagination. I believe as once was, now could be again, if you follow?" And here came the crux of it all, the thing that underpinned it all could be revealed as his interest might grow, but for now this would do to pave the way....or so she hoped.

"You are, no doubt, wondering why I might suggest this? We are in no kind of financial trouble without imperial contracts, our turn over is well above that in past recent years. But I believe there is one, small thing this project could benefit from, something that would be incredibly difficult to acquire, let alone be safe enough to utilize, without some form of contract being in place. In return you would, of course, gain the monopoly on all warships produced as a result of this project's success." There was no if's, no maybe's, this was going to happen, it was just a small matter of the research teams working out a means of bypassing a few minor details, things that could unlock the secrets of creating living vessels like those seen on Sekot, then all they had to do was magnify it.

Now it was Kommisar's turn to bring something to the table. Khari wasn't willing to give up anymore info on what kinds of war vessels they were creating out there, and the imperials would be hard pressed to discover anything if she suspected them of even coming close. At her word the soul cumulative body of information had been scuttled on her say so....save for one vital location, the one place no one was going to look.

[Emperor Ire]

Kommisar listens implicitly with a masked eagerness, the Chairbeing's offer is sounding more and more favorable with the passing seconds, the offer for the Empire to monopolize the warship industry with KDY at its side is tempting indeed. Looking on, knowing that his offer and reason for being here will more than likely seal the deal, Kommisar shifts his gaze to his tall humanoid friend and smiles at her before turning back to Chairbeing Vestra. "What if I were to tell you I was already thinking the same thing?"

Letting that soak in for a moment, Kommisar continues his presentation. "I happen to know that the little battle that recently took place was due to the fact that KDY has seized ownership of a living vessel that belongs to the Kage of the Grey Jedi; Grand Admiral Tuulk informed me of the situation earlier. I am not here to split hairs over that matter but your past words have me believing that you want to use this ship as a test subject to create a new class of ship."

While Kommisar's confession of knowledge might kill any conversation, his next question should sooth things over enough to have them more curious than ever. "What if I told you that the Empire was already looking into those sort of vessels and that we might have an arrangement that will be more than mutually beneficial?"

[tress]

"Perhaps, if you would permit it, an exchange is in order? My line of discussion would pertain to the research and development of a new range of vessels, currently being engineered at our proving grounds as it were, in system. You will understand if I do not volunteer the location, I am a stickler for protocol when it concerns something that could be quite so profitable." Khari informed as pleasantly as she were able, without appearing haughty.

Allowing that seed of suggestion to be planted in Kommisar's mind, she took a measured breath and continued, "My reasons for bringing this to your attention, Regent, would be that the empire has a long standing affinity with KDY and we, as a result, prospered greatly as a result. While our ultimate independence is still of great value to us, we are not ungrateful by any stretch of the imagination. I believe as once was, now could be again, if you follow?" And here came the crux of it all, the thing that underpinned it all could be revealed as his interest might grow, but for now this would do to pave the way....or so she hoped.

"You are, no doubt, wondering why I might suggest this? We are in no kind of financial trouble without imperial contracts, our turn over is well above that in past recent years. But I believe there is one, small thing this project could benefit from, something that would be incredibly difficult to acquire, let alone be safe enough to utilize, without some form of contract being in place. In return you would, of course, gain the monopoly on all warships produced as a result of this project's success."

During all this he was just sitting there not taking sides, but wanting this to work for all present. Though it was something the Regent had said that kept running through his thoughts. The Emperor and the Regent both wanted this? It was the first he had heard about it. Though considering KDY had been allied to the Empire in past years, it shouldn't be to hard to imagine. KDY profited from the Empire, and the Empire profited by the ships that KDY supplied them. Things worked well this way.

These ships they had been researching would set them apart from all other ship building companies. They wanted the RGE to be the first to get them if they could work out a favorable deal here and now. Though the key here was Independence. Kuat and KDY had to remain free to offer contracts to the others. They couldn't be seen as taking sides or allying with anyone other then economic treaties.

Kommisar listens implicitly with a masked eagerness, the Chairbeing's offer is sounding more and more favorable with the passing seconds, the offer for the Empire to monopolize the warship industry with KDY at its side is tempting indeed. Looking on, knowing that his offer and reason for being here will more than likely seal the deal, Kommisar shifts his gaze to his tall humanoid friend and smiles at her before turning back to Chairbeing Vestra. "What if I were to tell you I was already thinking the same thing?"

Letting that soak in for a moment, Kommisar continues his presentation. "I happen to know that the little battle that recently took place was due to the fact that KDY has seized ownership of a living vessel that belongs to the Kage of the Grey Jedi; Grand Admiral Tuulk informed me of the situation earlier. I am not here to split hairs over that matter but your past words have me believing that you want to use this ship as a test subject to create a new class of ship."

While Kommisar's confession of knowledge might kill any conversation, his next question should sooth things over enough to have them more curious than ever. "What if I told you that the Empire was already looking into those sort of vessels already and that me might have an arrangement that will be more than mutually beneficial?"

Now this he had to look at Khari. What did this mean? What was this arrangement? How would it effect things for KDY. "Please explain, Regent?" He had to know more. It would also give time so Khari can work out all the angles in her head.

[Heg'zi A Klask]

The men Captain Banner sent to secure the hidden maintenance accesses to the CEO's suite move purposefully along the corridors until they come to a turbolift. When the button is unresponsive in calling for it, they pry open the doors to find it partially raised from where it should be. They look at one another for a moment.

"They're not going this way, this thing is jammed solid."
"Do you think they did that on purpose?"
"No, how would they have had the time? Come on, there are a few more points to check, if they came out this way they have to be around here somewhere."

One soldier lingers for a moment and removes his helmet, he looks and then listens at the fist-sized gap that the off-set turbolift has left. For a moment he thinks he hears voices, but with all of the background noise, he is not sure if he did, or if his ears are tricking him. he stands, shrugs and putting on his helmet again runs to catch up with his buddies.

Meanwhile -
Captain Banner stands by as his team finishes placing the charges and prepares to enter.
He coms the sniper team and they report no movement. Banner hopes he is not walking into an desperate firefight and really hopes the two that seemed so into each other in holding just returned to the bedrooms for more interesting pursuits.

At his word, the second element of his team breaks a single window with a small and well placed sonic charge. With a brief whine and a loud crackling pop, the high strength transparalum of the window is reduced to small crystaline cubes that cascade inward. Following close after, a sonic stun grenade, carefully timed to go off as it enters hits the floor and emits it's stun inducing, modulated scream.

With a sizzling "woosh", the cutting charges pop, followed by a well-placed armored boot to the door sending it crashing on the titles of the entryway of the suite. As his men enter in a well practiced manner and fan out, Banner strides in and heads for the bedrooms hoping to catch them, well... with their pants down.

It does not take long for the men to establish that the suite is clear... there is plenty of evidence however that the people in question or at least the one known as Arri was here with company. He picks up one of her discarded items of footware, who knows where the other might be, judging by the general dishevelment of the room, it is probably behind the dresser.

He triggers his com and calls in an alert to apprehend and detain for her, and the one that he released into her custody.

Now it becomes a chase;
"Damn... that Falleen is probably enjoying this."

He rounds up his men and leaves a few more to tear the place apart, and then wait for the maintenance men to come put it all back together again.

He sights to himself as he and the remainder of his force head back to the transport... this is so not going to look good on his record.

[Emperor Ire]

"Return the Kage's ship to him and the Empire will get you everything you need to build these ships." Kommisar says as he sits back in his chair and gets comfortable before explaining the situation. "Recently the High Command was contacted by members of the Extolled, the Yuuzhan Vong who helped topple their maniacal brethren and spot the war in its tracts, the wished to prove to the galaxy that the had successfully adapted and wished to enter galactic society properly. The wished to prove themselves honorable and offered the Empire something as a sign of good faith."

Sitting up as a servo droid begins hovering around and giving the people inside the room tall glasses of water, Kommisar takes a sip of water and sets it down on the table before continuing. "The also mentioned ushering in a new era of ships like the galaxy had never seen before; a mixture of Yuuzhan Vong and our technology. As fate would have it be, it appears that they possess the missing piece you are looking for for your ship design and you possess the piece they are looking for for theirs. The wish to also give the RGE an exclusive monopoly on shipbuilding and the RGE wants KDY to be apart of that monopoly."

The cat was out of the proverbial bag, Kommisar knows he might have given away a little much too soon but it didn't matter, Kaalaynii would have her opening to take things over soon. "The Extolled are looking for a 'shipwomb' and experts in the way of shipbuilding to successfully create their ships and we told them if they want the best, KDY is the only way to go. Knowing the hesitation, that all parties have in dealing with the YV, we offered to approach you ourselves."

Turning to Kaalaynii, Kommisar motions for her to present the design prints for the new ships to Chairbeing Vestra. This would be linchpin that makes the plan all come together, this would make or break the deal, it all rode on Kaalyanii's shoulders now. "Lady Hul, if you'd be so kind."