Corellia

[Zara Nargal]

Zara observed the Pantha come in to land, noticing how Kat was with Brina and grinning down at him. Hearing Kheldar mention the ship before it's owner Zara turned back to look at Ronin before shifting her gaze to the cheerful man at the base of the ship.

 

"Hey Kheldar... did you say donuts?"

 

She winked, not wanting to move from the pirate king's side... noticing her brother's face fall she decided to distract him from unpleasant thoughts...

 

"It's about time you and Brina got here bro... get abit side tracked did we?"

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

Reaching into the bag, Kheldar tosses out a handful of Corellian Creme original glazed doughnuts to the assembled crew and munches on one himself.

 

"Yeah, I brought out Consolidated Coruscant Insurance to gain control of the Last Call from under my sister-in-law's nose after a few... accidents." He continues eating the donut. "Anyhow, for a moment it looked as if the total damage would have bankrupted me, but I used a few tricks to keep myself solvent. First, I had my legal team get a series of injunctions up, so until we know exactly how those shields went down, be it Alliance incomptence, or in the most likely case, Imperial sabotage, we don't have to pay a cent, and depending on how our holdings policies go, we may get off the hook on many of them." Kheldar continues eating the donut, finishing it.

 

"Of course I don't want to screw too many people over, but I can't help anyone if we go bust. I've rerouted rebuilding contracts to a seperate subsidiary, so there's a chance for a profit out of all of this in a sick, sad, twisted way," he notes licking the glaze off the tips of his fingers. "Relief efforts are progressing, but as things stand, I don't know how much good it'll do really. That whole planet got flattened, so there's not too many, relatively speaking, that we can help." Then for the first time, anger enter's Kheldar's voice, and there's the slightest trembling of his clenched fist, "and I'm really quite put out about it since that goes against every convention on how sieges and warfare are supposed to be conducted. Most of the people I know that would be inhuman enough to do that would prefer to take the planet to rule, not to destroy, so the type of animal that'd try to kill everyone like that surprises even me."

 

"Anyhow," he continues, as unphased again by events as he was when first arriving, "I think I came out okay. I lost my ship in the affair, well, sorta lost it. The thing's tough as hell (and as it should be since I did build it!), but it suffered some major damage when it crashed into a falling tower to keep the structure from flattening the Last Call, and when I say flattening, I mean completely flattening. I've seen a would be suicide bomber blow a thermal detonator in there with no effect and the place still stood to some degree, but this would have been it." He thinks quietly on that for a moment. "Or maybe not. I remember one time there was a domino effect from the Last Call that knocked down several towers in the area. No one got hurt by that somehow... so maybe..." he shakes his head.

 

"I was actually on my way to have the Silk Road repaired at a special CEC facility, but..." he spreads his arms, in a wide, open gesture towards everyone, then shrugs, "it can wait. My big question to you guys now I suppose is, what next?"

[Zara Nargal]

Finishing her donut and licking her fingers she decided to speak out

 

"We were actually going to make an appointment to see you Kheldar. With Coruscant destroyed" Zara paused a moment, bowing her head to pay respects before meeting his eyes again, "we really need a better base of operations. What we had in mind was a floating base large enough to house our transports and include that casino I think we mentioned in a previous meeting. What do you reckon? Think your builders would be up to the challenge?"

 

Zara figured she'd cut straight to the chase, never one to beat around the bush when it came to business. As soon as they got their new base of operations, the sooner they could actually get things moving again. It was a terrible thing that happened at Coruscant but the Dathomir twins would look to the future instead of dwelling in the past. Zara glanced down at her brother, an idea forming.

 

"Hey bro, if we could get the Link on Coruscant up to scratch, we could offer cheap accomodation to some of those that lost everything. And if the restaurant can be salvaged we can offer meals as well. Something to help those that lost everything"

 

She didn't want to be to much out of pocket, but while they got out of it ok there were alot of people that didn't. Being generous would put their name out further for being ones that would help out if they could and make people more inclined to turn a blind eye to their shady dealings...

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

Of course, Kheldar, being the soul of legitimacy and respectability (and willing to defend his reputation in that regards via "aggressive negotiations"), understood the Nargal's aims at once.

 

"Gotcha." Packing up the donuts, he thinks for a moment, pacing back and forth, then picks up his comm, calling HQ. "Hello, this is Kheldar. Uh huh... Yeah, I'll get there in a few. Yeah... They can get started. Tell them not to touch the Silk Road's engines though. I'm fond of Coronet and I don't want to see it obliterated because someone got careless and imbalanced its overdrive system. What? Well, it's probably not, but do you think I give a damn? It's my ship and I can take whatever stupid risks I want with it. People don't have to know it can do that. Anyhow, get ahold of Coruscant and tell them to fix the Link up ASAP. I want to get the Nargals whatever they need there. And remember that Casino design that I mentioned a while back? Well, we may start building it in a few once I work out a few more details. Later." With that Kheldar hangs up.

 

"Ah," he sighs, "having a well developed legal team's almost as bad as having a hen pecking mother-in-law...." he thinks for a moment, knowing how bad tempered Kas is, then shudders, glad he didn't have to meet the late Mrs. Mizuyama, who was probably no where near as dear and kind as his Ame was. "Anyhow, I have some plans for that casino, though they'll need your approval."

[Zara Nargal]

"I guess this means we've got to come down from the heavens then"

 

Zara placed her hand in Ronin's entwining their fingers together, grinning as she indicated how they had to get down from on top of his ship.

 

"Is your office far from here?"

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

"It's quite a walk," Kheldar admits, stretching his long, thin legs, "but I can summon a company pod if you wish." He gives a rueful smile. "I just escape from there, and now you want to drag me back, eh? Oh well," he laughs, knowing he can and usually does as he damn well pleases in regards to his office hours, "a merchant's work is never done."

[Zara Nargal]

Grey eyes met gold as Zara looked at her love first, before answering to both

 

"I don't mind the walk"

 

She grinned at Ronin, her fingers flexing against his gently. Any time she could spend with him she would drag out... she knew that he'd have to go off and 'play the pirate' again soon, so wanted to make the most of it while she could...

 

"So how is your family Kheldar?"

 

The two climbed down from the Grave Breaker and joined the others, Zara slipping her hand back into Ronin's again.

[Brina Thalin]

After landing, Brina had chosen to remain silent. She didn't know Kheldar personally, so she didn't want to interrupt. Besides, she would listen and gain the same information that she could be talking.

 

She ate the donut offered--it was warm and gooey--then walked with the others, staying next to Kat. She still didn't know why she felt a pull towards him, but she felt better near him, so she stayed there.

[Vladimir Faust]

With an emptiness echoing through-out the house, Faust wearily picks himself up and adjourns into a workshop to begin repairing himself.

 

His physical wounds were healed, though he would carry scars to pride and face probably for the rest of his life. Fitting and just, though Vladimir Faust would not see it that way anymore. Maybe once when he was younger he could have, but that was a different day and age in a wholly different life he left behind.

 

His new shell, his Sith Steel and Cortosis skin was broken, somehow, though the caliber shells needed to do so was nearly inconceivable to have broken that ancient and dark tempered metal. Sitting down with the patience of a master artisan, he uses the metallics in his mechnical left arm to begin to repair and mend the holes in the rest of his body. Though some of them he can see the charred patches of healed skin starting to grow around the armor. Cutting the excess sheeth of flesh away, Faust welds his body back together, feeling the pain of the heat through the conductive metal. Gritting his teeth, he bears it.

 

Now for the arm...

 

Slowly, Faust repairs the deep cybernetics in it, using the assistance of a droid on the estate, feeding it a program from the Bhelliom and Faust's data base. Taking Darla's crimson lightsaber, Faust slides it into the spot once housed by his pet. At will he could spring it out of arm, though it would sunder his synthetic flesh to do so, but he didn't care. He wouldn't feel any pain from it. He was a user of the darkness now. That exalted feeling of power and destruction that washed over him the moment of the ysalmari sunder was.... exquisit...

 

The death and anguish he tapped into, and the euphoric release of his power on those peons who dared challenge him...

 

Oh, heavenly, heavenly, it was wonderful... and the fact he could use it for the hunt was undeniably rich. He felt as if by denying his force using heritage, given to him by weak, Jedi parents ironically, he had cheated himself.

 

But, no more.

 

He reworked it, tempering the flame thrower that melted away that fool Yue's eye and face, then the dark shooter that extended from his wrist. He would need to look into a poison for that to make it all the more lethal or fun. The reserve of hunter nanites he kept also remained, for dealing with those damn things should they be injected into him or used against him by an opponent. His hand and the grapping cord were undamaged, and the rotory skill that allowed him to spin it like a drill, along with the corusca gems under the fingernails, remained intact, actually useful in smoothing off dents in his armor.

 

He preforms a detailed maintenace on his tremor sword vibroblade and sonic lightsaber. Satisfied, he goes over the rest of his weapons, seeing them in proud working over. With that done, he preforms one last check- a ship based diagnosis of his internal bio-cybernetic unit that stimulated his rippling muscles and kept him in contact with his little familiar and other self. It was jarred by the electrical attack and some degree of nerve damage was done, but nothing to effect his preformance on the battle field.

 

In truth the only thing it did was, and pity the galaxy for this, damage his neurological capacity for emotion and conscience, making him harder and colder than before.

 

With a proud sigh, he reattaches it and whips a new trench coat around him, then for a measure of comfort, his headband of face concealing shadows and hood to cloud his ruined face. For a moment, a sense of shame washes over him, thinking of how Reagan will react. But, oh well, Luciferian the Hunter, that inner self in him growing greater with each passing moment, did not care. In fact, he still found the prospect amusing.

[Kat Nargal]

Assuming that they were walking, Kat gently slipped an arm around brina's waist, and followed behind the others, talking to her, and enjoying the exercise. It had been a while since he had been offered the chance to simply walk for the sake of it.

 

"KVC is a genious. I think half the reason the link building was and probably is still standing is because he was the one who made it. He comes off a little nuts sometimes, but he really is a genious."

[Brina Thalin]

She started to pull away, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Part of her was berating herself for her actions. She had been hurt too many times by too many men. However, another part of her enjoyed the feeling. The hardness in her heart softened a bit--something Brina knew was dangerous, but couldn't stop.

 

"Really?" She forced herself to maintain appearances and keep up her end of the conversation. "I've heard about him from the Holonet of course, but you can't trust much on the Holonet--especially these days."

 

She changed the subject. "So, tell me about yourself. How did you get started with the Link? It's a brilliant idea. How did you come up with it?"

[Kat Nargal]

Feeling brina begin to pull away, kats heart dropped into his gut, but for some reason, she stayed at his side... She had hesitated, but stayed...

 

Almost lost for words, Kat managed to pull himself together at the last second, and answer her

 

"Well, Zara had wanted to do something legitimate way back when we started out pirating and as mercs, and she came up with the idea of a travel agency. When some rich relatives of ours died, we were the soul inheriters... We started the link, and combined the legitimate with the illegitimate."

 

Smiling, he said

 

"How about you? How did you become a pilot?"

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

"As I said, it's a long walk," he laughs, "but it's a good neighborhood, quite safe, and there's a pleasant enough breeze." As he makes the comment about "quite safe" his hand waves in the general direction of a couple discrete looking people along the streets, walking a bit more stiffly than their fellows and with a nearly military bearing- actually XX series droid bodyguards Kheldar used when venturing on business trips. One never could be too safe really.

 

"Anyhow, the family's a bit shaken by what happened on Coruscant to say the least. The Last Call's in good condition somehow, though I think business will be a bit slow for some time. Other than that, I can't say anyone's happy about what happened, but we can't complain either."

 

As he leads the way, they draw into the thick of Coronet's business district. He seems to nod along, his nose buried into his pocket organizer and going over details for a trade deal, but his ears remain open and alert along, listening into the conversation.

 

Nutty but a genius, eh? Well, I've heard worse.

 

Amused, the businessman smiles.

 

Finally, they reach the towering HQ of KVC Enterprises. With a nod to the front desk, Kheldar clears the group in and leads them to main lobby of the building, a series of stacked open rings with a large, transparasteel tube turbolift at the far end, leading up and down the main body of the building. There's a lot of open light and bustling as groups of employees gather around a massive, two story fountain in the center of the lobby. depicting a merchant vessel, on an ocean wave, though the wave itself is composed of stars and other cosmic entities. The floors are a deep, vibrant marble, and small, trees in full bloom line the place, giving a deep, fresh scent that invigorates the soul. There are security droids here and there, but the atmosphere is relaxed and energetic. Despite the ease and almost shifting energy of the room, there is a driving purpose behind everything, motivating and inspiring the employees as they go about their business.

 

"Grace and style my friends," Kheldar laughs, throwing his arms wide. "If one can learn to shape the raw materials of one's dreams into reality, there are no limits on what can be done. Of course a modest bit of capital never hurts."

 

At the top of the elevator, is a great, wide, circular lobby over a carpetted, marble wall, lined with various ship designs and busts of influential engineers and historical figures from Corellia's past. At the end is a double door, leading into a large, busting outer office, full of top level excutives, beyond that and another set of double doors, is Kheldar's luxurious private office.

 

"You'll have to forgive me," he apologizes as he swings open the doors. "It's a bit ostentatious I admit, but one does need to keep up apperances." Artwork and screens line the walls, covered in expensive panneled woods. Some screens contain blueprints, others have digitalized masterpieces, while others show various charts and graphs or the latest news reports. One large painting shows Kheldar and Ame in their Sunday best, with a small plaquard beneath, giving the date of their wedding. Set in the center of the room is a massive holonet projector.

 

Kheldar motions to a series of plush couches and chairs arranged in a semi circle, clapping to summon a series of serving droids to fetch any desired drinks, assuring, "if it exists, we can get ahold of it," as he takes a seat in an almost throne like chair. He leans comfortably behind his desk, which is shaped almost like the command console of a starship, eyes, while wide, surprisingly alert, trying to read each of his travel companions and study their reactions.

 

"So, about the Link's next venture, I should have the plans for the casino in a second. This will be quite an investment though, so are you prepared for what it could take?"

[Vladimir Faust]

Still finding the abode aparently empty, Faust gives a weary sigh and, after a brief pit stop to refuel his ship and feed himself, he takes off and vanishes into hyperspace.

[Zara Nargal]

All through KVC's tour Zara took in the sights. Grace and style was right as she gazed around them. The workers all seemed to be happy and enthusiastic about their work, which was good to see.

 

Zara couldn't help gazing back to Ronin every once in a while, the newness of her feelings for him still very much evident. Grinning she commented back at KVC's comment about appearances...

 

"Well can't say I don't like what you've done with the place..."

 

Upon discussing the plans for the Casino, Zara glanced at Kat for a moment before speaking up again,

 

"We're well prepared for what it could take, and feel that it will be well worth the investment. With what happened on Coruscant though, it is better to have a movable base of operations rather than one that would risk damage in another attack like that one. With the galaxy as unstable as it seems to be, I think this might be our best option."

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

"Ha ha! Throwing it in and taking a gamble on gambling," Kheldar laughs. "A woman after my own heart."

 

With a snap of his fingers the room darkens and the great holonet projector springs to life.

 

"This is what I drew up," Kheldar explains, eyes alight with enthusiasm. "It's the most efficient design for a space casino possible."

 

The over all design is that of a massive roulette table, spinning eternally in space. It's flanked by a series of docks and bright, neon signs.

 

"First off, you have the basic design. Catchy and appealing. The various adds are holo projections from special emitters. You can do flat out signs or holocasts and earn additional ad revenue right off the bat. There's be a few free floating sign boards, which in addition to being adds, would include concealed long range sensors and small laser weapons systems."

 

The outer shell turns translucent and fades away, showing the interior of the casino-craft. There are a series of hangars along the rim of the docks. The central spindle of the wheel running from top to bottom also carries hangars.

 

"There's ample docking for up to even 2 capital class ships, which can include luxury liners and other massive space transports. In addition, there is a series of droid automated repair and service centers. The lower docks on the bottom of the wheel for maintenance craft and cargos, and other service projects. There are a few more defenses there- bioscans and others, as well as tractor beams which can aid in removing debris, et cetra."

 

The image fades away yet again, showing a series of dining establishments and shops just past the casino area. "Basic fare," Kheldar admits. "Souvenir shops, restaurants, sushi bars, and commercial chains- it's all there."

 

The upper levels of the wheel are shown now. "Herein are hotel and conference rooms, as well as administrative posts for your own private offices. I've reserved a few luxury sweets for your own private use so this new home will be comfortable. In addition, staff and other housing can be found here. There's enough amusements including a gravity & water park here to entertain an entire family besides the gambling. We even have a giant arcade, a special shooting gallery, ghost hotel, and large bird races there to boot, though breeding those damn birds can be a pain in the arse. This will attract additional revenue from tourists too and could be considered a drain on the primary focus of gambling. Still, if the kiddies are at play, it'll be easier to lure mommy and daddy into the casinos."

 

The interior segments are now shown around the central spindle. "Here are the casinos proper. Every game you can imagine from sabbac to dragon poker is here. More adult bars, and clubs are littered at even intervals around the ring to keep our target customer base inside. I'm working on a specialized harmonics field with the engines, that in addition to keeping the gravity going, also nerfs all force use inside the place. This will make the games a bit more balanced. You have cameras and special sensors to prevent cheating. Below the casinos near the central axis are a series of enclosed rings for races- those birds, blobs, and..." Kheldar breaks into a grin. "Along the very top of the roulette table, covered by a glassteel half tube, is a special pod race track."

 

Finally, the central axis is shown in detail. The bottom portions are closed off, running the engines and other technical controls- climate, shields, etc., while the very top three levels hold a magnificent, domed park, open to the stars and filled with the most romantic spots on the whole ship- featuring an "open air" cafe' and a giant dance stage. The innermost portion of the axis is heavily armored and shielded. "Inside is the central safe. I've studied the matter carefully and come up with a nearly fool proof security system. The roulette wheel has four hidden planetary turbo lasers at the cardinal points, and as the wheel spins, it can fire them off. There are cameras and security droids along with the other server and dealer droids, and over 10 meters of durasteel lined with cortosis keep the central safe area well... safe. There's a special gravity lock system that keeps the Link's holdings in a kind of pocket dimension, making it nearly impossible to steal."

 

Kheldar touches his finger tips together, bringing his hands into a steeple like arch in front of his face. "I realize this is expensive. Very expensive and probably beyond what the Link itself can build. It'll be built and staffed with a few key KVC Enterprises employees- mostly in the technical field to ensure the place runs smoothly, along with a few pencil pushers in the office field and accounting department to keep the books relatively straight for the casino proper ("though your own books and affairs are your own doing, and the less I know, the better" he adds with a wink). Servers and client oriented staff can be worked on at your discretion and will be under your direct management. I'm thinking," Kheldar states trying to estimate the figures. "That if you centralized your operations here it'd be most profitable for the both of us- my capital and your management. It's quite the venture, so here's my proposal- A 40% cut of the profits for KVCE until costs are recouped for construction, which shouldn't take too long, followed by 20% per year there after. It's still more than enough to make us both rich and provide a nice, secure (and legitimate) business front for the Link."

 

He slides forward a series of papers just faxed up from legal, outlining the details of his proposal. "All you need do is sign and we can begin construction right away, partner."

[Zara Nargal]

Zara was very impressed with the plans, and by the look on Kat's face he agreed also...

 

"Very impressive Kheldar, you've out done yourself."

 

She had no quarms about what percentage he was asking for as he was their silent partner after all. She reached over and signed the contract, eager to get things underway.

[Ronin Wartide]

(( Dan: *Pulls cheap tactic to avoid having to read what he missed.*))

 

*Ronin perked up suddenly, having nodded off a while ago.

 

"Jolly good presentation, Correlli. I'm sure it would have been even better had I listened. I did hear casino though, and I like that."

 

*Ronin scratched his head, checking the time.*

 

"I'm afraid I should have to go soon though..."

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

If not for his enthusiasm at getting the contract signed, Kheldar would have given Ronin a very withering look. Such as it is, he merely gives a brief glare, then shakes Zara's hand.

 

"You won't regret this. It should be built in a week's time and well. Thank you much, and..." he snaps his fingers, and popping out of his desk is a chilled bottle of vintage Endorian berry wine that he manufactured before the anti-communist, anti-Viet-Wok embargo hit; really it was his first major coup as a commerical trader.

 

Popping the cork (and nearly taking out a large marble bust in the process) Kheldar pours the wine into a series of crystal goblets.

 

"A toast then to a newfound venture!" he calls, raising his glass and taking a sip. He savors the sweetness when a thought occurs to him.

 

"By the way, do you have a name for the new HQ?"

[Brina Thalin]

Brina had sat quietly throughout the presentation, noticing and appreciating the fine surroundings. She felt awkward in this sort of environment, however. She would be much more comfortable fixing a ship in a dirty hanger.

 

The proposal by Kheldar proved Kat's words true--the man was a genius. She thought the idea was a good one as well--a novel plaything for the rich and aristocratic, and a hangout for the lower scum of the galaxy. The idea of it being a traveling casino was even novel enough to spark her interest if she hadn't known anything else about it.

 

It looked like Zara had made the decision, Brina noticed. She didn't smile, still feeling uncomfortable and out-of-place--she was only an employee of the Link, not someone in any position of authority. In fact, she almost felt like a burden to the others. She hated the feeling. That was the last thing she wanted to be. She would simply get up and excuse herself, but she realized that she didn't know how to do that without being rude to anyone present.

 

So instead, she tried to make herself appear small and stay out of the way throughout the meeting.

[Zara Nargal]

"Going soon love?" Zara tried not to sound disappointed although she knew she was lucky to have had as much time with the Pirate King as they already had. "Business of another kind calls I guess..." she *sighed* and slipped an arm around him, wanting to be physically closer to him before they had to part ways. She looked towards Brina who looked alittle left out, even though Kat was being very attentive and wondered if she was wrong about the other girls feelings towards her brother. Oh well he can sort that one out himself... Her gaze shifted to Kat then back to Kheldar.

 

"Well we've been throwing around a few names, of course we have to have the Link in there somewhere..." Zara winked, "With the shape of it, we might have to go something along those lines too I feel..."

[Kat Nargal]

Having sat down and put his arm around brina's shoulder, kat could tell she wasnt comfortable. Giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, and smiling at her, he turned to KVC

 

"Once again youve come up with a masterpiece. I wonder why we even bother looking at the plans, they are always exactly what we wanted."

 

Taking two glasses, and handing one to brina, he turned to his sister and ronin.

 

"If you need anything for whatever business you have planned, just ask. That goes for anything. Amazing what can come from letting two people live, instead of killing them and stealing their ship ehh?" Smiling at his own little joke, he looked over at brina, hoping she was feeling more a part of the conversation.

 

"What do you think brina?"

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

Kheldar quietly takes a step back after handing out wine glasses and sipping his from his own goblet. Sensing the moods in the room shift, the merchant withdraws halfway behind his desk, trying not to intrude on the Link as the team sorted itself out.

 

He still conceals a smile at the irony. If he hadn't run across them on his way to the hangar, he'd probably be in a grease splattered Corellian Engineering Corporations jumpsuit working on repairing his own ship- done in the back alleys and small corners of Corellia where a young engineer leaving the family business set out to forge a commerical empire based on using his technical know-how to salvage battle damaged ships during the galactic civil war and sell them to favored customers. Part of him longed for those days still... but keeping up apperances and the fun of running a respectable business were appealing as well, and most rewarding. Of course, Kheldar also was one to try to have his cake and eat it too, but that's another story.

[Brina Thalin]

Brina offered a smile. "Oh, yes," she replied. "Indeed, it is funny sometimes how something so seemingly insignificant can affect your life so greatly. I'm glad this was true in your case."

 

She fell silent at this. She appreciated Kat's attempts to include her, but it did nothing to make her feel less uncomfortable with the surroundings. She felt like she had to be very careful to say exactly the correct words, or...Well, she didn't know what might happen, only that it would be bad.

 

She tried to be nice to the others in spite of this, and forced a smile to remain on her face.

[Kat Nargal]

Deciding it was probably time to make a move, Kat stood

 

"I think perhaps its time to make a move. I want to check over all of the equipment and ships we brought with us, Make sure everything is alright.

 

Before we go though, would there be anywhere we would be able to stay whilst the casino is being constructed? I dont think we really want to sleep in the ships for the next couple of weeks. Perhaps we could unload all of our equipment into a warehouse, and continue our business where possible during the casino's constructions. I also have something i need to be placed in very safe keeping for the moment."

 

Handing KVC a small, rectangular package, he nodded to him, knowing he could trust the man.

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

Kheldar takes the package, blinking in surprise and raising his eyebrows. Putting it down on his desk, he steps over to a side panel and brings up a map of Coronet.

 

"Here's a list of hotels in the city, ranging from the luxurious down to the hotel by the industrial district where you can find a body stuffed in nearly every other mattress." His eyes turn back to the package. "I'll take care of this, but if you don't mind my asking what's inside of it? The last time I signed for a package without knowing its contents, Ob Ordeena had out of the blue sent a parcell of drugs for some unknown reason... That stupid ass." Kheldar gives a brief, impish smile. "Fortunately, I sorta had it signed in my sister-in-law's name so she took the rap; though thankfully the evidence kinda blew up with the bar after another accident." Chuckling and taking another sip of wine, Kheldar gives a smug, content smirk. "You know, good times." He blinks for a second, his voice rising a notch. "By the way, you guys delivered that, didn't you?"

[Zara Nargal]

Zara hadn't known of that incident so looked at Kat, her eyebrow raised. She knew that Ob had wanted them for a task, but not for what exactly and they had a policy of "no questions asked" respecting their clients privacy, besides which she was on another job when that one came through anyway.

 

"Wasn't me..." Zara winked at Kat, "but you know we don't ask what we deliver... silent partner..."

 

She turned her amused glance back to Kheldar again.

 

"Thanks for the accommodation tips."

 

Turning to Ronin she couldn't help but caress his face,

 

"So when do you have to leave?"

[Ronin Wartide]

*Ronin stood slowly, checking his watch before putting his hands on Zara's shoulders.*

 

"I'm afraid, my dear, that should have to be now. I don't know when I'll be back, but I assure you that I'll always be watching."

 

*Ronin touched her face and leaned over, kissing her deeply. Ronin went to the nearest window, fiddling with something in his pocket. He opened it and stared out intently.*

 

"Until we meet again, my love. Wait for me."

 

*Ronin jumped out of the window, landing atop his ship which had been remotely called to him. Ronin waved as his ship slowly backed away. Slowly he was lowered via the roof elevator, dissapearing into his ship. The Grave Breaker speed off gracefully and descretely, just as he wanted...*

 

((OCC: Sorry about the abruptness, but I needed to do it while I still had intent and time enough to do so.))

[King Kheldar vos Correlli]

Kheldar groans. Those windows were specially tempered blaster and sonic proof transparent plasteel, shielded, and not meant to open. As a fresh wind blows, Kheldar dials up security to have a new main view window transported in ASAP.

 

Putting the comm down, the merchant sighs. "I'm afraid that's going on your bill."

[Kat Nargal]

grinning sheepishly about the last package, he said to KVC

 

"Its the links hardrive. It contains EVERYTHING the link needs to run. If someone else gets their hands on it, or if someone destroyed it, we would be bankrupt and on the streets."

 

Taking up a stylus, he browses the hotels, and finds a very decent hotel, with all the basics and more. It wasnt the height of luxury, but they only had to stay there for a short while. Making a reservation, he turned back to everyone else, and said

 

"I suggest we make a move to the hotel then. Is there any chance you could lend us a few speeders, and drivers to get to the hotel KVC?"