Artus Prime

[The Black Sun Armada]

Captain Minsk, Duty Officer of the midnight watch turned as his CommTech informed him of an incoming transmission. Minsk had heard rumours on the grapevine that there was a business agreement in the works with the Hutts, so he opened a return channel.

 

"This is Captain Minsk of the Black Sun. Proceed to landing area Four B. You will be met by one of my men and taken to Conference Room C. There will be refreshments there, please help yourself until I arrive. Minsk Out."

 

Minsk signalled for the channel to be closed, and turned to his Security Officer.

 

"I want them scanned, quietly, and that room to be under voice and video observation, record the feeds."

 

The Security Man acknowledged and made the neccessary arrangements, and watched as Minsk made his way to the COnference Room,

[Rihn]

Orsa is accompanied by two trained twi'lek commandos. The men are dressed formally, however, as the three enter conference room.

 

Greeting the man, Orsa introduces himself, "I am Commander Orsa of the Hutt Cartel forces. I have been given authorization to make you a deal."

[The Black Sun Armada]

Captain Minsk raised an eyebrow curiously.

 

"And what sort of deal would that be pray tell?"

[Rihn]

As the commander opened his mouth to speak, one of his men entered the room and whispered into his ear. His expression changed a little to show some discontentment.

 

"Oh. Is that so? Ok. Very well. Thank you."

 

Orsa turned to the Black Sun representative.

 

"Well, I have interesting news. It would seem that word has reached us that the Alliance joined our forces on Csilla. That means they are now enemies of the Empire once more. A slight change in plans is in order then. Sir, how would the Black Sun like to join us in opposition to the Empire? Perhaps for, let's say, peace with the alliance? It really doesn't help us fighting each other and thinning our forces needlessly. If we are all in this together, it will be more benificial for everyone. As they say, Captain, united we stand, divided we fall."

 

Orsa chuckles a little at his last few words. Staring at Minsk, he awaits his response.

[Menthu]

Commander Orsa

 

The name didn't seem familiar, then again it didn't have to. Procs leaned back in his chair as his ship emrged from hyperspace. He had only come due to the prospect of makling a name for himself on the battle field once more.

 

In all honesty he figured if this one didn't pan out he would rejoin the Sith. At least they got to battle when they wanted to.

 

Bringing his sensor equipment online, he scanned teh area, before piloting a course for the nearby fleet. After all he was suppose to meet up with a fleet, there was one in the area, it was easy to put two and two together.

[Guest]

It had been quite some time since Kimberly had been employed by any organization that was vast in any sort. And now here she was entering Artus, one of the centers of the Hutt Cartel, the largest of the Outer Rim empires. She was quite pleased with the arrangement so far. She was told plenty of men were able to be found here as well as an upfront paycheck to get her here.

 

Kimberly allowed her dark hair to flutter past her shoulders to reveal her pale like skin and exquisite upper body Many men had marveled at her set up in the past, and she enjoyed being flattered by men and often was able to use that as a tool to get what she wants.

 

She moved slowly allowing the tight black suit hugging her shapely body to show off her her hips as they swayed when she walked. All her equipment was with her, the illusionist weaponry she created on her own to produce the proper hoaxes.

 

She came face to face with the man she had been sent to see and stood before him, her hips splayed to the right while the rest of her body was left, jutting out her ass a little bit for extra points.

 

"Commander Orsa I presume?"

[Rihn]

The Black Sun talks having come to a stand still, Commander Orsa now sat on the bridge of his Crusader Corvette. Having been informed to expect two agents and then head to their next objective, Orsa was not surprised when two ships jumped into the system.

 

Allowing the ships to dock, Orsa headed to the docking bay to greet his guests. Kimberly was the first out of her vessel, although Orsa was sure Procs would soon follow. Greeting the shapely woman, the commander nodded.

 

"Yes, that would be me. Welcome my starship. Would you like for me to have someone show you to your room and being briefing you on our current mission?"

 

Meanwhile, having gotten the two travelers aboard, the Hutt fleet fired up its engines and jumped to hyperspace.

[The Black Sun Armada]

A comm came in warning the general to be on high alert for attack.

[The Black Sun Armada]

---Comm from Mindan----

Commander, prepare mine, Jacen's, Kals and Piccolo's quarters, and prepare five of our Executive guest Suites. We will be conducting high level negotiations there shortly.

Mindan out

----Comm End---

[Piccolo]

The starship sent to Piccolo emerged from hyperspace and landed on Artus. Piccolo wordlessly exited and headed to his new quarters. The hunter sat on the small cot in his room. It was small, and bare, the way he preferred. Only his Eclipse Armor and weapons were housed within. The hunter took the time to order a new Firespray ship, before he layed down still in full armor. But there was no desire to rest, only restlessness.

 

Has my participation in this finally proven I had no place leading the Black Sun? Smash would have died before making such an agreement.

 

Piccolo didn't acknowledge this because he admired Smash. Quite the opposite, Smash had been vile and overindulgent. But Piccolo had served him with complete loyalty. And thus it had been Piccolo's duty to carry on Smash's legacy. It seemed all of his connection to that past life was gone. His ship, his implants, and his role.

 

But I live yet. In spite of it all, I am alive.

 

Piccolo intended to perform to the best of his abilities on this Council. He would not wallow in self-pity. He would return completely as he had before. And that would mean changing more than his attitude. Piccolo began to examine the holographic recreations of Smash's experiments on the hunter's body.

[Mr. Mortati]

A shuttle transport dropped out of hyperspace and gave its code for landing. Being approved it touched down a ways away from the Black Sun base. From the looks of it the place was still very active in the mining of Cortosis. That pleased Mortati like nothing had lately, letting him know that just that much more money would be coming in.

 

He walked through the ship, arriving at the cockpit. The ceiling of the custom shuttle was a full foot above his head, leaving more then enough room for him to move around comfortably.

 

”œI'm not sure how long I will be in here, but keep the ship ready in case something happens.”

[DarthBrendo]

The Unknown landed in Mindans personal hangar and Chief, his new R5 astro droid, trundled along behind him as he made his way to his personal quarters, informing the Duty Officer of his arrival and ordering this to be passed onto Piccolo.

[Silas]

The Lucky Me burst out of hyperspace above Artus. Jacen sent in the proper codes, then made his way to Hangar 2B. He powered down his ship and made his way to his suite, escorted by his R5 droid, Savior.

[Ronin Wartide]

Ronin's ship broke atmosphere, landing in the mining facility docking bay. The Pirate emerged from his ship with two of his suited operatives in toe, dressed in all in black. Ronin had chosen to use Black Sun operatives as his personal bodyguard instead of pirates, not because he trust them more, but because he needed them to trust him more. By keeping the captains of section 7 at his side, he could grow his influence through the ranks.

 

Ronin stood in the hangar, wearing a black suit under his red trench.

 

"I wonder why it was necessary that we meet at this godforsaken place... "

[DarthBrendo]

Mindan received word that Jacen had arrived, and sent him an encrypted comm message.

 

---Comm---

Jacen, when you're settled please come and see me in my quarters to discuss the meeting agenda.

---End Comm---

[Piccolo]

Piccolo received Mindan's notice. The hunter pushed aside his work for later, shutting off the hologram. Piccolo rubbed his green temples. He had been sulking over the encounter at the Citadel, but Piccolo was beginning to understand this was necessary for the survival of the Black Sun and that his pride was becoming a liability. There would be no triumphant return of Daisaku this time. Piccolo had made the best decision he could given the situation.

 

I'd best return to the world of the living. Hiding away like a child will not earn me any pity.

 

Nevertheless, the hunter took his time suiting up with his Eclipse Armor. He stared at the mask for a moment. Something about it had lost its appeal. His enemies no longer were afraid to gaze into it. That's why Piccolo needed to repeat the procedure Smash had had performed on Piccolo when he'd first arrived here. He needed that power again. Piccolo placed the helmet on his head, relishing the sound as it whooshed into place. He'd lost purpose after the Black Dawn mistake.

 

Last time, Smash's procedure corrupted my soul. The only thing that was natural about my body was my brain, and even that became compromised. I will just have to be more careful this time.

 

Piccolo's suit immediately gave him a readout on the Artus base. A few things had changed since he had sat in command here. The suit also informed him of an interesting arrival.

 

Better say hello.

 

Piccolo made his way to the hanger. He felt a stir of anger. This was the man he had almost gotten him killed, who had controlled his mind into trying to conquer the galaxy. If he gave into the bloodwrath he could annihilate his old enemy. Already it boiled beneath his skin. But his vengeance would be at the cost of the Black Sun. That was another reason he needed the procedure. It would help him control his Doshan side. Piccolo was not used to having to control it without the aide of his cybernetics. Piccolo emerged from behind an adjacent ship.

 

"Welcome to Artus Pirate. I hope you find your stay comfortable. Just remember to watch your back. You've made so many enemies, you might run into trouble."

Edited June 21, 2007 by Guest

[Silas]

Jacen had just finished unpacking when he heard his comm beep. He listened to Mindan's message, then headed to Mindan's quarters. He knocked on the door waiting for admission.

[Ronin Wartide]

Ronin chuckled at the implication.

 

"Like being unpopular is anything new to me. Trust me, my green adversary, I already know. I'm a good 50/50 on this being a trap, to be honest. 'Meet and Greet'? Please... I'm just here to see how much of a trap it is."

 

Ronin dove inside his coat, withdrawing a cigarette. He held the filter between his lips as he lit it calmly. He took his first drag, then returned to the conversation.

 

"Where's Mortati? I was looking to score some stims."

[Mr. Mortati]

Mr. Mortati sat in his private room behind a small desk on the opposite side of the room. There was a computer atop the desk, but he paid it no mind as he listened to one of the higher ups in his section the Black Sun. He had been hearing their income reports and various endeavors and was disgusted to think that the organization as a whole had thought it was doing anything close to a good job in that area. The only thing they had done worthwhile lately was the construction of the fleet yards which hadn't even been completed with the utmost haste.

 

He would have a lot of work in front of him, but there was also the motivation of a lot more credits being brought in to motivate him. He wasn't too fond of having to pay a portion of the funds he brought into the organization to Dagon, but then he would be making more credits then before so it was more then acceptable. His comm. beeped and Mortati motioned the man away for a moment. The man, dressed in a nice suit, stood up and moved over to the bar in the room to make himself a drink.

 

”œSir, the first set of ships has reached completion. The second group has begun construction.”

[DarthBrendo]

Mindan allowed Jacen to enter his quarters, flicking on the security cameras through out the compound that showed Piccolo, Ronin and Mortati talking together.

 

"Jacen, we need to tread carefully here. We need to ensure we keep Piccolo onside, and put out any potential spot fires before they occur. I don't trust Ronin or Mortati as far as I can throw them. If we need to disclose the location of Krayiss II, we must. But only if it is absolutely necessary. Lets go"

 

OOC:Sorry dude..there was something which I did want to discuss with you IC but I can't remember what it was.

[Ronin Wartide]

"I like the way you think."

 

Ronin followed Mortati into the ship, leaving his own bodyguards to wait outside while he did his business. His intention to perhaps refine spices into something combat effective seemed like it may be sensitive. He didn't want the old management popping up and getting on a soap box about drug abuse.

 

"Lets see what you have. 'was thinking of getting some combat stims for myself to offset the 'good time' spices. I'd like to get a good assortment of things to try out. Pyrepenol, Carsunum, Booster Blue, and some Andris--if you've got any good stuff. Getting a well refined hit of Andris is a pain in the ass."

[Mr. Mortati]

Mortati moved into the ships cargo bay as he listened to the Pirate, who obviously knew exactly what he wanted. He preferred that in a customer as it cut down on the amount of time cutting a deal took, as most that knew what they wanted knew, roughly, the price they would have to pay for it. The first three on his list of four were simple enough requests, the third was considerably more rare by still well within his range of drugs he kept in stock.

 

He stepped up to a keypad and put in a twelve digit code, watching as what had appeared at first glance to be a wall slid back to reveal various vials with plugs in the top of them. Some of them held exotically colored liquids, while others held nothing but crystalline white powder. Mortati grabbed an opaque colored paper and pocketed it before turning to face Ronin.

 

”œI'm assuming you have the credits for this stuff, Pirate, or else you wouldn't be wasting my time. How much are you wanting?”

[Ronin Wartide]

"Just hook me up with a whole suitcase full. I'll pay handsomely, I just don't like making multiple trips."

 

Ronin pulled out a datapad and began processing a fund transfer from one of his many secret accounts. He signed the name "Nadus Morex" and handed it over to Mortati.

 

"Specify the amount and and the account number and it's all yours."

 

Ronin took a drag on his cigarette, letting the ashes fall on the floor of Mortati's ship.

 

"While we're at it--I was thinking of creating a pack of combat ready injection stims to be carried by the troops of Black Sun. It would be something to negotiate distribution for, and the funds would come out of the Black Sun defense budget, so you would be well compensated. I wonder, however, if you have adequate supply for an order?"

[Mr. Mortati]

Mortati turned away from the cabinet and looked at the datapad, typing in a string of numbers. He watched as the funds were transferred into his account; a smile crossed his face as he turned back to the drugs that had previously been hidden behind the secret wall panel. He moved about the room and started rifling through a container until he pulled out a moderately sized brief case. Returning to Ronin's side and putting the briefcase down on the table next to him.

 

”œDo I have adequate supply to outfit some troopers with something as basic as stim packs?”

[Ronin Wartide]

"That'll suit me fine, thank ya'."

 

Ronin grabbed hold of the suitcase and carried it out of Mortati's ship, then gave it to one of his bodyguards for safekeeping.

 

"When I'm ready to start production of the combat stims I'll send you another comm. Right now I have a few other things I need to get completed first."

 

Ronin couldn't help but wonder where his operatives had disappeared to.

 

"Isn't it about time to start this meeting? Surely they have their laserbeam laden sharks prepared to devour me by now..."

[DarthBrendo]

Mindan sent a comm message to Ronin, Piccolo, Mortati and the others that it was time for the meeting to begin.

 

When they were all present and settled around the table, their favorite beverages in front of them, Mindan stood to begin proceedings.

 

Looking around the room through his glasses, Mindan steeled himself for what was going to be a tough process.

 

"Gentlemen, welcome to Artus. One of the oldest Black Sun bases, and sight of an likely, yet profitable alliance with the Empire over the Cortosis mines. I'm not going to mince words. The only men in this room I trust are Jacen Piccolo and Kal (OOC:I assume he'll turn up at some point)IC:, I don't know the rest of you from a nerf herder. Nor do I know your backgrounds at all, as none of you know mine or, I daresay, Jacens. Mortati, Ronin, what do you bring to Black Sun that makes you worthy?"

[Mr. Mortati]

Mr. Mortati tapped his thin, bony fingers on the table lightly as he looked up to Mindan with a hint of a smile on his thin face. His gaunt expression could make even the most resilient of men at least a bit uneasy, but that was hardly his intention. The, apparently, middle aged man leaned forward in his chair as he prepared to speak.

 

”œWell, I ”˜daresay', Mindan I took the time to research each and every person I'd be working with. Not quite to give me some advantage, but out of politeness so I didn't happen to offend some obscure custom one of you follows. That's just good business, but looking over Black Sun's records”¦They wouldn't know anything about that.”

[Guest]

::The Crapula Aterna was projectile-vomited into the system with all the grace and dignity of a drunken tramp's latest batch of whiskey-laced regurgitate, her laboring engine straining against the pressure of interstellar travel.

 

Quintus thrust his empty flask into a pocket whistfully and opened a comm channel to Ronin:::

 

'This is Quintus- I've got some snazzy droids fresh from R&D for you.'

[Ronin Wartide]

Ronin chuckled answering his comm as Mortati finished his speech.

 

--Comm--

"Show up at Artus--You're just in time."

--End Comm--

 

"Mortati is quite astute. Finding out everything you could possibly want to know only takes a couple minutes on Holonet archives--or this history book!"

 

Ronin pulled a Datapad out of his coat, and began to read out loud.

 

"Chapter 97,440: The third Upheaval of the Galactic Republic."

 

Ronin cleared his throat and removed the cigarette from his lips.

 

"...The Galactic Imperium's triumph was due, in no small part, to the actions of Ronin Wartide. Historians have found that the revolution was caused by this Pirate, who had orchestrated the series of events leading up to the battle nearly single handedly. The strategy involved using a small warship to attack Coruscant, thus activating the Coruscan Planetary Shield. He used the shield as a barrier between him and anyone who'd pose a threat to him, meanwhile he extracted the Republic backdoor codes from Sabian Devanus, former Republic President. Meanwhile, the attack on Coruscant was a feign to lure the Republic fleet to the battle, which in turn drew the Imperial Fleet. The President, who he had taken hostage, has since disappeared--and is presumed executed by the Pirate King. When he used the Republic backdoor codes, the fleet was rendered useless, allowing the empire to demolish it entirely, as well as the surface of the planet. This tactical destruction of the entire Republic fleet heralded in what became the Third Reich of the Galactic Empire..."

 

Ronin threw the datapad across the table, tapping the ash off the end of his cigarette and returning to his lips.

 

"A few small mistakes in the literature aside, I think that says it all. So as Mortati said, what is it you bring to the table? How many times have you been listed by name in a history book?

[Guest]

'Roger. Taking her down.'

 

::Quintus took her down, descending swiftly into the atmosphere of Artus and guiding the vessel to a landing pad near the Pirate King's location.

 

He arrived just in time to hear Ronin explaining his significance to galactic politics in a closed meeting room.

 

He slouched against the wall outside the meeting room and lit up a cigarette, waiting for someone to notice that he was there.::