Juvex's Open Terrain

Slowly, taking his time Tysabaar exited the craft. He stopped for a moment as he took in the surroundings. There was nothing much to see as the sith cast his eyes over the landscape.

"Seen them once, seen them all."

Carrying on forward, Tysabaar joined the marines. Walking past the men, the sith inspected the troops with deliberate slowness. He was in no hurry to move out and so scrutinized every aspect of the marines appearances. As usual though, no flaw could be found in Mardotte's men.

Brigadier Levebrve panned his macrobinoculars accross the landscape and nervously swallowed. Captain Mardotte's aggressive landing had the locals all riled up. He could see the artillery platforms crawling into position, with armoured reserves. He had two squads of marines and a light personnel carriers. The briefing said that the slavers of the planet had ex-Imperial ties, but the reason to why they were currently ex-Imperial was curiously lacking.

Just as he was about to call orbit for further orders, he spotted an A5 rolling over the hills.

"Ah, the welcoming committee arrives."

The Stormtroopers assumed the ceremonial guard formation: two lines, two deep, rifles presented. The line led to the shuttle where the Brigadier and the Sith Lord were waiting.

Brigadier Levebrve's remark caught the sith's attention and so, he slowly turned and saw the two individuals approaching. They looked quite ordinary, only the slight indication that one of them was force sensitive (to a certain degree) made him slightly more interested in the dealings that were about to take place between them.

In actual fact, the sith had already earlier felt a strong dark influence in the force upon the planet. This force did not however, originate from the personage that was slowly approaching. No, it was far more powerful than that, it was more noticeable than most or even any force signature that a sith or Jedi could emit. Whatever it was, it intrigued Tysabaar and he felt a strange feeling of being drawn to its dark power. Yet he felt unsure of its nature and that made him feel slightly uneasy. Uneasiness is still not a disadvantage. It is a sign of new boundaries, those that are still meant to be reached and overcome.

As the two approached, it started to become clear that the one was a twilek and the other a man, the twilek being armed. Now it was also distinctly apparent that she was the force sensitive one.

The sith bowed slightly, as the two individuals reached him. It was not an exaggerated bow, instead it was one that only qualified with the most necessary criteria that would be expected form a polite greeting.

Hearing the very clear but impersonal greeting Tysabaar smiled to himself.

"I am Tysabaar, representing Captain Mardotte St Cyr. Thank you for meeting us. Your request for the marines to stay behind shall not be a problem. I would however like them to remain here. As it is not that close to the city I'm sure it shall be of no inconvenience to you."

"Brigadier, stay behind with the men and inform the Captain that I have made contact."

Tysabaar waited patiently while he let the man finish speaking.

"Sir, I can assure you that we have absolutely no intention of landing on Juvex with military force. What you see behind me is only standard procedure for Captain Mardotte St Cyr. In any cause, let our arrival not be the main point in our discussion. I have come to you, to do business. I am sure that it would be in your interest to hear my proposal."

The sith looked straight at the man while he talked. He did not pay any attention to the twilek as he assumed that she was unimportant. She had not talked once after the man had welcomed Tysabaar and so he thought that she must be part of security if nothing else.

The sith slowly followed Bateman towards the A5.

"I shall inform the Captain of your wishes next time we land. Now, to business. You probably realize all to well that raw materials mean nothing to a military force. They need ready made products. Things that will help in their exploits."

Tysabaar paused a bit, just making sure in his mind that he was not jumping the gun so to say. He didn't want to bring across the wrong impression to the president of imports and exports. The sith and the captain where by no means in desperate for what they wanted, but it would greatly help them in their future exploits and plans.

"We have two places in mind, which are in our possession, that are currently of no great use to us but have of course are of high economic value. I believe your government might be interested on owning the rights to these. In exchange we would like certain supplies and 'materials' that are needed in our land annexation and other such activities that will help us to fulfill our ultimate goals. We of course would also need a supply of personnel as often there are causalities."

"That, Mr Bateman, is a basic version of our proposition."

Tysabaar listened to Bateman's queries. He carried on walking for a while then stopped. He wanted Bateman to fully consider what he said next.

"You raise valid points Mr Bateman. First of all, the two companies. The first is the Sorosuub Corporation on Sullust. The other are the Alzoc 3 mines. You can base your evaluations on that I'm sure. Now for your other concerns. Firstly, I am sure our relationship with you and Juvex is far more valuable than the actual planet would be to us. Why try to run a business when others can run one for you and much better than you, if you know what I mean MR Bateman."

"Then there is the point that you are not comfortable with us being supplied by you in our efforts. Currently I think it would be mutually beneficial if you are behind our guns than in front of them, don't you? As you said Mr Bateman it's bad business having unnecessary causalities. Further on that point, loyalty will always be rewarded. I assure you that we shall not lose. Our plans are quite definite and their outcome has been calculated to be quite definite too. What do you get out of it, you ask? Influence of course! Isn't that what everyone wants? As our exploits expand, in due time your influence will to."

The sith looked past the president and onwards to the nearby A5. It showed a definite menace. The proof that business was not the only thing a plant like Juvex dealt with.

Sitting down, Tysabaar removed his mask revealing the long scar that ran down his face, yet still leaving his hood on.

"We shall not lose to anyone. One makes enemies. We are not the only ones with objectives in the galaxy, and sometimes our objectives could clash with those of others. We cannot let these other parties get in our way."

He looked at the food that had been prepared. It showed forethought on Bateman's part. Having a dinner ready over which one could carry on negotiations was always good. It insured a relaxed environment in which to continue talks.

"I understand that you do not want Juvex involved. In this way we can also keep association to the planet at a minimum, something I think you would prefer. I  have just one problem with this requirement, which hopefully you could shed more light on. As you would be the one  accepting this agreement and not Juvex , what would happen if something where to happen to you? How can we be sure that your part of the agreement would continue to be carried out?"

This was one point that the sith was not fully comfortable with. Anything could happen with Bateman. He could be removed from his post and they would never hear of him again. How could the Captain and Tysbaar be certain that their military products and personal would carry on being traded to them? They had to have some sort of surety.

"Mr Bateman, don't forget our offer is a fixed object. The two companies cannot just leave your control if I or Captain Mardotte die. Whereas if you die, our supplies that are owed to us might not arrive . It is easy for someone to say that you never made this agreement with us, thus since there is no one else to support our claims we will lose out. On the other hand, there is no one to say that the two companies in our agreement are not your property if me and the Captain die."

Tysabaar cut off a piece of his steak, brought the fork up to his mouth and chewed. He had noticed Bateman's attempt to underplay his query, yet he was not going to let Bateman get the better of him. Yes he may be the more educated in negotiations and shrewd in making business agreements, but he was not going to fool a sith that easily.

Tysabaar listened closely to Bateman's words. They were clear, meaningful and definite. The sith approved.

"Mr Bateman, I am happy we could meet an agreement. The Captain will be most satisfied."

Tysabaar finished the rest of his meal, leaving the wine which he had politely refused. He placed his mask over his face and stood up. He bowed his head once more.

"It has been my pleasure, Mr Bateman, doing business with you,"He looked at the twilek and then at the pick nick. Once more he faced Bateman. "and thank you for the most pleasant meal."