Urke Qunaalac Kuarrga
Tiasha Nuvonn
Coruscant
Everything was still, the hum of the engines in the vast distance a low drone of insects in the field, and Urke laid upon his dais in contemplation. They would be arriving soon upon that fetid capital of the Republic, that heart of the militarists in their Senate, that heart of the Black Sun. He could feel it, feel the travel of the ship through hyperspace. He’d felt it for some time, the caress of it on his cheek as though the wind tugged at rubbery flesh, as though he was in water and feeling the current about his form. Urke found it somewhat annoying, though necessary. He had an empire to run, a council to please, and ambitions to be reached. He had his interests in the galaxy, a gardener at his crop, and in this Urke was somewhat pleased. Things were going well in his industries as there was an anticipation for worried purchases among the constituent worlds in the Republic. The Military Creation Act, though it might not be in effect and the military itself might not be actually formed, nevertheless worried a number of planets and planetary governors. They were uncomfortable with the Republic forming such a thing, seeing it as just another step to a hegemon.
Personally, Urke was concerned as well. A Republic on the warpath would be troublesome to his interests, his business, his people. It would cause more problems than it would create opportunities. With luck, though, the Republic might create such a military and yet still not be on such a warpath so long as their sight was focused on matters other than the Hutts.
The vessel pushed along, the stars streaks of light in the viewport. He wasn’t concerned about security; a Judicial Forces gunship heralded his way on “routine patrol”, her captain bribed by Urke’s tendency to leak information of small time, non-Cartel criminals to the man, her crew bribed by guarantees that their next shore leave would go smooth and be cheap. Such were guarantees Urke intended to ensure, of course; it did little good to betray such a resource. He didn’t need a fighter escort for his task, not with the small groups of fighters placed along his route in counter-ambush. Laffa had done his job well for the journey to Coruscant, as well as for the ending stages. He was told that a group of Republic Judicials and Coruscanti Security had swept the landing pad for explovies and surprises an hour prior to their arrival, that it had then been closed down, and several snipers had laid in wait to watch for foolishness. Personally, Urke doubted such a thing would happen. The parties concerned with his interests were bound by their morality to act directly, forthrightly, to attempt to arrest him or something in that nature. They were not the sort to hire assassins or assassinate themselves. Their hands were, according to them, too clean.
A slow, then, and Urke knew they were out of hyperspace before the pilots could make any note of it as the sublight drives spooled-up. They had lost their own escort, the gunship turning away to perform its own standard duties, but had instead gained the Coruscanti fleet as a guardian for the short while. A concern flashed in the Hutt’s mind, that they might attempt a boarding. It would become a hassle, delay him further, and diplomatic immunity was truly only as good as the inspector’s respect for the Hutts. There was little chance they had any. Their papers, though, were complete and proper. Urke had ensured that was done. Things had to be legitimate when representing the Grand Hutt Council, so legitimate even a Jedi might consider it too formal. He could feel the brief downward turn as the barge began to enter the planetary well, as the artificial gravity began to compensate, and the vessel streaked through the sky. She slowed again, turning about, as the concession organized themselves upon the cargo lift and disembarkment ramp. Pa Aszo stood by the repulsorsled, silent as he watched the detachment organize itself. They’d trained for it, after all.
The ship settled down, resting upon it’s landing gear, and the ramp opened up first as the two IG droids cleared out from it and swept the landing pad. A light blinked upon Siwa’s gauntlet: clear. The lift opened up, extending downwards from the vessel hull to open up Coruscant’s skyline for all to see. Urke was unimpressed, a wave of annoyance washing over him as the incessant buzz of speeders filled the very air, the flashing lights from massive, obnoxious advertisements fast enough that it seemed only a flash. Before him, though, was Ms Nuvonn upon the landing pad. As they approached, she bowed; Urke hid his feelings on the matter, though his eyes narrowed briefly and his mouth spread out into the slightest bit of a grin before he inclined his head just as briefly. It was good to see respect. Lianali watched the speeders go back and forth for a few moments, her eyes wide at the whole of the event, a pleasant smile playing about her own face before she turned to Ms Nuvonn. Pa Aszo, however, stepped forward to begin the proper introduction, his breath mask lending pauses to the short speech, his posture still.
“To our most esteemed colleague, Tiasha Nuvonn, Urke of Qunaalac bids you greetings on behalf of the Grand Hutt Council. We are glad you are well in these troubling times. There is much to discuss.”
As she watched the vessel slowly lower itself onto the launch pad, Tiasha had little trouble masking her discomfort at the arrival of her unexpected guest. The Grand Council's decision to assign one of their own as an emissary to the Republic was a thinly veiled criticism of her own capabilities, but she knew better than to allow her displeasure with the decision to show. The arrival of any Hutt would have caused wrinkles in Tiasha's plans, with the resulting oversight doubtlessly meaning that she'd have to be more careful with watching where she stepped. But Urke was also no ordinary Hutt.
The ship's lift opened up, the doors slowly sliding open to reveal the Hutt and his entourage. Bending at her waist, Tiasha bowed in deference towards the crime lord, lowering her eyes to the floor as one of his underlings began to speak.
Even if Urke's presence was unexpected, Tiasha knew how to deal with Hutts. She'd had to do it for most of her life on Nar Shaddaa. All that had changed was the scenery.
Lifting from her bow, Tiasha smiled politely.
"It is a pleasure to welcome you to Coruscant, your Lordship." Tiasha responded, layering her greeting with the proper formalities. Her gaze drifted towards Urke's entourage, unsurprised at the Hutt's rather unorthodox choice of followers considering his reputation. Her eyes paused for a moment on a girl who's attention seemed to be drifting towards the skyline around her. She looked young, and going off of her attire was likely a nomad from one of the Outer Rim worlds. Tiasha kept her gaze moving along, choosing not to linger on the entertainment that Urke chose to keep.
"I appreciate your words of concern, Pa Aszo." Tiasha said, having done enough research to recognise the man greeting her. "And I look forward to seeing how we can best work together. Clan Desilijic is of course always willing to work with the Grand Council on matters of such import."
Urke listened to the woman’s words, nodding ever so slightly at them. Working together, that’s what she thought was to happen, and it was somewhat close to the truth. Her thoughts that Clan Desilijic would be willing to work with the Grand Hutt Council was entertaining, considering that they were placed upon the Council itself as one of the Five Families, but was not entirely disparaging on her own knowledge. The Five Families were not always the sort to work with themselves or even their own edicts unless it benefited them in some manner. Luckily, however, Urke was aiming to do just that. The Outward War, that was his manner of the Kajidic, a push against the other and not the Hutt. “Somebody's got to have it. Why not us?" was the direct translation, and he was loath to ignore the us in that statement. He intended to keep things on that course.
“His Lordship-”
“Upalla,” rumbled the Hutt in low, slow tones. He raised his hand, and the Kel Dor took pause to turn to the Hutt before bowing ever so slightly and walking back just a few steps before straightening again. Urke smiled, lowering his hand and motioning to the woman with an outstretched hand before lowering it.
“Respect has been shown...and is appreciated. It is all too uncommon. We may dispense with the...formalities. Time is important in this matter. Know now, before we speak, that my presence is not your termination of employment. Your contributions have been noted. Now, lead the way.”
"Your assurances are appreciated, my Lord." Tiasha replied, bending her knees in a slight curtsy as she acknowledged Urke's words. Outwardly, she presented herself as humble and relieved by his reassurances, but inwardly she bristled at the insinuation. She worked for the Desilijic and Yinnam in particular, not for the Grand Council. He had no right to terminate her employment without her master's consent, and he knew that. It was a demonstration of self-confidence, along with an acknowledgement of the shifting of power within the Hutts' interests on Coruscant.
Keeping a smile on her lips, Tiasha resisted the desire to mar her features with a frown. Any hopes of being able to maneuver beyond Urke's oversight were all but dashed.
"I have arranged for a speeder to take us to your residence." She continued, turning to lead the Hutt and his entourage from the landing pad. "It is equipped to allow us to begin any discussions with the utmost privacy. Although I assure you that the landing pad itself was swept for any bugs long before you arrived."
Urke paused at the whole of it. He could feel her prickle and resist, feel her pause. She was not sincere in her words, in her smile. She merely felt the need to put on a mask; it was not surprising, considering Yinnam and his bellicose, Hutt natures. He was not a model of discipline and control, not by any measure. A look to the side, at Pa Azso, as they briefly conversed upon the matter. Pa had felt it too, felt the prickle. She had discipline herself, but not any against the Force. It was an unfortunate thing. The Kel Dor nodded, bowing ever so slightly as he advanced upon Urke. A lean inwards, a false whisper, and the Hutt nodded as well. He bowed slightly as well upon the retreat, taking his leave behind Urke.
Lianali narrowed her eyes, swallowing and questioning Urke. Was she a problem? Were there issues? No, no. No problems, no issues, for the Hutt there was only a matter of clarification, of creating an understanding between himself and the woman. She was unfamiliar with his ways, his demands towards his own employees which were constant, unyielding. They acted in the manner consciously until it was almost natural, until they did so without thinking. Almost. Urke felt that if there were problems in a thing, if there were issues by a person, that they should not lie about them. If such things were legitimate, changes may have to be made to ensure that smooth operation he delighted in.
“The landing pad may be swept...but your lips still move. You do not grasp where you are. I will...enlighten. I have the power...and the right, as elected emissary of the Five Families, to include Desilijic, to determine...who is involved in talks with the Republic here on Coruscant. This includes you. You have represented the Hutt here...admirably, but the time for such measures...is over. A Hutt must represent the Boonata Hutta, speak for the Boonata Hutta. You...are an aide to that. Do you understand?”
A look of surprise flashed across Tiasha's features. She'd raised an eyebrow as the entourage had hesitated behind her, turning to see one of Urke's followers whispering into his ear. Whatever the Kel Dor had said, it had clearly been enough to warrant a response from his master. Tiasha didn't respond at first, studying Urke's features for a moment to try and grasp at any hidden meanings that might lie behind his words.
"Completely." She said, once again offering the Hutt a bow. "I didn't mean to imply any disrespect. My position here has never been to represent the Council in any official diplomatic capacity. "
Tiasha maintained her polite smile, wearing the inoffensive mask with a practiced ease even as she navigated the conversation. She decided to take a risk. If Urke was attempting to set boundaries between their operations, then she couldn't afford to not push back and stake her own claim.
"Should there be any way that I can aid you in your own tasks, I would be happy to lend my assistance. So long as it does not interfere with my responsibilities to my Clan, of course."
Tiasha glanced towards the Kel Dor as she spoke, silently wondering what it was that he had said to prompt the Hutt's apparent suspicion. She made a note to send out some feelers to learn more about the man, something about him wasn't quite adding up.
"But should you require more of me, I am sure that you could discuss such matters with Lord Yinnam in order to make the appropriate arrangements?"
A pause as Urke considered her words. She wanted to keep some territory, some authority in the matters with which she worked. She wanted to keep her status as an ambassador in the shadows for the Hutts and for Yinnam personally. It wasn’t exactly surprising, especially considering Yinnam’s relative status and how much of his estates came from Tiasha’s efforts, but would nevertheless need to be crushed as a hope. Urke had little intention to let others be satisfied in their own ambitions or luxurations in exchange for the smooth-running of the negotiations. Her talks in private may yet hamper his talks in public, especially if it ever came to light on who Nuvonn represented and what she was negotiating for. Her hands were dirty.
“My task...is your task. Your silent operations are...no longer deemed necessary to the Grand Hutt Council...in their current, independent form. This is my edict. This is the Grand Council’s edict. Yinnam and Clan Desilijic are in no position to bargain. They abide by this edict. The discussion on this...is not required. Yinnam of Desilijic knows his place among the Hutts. I know mine.”
Tiasha was taken aback by Urke's brashness, her smile wavering into a frown at the turn of events. While the Qunaalac were a powerful, rising kajidic, the Desilijic were nothing if not prideful. Cooperation and collaboration were one thing, but Urke seemed to be more interested in dominance than a partnership.
"I see." Tiasha eventually replied.
This was far from ideal. The last thing that she needed was to be pulled into a dispute between two Clans, especially while they were so far from Hutt territory. It would only serve to jeopardize both of their operations, as well as her own position, but she doubted that Yinnam's pride would allow him to concede with Urke's demands. Tiasha was caught between a rock and a hard place. Doomed if she did, and doomed if she didn't.
"I will have to confirm this edict with my master, of course." Tiasha said calmly, already knowing how that conversation was likely to go. "But perhaps it would be best to leave this conversation for later? We are far from home, after all - and such semantics do little to secure our position."
Urke gave little pause to his response, nodding slightly in agreement with the woman as he sensed her discomfort. It was a poor position to be in, caught between the actions of two Hutt families, but then again Urke had doubts that the snub would go exceptionally far. He knew that Desilijic lacked a great number of glitterstim producers and that Kessel, by Urke’s own grace, was one of the few which formed a cornerstone of many a Hutt family’s markets. If he so desired, cutting off that supply would cause short-term collapses for multiple Desilijic businesses and that collapse could easily give him a foothold in many of their areas. It would be an annoying trade war, but one he was nearly confident he could win until they came to the negotiating table. It was the same as the Bedasii.
Of course, such a thing assumed the Desilijic were as ready to come to that negotiating table as the Bedasii. That was doubtful...and with that struggle, that annoyance, he could see Yinnam’s family throw their credits into mercenaries and efforts to sap at Urke’s funds. It would be a destructive conflict that would tear down both families and so...he doubted Yinnam would place too much effort into spiraling the chafe into a firestorm. He was prideful, true, and somewhat arrogant...but he was incapable of expressing that arrogance now, in the instance, without it turning into his bankruptcy. Nevertheless, he would argue against it.
He would argue against Jiliac, then.
“Yinnam will protest...that is his right. But we waste time here. Lead the way, Ms Nuvonn.”