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Smuggler's Alliance

Chapter Eleven

Hunched over a data-pad console, fidgeting under the stress that is apparent on her angular face, Valyr Shesh absentmindedly twirls a loose strand of her coal black hair. As she cycles through the screens one more time, a man of similar features strides into her office unnoticed. Upon reaching the back of her chair he reaches over the back and begins to massage her shoulders. Startled at first she tenses up even more, but upon seeing her brother’s mischievous grin she relents.

“What vexes you so, my dear First Sister?” He increases his ministrations as he questions her. “And why do you allow yourself to become this tied up in knots? Do you not have a masseuse among your ‘staff?’” He raises a knowing eyebrow at his last comment.

“I am afraid that I do not revel in the pleasures of the flesh as you do, my dear First Brother.” Lowering her head, as he moves to her neck, “As for the former question, I am having a bit of trouble with the maintenance of the newest pleasure yacht model. And to make matters worse, there is someone out there who has figured out the flaw and is making money, not only repairing it, but exploiting it by improving the vessel’s performance.” Her head hung low as he continues to manipulate her neck and shoulders with a certain finesse.

Stopping a moment, and waiting for her to look up at him, “So, what is the problem? You just hire the person doing the work, exploit their knowledge and release them when they are no longer useful. Problem solved.” He then returns to his task at hand.

“If only it were that simple, my dear First Brother... First, I have to find this person, again. And then I have to convince her to work for us before she disappears yet again. She appears to be one of those smuggler mechanics, and an elusive one at that.” She places a hand on her brother’s to signal her gratitude and for him to cease his ministrations. “Thank you, dear First Brother Vanquar. I am deeply in your debt.”

Throwing his hands in the air, “No charge. It is the least I can do for the woman who keeps me from having to actually work for a living.” With that he flounces into the chair in front of her desk. “So, what has the old man been scheming in my absence?”

“Oh, the usual, but he seems to be in quite deeply with these mysterious backers he keeps mentioning.” Valyr continues about her work on the data-pad console without lifting her gaze to her brother.

“Are you not the least bit curious about the identity of these backers? I know I would be concerned about the old man’s safety in that kind of dealing. Seems to me he is playing with fire again. Do you not remember that fiasco with the Commenorian trader? He lost quite a few dataries on that debacle.” Vanquar the Lesser throws a leg over the arm of the chair and begins to pick at his fingernails.

“Are you bored with your new toy already? Or do you simply enjoy taking up my time with such nonsense?” Her gaze meets his and he finds the look a chilling reminder of just how ruthless his sister can be. “Our dear Father may have lost money on that deal, but the Commenorian lost twice as much fighting him and it weakened his abilities to transport goods, causing him to jump into bed with that smuggler chief in the Corellian Sector. This was all part of Father’s plan in the first place. And if you spent a little more time dealing with our family’s business and less time furthering your lineage, you might be aware of those facts.”

The jibe, though meant as a slight, is taken in kind and Vanquar the Lesser merely smiles at his sister, “Someone must further the bloodline, my dear First Sister. It certainly will not be you... Speaking of which, how is the arrangement proceeding?” Returning to his fingernails, attempting to make his interest seem waning.

“The ‘Arrangement’ is moving slowly at best. Father is convinced that they are using these stalling tactics as a maneuver to gain more favor from Father’s mining endeavors... I believe they have hit a snag with the delicate ‘Prince.’” Her tone has taken on a matter of fact tone.

However, Vanquar’s interest has been piqued, “The ‘Prince,’ are you insinuating that he is,.. less than a suitable mate?” Dropping his leg to the floor in anticipation of his sister’s response.

“Perhaps we shall leave it at the fact that he seems to have more interest in my ‘playthings’ than the business prospects this merger would create.” Valyr speaks with a facetious tone in her voice. “Not that any of that matters to me. This is only a business transaction and not a terribly beneficial one at that. Father is only continuing with the negotiations out of obligation to their family line. Once this falls through, he has a much better arrangement ready to be validated the moment it is an option.”

“And do you approve of this arrangement? Does he at least appeal to you?” Vanquar is on the edge of his seat at this point.

Valyr looks up from her data-pad console with a thoughtful expression, “I suppose he is attractive, he is a full-blooded member of the Kuati Elite class, and his family owns one of the largest ore processing companies in the Core. This would be of tremendous benefit to our fleet operations. It is a suitable match, as far as they go. I am just not terribly thrilled about any match. To be truthful, I am far more concerned about this impending strife with the Chandrillans to be worrying over a marriage that may or may not take place some time in the future. My focus is on the here and now, and that requires a great deal of my time and energy.” She returns to her work once more.

Vanquar leans back in the chair and shakes his head, “My dear Valyr, you are certainly a credit to the Kuati Elite. Business before all else! You shall waste away into nothingness, but behind you there will be a mountain of wealth to show for your existence. Tssk, tssk.” As in everything Vanquar does, he stands in a flourish, “Well, I must be off. I am to entertain one of Father’s clients this evening and I must prepare. Good evening to you, my dear First Sister.” Bowing at the waist with his right arm out and his left resting on his abdomen, “Great success to you in all you strive to attain. I will be departing on a sabbatical in the morning, so I will not likely see you for many days. Please be sure to take your liberties, and stay well, my most treasured First Sister.”

Valyr looks up just in time to see her brother exit her office in the grand style she has become accustomed to associating with him; cloak and flowing hair billowing out behind him and long, rhythmic strides with an air of superiority that would only befit the son of the most powerful man on all of Kuat.

Creator: PtrsonsZOO (Jennifer)

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