***
Captain Sansa
The Imperial Line Captain walked out of the room passing Captain Marlicos waiting outside. He strolled down the hall stopping occassionally at a piece of unique artwork. Several times his fingers grabbed the frame as if testing to see if the frames were heavy.
They were.
It was a testiment to just how much wealth Afdol Hilter and Agro Incorporated traded in.
That, more than the other outward displays made an impression on the man. When he was a good distance away from the trailing Agro Head of Security, he spoke as if into the air.
"Ironside, you still standing by?"
"Still here, Captain." the man replied.
"Download everything onto my equipment and have it ready for my return." As Marlicos closed the distance Sansa continued, "And I trust you were alone?"
"I was not born yesterday," came an irritated growl from the comm.
"Very well Ironside. Did you get the information I had requested?"
Marlicos came within hearing distance when Ironside's voice, aboard the
Necleas, continued, "The father's name is Jorlin Marlicos. A teacher in the Duro District and before that, a CORSEC officer. Quite a good one by the looks of it. Had some ideological differences when Kaine arrived."
Sansa saw the Head of Security's face turn red as his father's information was relayed over the communication channel.
Keeping an eye on Captain Marlicos, Sansa turned back to the comm, "Priority order to CORSEC Command. I want Mr. Jorlin Marlicos reinstated to full honors. That should wipe the Republic stink from his record for the benfit of the ISB. Get his benefits going and be prepared to have the department apply all applicable back-pay to his account."
"I'll see to it."
"That is all, Ironside. Close channel."
"Ironside out."
As Captain Marlicos stood there surprised, Sansa turned to him. "Your Hilter has just given me a bit of information and now has a 'favor' owed to him." His lips pressed together grimly, "On account, as it were."
Then he sighed. "I have no idea what the man may ask for. Therefore, I am granting your father and the rest of your family a good life on Corellia."
He turned to the Captain.
"Why?" Sansa asked as if reading Marlicos' mind. "Because now you will owe me a favor. Just like your boss, I may or may not collect."
He leaned in closer to the Captain. "You seem to be a good man, Captain, and I respect that. Therefore, I shall caution you: You work for people that play a dangerous game. Watch your back."
And with that, he walked off.
Captain Yatta
The Imperial Line Captain woke during the night, two administrative aides resting peacefully on either side of him. As their stomachs rose and fell with each breath his thoughts turned to the report Captain Sansa had given him and Captain Gutt.
Gutt was really too drunk to understand the nuances but then, that's why Yatta stayed around. The agreement, being channeled through the Imperial Legal Department and ratified by the Adminstration of Commerce and Intergalactic Trade, would be a boon in all of their feathered caps.
Gutt stood to make quite a bit of money by making Garqi an Imperial Protectorate while serving as a Governor.
Though Agro Incorporated would have full autonomy, the Empire would ensure that it's purchase demands for grain were met on a timely basis. The introductory orders placed by Sansa were extremely large and even paying half the costs the fair market value to Agro's other customers were being charged would give Agro Incorporated a very large influx of credits.
In two days, the second fleet that Kaine had sent would be arriving and they were charged with setting up stations and waypoints for efficient transport loading and offloading. Costs that Agro would normally have had to front were being covered by the Empire. But then again, the Empire was going to use Garqi as it's Agricultural Capital of the Outer Rim.
The products purchased would be used to support Imperial operations within the region for years to come.
Both Captain Gutt and Captain Yatta were on permanent assignment to Garqi, and two Imperator's in standard orbit over the planet and patrolling the system would do much to secure Agro's claim to the region as well.
He drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.
Captain Gutt
Even drunk, Captain Gutt knew what went where and why. And as he grunted and strained, rutting like a wild animal (or at least an animal unrestrained), his body plunged against Bobbi's with all the zeal his mind could achieve. And as his body sweated over hers, a spasm of pleasure shot through his body and he shuddered in response.
"I shall make you Queen of Garqi!" he whispered. "You shall be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams!"
He vaguely remembered Sansa talking about an agreement reached but he didn't need to know the particulars. All that mattered was that at this moment, he was King.
The Next Morning...
Captain Sansa
A shuttle was taken to the outer plains, the site to where the fires had burned. The shuttle, having to land a bit farther away to avoid the grain fields, touched down and Sansa walked to the site on foot.
He surveyed the sea of grain covering the horizon as far as the eye could see in some directions. He knelt down and scooped some soil into a container and walked back to the shuttle.
His job was done here.
ISD Necleas
"Welcome aboard, Line Captain Sansa.." Ironside remarked the moment the Imperial stepped onto the hanger bay.
"Now can I have my ship back?"
Sansa grinned. "Not quite, Captain. We must lead a taskforce against some wayward GLF terrorists. Be prepared to get underway within the hour."
"The
Predator and the
Veritol?" Ironside asked.
"They will remain here to oversee Imperial interests. The rest of the fleet will arrive tomorrow." Sansa replied and Ironside breathed a sigh of relief. He was not a fan of either Captain Gutt or Captain Yatta.
"Course?" he asked.
Sansa smirked slightly, "You should be receiving instructions from the Office of the Grand Marshall. They will inform us where we are to pick up our taskforce and from there, Irodnia. We will need to act fast on this, Captain."
Ironside nodded and moved off to comply as Sansa headed for his quarters.
