To Kidnap a Moff (Part 3)
(The execution stage part 1))
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156ABY
Hotel room, Senate district
Coruscant, Coruscant System
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It had been another week and Aaric was beginning to wonder if his planned had already derailed. Information about him was already scarce since he was basically forgotten from the time he was frozen in Carbonite almost four millennia ago and just resurfaced. Was the Bothan Spynet really that effective in smoking out many millennia old data on him?
Suddenly his holocommunicator beeped to life and Aaric answered the call. To his hidden relief, it was Raziff.
"Hey kid. Looks like you check out." The Bothan nodded. "Boss wants to meet ya tonight. I'm sending you the coordinates. Meet me there at the specified time and I'll bring you to see him. See ya there."
With that the holograph cut out and Aaric grinned. So far so good.
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It was already night when the apprentice arrived in his standard Count Dooku-style outfit with vest and cape. It was simple, yet elegant and fit for the occasion.
"Damn, you weren't kidding when you said you were a noble." Raziff whistled. "You some Count of Serenno or somethin'?"
"Or something." Aaric grinned.
"Wise-ass..." The Bothan muttered, rolling his eyes. "C'mon, my boss is waitin'."
The pair entered through a seemingly abandoned rear gate which unlocked with the use of the furry's passcard. Once inside the building the apprentice was greeted by bright lights and extremely high quality furnishings. Aaric was impressed. This was the epitome of being a social elite.
As they walked through the halls they passed by a security patrol almost every five minutes. Each room and hallway seemed to be monitored at every angle possible. When they reached a turbolift, the Bothan pressed the button indicating the top most level.
The amount of security clearance was almost insane: Code cylinder scan, Handprint scan, ocular scan and a passphrase to be uttered at the right pitch and frequency before the lift was able to start climbing all the way to the top at breakneck speeds.
If Aaric was to infiltrate and kidnap the Moff from the building. It was definitely going to be extremely hard to pull off. He would have to bring the Moff out of the building where he could control the variables to his advantage.
Soon, they reached the penthouse level and the doors slid open to reveal a majestic mansion with a balcony that showed off Coruscant's skyline. Standing next to his work table in his evening wear was the Grand Moff himself, who stood up and strode over excitedly once he saw the young noble.
"Ah! My newest customer arrives! Welcome, welcome." He exclaimed. "Please, sit. A drink perhaps? I have some Alderaanian Ale to cover the cost of buying it for Raziff the other day."
"Just an Endrolian ground-apple juice... Fermented of course." Aaric smiled and nodded. "And please forgive me but we haven't exchanged pleasantries."
The middle-aged man laughed. "Oh dear me! Yes I suppose we haven't. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"Aaric Etherall Tritum of House Mecetti." The apprentice bowed. "I hail from the Tapani Sector. And you?"
The Moff stood frozen in surprise. "You've never heard of me?"
Aaric had to play the ignorant noble from a far-flung sector. He couldn't show that he already knew who he was or else he would have suspected something. People from the colonies and the core had very little interactions after all.
"My apologies, I haven't good sir." Aaric said. "The Tapani Sector is in the Colonies so not much news from the core reaches there."
"My, my. I'm sure it is." The admiral shook his head. "I do know of the Tapani sector, though. But that aside, I'm Admiral Kilean Drumph. Most would also know me by the title of Grand Moff."
"A pleasure." Aaric smiled.
"Now that we've got the pleasantries aside let's take a seat and discuss business." The Moff motioned Aaric towards the sofa opposite him. The Bothan took his place standing behind the seated admiral. "Raziff here has said your house navy requires ten Victory-II Star Destroyers, yes? All at once?"
"That is correct." The apprentice agree. "Purchasing them through normal means is going to raise eyebrows to the public and especially to our rival houses in the sector. If you could procure them as quickly as possible and deliver them to a discreet part of space, we would be able to jump them directly through our side of the Tapani sector borders."
"Hmm I see." Kilean rubbed his chin. "That would take a bit of time and effort. Victory-II's are hard to come by these days. But I'm sure I can scrounge up ten of them that haven't been cannibalized for parts. I would have to add an extra fee for bringing up such a large order."
"How much?"
"Two hundred million credits with another fifty million more to ensure everything is in working order with no missing parts."
"Done. "
The admiral was taken aback by Aaric's quick answer. He meant forward with a concerned look on his face. "Are you sure? They may be definitely worth less than originally priced but it's still a hefty sum."
Aaric simply smiled. "House Mecetti prides itself of its wealth and status. When we purchase something we don't do it with deposits, loans or instalments. We pay directly in cash."
"Dealing in absolutes. I like that." The man grinned. "And it'll have to be through the Intergalactic Banking Clan. To keep accounts private and secure, if you know what I mean."
"Crystal." Aaric smirked inwardly. The IBC was still secretly under Sith control since before Palpatine's Empire. If things went south, he would be able to request that the spent funds be routed back to House Mecetti's accounts. "My high lord will be pleased. I have been informed to invite you to the Tapani Sector so we can partake in a grand feast to mark the delivery of our new fleet of ships."
"Ah! I'm sure such a reception isn't necessary-" The Moff blushed.
"Oh, but it is Grand Moff!" Aaric interjected with great enthusiasm to keep up the appearances of a excitable young man with money. "I'm sure your duties are strenuous enough on your mind. If you could fulfill the order for us we will be highly grateful for your work and a hosting of a feast is the least we can do. I'm sure a short holiday and tour to our fine capital city of Procopia would refresh your mind and body."
From the corner of the Sith's eye, the Bothan twitched and frowned ever so slightly at Aaric. Not that the apprentice gave anything away to show that he noticed.
"Well, if you insist then who am I to refuse?" The Grand Moff took the bait.
"Excellent!" The Mecettian clapped his hands. "Then if you don't mind shall we discuss more on the details of the handover point?"
"Yes we shall." The Moff grinned. "Now let's see..."
The discussion went on for a couple more hours before the details were hammered out. Of course it wasn't put in writing to ensure nobody could trace the transaction back to either of them. Aaric was grateful that his education at House Deena's universities helped him to acquire skills in diplomacy and negotiation.
Once it was done, Aaric left to plan his second stage.
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Once the young Nobleman left, Raziff went up to the Moff.
"Kilean. I want to congratulate you on closing this deal but... Something's off." The Bothan exclaimed.
The admiral simply continued pouring his drink without a care. "Didn't your background check turn up nothing unusual?"
"That's the thing." He explained. "Everyone has skeletons in their closet. It's only a matter of how many you have. This guy has none."
"He's just a boy! Barely a man as it is," The Moff exasperated. "he isn't old enough to even have skeletons in his closet yet. Don't be so paranoid Raziff. All those times you said something was unusual then in the end it's always nothing. How different is this going to be?"
"It just feels different!" He snapped. "At least when you go to the meeting point bring a bunch of guards with you. I'm sure he won't protest if he's really grateful."
"If I did that it would seem as if I lacked faith in the contract!"
"Please, Grand Moff." Raziff pleaded. "At least this one last time. If nothing happens, I'll apologize and I'll never doubt you again."
Kilean rolled his eyes. "That's what you said last time."
"Okay I promise that it'll be the last!"
"Ugh. Fine. I'll schedule my leave. Make preparations immediately."