Log:Civil Unrest in Darglum
Civil Unrest in Darglum
OOC Date: August 4, 2019
Location: Deep Space
Participants: Idan Jensa, Aryn Cole
The holographic contact had been sent to Aryn's ship from the Traders Union flagship. The image of Idan seated in an immobile Neimoidian spider-throne awaits the good Doctor's response.
Aryn's image flickers to life. The image just comprised her upper body. She must have been seated at the communications terminal upon her ship, the Rainstorm. "Idan Jensa, Trade Union. To what do I owe this pleasure, sir?" A hand comes into view, brushing her hair from one side of her face back to be pinned behind her ear.
"Ah, Doctor. The pleasure is mine, I assure you." Initial pleasantries out of the way, the skinny Administrator voices, "A recent.. gamble has returned a potentially significant prize. I wish.. your council, as to how I should proceed: the Union has acquired a.. blind lot at auction of property formerly belonging to the unlamented Lord Follar. If we were to have found an item of.. great interest to the Duchess of Umgol, how would you recommend broaching the subject in a way that benefits both Umgol and the Union?"
"Ah, a touchy subject. The Duchess is not known for being merciful, in fact I believe it was her order to have the late Lord killed over this very item. I believe if you want to broach it with her, it should come up as a result of your acquiring this lot. Ignorance may suit you in this instance because you know she placed a contract out for anyone to find and return that item to her. Bringing it up as an uncertain find may earn you favor /and/ keep you out of her sights. Though, I wonder if any of her own were at that auction too?" Aryn taps her chin softly, looking contemplative.
Idan Jensa answers the last wonder, first: "I would expect so. While I pride myself on cunning, it is no great leap to suspect that by acquiring his property, one might also acquire what he had stolen. I would be.. disappointed if none others thought the same." Drawing a slow breath, the Neimoidian admits, "Avoiding that.. merciless nature is my chief concern." In the next breath, he is compelled to add, "That and turning some modest profit from the entire business."
"They may have been at the auction, but it makes me wonder why you're not targeted. Bounty hunting is a competitive sport for many. If they had seen the item in the lot, it begs to question why they're not striving to obtain it." Aryn clears her throat; it's the first time exhaustion has invaded her tone. "Profit should be an easy matter, honestly. She will be delighted to have her heirloom back, as any noble might. It is a symbol of their station. Credits are no object to her. I only caution against her paranoia, sir. She is notoriously paranoid of everyone. It comes from surviving six assassination attempts. Her Grace isn't the /rightful/ heir as some think. She acquired the throne through back office politics and subterfuge."
"A certain paranoia is really only.. healthy," Idan opines. "A respectable leap then, for her to claim what was not to be inherited. As for the gem, it was not on display," he states clearly. "A number of other insignificant gemstones, yes, but not anything like what was described. No, the.. piece of interest was concealed inside a piece of clay statuary; a rather poor quality forgery of a Ranroon sun God icon."
"I see. Then you should be safe to assume she'll pay you handsomely for it. It should cover your expenses with Corbin, and maybe even gain you some capital; or something to expand your bottom line. She's a generous woman. Though, I caution you, Mr. Jensa. If you intend to travel to Darglum, where her seat is, do so under heavy guard. Rumor of the true heir has sprouted in the city, and the guards are on high alert. A young woman addressed the state of the Duchy as a concerned citizen, and announced that she was Avlin Rey; true heir to the Duchy, and she accused Her Grace of usurping. The Courts are split, and knights leaped to Avlin's aid to defend her honor and help her exit the court unmolested. If this heirloom is true, authentic. Then whoever possesses it /is/ the true heir. If you want real profit, you might see who wants it more." Aryn's expression remains neutral despite the political angle she's armed Idan with.
Idan Jensa leans back in his mechanical throne, eyes narrowing in thought at the news. He leans one arm on the throne, in a rather clear effort to look impressive; an effort foiled by the need to adjust his arm to rest properly on the too-large chair's frame. "I.. thank you for this news. Clearly, the Union must learn more and tread... quite cautiously before revealing anything. Hmm. I would have rather preferred a simple profit, as high politics.. elevate the stakes." Mouth drawn into a tight line. "This information is most crucial, Doctor Cole. It bears.. consideration."
"I'm certain you will make the right choice that's beneficial to all. I'll leave you with that, barring anything else you need to ask?" Her brows lift, expectantly.
Idan Jensa shakes his head once. "That is all, Doctor. Until we meet again," the Neimoidian bids in parting, touching a button on the throne to end the transmission.
He waits a moment, expectantly. The button is pushed twice more, before Idan looks aside and states, "End transmission."
