| Alyn_Stark | Date: Wednesday, 21 Mar 2012, 11:24 AM | Message # 1 |
 Generalissimo
Group: Users
Messages: 1359
Status: Offline
| The room was rather simple; spartan even, when it came to decoration. There were no windows and only a single door to give entry. High above, thirty feet up on the ceiling, were nearly two dozen holoprojectors that focused all across the area. Aside from these, the only furnishings were a long table and fourteen high-backed comfortable chairs. At the moment, all were occupied, in one way or another, by living beings or holographic projections. At the head of the table, the bronze-masked occupant tapped a few buttons on the arm of his chair, activating the holoprojectors and turning the room into a much warmer setting: a well-lit lodge room complete with rugs and tapestries and all manner of furnishings. It was the beauty of the place, allowing for over three million settings for the meetings to occur within.
Seated along the sides of the table, six on the left and seven on the right, the holographic images that represented the thirteen highest members of the Citadel were shown in the forms of the names they portrayed, protecting their anonymity from one another; only the Reciter knew them by face and true name, though they did not know him by any more than the mask he wore and the voice he chose for each meeting, which was computer-modulated and altered. Trust had been long in coming fully, but the years and effort, as well as the dividends in a number of forms had brought them to him and bound them more tightly than gravity kept a planet in orbit around its sun.
The Reciter was silent for a moment, then clasped his hands before him on the table. "Gentlemen and women, you are to be commended for your progress these last months. Things are proceeding better than I had hoped. Let us continue with the latest reports from all of you. Anubis, we can begin with your report." The form directly to the right of the Reciter, whose head was that of a kath hound, nodded slowly. "Work continues slowly on Naboo. There have been a few snags hit with the local populace and government, but nothing untoward. However, the recent Gungan uprising against the Imperial forces and military governor may be something we can exploit. However, I would advise against direct action at this time. The Gungan resistance is scattered, and the latest rumors speak of Imperial atrocities against the Gungans. I cannot safely say we should commit manpower or resources to backing a lost cause. It would be better to go with our original plans there and leave my agent in place until he can be of further use."
The Reciter nodded shortly and looked to his left, regarding the slumped image of a bandage-wrapped man whose skin that showed through was represented as horribly scarred and disfigured. "Osiris?" Clearing his throat, the smaller man straightened. "Work continues on the research and development of the weapon systems. Three warheads have been produced for testing purposes only. The company owner rarely has direct dealings with the facility or its headquarters, but security is far too tight for me to gain access to the schematics themselves. I regret to inform you that I will be unable to appropriate the schematics for our use without alerting the staff and jeopardizing my security there."
"Quite all right, quite all right. There's a plan forming in the works. That of course, brings us to our next member. Shub-Niggurath, have you anything to report?" The odd, seemingly bloated form at the far end of the left side laid what appeared as a tentacled hand atop the table, tapping it soundlessly; when it spoke, the voice was surprisingly feminine. "The first delivery system is already complete. Fortunately, there have been no hang-ups and it should be more than possible with the subroutines installed to divert the vessel during its maiden flight to a target destination. Sales of the overall products have been quite high, and I see no reason why the line will not continue."
A nod of approval was given to her from the Reciter before he glanced to the figure opposite her, an odd contrast of humanoid body topped by a bulbous, tentacled head that looked as if it had come from some Sith's nightmare. "And you, Cthulhu, one of the more prominent figures of our group. How is the Citadel Project coming along?" The voice, oddly warbling and sounding as if it were coming from underwater, made its reply. "The plants are making very good sales, both in terms of arms on a personal level and military. The shipyards and the droid foundries are doing the same. Obviously we can't begin churning out war machines without alerting any authorities, but we've continued to divert materials and construction droids over a period of time without notice. The Citadel Project is at current sixty-percent complete, with full completion coming in the next year if we push our production schedule. It shouldn't be a problem, especially with everything that's going on. The site itself is still secure."
"All very well. You are to be commended. Cadmus, Cilix, you currently represent the enforcement arm of the Citadel. Have you any new developments?" The pair of men, simply displayed as faceless beings, identical to one another, shook their heads simultaneously. "The problem on Slovo Minor has been dealt with. We expect no outside influence for some time. The local mining guilds believe they've been granted a reprieve of some kind and as such, have increased their production to show the Empire how loyal and useful they are. One of our contacts in the Moff's organization has informed us that Slovo Minor's output is up ten percent. Incidentally, our distant agent has netted us a large bonus both in the form of actual craft and monies from the Telosian side."
"Better news all the time, to see funds rolling in. Speaking of which, Horus, how are your operations going?" The falcon-headed male clasped his hands before him, pausing a moment. "Both operations have met with some difficulty. The shipping magnate's vessels were ambushed by pirates and the initial supply was lost. Fortunately, he was more than able to recover and the operation in that system is now back on schedule. The casino side of things has still been profitable from the initial standpoint in the Cronese Mandate. However, I have not heard from our man in some time. There is work underway to discern his present whereabouts. I believe he may have run into some trouble on Dantooine."
"That's unfortunate on both counts, Horus. You must do better in your planning. If the item in question on Dantooine is compromised for any reason, sanction him immediately. I don't care what publicity may ensue. It's far better to have some odd questions asked than to have him spill what he knows or worse, what he thinks he may know. Now, my apologies to the rest of you, but this meeting must come to a close early. I expect continued progress reports. You have all exceeded my expectations." One by one, the holoimages blinked out as each cut his or her connection, leaving the Reciter as the last in the room; the sole living occupant.
"It's all coming together, isn't it?" The deceptively soft feminine voice came through the door that swung open silently, allowing the silver-haired Echani female to enter, closing the door behind her. "None of us doubted you, but still..." "But still it seemed impossible that one man could orchestrate so much?" The Reciter's voice was amused as he turned to consider the lithe woman. "By the way, give my commendation to Gadrid for a job well done. He's an expert at his task. Before you pout, Malinara, know that I chose him for his infiltration ability. He can do easily and without thought what the rest of us must risk exposure to do. Come, my dear. We have tasks to oversee... and an empire of our own to run." Rising from the table, he offered his arm to the Echani. As she took it, they departed from the room, closing the door behind them. Once the door latched shut, the holoprojectors and lights powered down, leaving the room in darkness.
Alyn Stark
Lord of Kinyov
Senior Captain, Retired, Republic Navy
Head of House Malos (former)
Licensed bounty hunter
Majority shareholder, Lorrd Engineering
Owner, Stark Defense Conglomerate
Civilian Medal of Honor recipient
Representative, Lorrd (10 BBY-9 BBY)
|
| |
| |
