| Alyn_Stark | Date: Friday, 13 Jul 2012, 2:13 PM | Message # 1 |
 Generalissimo
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| The room was dimly lit, save for the holoscreen that illuminated Stark's countenance. His expression was not pleased, nor was it exceptionally angry. If anything, it was contemplative as he studied the man on the other end whom he'd been speaking to for some time. "It's good to know you've done well for yourself throughout the years," the older man on the other end was saying before pausing. "You've come quite a long way; more than I figured you would do."
"And you haven't aged half as well as I thought you would," Stark retorted. "I like to agree that I've done quite well, considering what I was born into. If nothing else, I raise much less hell than you did." The man on the other end chuckled and shook his head. His graying hair, turning to white, was badly receding and the age spots on his face were evident. "It seems while the years have been good to me, they have not been as kind to you. I find it almost surprising that after this much time, you've chosen to contact me."
"What can an old man say? Some memories die hard. I'll admit that I'm comfortable in my life. My business has made me moderately wealthy and I find that, despite my 'hell-raising' as you put it in my younger days, few people still bear that much of a grudge. The Empire allows me to continue my business and people still buy from me. That's all that counts at the end of the day, wouldn't you agree?"
"So I should send you an invite to my wedding?" Stark joked, shaking his head. "I'm to be married soon, you know."
"Yes, so I heard. I read the news, after all. I was married once myself. She passed on, unfortunately."
"Well, try not to let the next one go that way. It's hard to find a good woman in the galaxy."
The older man sighed and nodded, almost regretfully. "She gave me a son, though. You'd like him, if you ever met him." Stark's mouth tightened slightly and he shook his head. "I sit on my side of the fence, old man. I'm the lord of a province, a representative of a planet and I own a defense conglomerate that builds everything from blasters to starships. It's hard to find someone my equal in that department."
Laughing now, the older man shook his head and sighed. "Arrogant to a flaw, likely charming as ever with the women. It seems some things never change."
"No, no they don't." Stark's voice this time was wistful and he sighed as well. "I wish to hear more of this computer program, this virus you speak of."
"It's only in its testing phase right now," the older man cautioned. "There's no guarantee it would work even. Nonetheless, because you're such a big drone manufacturer, a merchant of death," the man snorted in derision, "I figured you might find the concept of it useful."
"Quite useful, in fact. I appreciate the information... I don't know what your angle is, out of this, but knowing your reputation, I'm sure you have one." Stark checked his chronometer and grunted in annoyance. "Some days the meetings all seem to run together. A planet to help oversee; rebellious elements to expunge. You know, my road has carried me down a very different path. You never did support the Empire, did you? Certainly not the Republic."
"The Republic?" The older man's voice was full of scorn now. "Fools and lackeys the lot of them. I may not be the biggest supporter of the Empire, but it's certainly a sight better than the Republic. You watch what you say around those Imperials though, boy. I don't need them coming down on my head because some up-jumped senator makes the wrong comment."
"And as always, my discretion is the better part of my valor." Stark's voice held the faintly mocking tone that tended to not endear many of the senators to him. "I fear I must depart, but this was an interesting talk. Be well as always... father."
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)
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