((Collab post between EliteCommander and Letter Bee))

Servant droids would usher in the Female Wookiee and her Protocol Droid to the Bridge, where Leonard and Ken were poring over a star map. Once the Believers’ representatives had made their presence felt, the latter two would get up, with Leonard saying, “Ah, you must be the Believers’ representative. We’ve been expecting you.”

Ken would smile and say, “And by that, Scipio decided to hold the strategy meeting at the same time as your arrival in order to demonstrate that he is capable of defending liberated territory as well as freeing it. He is a show-off.”

Raj Vizla looked at Ken darkly at that through his visor, but at the same time, was impressed by the Believer representative’s obvious fighting prowess. He had always respected Wookiees and their fighting prowess.

Leonard would then tilt his head at Ken slightly, then the two would bow a little to the Wookiee before Leonard continued, “I am really happy to see that my gesture - freeing an entire planet - has received attention.”

Ken was tempted to look at Leonard darkly, but decided that his boyfriend didn’t merit it yet.

Before the Wookiee could give a response, the protocol droid stepped forward with its slow, awkward gait, seeming to mimic Leonard’s bow. “You are Mr. Scipio, correct? Are you capable of understanding Shyriiwook? If not, then I would be more than happy to translate. That is my primary function, and purpose in being here. I can happily say that my model has a 99.86% success rate in conveying accurate meaning in Basic.” 

Leonard would then: “Ah, Shyriiwook is a language I haven’t learned, but I do know Droidspeak, which then again won’t help here. So Basic, then.”

“Excellent, sir. I am glad to assist.” The protocol droid responded, at which point it stepped back to allow the Wookiee to take over. Her roaring, growling words were translated through the protocol droid immediately after she spoke them. 

[i]”I am Lewchawwa, I represent the Believers. To start, we would like to give you our thanks for your role in freeing these people. If you know of us, then you know our cause is to give justice to the oppressed. To that end, we would like to offer to bring as many transports as we can muster to evacuate as many of the former slaves as possible before the Hutt Cartel’s counter-attack.”[/i]

The businessman-turned-warlord’s reply was: “Perfect! That ensures that whatever the outcome of the Hutt counterattack, our efforts would not have been for nothing.”

Why did he, Leonard L.  Scipio, feel a measure of warmth from helping others? After all, this was just an excuse to destroy those who thought they were ‘above’ him, right? So why did he feel good from doing ‘good’? But he kept those thoughts to himself as he continued:

“Would you appreciate a few squadrons of droid starfighters to accompany your transports? Droid starfighters are something we can manufacture in excess, after all.”

Lewchawwa lightly shook her head as the droid continued to translate her words. [i]”I thank you for the offer, but it will be safer if the transports are less conspicuous. We have experience protecting liberated people, but our methods rely on secrecy that a fighter escort could compromise. We hope to have our ships our of the system before the Cartel arrives. You can rest assured that these people will be well taken care of. If this place ever becomes safe for them again, then they will have the option to return.”[/i]

If Leonard had any experience reading Wookiee expressions, he might have saw what at least appeared to be genuine gratitude in her expression. However, her visage did become more serious as she looked over the map between them. [i]”But for the counter-attack itself...do you truly intend to try and hold this world?”[/i]

Leonard nods. “Like I said, I like pulling down those more powerful than me; the Hutts are those people now. I have started rebuilding the Fortress of Kha’ris, this time with a shield generator and Ion Cannon; I also plan to install more ground-based weapons and more shields on uninhabited areas of Kintan’s surface to lure the Hutts into splitting their attention between the ground and space earlier than they would expect.” A pause. “I also plan to manufacture explosive ‘space mines’ at the mouth of the main Hyperspace Lane, in order to shock and ambush the Hutt fleet.”

[i]”Those all are effective traps, but…”[/i] Lewchawwa began, pausing as she gave the map another, contemplative look. [i]”Traps can only go so far, and the Cartel will react to this before enough defenses can be built and installed. Even if they are, I fear it will not matter in the end. Make no mistake, the Believers are in full support of everything you have done here so far. We applaud your success against these slavers, and we recognize the message it will send throughout our corner of the galaxy. The Hutts are vulnerable, they can be fought, successfully. You have shown that. But, that does not change the power they have at their disposal, in the short term. We do not need spies or intelligence reports to tell you that the Hutts are going to strike back with a kind of ferocity that has not been seen in a long time.”[/i]

The Wookiee clenched her hands into fists, and her roars became louder. The subject of the Hutts seemed to provoke more than a few emotions within her. [i]”Those...vile slugs are petty, emotional, and completely ruthless. They will respond to even minor slights with...terrible cruelty when they know they have the power to do it. What you have done here is an insult to them, and has sent a dangerous message. They will want to send an even stronger message in response. I respect your ambition, and you can probably inflict some heavy damage in a fight, but they will overcome the best-planned defense with the force of numbers alone. I suggest, instead, that you work with us. Save your forces now so that you can do even more damage later.”[/i]

Leonard surprisingly didn’t object. “Very well, but I will leave behind a force of droids in various places in Kintan, including the fortress of Kha’ris, as well as the minefield. But the main body of Scipio Industries and Finance will go where you go. Thank you for listening to us.”

Even Lewchawwa was momentarily shocked by the very sudden reversal of Leonard’s intentions. It was fortunate that she did not have the Human facial expressions to betray that surprise so obviously, and her droid translator did not convey the tone of her voice. [i]”Thank you. I hope to prove that a tactical retreat now will provide more chances to make greater gains later. We tend to operate on populated worlds, so bringing your ships and resources to us may not be appropriate, but we do know of some remote places where you can hide your forces effectively. I can have some coordinates recommended to you, once I return to my superiors. But, as for this battle...the Believers do not think it should be avoided [b]entirely[/b]. You seem to be adept at strategizing, based on your successes so far. I am not aware of the specifics, but I do know that it would be to the advantage of the Believers for this battle to tie up Cartel forces for a time. If you can draw them into battle, spring your traps, do your damage, then retreat before they can close in on you, then not only can you do more damage to them, but it would be an opportunity to us.”[/i]

Raj would then interject. “This battle would only be an option if the Hutts don’t have Interdictors. So I have to ask; can your sources find out if they do? Because while we are...allies now, it is bad business to risk destruction on assumptions.” A look of reprimand at Leonard. “Also, we might need to take the contents of the Hutts’ treasury in the Fortress of Kha’ris back to our ship, then; we need to recoup financial losses sustained.”

[i]”We have eyes on every Hutt world, and a cruiser is a hard thing to hide. Our sources can find the answers you need. If nothing else, ambushing them with whatever you are prepared to lose could give us the opening we need. I also agree with your...advisor. Take anything you can of value that belonged to the Cartel...and burn the rest. Destroy their infrastructure, collapse their mines, burn anything of value that you cannot carry with you; anything that might make the Cartel want to enslave people here again. Just make sure not to destroy anything that the locals need to take care of themselves.”[/i] Lewchawwa recommended. 

Ken spoke, “For a moment, I was worried that the last provision would be neglected; no offense. I will personally oversee the destruction of the mines in Kintan, if Leonard would give me the droids.”

Leonard nodded in agreement at that.

Lewchawwa nodded. [i]”Do whatever you can, but be quick. We have precious little time as it is, so every moment counts. My people already started gathering transports in case you agreed, so we can have them here this cycle. You will have to spread the word of the evacuation to the former slaves on Kintan. They have been through a great deal of stress recently, and I do not think it will be easy on them, but let them know that the Believers will be here to help them. Knowing that it is us who will be here for them may help to calm the frightened among them. Our message resonates with those in need.”[/i]

Leonard extended his hand. “Then it seems we have an agreement; our comms suite will carry your message.”

Lewchawwa shook Leonard’s hand with the understandably strong grip of a Wookiee. [i]“Any communications equipment will do to communicate with my superiors. I will inform them of your decision right away. I hope it does not offend you, but I will need privacy, and I will need to encrypt my messages. I have strict orders to follow our security procedures at all times.”[/i]

“Not offended,” was Leonard’s reply. “Thank you again for your time and attention.”