[b][u]The Outer Rim
The Hydian Way
Ojoster Sector
Taris System
Planet Taris[/u][/b]

Taris, while not nearly the bustling center of trade a planet like the core world of Coruscant, was still one the largest comercial and population centers within the Outer Rim, where the GRM Navy routinely hosted fleet exercises and the Jedi had established one of their largest existing enclaves. Being located almost directly on top of the Hydian hyperspace lane, it would almost have been impolite to drop in on the Republic of Mandalore without first checking in at Taris. Which is precisely what Astranoma did.

Emerging a comfortable distance away from effective interdiction zone created by Taris' gravity well, the Astranoma group consisting of no less than twelve [i]Wellspring[/i] Medical carriers, 8 [i]Pelta[/i] medical frigates, and almost unbelievably, two massive [i]Charnel[/i] Medical Space Stations apparently equipped for faster than light travel appeared. Each vessel activated their transponder signals, broadcasting their affiliation openly and with the leading station, named [i]Ream[/i], designated as the group's leading vessel. Realizing that the apparent arrival of such a large group of vessels - and space structures - might have caught local space traffic control off guard, they all remained in place, awaiting contact from some form of traffic authority to contact them, not wanting to startle anybody any further.

Aboard the [i]Ream[/i], J9-12B looked placidly at a view-screen showing a blown-up image of the planet and others points of interest. While it watched, it reviewed the files it had available on the Republic of Mandalore, particularly its population demographics and statistics.

"Hm." J9 mused as it settled on one particular figure. "Now that [i]is[/i] a shame. So many people are going to die."

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[b][u]Expansion Region
Ghost Nebula
Umbara System
Planet Umbara[/u][/b]

Meanwhile, Astranoma already had something of a head start in Zeltros Commonwealth. They already had a relief group positioned in orbit around the planet Umbara, and CK-24 had already arrived aboard [i]Duress[/i], the [i]Charnel[/i] class Medical Station positioned with the rest of the Astranoma relief group over the planet. It had arrived along with three [i]Pelta[/i] Medical frigates, which were going to be needed before Operation: False Positive was over.

"Recitation: This Operation must be swift, decisive, and chaotic. As a secondary objective, we must leave behind evidence that supports Operation: Prune the Garden in the Republic of Mandalore." CK-27 was speaking to a figure wearing what appeared to be [url=http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090824182222/starwars/images/b/b8/GalenStalkerArmor-TFUUSE.jpg]sleek and sinister armor[/url]. They stood perfectly still, and an observant onlooker would have realized that the figure wasn't breathing.

"Similarly, your final attack will assume as close a resemblance to those planned for in Operation: Prune the Garden as possible, in order to establish a sense of precedence. Timing however, is crucial. Anticipation: By the time news of your assault reaches the Republic, the first stage of Operation: Prune the Garden will already be completed. This will give the targets there no time to react to the inevitable mistake they will have made by that time, leaving them vulnerable to our chosen manner of assault." CK-27 turned to leer at the armored figure.

"Assurance: Of course, our objectives are much...looser than those of the counterpart Operation. We are only required to eliminate a minimum threshold of 50% of our targets. In this way, even if your attack fails, the operation will be considered a success as long as that benchmark is reached. Which it will be...And I should sincerely hope that we should reach at least the 90% casualty mark, otherwise I will be immensely displeased. Our enemy is soft, unsuspecting, and most certainly not prepared for the likes of you. Explanation: In order to prepare for your assault, I will first infiltrate the enemy base and ensure your targets are concentrated there, in order to maximize casualties. I will also sabotage select systems and instruments, and remove the more troublesome individuals there so that the inevitable battle will be in your favor. When I return, I will provide you with a number of network commands that will enable you to selectively activate battlefield assets as needed."

"Query: The only thing left for me to ask of you, before I depart...Is whether you are willing to die, when the torpedoes detonate, for the sake of the operation and of killing the heretics in a blaze of flesh-rending plasma?"

The armored figure did not hesitate, responding immediately in an oddly reverberating tone.

"Affirmative."

Mere hours later, a message was sent from [i]Duress[/i] to Umbara space traffic control.

[i]"Umbara traffic control, this is Medical Station Duress. In three days time, one of our Medical Carriers, the Jejune, will have to make a hauling run through Ambria and Ithull in order to pick up supply shipments that will be delivered there by midshippers. By that time, we will need to clear the Jejune of all patients not in extensive care who can afford to be moved, so expect some shuttle traffic down to the surface between now and then. If you could also call ahead to space traffic control for Ambria and Ithull and let them know that we are coming and where our cargo is being held in advanced, that would be appreciated. We are sending you the pertinent details now along with our updated itinerary. Please respond and affirm the updated schedule.."[/i]

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[quote=Exodus]Mercurius, the leader of the Ishkar, wishes to meet the person responsible for leading these ships into our territory. You are clear to dock one of your shuttles into the largest ship infront of you, the personnel you are sending must be unarmed. If you do not wish to comply with our terms, we will be forced to mow your ships down.[/quote]

[i]"Acknowledged, Exodus. One transport shuttle is being prepped for departure. ETA is three minutes."[/i]

The time passed quickly, the transport shuttle dropping out from its small umbilical and quickly heading for the [i]Exodus[/i].

[i]"Exodus, transport shuttle is within docking range. You are clear to tractor."[/i]

[i]"Acknowledged, tractoring your shuttle now, stand by."[/i]

The tractor beam locked into the shuttle and pulled it towards the dock, where Mercurius was waiting, along with four of his bodyguards. The shuttle door opened, and out unceremoniously ambled what appeared to be a medical droid.

"Greetings. I am AN7-12B, administrative droid and diplomatic envoy for the Astranoma charity group. If it is no trouble, I would very much like to be directed to your chief executive, as I have business to discuss with them in regards to the dealings of one Ishkar Syndicate."

"So you're the one that led these ships into my domain.." Mercurius spoke, his tone showed a slight hint of disappointment, as in his mind, he expected the person to trespass the Ishkar's territory was at least a living being.

"Actually it was the pilot droid who led those ships into this domain. I am merely a passenger." AN7 replied. "May I inquire as to who you are?"

"You're speaking to the leader of the Ishkar, you piece of scrap! show some respect or you'll end up a mashed piece of g--" The bodyguard's snide interruption was cut short when Mercurius raised his right hand. Immediately the bodyguard went silent, knowing that any futher actions would result him being executed.

"I'm Mercurius, the leader of the Ishkar Syndicate, what is this [i]dealing[/i] of which you speak, droid?" Mercurius replies to the droid, after being interrupted by one of his guards. In his mind, he assumes that the droid's intentions was just of a simple matter, not really worth of bringing into a formal location.

The medical droid looked between Mercurius and the guard who had spoken briefly, as if processing the words. "So you are the chief executive of Ishkar Syndicate? Fortuitous. I had imagined we might speak in your office or at least somewhere more suitable than a hangar bay, but I shall accomodate." The droid's eyes flickered briefly as it pulled up a store of information from its memory banks. "The Ishkar Syndicate is one of the largest and most successful smuggling organizations in the known galaxy, controlling much of the illegal mercantile throughfare across the core and colony worlds. I imagine that you are likely familiar with the Zaltin and Xucphra medical corporations, which previously constituted the Bacta Cartel and held a duopoly on the production and distribution of bacta?"

"I see you've done your homework droid, I'm impressed." Mercurius says to the droid as he hear the information the droid collected about their organization. "You're right, we are familiar with the Bacta Cartel, they've been operating for quite a while. We've contracted them for our bacta supplies. What is it to you if we know about them?" Mercurius says to the droid before taking a step backwards, seeing that dock crew brought him a chair to sit on.

"With the collapse of the empire, the Bacta Cartel technically no longer exists, and there is no longer any standing law on record as acknowledged by any official authorities as to their duopoly on Bacta. Of course, as Zaltin and Xucphra control Thyferra, their duopoly is still in effect as a matter of market bottlenecking. However, as of nearly 22 standard years ago, the Astranoma charity group managed to illegally procure the recipe for the production of Bacta, and managed to smuggle the necessary indigenous sources for ingredients in its creation off of Thyferra. We have been spending much of our time establishing the industrial framework necessary to produce Bacta on the same scale as the Cartel, and only within the past eight years have we begun dissemenating our own Bacta. As a Charity organization, we are not driven by profit, and so we distribute Bacta of the highest potency feasible to all who are in need of it. Unfortunately, the Zaltin and Xucphra corporations take exception with this practice, and have been trying to prosecute and harass Astranoma for some time." AN7 paused in its segue, looking expectantly at Mercurius as if waiting to see what he thought.

"Illegally..I like the sound of that." Mercurius speaks as he repeats the word in his head, having a certain ring to him everytime he imagines the droid saying it. "So let me get this straight, the reason why your ships are on my territory, is because your [i]organization[/i] wants protection from the Zaltin and Xucphra, am I correct?" Mercurius says, assuming that the purpose of the droid's visit is to ask help from the Ishkar.

"I am afraid not. Astranoma is capable of looking out for itself. However, while we have been able to so far mitigate the damage Xaltin and Xuphra have inflicted, their activities along legal circuits have proven more difficult to handle. The Bacta Cartel is no longer valid, but since they still control the Bacta supply, they can dictate the terms of any legislation regarding its sale. Especially in poverty-stricken systems that were hit hardest in the war. Astranoma finds their greed and obstructionist policies to be...detrimental to our own vision for the Galaxy. We want free, potent bacta to be available for all - or, if not free, at least at much lesser expense than it can be obtained from the Cartel. Which is why I am here. By flooding the market - especially the black market - with our own Bacta, the Bacta Cartel's own reserves are devalued, and their sway on galactic legislation becomes less efficacious. Our end goal is to drive Zaltin and Xucphra into such heavy financial pressure that the duopoly is permanently broken, and their stranglehold on Thyferra lifted. To that effect, the two carriers I arrived with currently have within their cargo holds some 8000 metric tons of high-potency Bacta. As an officiated envoy of Astranoma, it pleases me to offer all 8000 tons to the Ishkar Syndicate as a gift in good faith."

"Can you confirm that?" says Mercurius to one of his bodyguards. "Yes sir, our previous scans on their ships shows that they are indeed carrying 8000 tons of bacta."

 For a while, Mercurius kept silent, his hands were holding tightly on to the armrest while he thinks everything through. It seemed to him that proposal is too good to be true, which is why he remained hesitant about accepting it, and just played along as if he still doesn't know their real agenda. "Let me simplify this, you want the Ishkar, to introduce these high-potency bacta of yours into the black market, without anything in exchange? just like that?" Mercurius says to the droid, still hesitant on why would such an organization give them for free, when they could profit from it.

"Yes! That is precisely what we are asking of you. Your grasp of the situation is entirely accurate!" AN7 said with a tone of exultation, lifting and raising its arms excitedly.

"If we are to intoduce these bacta to the black market, I'm assuming you'd want a piece of the action too. I mean, I'm sure even for such an organization, it would be a loss if you'd just let us, smuggle them for free, without you getting any profit of sort." He replies to the droid, trying to see if there's a catch to what the droid offers to the Ishkar.

"Well we wouldn't say no to any 'cut' you offered us, though you are under no obligation to offer Astranoma a cut of your profits. We have already accounted for the expenditure we will endure in supplying you with Bacta. If you agree to help us in this way, I can immediately authorize the shipment of an additional 8000 tons every three days for the next four weeks." AN7 said blandly. "Entirely as gifts. We do not expect anything in return."

Mercurius wafts his hand towards AN7 before speaking. "Nonsense, the Ishkar wishes that your organization recieve a portion of the profit from this, its a rare situation for us to be approached with such a business proposal, therefore a portion from the earnings will be given to you as a sign, of the good will of the Ishkar." Mercurius stands from his seat and walks towards the droid. "The Ishkar accepts this proposal of yours, you can expect that the bactas be introduced into the black market, as soon as tommorow." Mercurius says to the droid assuringly.

"Wonderful! I am glad we managed to come to an agreement. Now, onto something of a lesser matter that my superiors felt you might be interested in..." AN7's diodes flickered again as it retrieved another set of files from its data cores.

"Are you familiar with the Grand Republic of Mandalore in the outer rim?" It asked inquisitively.

"Of course, we have some dealings with them in the past, why do you inquire?" Mercurius says to the droid, interested to what the machine has to say.

"Astranoma is also dealing with the Republic is much the same manner as here - attempting to flood the market from both ends of the Galaxy, as it were. However, we are also working much more closely with them since they are - and I mean no offense - a somewhat more legitimately recognized power with more political authority."

"None taken droid, proceed with what you saying." Mercurius says, as he too knows that the GRM had more authority that what the Ishkar had.

"Astranoma, as a charity relief group, has been working to establish MedCenters and relief shelters from the inner to the mid rim, in order to help alleviate the effects of the war. The Republic of Mandalore is the most stable political body in the outer rim, and so as we expand there we would like to try and enlist their aid in quickening the recovery of the galaxy. For such a purpose, good relations are necessary, and so Astranoma has been pursuing a number of interests to the republic to encourage amicable exchange. As a way of example, in all of our refugee shelters we routinely identify any children who happen to be force sensitive. As an extension of goodwill to the Republic, as well as the reemergent Jedi enclaves there, we intend to offer them a foster exchange agreement in order to help give some of those children a new home within the Jedi order. As a, if you will, side gift, Astranoma has also obtained a modest collection of Holocrons to present to the Jedi council. The Ishkar Syndicate, being one of the largest smuggling organizations in the Galaxy, would be statistically certain to have a few Holocrons within its circuit. I have been authorized by my superiors to make you substantive offers for any Holocrons you might be willing to part with, to be eventually presented to the Republic of Mandalore."

"Your information banks doesn't fail you AN7, the Ishkar does have a couple of..Holocrons, in its stores. An artifact such as those however, would cost the Astranoma a fortune, even with what you have presented to us, it still wouldn't be enough as a payment. But seeing that the Astranoma plans to use these Holocrons as a sign of good will to the Grand Republic of Mandalore, a discount can take place, provided you give us the assurance that these will arrive at the hands of the Republic of Mandalore." Mercurius says to the droid, as he begins to recognize the droid by its presented identity.

"Certainly. I have instructions to relay any Holocrons I might purchase here directly to the outer rim as quickly as feasible. As a matter of security, I am only technically permitted to hand over any such Holocrons to a member of the Jedi order ranked as a Master, and we shall take great pains to ensure they are not tampered with before then." AN7 replied almost eagerly.

"Well then, seeing that you're transparent with this matter, I'll entrust the Holocrons to you, we will send the Astranoma the costs of the Holocrons later on, but you can already take them to the Outer Rim. As a sign of assurance, I must insist that one of our agents escorts you to your destination."

"Of course, a more than reasonable precaution. We shall do everything in our power to accommodate your agent along the way. Is there anywhere in particular you would like us to return them, and if you don't mind my asking, how many Holocrons is the Ishkar Syndicate comfortable in parting with?"

"Our agent can handle himself once he is certain that you've arrived at your destination unharmed. The Ishkar will provide you with two Holocrons, one of Sith origin, while the other one, of Jedi. A pleasant combination of Holocrons, to balance the Jedi Enclaves' needs." Says Mercurius as he order one of his bodyguards to call Nerevar, one of his sons, to bring the artifacts. 

"Very considerate of you. We shall, of course, make sure to inform the Republic of who helped to procure the Holocrons. You have done the entire Galaxy a great service twice over, Master Mercurius." AN7 said amiably, beaming at the crime lord.

"That's kind of you to say AN7, but I guess this is just my attempt to balance out for the vile things I did against the Galaxy." Mercurius chuckles to himself, as he knows he'd done a lot of things that contributed to the state of the Galaxy now. "Ah, here he is, the agent that I'll be sending." A figure wearing a hooded cloak walks towards the two conversing by the shuttle of the Astranoma. He was seen to be heavily armed, wearing weapons that are deemed illegal by most systems. The figure was also carrying a small ornate box, which contains the Holocrons the droid bought. "Its here father, the Holocrons you've requested." Nerevar opens the box, and reveals the two Holocrons inside. One in a shape of a pyramid, was glowing red, while the other one, in a shape of cube, was glowing in blue.

"May I take a picture of them, to verify the transaction?" AN7 requested, eyeing Nerevar with a posture resembling one of unease. The intimidating agent had clearly affected the droid with his appearance alone.

"You may, as I guess you'd want your executives to know if the Ishkar really did provide you with these." Mercurius replies, before telling his son to ease up. Nerevar stands there idly, just holding the box, letting the droid have his way by taking the pictures.

"Yes, just stand still for a moment..." The droid said, shuffling slightly in place and craning back its head on its neck. Its eyes flashed, capturing the image of Nerevar standing tall with the open case and its glowing contents.

"There. Now, I believe that concludes our transactions for the present moment. The carriers will unload their cargo to your own haulers, and you can expect the next pair to arrive tomorrow along with an itinerary for the next several deliveries. If ever you need to contact Astranoma, here is the contact information for our higher-level executives. No need to bother with their secretaries, either - these will get you the men in charge directly, as it were." AN7 produced a holo-pad from its surgical belt, extending it to Mercurius. "Of course, pease use discretion when passing those around. They aren't for regular use by the public."

"I'll take note of that, extend my regards to your superiors, tell them, that the Ishkar can assure them that their plans for the bacta will soon come into fruition, and that they have our support, if they ever need it." Mercurius tells AN7 as he reach for the holo-pad. "I guess thats all, it was a pleasure having this transaction with Astranoma." He says before bowing lightly, a sign of courtesy in the old Gen'Dai society.

"Yours and mine both, Master Mercurius! Er, I'd bow, but my motivators don't really allow for that sort of motion. I'd fall over. Very awkward." AN7 said apologetically. "I hope you will settle for my saying that I am honored by your generousness towards our cause. If that is all, farewell - I hope both of these transactions prove profitable to you eventually." He then ambled back to the shuttle door and waited for Nerevar to join him, eying the agent nervously.

"I'll follow your ship out of the system, I have my own, if that is alright with you..droid." Nerevar says to AN7 while his ship is being lowered down by a platform beside them.

"Hmm. I suppose that might be fine..." AN7 said hesitantly. "But my superiors would like to see the Holocrons with their own eyes and take a few additional pictures in all liklihood. I dare say I don't want to inconvenience you, but for the first leg of the journey you should probably accompany us onboard. Our own hangar bay has enough room for your craft, and once we've reached our first refueling point, you can follow after us from there out. Do you find that agreeable?"

"If that is what your superiors want you to do, then I'll just dock my craft on your hangar bay, and..join you.. inside the ship." He says to AN7 as he walk up the ramp towards him, still holding the ornate box.

"Wonderful, and my sincere apologies for the inconvenience. We will try to accommodate you however you wish, so if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask!" The medical droid said, still with a hint of nervousness as he began to amble up the shuttle ramp. "My, you really are quite intimidating with that armor! I suppose you must be prime cut!"

Nerevar just dimisses the droid's comment to him as he walk up. He speaks to the droid as he pass him by. "Just make sure you wouldn't make the mistake of double crossing us, the Ishkar doesn't take betrayal lightly." He says, reminiding the droid that there are those that doesn't trust the Astranoma's intentions. "My craft will be delivered to your ship, so I guess its best if we leave now, wouldn't want to keep my father's men waiting."

"Right, of course." AN7 said in agreement as the shuttle hatch closed. The pilot droid seated at the shuttle's helm wordlessly complied with the suggestion and began preparations for takeoff.