Game: An Unpaid Debt

[Blackferne]

Joonhali looks at Dood, then turns to Jokull "A trap?"

[Whiteness]

Words have many meanings my dear bothan, if you would like to discuss that with me later I would be happy to, but I would hate to cause further distress to our host.

Jokull pauses for a moment

But, to make a simple obvious comment, I hope the Republic has thought long and hard on how they will safeguard their purchase from the Confederacy should they win...and vice versa.

[Blackferne]

Words have many meanings my dear bothan, if you would like to discuss that with me later I would be happy to, but I would hate to cause further distress to our host.

Jokull pauses for a moment

But, to make a simple obvious comment, I hope the Republic has thought long and hard on how they will safeguard their purchase from the Confederacy should they win...and vice versa.

"I'm sure both factions are perfectly capable of finding ways to transport the unit to their superiors and then work out the logistics. Heck I could just transfer the data into an encrypted device of their choosing and then destroy the original should they choose. The unit itself isn't that important, the information is the valuable part."

[Furiel]

"I'm enjoying how you seem perfectly happy to try to disrupt this sale and sow further mistrust between the Republic and my faction, all in an attempt to take people away from any and every question we have about you Mr. Frostasson. Now I believe you have attempted to duck 2 separate questions from the Bothan delegate and I believe it is in the best interest of all in this room if you answer them. Now." Tony says in a voice getting increasingly frosty and starting to tinge with menace.

[Blackferne]

Taking a cue from Tony's frosty tone, Joonhali sits back in his chair picks up his glass and takes a sip.

[Whiteness]

Haha, are you trying to intimidate me Mr. Plush? Does the Confederacy normally send such brash and abrasive agents on such important and delicate assignments? Mr. Joonhali already answered the Bothan's first question and I answered the second. Why you think I have any reason to answer you is beyond me.

[Dood]

Haha, are you trying to intimidate me Mr. Plush? Does the Confederacy normally send such brash and abrasive agents on such important and delicate assignments? Mr. Joonhali already answered the Bothan's first question and I answered the second. Why you think I have any reason to answer you is beyond me.

Dood wrinkles his forehead.

"I do not believe you answered my question at all. You said that you would be willing to talk about the various meanings of - what was it? - 'The auction's a trap' - at a later time. I'm not sure what other meanings those words could possibly have, sir. While I certainly appreciate your willingness to keep our conversation private, I see no reason to discuss the meaning of your words outside of this current conversation.

That is, unless, of course, your only intention was to divert my associate and myself - and thereby the Republic - from this auction in an attempt to keep the bidding price lower for yourself and your employer or to prevent the Republic from having any possible way of acquiring the object of the auction."

[Blackferne]

Joonhali slowly swishes his drink before taking a sip. His face has that of a man amused at the drama unfolding.

[Reese]

Klak having watched this play out and finished a fine drink prepared for him by Mr. Joohhali finally chimes in

"Mr. Frostasson, it seems to me that neither Tony and I nor the Republic delegation have interrupted Mr. Joonhali, insinuated misdeeds or been threatened of removal from these proceedings. You sir are making a fool of yourself and wasting the valuable time of everyone in the room. I suggest you sit there and allow Mr. Joohnali to continue his pitch and only pipe up if you have a bid to start us off. If not, be quiet. Were these guards not in the room, my associate Mr. Plush and I would have already escorted you out."

Klak settles down a bit but is still clearly unnerved.

"Mr. Joohnali, if you please, continue. You were saying that the starting price is $711 Million credits for the trinket. If we do confirm it to be of the Katana Fleet, how will you be accepting bids?"

[Dood]

Klak having watched this play out and finished a fine drink prepared for him by Mr. Joohhali finally chimes in

"Mr. Frostasson, it seems to me that neither Tony and I nor the Republic delegation have interrupted Mr. Joonhali, insinuated misdeeds or been threatened of removal from these proceedings. You sir are making a fool of yourself and wasting the valuable time of everyone in the room. I suggest you sit there and allow Mr. Joohnali to continue his pitch and only pipe up if you have a bid to start us off. If not, be quiet. Were these guards not in the room, my associate Mr. Plush and I would have already escorted you out."

Klak settles down a bit but is still clearly unnerved.

"Mr. Joohnali, if you please, continue. You were saying that the starting price is $711 Million credits for the trinket. If we do confirm it to be of the Katana Fleet, how will you be accepting bids?"

Dood turns suddenly toward Klak.

"I'm still waiting on an answer to my question, if the horned gentleman doesn't mind. Or is the Confederate's desire that we gloss over Mr. Frostasson's actions due to the fact that he's actually here as a party to their cause? An attempt, perhaps, to not only increase the size of their delegation, but to help them further by attempting to drive away their only competition for the auction?"

Dood levels a curious look at Klak.

[Reese]

Klak rolls his eyes and says while turning his attention back to Mr. Joonhali

"Not in any way. I would prefer to see Mr. Frostasson's body part ways with his head rather than have him a member of the Confederacy. Let him answer your question, I just want this to move on from the petty bickering between organizations."

Glancing at Dood curiously

"And take no merit to my mention of price. The Confederacy has expressed no interest thus far in the trinket being offered." Back on Joohnali "Now, Mr. Joonhali should you have a few hundred crates of heavy blasters and armor, then we may be interested."

[Furiel]

Tony looks right at the Bothan

"I assure you that he is no part of our delegation, and if he was I would have him removed from the negotiations, then likely escorted out the nearest airlock. Anyone care to place any bets on how long all his hot air would keep him alive in the vacuum? I can start a pool." Tony says starting in a deadly serious tone, then ending with a rueful laugh.

then turning back to Jokull

"Now then, it appears that the Republic and Separatists delegations can agree on 1 thing, and that being that you have yet to answer the questions presented. You dance well around the issues, I'll give you credit there, but this is a highstakes negotiation between opposing parties, not the Corusani ballet, so answer the questions."

[Bulwark]

"Ah, well, an assurance from the Separatists. Then it must be fact." Turning to the Bothan, "I'm completely convinced. Aren't you? Next thing he's going to tell me is you found the Katana fleet."
Bulwark leans back in his chair, satisfied that he has adequately stirred the pot.

[Whiteness]

Jokull looks from sentient to sentient and settles his gaze on Joonhali.
Sir, I hope you believe me when I say that I didn't set out to cause this interruption.

He looks to Dood I have no care to keep our conversation private, I just don't want to waste our hosts time. And be honest, I never said anything to you about a trap did I?

He looks back to the rest I'm sorry if you are upset that a third bidder is here, but if you would like to discuss anything with me please save it for later. I will gladly give each of you, together or separately, after Mr. Joonhali is done with us and before the auction commences.

He looks again back to Mr. Joonhali There will be adequate time for me to quell their fears then, will there not Mr. Joonhali?

[Dood]

I have no care to keep our conversation private, I just don't want to waste our hosts time. And be honest, I never said anything to you about a trap did I?

Dood smiles

"Oh, I make no claim that you said directly to me that this was a trap. However my friend, Giska, was seated at the bar when you obviously thought you were following me, and you most definitely told him 'the auction is a trap.' If necessary I can produce my good friend as well as the bartender from the evening to attest to that fact."

Dood sips his drink.

[Whiteness]

Words said in passing are easily misheard, and obviously misunderstood. It should be clear that our host is only interested in credits, not on some elaborate ruse...and I think we should all focus on verifying the item he is presenting for auction. Yes I have doubts, but my superior would be greatly..'displeased' if I let something like this slip through my fingers because I dismissed it without investigating it thoroughly. Your ability to produce another bothan to back up your claims is meaningless, I can just as easily claim I heard you contacting the Republic for reinforcements when I found you in the refresher. I often have my comlink open so my subordinate on the station can listen in should I need assistance...of course nothing was recorded, but he would be as valid a witness as a drunk bothan

Jokull pauses for a brief moment, Now, may we let Mr. Joonhali finish?

[Blackferne]

Joonhali smiles. "If everyone is done with cross examination of the witness, I shall continue." He pauses to sip his drink.

"Now that you know the item for sale, and the minimum price tag, each of you probably needs to contact your superiors to get bidding permissions. My assistant" He motions to a young woman who was off to the side "is providing you each with a datacard. It contains routing instructions with a bank of my choosing, but of galactic fame as a fair institution to serve as escrow. The first step is, if your superiors are interested in the item, to establish a line of credit. The bank will also set up an escrow account and provide a witness to the authenticity of the transaction being completed, ie the location of the fleet is verified by the winner. We will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11am again and begin the inspection process of the nav unit. You can bring any tools you wish to perform the inspection, but I will have technicians to make sure you are not able to access the datacore section that contains the final resting place of the fleet. After the inspection we can commence with bidding with any interested party having 30 minutes to up the bid from the last bid made. Only bids that are within the established line of credit with the bank will be allowed, and any bid made will be considered legally binding and should that bid win, the amount bid will be transferred from the line of credit to the escrow account immediately. Do we have any questions?"

[Dood]

Joonhali smiles. "If everyone is done with cross examination of the witness, I shall continue." He pauses to sip his drink.

"Now that you know the item for sale, and the minimum price tag, each of you probably needs to contact your superiors to get bidding permissions. My assistant" He motions to a young woman who was off to the side "is providing you each with a datacard. It contains routing instructions with a bank of my choosing, but of galactic fame as a fair institution to serve as escrow. The first step is, if your superiors are interested in the item, to establish a line of credit. The bank will also set up an escrow account and provide a witness to the authenticity of the transaction being completed, ie the location of the fleet is verified by the winner. We will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11am again and begin the inspection process of the nav unit. You can bring any tools you wish to perform the inspection, but I will have technicians to make sure you are not able to access the datacore section that contains the final resting place of the fleet. After the inspection we can commence with bidding with any interested party having 30 minutes to up the bid from the last bid made. Only bids that are within the established line of credit with the bank will be allowed, and any bid made will be considered legally binding and should that bid win, the amount bid will be transferred from the line of credit to the escrow account immediately. Do we have any questions?"

Dood stews for a minute and then looks up.

"Who's Avonna?"

[Bulwark]

"The Republic will not initiate any line of credit until after the device has been verified. And in that respect, we will need to bring in proper technicians to validate it's authenticity. Surely you don't expect the Republic to turn over 3 billion credits based on the technical prowess of a negotiator?"

[Blackferne]

"Avonna is a partner in a recent expedition who has a few issues with how things were handled. Not really much of a concern. And Mr. Migs, those are the terms of the auction. If the terms are not to the Republic's liking, I'm sure the Confederation will be happy to get the item at such a low price. Verifying a nav unit is not terribly difficult. And I assume one of you is capable, or have a droid capable of doing the necessary tests to validate against known data. And keep in mind that the bid goes into escrow, and should the unit be a fake or the information not prove to reveal the location of the fleet, the republic gets the money back. But it is your choice."

[Whiteness]

"Mr. Joonhali, may I ask when and how you acquired this nav unit?" said in his most deferential voice.

[Blackferne]

Joonhali chuckles "Mr. Frostasson, a man with my reputation has to keep an air of mystery, so forgive the truncated tale. I had hyperdrive problems a few weeks ago on my yacht. It by chance dropped out of space about 40 AU away from the fleet. I thought I was stranded and began my droids working on repairs when I noticed my scanners picking up contacts far away. Figuring I might as well make contact I used the sub-light to go to the ships. And what do you know, I found the treasure of a lifetime."

[Dood]

Dood looks at Bulwark and nods his head in a "we should probably go now" manner.

[Whiteness]

Of course I understand keeping an air of mystery Mr. Joonhali, and your tale is more than adequate, although just to clarify, your yacht is run by all droids? It must have been a lonely trip if you were the only sentient aboard..

[Bulwark]

Bulwark tilts his head at Joonhali, "So you expect both the Republic and Separatists to wire Billions of credits into a bank of your choosing before validating that what you offer is real. And, as a follow up, you will only let non-technical people determine that it hasn't been forged? The Separatists may be misguided fools, but I doubt even they will fall for such a ridiculous scheme. It would be a different story, Mr. Joonhali, if you had a reputation to back this up. No offense, but you are a known thief. Can you give a reason why anyone in this room should trust you?"
Bulwark stands up and heads for the door with Dood.