The Spider and the Storm

Sirejj nodded in understanding but did not take his eyes from their company, especially the Ithorian and the two human males. They seemed to be the most likely to react poorly to Thalassa's declaration.

Dori got to his feet. He was red in the face. "You can't just shuffle us around like game pieces," he snapped. "We're not your lackeys, and if that's how you want to treat us then we're certainly not going to do business with you! Damn your threats and damn the Hutts, and damn delia especially. We'll start our own groves, just you watch."

Kairo, too, had turned a deep shade of red, but he said nothing.

Nessa was quiet for a moment. Then she looked towards the Ithorian and the Weequay. "What do you have to say about this?" she asked.

They looked at each other. Codug steepled his fingers, warbling something that the translator didn't pick up. He cleared his throat and spoke again.

"This is something to be discussed in private, I think," he said slowly, in a mild tone. The Weequay, Quarth, nodded in agreement.

"We don't want to rush into anything," she said. "Nessa, may we--"

"You'll ask me what we can and can't do," Kairo said sharply, and stood up. "Nessa's not in charge unless we agree to Lady Motti's terms. And we haven't done that." He cast her a venomous look. "Do we have your leave to discuss this, your ladyship?"

"Take your time," Thalassa said with a cool smile, also standing. "I'm sure you'll come to the right decision. Zee, Sirejj?" She swept toward the door with her glass of wine.

Sirejj stepped forward with Zee to see them to the door, moving in perfect unison with the tall Nautolian. They were an intimidating pair. He was enjoying this position so far.

He resisted the urge to flash a taunting grin at the perturbed leader of the group. He figured he had best settle into this position and build a little more rapport before returning to his mischievous ways.

"You've got yourself a fancy set, don't you?" Dori spat as he let himself be ushered toward the door. "A Nautolan and a Zabrak cultist. Primary colors, too. All you need now is red and you'll have a full set!" That earned him a hard smack from Kairo, and Thalassa rolled her eyes.

The door shut behind the quintet, and the smile dropped from Thalassa's face.

"Idiots," she muttered, and flopped back down in the chair. "All of them. The Ithorian's the smartest of the bunch, but he's clearly not interested in taking over. He's one to watch, though."

"Agreed." Zee perched on the arm of Thalassa's chair, wrinkling her nose. "You think he's too independent, though?"

"Nessa Soobar has the rare qualities of being malleable and intelligent," Thalassa replied. "So long as her confidence is low, she's useful. Codug, on the other hand, knows what he's doing and knows he's capable. We need to keep him low in that particular hierarchy or he'll bring trouble."

Sirejj walked over and remained standing a few feet away from them, leaning his staff against the table and crossing his arms loosely. "You won't have a hard time controlling them if you play your cards right, My Lady. Even the Ithorian fellow was more than cautious. Each and every one of them is abundantly concerned about their own skins, though the one called Dori seems to value his pride a little more than he should." Cultist was a far cry from the worst thing he'd been called. It wasn't even worth mentioning. It spoke brilliantly to the human male's lack of education, though.

"I'm concerned that Dori Soobar might cause his brother to become difficult," she mused. "If a minor accident were to befall him in the next couple of weeks..."

"That would take care of that." Zee tapped her chin. "And the Hutts?"

"They'll do as they please with the Soobars, and we'll be no poorer whether they live or die. You weren't wrong earlier when you said it might be good to ally ourselves with the Hutts, even slightly. We could cash in on finding out what the Soobars were doing, or they can let the Soobars live and simply take a chunk of shares." She glanced at Sirejj. "Sirejj, what did you make of Codug? Do you think he'd try to undermine us even from a minor position?"

"He most certainly would, given the chance, but most likely not by usurping leadership of the group. He's not that narrow-minded." The Ithorian had been sharper than possibly all of the others. "He has experience and intelligence that the rest of them are lacking. He knows a bad situation when he sees one. I wouldn't be surprised if he advises them to leave...or if he suggests some sort of tactic in an attempt to undermine you, yes."

"Surely he realizes there's no way for them to reject my offer. I'll simply reach over their heads and tell their overlord exactly what they've been doing behind his back. I've given them an ultimatum."

"In that case I would expect trouble from him. But it won't be an impulsive attempt. We will have to keep our eyes sharp."

"I plan to send a few of my own operatives in to keep an eye on things." She frowned. "Codug could be useful, eventually. He just needs to prove himself trustworthy first."

"I understand you are wanting to rearrange their leadership. Are you considering the woman?" Nessa would probably be the most logical candidate, as the others were either too foolish or unpredictable. "She is fettered by the two human males, but she is intelligent like you said. If she is placed in a position leadership and tastes independence, she will no doubt test her boundaries eventually, but she shows potential. If she stays in her place."

"Nessa Soobar is the least dangerous of the four, and the easiest to control. She's smart but has low self esteem, as I said--that makes her incredibly useful." She shrugged. "I see no reason why she should try and advance further. And this is all hypothetical--the Hutts may very well eradicate the whole lot of them."

"And how concerned are we that the Hutts would think poorly of your decision to form any sort of agreement with the Soobars? Especially if the find out what they've been doing and wipe them off the face of the map?" Sirejj knew this had been a possibility they'd considered, but it obviously was worth some risk for Thalassa to consider hearing the family out.

"That's why I want them to inform the Hutts. That relieves me of the burden of responsibility--I'm not going behind their backs, and I may be seen as helpful for having convinced the Soobars to explain themselves to them. If they opt to remove the Soobars, then we'll step in and ask for a direct partnership."

Sirejj nodded. "So now we watch and wait." He glanced at Zee, wondering what her thoughts were on the subject. She hadn't said anything for a moment. "I doubt they'll openly try something foolish, but it's no doubt already an option in their minds."