Two weeks had come and gone since the engagement with the CSA. The Extortion having dropped off their guests at Tatooine made its way home before once
again venturing out for repairs at a small shipyard world that took on private clients. Salem had been forced to stay behind on The Edge leaving the
ship to Siala, his apprentice. When they returned Admiral Straven wasn't amused. Reports from Captain Sole and various other crewmen painted a damning
picture, one of insubordination, bordering very close to mutiny.
Salem had for the most part accepted his punishment, confined to base for two weeks while Straven decided exactly how to handle the situation. Those two weeks were up today and during his down time Norongachi had time to ponder the wider implications of his actions, the benefits and dangers he had placed before Morgans Cutthroats by aiding Jay Mertaal of the Blue Stars Pirates.
Sal buzzed at the Nik's office door and a few moments later it swished open. Inside Nik Straven sat behind his desk and merely glanced up at him when he took a seat. What had the Admirals attention was of course business, data slates filled with numbers, routes, ships and men. Plans for raids and the various mercenary work that was requested of them. In his mind as he looked over all this Nik had to weigh the cost with the price, always evaluating the danger to his group, his men and thier way of life. So Salem fully understood why he had come down on him like a turbo laser battery, effectively Norongachi had made themselves known to the CSA and if the CSA knew it wouldn't be long before data streamed to Coruscant, through the intelligence network stating that the BSP had an ally. Yes the days of being faceless nobodies was well and truly over for the Cutthroats.
"I'm looking over these raid plans that have been drawn up, plans that a month ago i wouldn't have hesitated to give the go ahead." Began the Admiral looking up at Salem with all seriousness. "Now i don't know if a simple job will become a Corporate trap, if the men i send out to work will make it back or end up in Stars End" He sighed and rubbed his eyes, he looked like crap.
"Stars End was destroyed, Mertaal made sure of that." Said Salem, a little to coldly even for his own liking.
"Don't give me that, you know exactly what i mean!" Snarled the Admiral. "Because of you we're known, and if we're known we can be hunted and if we're hunted we're frelled!" Tiny flecks of spit were gathering at the corner of Stravens mouth, testament to his rage. "Why did you do it! You said it yourself, Mertaal destroyed Stars End, he attacked your fleet, he took your fraking eye for hells sake!" Niks eyes were almost pleading, demanding that his questions be answered.
"Because we need him." Salem said it and although yes he found a lot in common with Jay always at the back of his mind, perhaps through his years at the CSA or even his Sith training, were the gains to be had. "More so now than ever. Speak with him Nik, talk Admiral to Admiral and you may well find that you aren't that different." He saw his words taking effect, saw the rage give way to thought and logic and the mans body seemed to visibly relax in his seat.
"What could we offer the Blue Stars? We're not even a hundredth of their size in military strength."
"Profit. What you must remember is that they, like us, have mouths to feed. Now imagine this alliance, imagine if the CSA came for us what an armada we would have to stand against them with Jay at our side. There is also the profit aspect, if we ally with the BSP we have no fear of plundering the more lucrative trade routes in case we come across their fleets. And for Jay...well its free money and extra man power should he require it." Salem finished and allowed it to sink in.
"So we become the BSP attack dog is that it?"
"Are you even listening? That's eighty years of seclusion talking, at least meet the man, you dont have to shack up with him right away." Sal said with a smile.
"You have a way to contact him i take it?"
"I do."
"Then do it...lets see where this goes." With that Salem nodded, stood and left the room.
Salem had for the most part accepted his punishment, confined to base for two weeks while Straven decided exactly how to handle the situation. Those two weeks were up today and during his down time Norongachi had time to ponder the wider implications of his actions, the benefits and dangers he had placed before Morgans Cutthroats by aiding Jay Mertaal of the Blue Stars Pirates.
Sal buzzed at the Nik's office door and a few moments later it swished open. Inside Nik Straven sat behind his desk and merely glanced up at him when he took a seat. What had the Admirals attention was of course business, data slates filled with numbers, routes, ships and men. Plans for raids and the various mercenary work that was requested of them. In his mind as he looked over all this Nik had to weigh the cost with the price, always evaluating the danger to his group, his men and thier way of life. So Salem fully understood why he had come down on him like a turbo laser battery, effectively Norongachi had made themselves known to the CSA and if the CSA knew it wouldn't be long before data streamed to Coruscant, through the intelligence network stating that the BSP had an ally. Yes the days of being faceless nobodies was well and truly over for the Cutthroats.
"I'm looking over these raid plans that have been drawn up, plans that a month ago i wouldn't have hesitated to give the go ahead." Began the Admiral looking up at Salem with all seriousness. "Now i don't know if a simple job will become a Corporate trap, if the men i send out to work will make it back or end up in Stars End" He sighed and rubbed his eyes, he looked like crap.
"Stars End was destroyed, Mertaal made sure of that." Said Salem, a little to coldly even for his own liking.
"Don't give me that, you know exactly what i mean!" Snarled the Admiral. "Because of you we're known, and if we're known we can be hunted and if we're hunted we're frelled!" Tiny flecks of spit were gathering at the corner of Stravens mouth, testament to his rage. "Why did you do it! You said it yourself, Mertaal destroyed Stars End, he attacked your fleet, he took your fraking eye for hells sake!" Niks eyes were almost pleading, demanding that his questions be answered.
"Because we need him." Salem said it and although yes he found a lot in common with Jay always at the back of his mind, perhaps through his years at the CSA or even his Sith training, were the gains to be had. "More so now than ever. Speak with him Nik, talk Admiral to Admiral and you may well find that you aren't that different." He saw his words taking effect, saw the rage give way to thought and logic and the mans body seemed to visibly relax in his seat.
"What could we offer the Blue Stars? We're not even a hundredth of their size in military strength."
"Profit. What you must remember is that they, like us, have mouths to feed. Now imagine this alliance, imagine if the CSA came for us what an armada we would have to stand against them with Jay at our side. There is also the profit aspect, if we ally with the BSP we have no fear of plundering the more lucrative trade routes in case we come across their fleets. And for Jay...well its free money and extra man power should he require it." Salem finished and allowed it to sink in.
"So we become the BSP attack dog is that it?"
"Are you even listening? That's eighty years of seclusion talking, at least meet the man, you dont have to shack up with him right away." Sal said with a smile.
"You have a way to contact him i take it?"
"I do."
"Then do it...lets see where this goes." With that Salem nodded, stood and left the room.
