Strings To Pull [Daniel]

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

Onderon, Ishta Rak City.

"The queen's pawns are getting stronger than ever at the court. Saying something different in Iziz is suicide."

"She is brainless for the most part, but her puppet masters know what they are doing and they have increased their armed forces."

"This is why most of us chose to return to our lands, rather than be too much at court."

Nadgkema listened in silence to what the nobles who knew her and had been supporters of the former royal family, were saying. The Countess had helped clean some great thorn in the side of this group of nobles a while ago. She had done so with the assistance of a fellow member of the Penumbra, Daniel Aldan, who was with her on this journey as well.

"We need to enforce our views on a regional scale."

Her lovely voice had a stern tone in it as she suddenly got to her feet, looking at everyone around the large table.

"This will take forever to achieve, Countess!"

She quirked a brow. "If you expect anything to happen in a single night, you are sorely mistaken Baron."

She could feel their eagerness, their fear and their doubts to what she was saying. Officially, she had never set foot back on Onderon since her escape from her family many years ago, but she was a public figure as one of the most gifted artists of the Coruscant Opera, thus her name never forgotten to most.

"What resources do we have? We don't have influence over every corner of the planet."

Nadgkema stared at him. "You will. My associate and I can help, but you need to get to work and to believe in it. If you have no faith, we won't get anywhere."

[Daniel Aldan]

Daniel stood after Nadgkema, facing the worried Onderonian nobles. At just under two meters tall and ninety-four kilograms of corded muscles, it was a sight when he rose to his full frame, as he did now. He cut a strange figure standing next to the small statured Nadgkema, and when he fixed his eyes on the Baron, he could feel a trace of apprehension and fear in the man. "Erase the fear from your heart. Brace yourself, and be prepared to do whatever is needed to advance your cause. If you act swiftly, and with intelligence, then this world can be under your influence. If not, you will fail." Daniel said. His voice was calm, but carried a steely undertone that suggested he was very familiar with doing what needed to be done to advance a cause. He was not certain that these nobles would act, or even could act with the will that was needed, but he would wait and see.

Now, having said his piece and quite clearly both terrifying and inspiring the nobles before him, he stepped backward, allowing Nadgkema to once again have the lead.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

Watching the nobles' reactions to Aldan's words and especially impressive appearance was extremely enjoyable. They needed to have faith, and they needed to fear the Dark Jedi, though they had no idea what they actually were, as per the custom of secrecy in the Penumbra.

She liked how collected Aldan was, besides being deadly. They made a great team and this was why she had offered him to continue working with her on these Onderon situations that were arising one after the other.

"We can do what needs to be done, but you have to ensure that you do help the cause. If you cause trouble and failure, I won't tolerate seeing you around and will consider you as treacherous as our queen."

She heard the early stages of ruckus and she raised her hand. "You know what we already did for that problematic noble you couldn't handle because you can't afford to have your hands sullied. Don't add your name to this list and give us the intelligence we need to proceed to our next step."

[Daniel Aldan]

"I assure you all, the Countess' words are not idle threats. I will personally see to your 'removal' from the equation if you prove problematic, and if you think you can stop me, you are as mistaken as the many others who have tried." Daniel spoke as calm as before, but the words were no less fearsome than if he had roared them. He was not hear to negotiate with the nobles, that was the task of the Arbiter who stood next to him. He was hear to ensure they stayed in line, and did as they were told. Of course, Nadgkema was more than capable of doing that herself, but she would have to reveal her power to do so, and that was not in the interests of the Penumbra. Whereas Daniel, with his imposing size, scars and tattoos, did not need the Force to make a suitable impression on the nobility of this world.

Satisfied that the men understood what was as stake, and what the task before them was, Daniel fell silent, waiting for his ally to begin again.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

Aldan being naturally impressive to those ignorant of their powers was of great use to Nadgkema in this situation. And the more they would win over nobles inclined to listen to her, the more it might eventually serve the Penumbra one day. One never knew where the leaders of the Dark Jedi might decide to take things next.

"Duke Chardonar, you said that one of the queen's cousins was to be marry one of the daughters of the viscount of Radona, didn't you?" The other noble nodded. "If they do this, they would possibly gain influence on an instable region where one of our military school is. The viscount's daughter didn't wish for this marriage and was hoping to keep the title for herself instead of this arrangement."

Nadgkema nodded and glanced to Aldan. "Then we will personally see to this. Until my return, you should keep your ears to the ground. You'd better not disappointment."

[Daniel Aldan]

Underscoring Nadgkema's words about disappointment, Daniel spoke briefly again, locking eyes with both the Baron and then the Duke when he did. "Indeed. You better not." Then he turned, walking out of the room with his colleague. After the door had closed behind them, the nobles were left fearful, but resolved to do what they needed. That was perfect. The Templar turned to the Arbiter.

"So now what is the plan? How will we go about taking care of this troubling suitor? Assassination would work, but then another suitor would rise in his place. Although..." Daniel trailed off, and then spoke again. "The military academy, who are they loyal too? And does the Viscount have any forces of her own?" He asked, forming a plan in his mind.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

Practice made perfect and by now Aldan and her formed a very efficient team. It was very satisfying to Nadgkema to know she could rely on someone and didn't worry he would mess up in the middle of things. Her appreciation to his last comment before they exited the room was perceptible through the Force.

As they headed off in the hallway, she grinned devilishly to his question. "We need a perfect suitor to replace the current one in the upcoming wedding. A simple assassination won't cut it, you said it. The Viscountess to be has limited armed forces, but her family has had strong ties to the military academy."

She clasped her hands before her, her unique gaze turning more evil. "My spies indicated a couple of very promising students at the academy but I would be more inclined to speak to the director. He has been widowed for a few years so he would be a perfect suitor, especially as his prominent family will expect heirs and heiresses."

[Daniel Aldan]

"That sounds like an excellent plan. Do you have any idea as to how we will bring the two together? You say that her family has strong ties to the academy, but do her and the director already know each other personally?" Daniel asked. If they could ally the military school with the Viscountess, they would not only stop the advances of the Queen's power, but gain a vital ally for the future. Daniel envisioned, and he was fairly certain that Nadgkema also envisioned; an Onderon fully under the influence and control of the Penumbra. The more allies they gained, and the weaker the made the current ruler; the easier that vision would be to achieve.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

A devious smile formed on the brunette's lips. "They were seen talking at length at the recent balls held at the military academy. It seemed that they share an extensive passion for history and for dejarik. It even caused ruckus with her future in-laws who believed she should mind her place more."

She believed that with some help and persuasion, things could improve. "The Director didn't like how the Viscountess to be's parents have been working on forcing her hand into marriage either. He is one feminist in Onderonian society, you could say."

[Daniel Aldan]

"That is excellent news. So how shall we bring about their relationship? Shall we talk to him or her first? Or not speak to them at all?" Daniel asked. His ally clearly had a plan in place, and he was more than willing to follow her lead, as he had before, with great results. Their last mission to this world had borne great fruit, and he hoped that, with Nadgkema and he teamed up once more, they could advance the Penumbra's cause once again.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

"I will speak to him first. I have arranged to pay him a visit at his personal estate later today. During this time, I will need you to remain with our allies here." Her tone made it clear that she suspected there was a worm in the apple. "I am worried that our enemies found their way among us and I trust you to uncover this."

That was why she hadn't brought the topic of suitor replacement until they were alone. "I don't have anyone specific in mind, but I know that someone is working for the enemy."

[Daniel Aldan]

"If there is indeed a traitor, then they must be dealt with. As well, any thoughts of subversion planted in our allies mind's must be quashed. When I discover this traitor, as I am sure that I will, should his execution be public, so as to warn those who may attempt to cross us again? Or private, and allow his fate to be left to the imaginations of our friends, which will concoct tales and ideas more gruesome than anything I could do?" Daniel asked, confident as ever that he would discover those working against them.

He would have to find proof of course that they conspired with the enemy. After all, while he could simply probe the minds of their allies to discover the traitor, he could not bring that discovery to the others in their circle, or else expose the Penumbra's existence to the galaxy. That could not be allowed to occur, and so he would have to catch them 'red-handed', as the saying went.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

"The thought of public execution is a sweet one, my friend, but it would go against our methods, against our goal. When you find this traitor, male or female, interrogate and kill them as you see fit, privately." While it might sound like a most practical approach, it also was her way to prove how much she had come to trust him, not requiring to have her speak to them personally.

"Our guests will probably remain a few more hours, most will stay the night. Travels in early morning are the least suspicious. Any question before I leave?"

[Daniel Aldan]

"Ah yes, of course. I sometimes forget that we must never draw too much attention. As you recall, I come from a place where public and brutal warnings to any traitors is very commonplace." Daniel answered. He knew that the Arbiter was placing a great deal of trust in him, and he was resolved not to let that trust be in vain. He would find the betrayer who threatened everything they were striving to build on Onderon. He would find them, and destroy them.

"No, no more questions. I hope your endeavor goes well." The Templar stated.

[Nadgkema An'Telkis]

"I developed a taste for public executions during another time of my life." Nadgkema explained in an enigmatic way, for she was referring to her marriage, which had been kept a secret from almost everyone. She had indeed been married to a former imperial admiral, who had gone off the grid and was supposed dead. By now, she believed that he had actually died, but that was another story. Her personal life wasn't to be discussed for the time being.

"Thank you and I wish you the same." She bowed her head and disappeared, her vehicle awaiting her, for her visit with the Academy director.

***

Hours had passed when she returned to the place they used as headquarters. Her meeting had proved extremely rewarding, but before she would share the good news with Daniel, she first had to find where he was and what he had uncovered.