Hoth: Blood and Ice

Sylvain returned inside the outpost after all his allies had left and made his way back to the room where he had met the informant earlier.

The other man had left at some point leaving them two alone in the cold structure. She was still in the chair playing with the metallic ball, long ago having put out her cig.

"So we've sent for what we can manage. We'll have a half million in credits for you as soon as it can be collected." He started as he found a seat.

"So until then, we wait," she said looking down at the table.

He nodded and found a place to make himself as comfortable as possible in the interim.

After a few minutes of silence he offered a conversation, "So... How'd you end up on this ball of ice?"

"I could ask you the same thing Sith, but I am sure it has something to do with the glory of the Empire," she responded.

"I had debts, I had issues, and this was good place to run out the statute of limitations, so to speak."

"I see... Must've been in Republic space. Because you don't ping anything on my radar." He replied.

"And no... I didn't come out to glorify the Empire by fighting pirates... Just a hunch. Nothing special."

"You speak with an Imperial accent though... got a place in mind you'd like to go back to after you get your money?"

"Ziost sounds wonderful," she replied.

"I doubt you would have me by name, that's the beauty of a slicer's work. The good ones get little credit."

“Ziost has its charms. I got married on Ziost once. The fashion has changed a bit since then though… Hope you enjoy black.” He replied.

"How many times have you been married?" she said looking up.

“Just the once. The bride died shortly after though… Another reality of living on Ziost.” He replied.

"That sounds like a Sith reality, you kids play too rough for us normal folks," she said sadly. "You have my condolences."

“Indeed. Lot of stupid wasteful fighting…”

He leaned his head back against the wall, “If you’re looking for work, then Ziost or Dromund Kaas are probably your best bet. Lots of overly ambitious types with money to burn there..”

He cracked his neck, “But if you’re looking for something ear I’d steer clear.”


He then looked at her out of the side of his eye, “You got family? Or is it just you looking for the fresh start?”

"No one worth speaking of, maybe a sister, had a brother but he proved his true colors to me too many times to give him a second thought," she admitted.

"So just me, really."

"That's rough... I have a sister. She doesn't talk to me much anymore either."

He extended his arms out as he reclined a bit, "She'd probably be interested in a woman of your talents. I'll give you her number if you'd like. She's important... rich... ambitious... and loves a good time. If you're into partying, she'd probably be the person to talk to."

"Like I said you Sith play too rough, but I appreciate the vote of confidence," she responded. "I just want to retire into obscurity."

“I wish you luck then…” He replied.

“Certainly something nice about the thought.”

"Is that not possible for you?" she asked. "Can't Sith just do whatever they want, when they want? Something, something about freedom?"

“Some of us aren’t rampant freedom seeking sociopaths…” He replied in a tone that suggested she already knew that.

“I’ve tried to hold back some of the more… wasteful… practices of my people during my tenure. It can get rather tiring, however, with all the people constantly trying to prove they aren’t weak by tormenting those weaker than them…”

He shrugged, “It’s not exactly a winning fight… but every person not wasted is another small victory.”

"Sounds like an awful time," she responded still playing with the ball. "So what would be your ideal Sith society?"

“I’m not entirely sure…” He replied.

“I’ve always been a sucker for ‘progress’. It’s vague and empty ultimately… but I see it as meaning getting better than we’ve been. Adapting as needs change… And stop shooting ourselves in the ass so often.”

"So why not just depart?" she asked. "The Sith Empire has not exactly moved toward a progressive stance on most issues unless human sacrifice is progress."

"For me, it's best to live with the krayt dragon you know."

“Because… despite its warts. And there are some pretty glaring warts… It’s my home. And I have been blessed with means to help at least some of the people that share that home with me.” He replied.

“I see the appeal of living for oneself… The ease and peace that provides. But… I got this voice in my head telling me that there’s things I can do to make stuff a little less shitty while I’m still kicking.” He shrugged.

“May not matter in the end… but it matters to me now. I got kids who gotta live here too one day. Best to not shit in the pool before I get out.”

"That paints a lovely picture," she said chuckling.

“There aren’t many pretty pictures out there in the galaxy…” He replied.