STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- The Council of Taneshla

"Oh well. I do not blame Tanic for this. He was... unstable. Maybe Rand will make him into a better tool for my use..."

Slate returns from outside once you've cut away the table. He is confused about why Rand didn't kill him but not complaining.

"What became of Calthell?" Slate asks when filled in.

Rianna is a bit angry at Geful's response, but she obviously thinks someone falling to the Dark Side is a huge deal. Especially as she keeps being told that's going to happen to her.

"I don't know...we fought, and I defeated him, but I did not kill him. I left to find Tanic right after. If he's not still alive, then it was Rand or Gallador that killed him."

Geful sends Slate to where you fought Calthell, and the slaver returns with the handless noble over his shoulder and the lightfoil in one hand. He roughly throws him on the remains of the banquet table, where Slate moans in despair.

"I say we kill him," Slate says.

"Wouldn't that just worsen things even further?" Rianna asks.

"It'd send a message," Slate says. "Apparently they think they can waltz in and start a shootout. The Empire's not something to be messed with."

"I will need to consult with the Mecrossan leaders," says Geful. "Killing him will not help with that."

"No, it certainly won't. And I am still a Jedi. I'm not going to condone killing someone who is harmless," Rianna replies.

"He'll only be harmless until he gets replacements for those hands you stole," Slate says. "You can bet he'll be after you. Won't you, you arrogant, deceitful prick?"

"Don't you insult me," Calthell says. He tries to sound intimidating but it is more of a whimper. "Listen to the Jedi, you shouldn't kill me. The Mecrossans will hold you accountable for my death, Geful!"

Geful contemplates this before going to make his calls.

-

As it turns out, Geful is in no danger of retribution from the Mecrossans. They are instead pleased to hear that Master Rand's mission was a success. His goal had been to dispose of Sir Calthell, for Calthell had been skimming profits from the Mecrossan Order and in general acting as a rogue operative.

Now, thanks to the Empire and Rianna, all of his minions have been killed and he has been disarmed, almost literally.

They also apologize for the capture of Tanic Starguard and ensure Geful that they have no vested interest in the man, nor in the Staff (or what remains of it). They offer to replace whatever Imperial manpower was lost but Geful declines this.

That's...interesting. Rianna's slightly disturbed that she unwittingly helped Rand complete his mission.

She's a bit at a loss as to what she should do now, though.

Your time on Taneshla is at an end. With the latest revelation about Sir Calthell, there is zero reason for the talks to continue. The Mecrossans (not Calthell's) agree to honor whatever agreements were made in order to maintain relations, but in general there has been no progress. Things are as they were before.

However, Rianna no longer has a steady flow of paying mercenary work coming her way...

That is a bit of a problem...no money, no reliable means of getting any, no way of getting places, and nowhere to go...

This is something that needs to be rectified. Ideas?

Is there anyone else that Rianna's worked with fairly regularly that she could get in touch with?

Tanic was your man for that sort of thing. But he DID have a group giving him work, besides Gallador's manipulations.

Rianna is not entirely comfortable with the idea of working for the Empire, if that's what you're implying...

Hard to find good, wholesome mercenary work. With the Empire you at least have some background, albeit very limited. And they do have a Jedi-like vacancy since Tanic is away.

True...and I suppose it is the only real option that she has at the moment. Rianna will make it clear that she doesn't want to be involved in the more criminal and immoral actions that they take, though...

Make your pitch to Geful, then!

Rianna will approach Geful once things have calmed down some from all of the insanity that went on.

"I'm not really good at this sort of thing...but with Tanic gone, I have no source of work or anything like that. And you're short someone, also. I'd...appreciate any work you could have for me...though I'd prefer to stay out of anything too distasteful, or anything that could make the Jedi Order notice me."

Geful ponders this.

"You at least seem more trustworthy than Tanic," Geful says. "Yes, I could afford to use your talents. I will do my best to only hand you tasks that fit within your morals... whatever those may be. Consider yourself under my employ."

"I would mostly like to stay out of anything too blatantly illegal or criminal...and thank you."