Open RP

[mismanagement]

Hit me.

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[mismanagement]

Always looking for the advantage, wasn't he? Harper shrugged carelessly. "Don't lie to me, Imperial. I don't like it."

Then, quite calmly, he reached down and slit the Death Trooper's throat.

[vergeofgreatness]

"Must you?" Krennic's tone was slightly irritated, blood was so difficult to get clean. There were always better ways to handle things but Mandalorians were so predictable.

"You never answered my question. You are taking a valuable resource from the Empire, after all."

[mismanagement]

"Get another one."

Death Troopers and carpets were both replaceable. A man like Krennic could afford the expense.

Harper stood with a sigh, stretching his arms up toward the ceiling. The death trooper wasn't bleeding overly much. He'd been dying already. Possibly already dead. Harper hadn't checked. That hadn't been the point. You needed to make an impression with these people, speak a language they understand. And no one, not even a fool in a starched up uniform, forgot what a sharp knife and bared throat mean.

Not that Krennic was truly a fool. Harper just liked calling him one.

"Not so valuable, I think." Harper moved to examine Krennic's desk. That too was for show. Just to prove he could. He'd already checked for traps and hidden cameras. "A minor player on a minor planet, despite its ambitions. And yours."

Harper dragged his gauntlets along the surface of Krennic's desk, wondering how far he could go before getting a visible rise out of the man. Probably not much further.

"Normally I would threaten the lives of your men, or those scientists you imported to work your precious mines," Harper said, quite conversationally. "But I think you can replace those quite easily. So I thought, what does a man with no honor stand to lose? What would ruin him?"

Harper clapped his hands together cheerfully.

"Time, obviously. And my men are so very bored, who am I to stop them from keeping in practice?"

It was a deceptively simple threat. Krennic had a deadline, one that he'd emphasized heavily to Maketh and her staff. He could afford no more distractions for his project. Harper had a battalion of Mandalorians armed and bored of their assignment.

[vergeofgreatness]

"I suspect I have a good idea what Mandalorians do when they are hard pressed for something to do." But he also knew that they hadn't been entirely bored. Rebel activity had been on the rise, just enough to keep things from becoming too quiet. But that couldn't keep up forever. He had to just had to pull things out a little longer and eventually, Tarkin would return and Krennic was hoping the Mandalorians would be willing to stay.

He knew Tarkin would appreciate their presence.

"What is your end game in ruining Minister Tua's career?" he asked, watching Harper intently. "Do you intend to sweep her back to Mandalore in disgrace?"

Now that would be something, deprive Tarkin of an ally even before he returned.

[mismanagement]

That wasn't disagreement. Good. A bargain could be made, as distasteful as such things were. Unfortunately it was needed in this case.

Harper shrugged. "I intend to secure my sister's legacy. Mandalore is a disgraced planet, rotting from the inside. But there are enough of her true children remaining to create something from the ashes. My niece is clever and has a respectable spine. She will be useful in seeing that through. And she is, of course, my sister's child. Am I not obligated to secure a glorious future for her?"

Harper also intended to secure his own legacy in turn. He had no children of his own and was running out of time to produce an acceptable heir through other means. But removing his niece - the daughter of his great sister - from the Empire's corrupting influence would be a start. It was far too late to make a good warrior out of Maketh, bu there was enough spirit in her that something else might be made instead. Something worthy.

[vergeofgreatness]

"Of course. I completely understand."

He regarded Harper thoughtfully, running a finger along the rim of his wine glass. "But you are not being completely honest with me, are you? You're Mandalorian and if you were truly determined you could simply take her to Mandalore, it wouldn't matter if she was willing or not," he pointed out.

"Do you truly fear that the Empire would retaliate over a mere Minister against a planet like Mandalore?" There wasn't much left of that planet, it had little value to the Empire in the grand scheme of things. "Or is it your pride at stake?"

[mismanagement]

The look Harper gave Krennic was not kind. "Don't insult me, Imperial. If I intended to take her, I would have done it years ago. It would have been easy. I considered it when she was a cadet."

He'd even gone to speak with his young niece and been rather horrified to see her stuck in that white uniform. Kindly, he'd offered her a place with his warriors - a way to honor her mother - but Maketh, still a child at the time, had refused.

For better or worse, Harper had honored her choice. Occasionally he regretted that.

"Slaves make useless warriors," Harper said abruptly. "It is too late to make her a proper one. Your Academy saw to that. But I have seen her mettle and there is some hope. I want her to join us willingly. It is for the best. And should I be inclined to kill many souls in order to burn the Imperial stain out of her, then rest assured, Krennic, I shall do just that."

He smiled, tipping his head to the side. Once it had been the gesture he'd used in catinas to make strangers fall into his bed. He'd been handsome in those days and knew he still was. Occasionally people found it off-putting, which was why Harper never wore his helmet when bargaining with them.

"Still." Harper clapped his hands together, smiling. "I do not think I shall kill you. Much as my niece desires your head, it would not bring me honor. It is a shame. I'm sure it would have looked nice on my wall. But, no matter. I'm sure there can be other uses for your head."

[vergeofgreatness]

"So it's honor then. I'm not surprised," he admitted, filing it under more information he had gathered about Mandalore. Given the planet's history and impact on the galaxy as a whole, it may come in useful some day.

He was hardly off put, smirking when Harper tilted his head with that smile. He had been around the galaxy more than once and he recognized that tactic. So very subtle.

"I'm flattered you would think my head so attractive," he remarked as he poured himself another glass of wine and held out the bottle to offer Harper some more. Leaving Tarkin with an empty wine collection would just be one more delightful surprise before he left.

[mismanagement]

"We are what we are," Harper returned, watching Krennic all the while. It was an enjoyable game, sending a little thrill up his spine. Not unlike getting a fight. Harper always liked flirting with people who could kill him. Oh, Krennic couldn't do it honorably like a proper warrior, but the galaxy was wide and strange. Occasionally you had to deal with men who had no honor. Harper had learned to adapt.

He smiled a little wider, baring teeth, and took the offered wine. Unlike Krennic, he drank straight from the bottle. Harper had impeccable manners when it suited him and a tendency to ignore them entirely when doing so would get a rise out of people. "I am honest. Something you Imperials struggle with. Such shameless liars."

It was said fondly. Harper passed the bottle back, watching Krennic all the while.

"You will try to betray me," Harper continued, cheerful as ever. "I know this. Perhaps you cannot help yourself. But I will not take it personally, so long as you do not kill my niece. I don't...share, what is mine. But it needn't be messy. It needn't be painful at all."

[vergeofgreatness]

It didn't get a rise out of Krennic, only a grin. During his school days, he had often had a bottle of wine or other liquor in either hand throughout most of the night and somehow was able to function the next day. Those nightly carousings had come to an end after school but there were many skills he had never forgotten.

"I have no interest in killing her. It wouldn't serve any purpose." He didn't pretend to have any other concern, he knew Harper would know it for a lie. "And her absence would serve my purposes well enough."

He watched as Harper downed the last off the bottle and he finished his own glass of wine. "Now, I believe we need another bottle. Tarkin has a lovely collection of Coruscanti red wine and Corellian brandy that I've been looking forward to trying."

[mismanagement]

"Smart man," Harper murmured, eyes bright. He stepped over Krennic's unfortunate Death Trooper without looking, smiling all the while. Oh, it was good he'd answered Maketh's call. The credits aside, he hadn't had this much fun in years. And to think he'd called the assignment boring.

Things could change so quickly. Harper rather liked that about his business.

"Tarkin has generous amenities," Harper said, one hand on his hip. His eyes never left Krennic. Such a fun little game this was. It might go wrong at any moment. There was already a body on the floor. But it might also get interesting. He had a feeling Krennic was the type who could ignore a little blood when it suited him. "It would be a shame not to use them. Do show me the brandy, Krennic. I'm in a celebrating mood."

Things were going according to plan, after all. Very soon, Harper would have what he wanted. His niece would find herself in a precarious position quite soon and with only one ally left to turn to. No doubt she'd lose a great deal in the undertaking, but it was important to suffer a little in order to achieve greatness.

Besides, she was the daughter of Maize Rosen. She would endure and make her family proud.

[vergeofgreatness]

He was still aware of Harper's every move. He could drink a lot more before his judgment was compromised, a talent which had stuck with him his entire life. He tapped a few buttons on the console and it wasn't long before a protocol droid entered with three bottles- two bottles of brandy and a bottle of red wine.

The droid excused itself after setting the bottles down on the desk between them, bowing slightly before existing the room.

He is indeed generous and it would be a pity not to take advantage of that," Krennic pointed out as he opened the bottle of brandy. This time he didn't bother with the glass, enjoying reverting to his wilder younger days for a moment as he drank from the bottle before passing it to Harper.

[mismanagement]

No doubt his own men would disapprove of this outing, though Harper knew they'd stand guard no matter what happened. They were hidden close by and if Krennic's Death Troopers had noticed them, the man had been polite enough to keep the information to himself.

Besides, there was always someone watching. It was part of the game.

Harper accepted the bottle with a wicked grin. No glass for Krennic this time. Someone knew how this went. "And here I thought I would hate everything you are. But for an honorless bastard, you have good taste."

He raised the bottle in salute and drank, though not as deeply as it might have appeared. There was always a game. Always a trick that might be played, and though Harper might look like he was going to be wasted soon, that would have let things end far too quickly. Better to see what Krennic would try next.

[vergeofgreatness]

"Let's make this more interesting. There was game I invented many years ago that made the night more interesting," he said as he looked around Tarkin's desk. The man was entirely too neat, but he finally found an Imperial credit coin.

"It's a simple game. We take turns flipping the coin and before it lands the other person calls heads or tails. If you lose you have the option of taking a drink or taking off a piece of clothing. However, you cannot make the same choice more than once," he explained as he flipped the coin up before catching it.

"Do you accept the challenge?"

[mismanagement]

Harper laughed, delighted. "Wicked man. I like your game. And I accept."

Happily, even. If he couldn't kill Krennic in a decent fight, then why not make things interesting? Harper abhorred boredom, after all.

[vergeofgreatness]

"I knew you wouldn't back down from such a challenge," Krennic remarked with a grin as he played with the coin between his fingers.

"I'll let you call first then," he said as he flipped the coin up high, catching it and placing it on the back of his hand without looking at it yet. "Your call."

[mismanagement]

"How generous of you," Harper murmured, eyes wide and very bright. He wasn't yet drunk, but getting there. That was part of the risk. How far could this go?

Either way, it would certainly be interesting.

"Heads, I think."

Harper smiled. "Now play."

[vergeofgreatness]

Krennic uncovered his hand to reveal the coin on his palm which sat with the Imperial symbol showing instead of the image of the Emperor. He had a feeling the evening had just begun.

"Tails. So you have a choice. Either an article of clothing comes off or take a shot," he said as he watched Harper intently

[mismanagement]

Decisions, decisions.

Harper only smiled, and began unclipping his gauntlets.

"Your turn, Krennic. Do make it interesting."

[vergeofgreatness]

He rolled the coin over to Harper with a grin.

"Flip then," he said as he leaned back in his chair. He played to win, after all.

[mismanagement]

Free of his gauntlets, Harper let them fall carelessly onto the desk. Tarkin's desk. Let the man wonder what had been done there and by whom. Small acts of disrespect left Harper with a cheerful feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He walked the coin over his knuckles, another trick he'd learned in disreputable cantinas, and smiled. Then he flipped it up in the air and let it land, hiding it with his hands. "Call it, friend."

They were not friends. It was quite possible they'd get drunk and fuck, to the horror of his niece and whoever Tarkin had watching the place, but they were not friends. Not that it mattered one way or another. Harper liked this game.

[vergeofgreatness]

"Tails." He was more than happy to give Tarkin something to watch just to make the grand moff suffer a little bit more. He had no doubt that Tarkin had the place recorded at all times so this would give him something interesting. It was the least he could do.

Krennic had no delusions either. He lived his life as someone with no attachments to anyone, except perhaps Galen. Anything else was just fun, an amusing diversion for a long night.

[mismanagement]

"Ohh," Harper murmured, revealing the coin. "Such a shame."

The Emperor's head gleamed back up at them.

Harper smiled and walked the coin across his bare knuckles. "Whatever will you do?"

[vergeofgreatness]

"Hmm, I believe I have a solution." He paused with a smirk on his lips before standing slightly to unclasp his cape, never taking his eyes off of Harper. He gathered the fabric into his arms before placing the cape over the chair and settling back down in his seat.

"I believe it's my turn now." He held out his hand for the coin, pleased.

[mismanagement]

Such a proud man, Harper thought. Under any other circumstance he would have sneered at the arrogance.

In this one, he rather liked it.

"A shame I came in armored," Harper murmured, flicking the coin into Krennic's palm. It would take far longer for him to get out of his clothes than it would Krennic. "How ever will you catch up?"