Settling Debts - A Conspiracy Revealed

*A dinner party is held on Denon to celebrate the conclusion of the race, and honor the victorious Blaine Hansom and Katira Eve. Blaine is at home chatting up the aristocracy, and Katira can’t stand when everybody doesn’t know her name. When the party moves to Coruscant, our old pal Genos comes along but only manages to feed Katira’s skepticism of Jedi power. In a role reversal, Blaine attempts to blackmail a politician while Katira manages to earn her pay as a diplomat.*

## **Previously**

*Not quite the nail-biter that anyone expected, the Race on Denon was a blowout, with the New Republic guests claiming an easy victory over the embarrassed noble families. As the speeders are pulled in for inspection and any necessary repairs, the contestants enjoy a bit of trash talking over the exploits of the day. The assembly is informed that the customary celebration feast will be held at sunset.*

## **Recap**

### **Unconventional Etiquette**

Settling in for dinner, the group finds that they will be eating the remains of the very beasts that they had hunted earlier in the day. Their Vahali host rises from his seat as dinner winds down and closes the ceremonies with a short speech. He mentions to everyone that there was a recent discovery made showing that the security system had been on a loop for approximately 12 hours the night before, and that their esteemed guest and representative of House Praji at the competition had left without any prior notice. In response, Blaine comes to a stand as well. Producing the picture that he took showing the very same missing representative before launching into an oration about the perils of drinking in excess. Hoping to quell the discord rising at the table, the host states that he hopes that this can all stay in this room and that the guests can avoid embarrassing a proud family of the New Republic.

As the dinner comes to a close and the guests congregate to discuss the past day’s events, Blaine initially approaches the Illustra family to discuss the potential of investing in Cloud City, but soon finds himself instead impressing the Juoni representatives when he mentions Lok and the Doonium mining operations that he is looking to establish there. While Blaine cons the Juoni of the existence of “double doonium”, the envoy states that they are intrigued at the potential for establishing trade farther into the Outer Rim by negotiating with the Baron Administrator.

With Blaine’s talks going along smoothly, Katira approaches the delegates of House Kyn and asks after how they came to be invited to Denon. The Kyn states openly that the Vahali are simply looking to shore up their underworld connections. Though suspicious of the validity of this claim, she attempts to slyly hint that she may be interested in establishing a link to aid in some under the table assistance with future ambassadorial work - pointing to the potential of smuggling relief goods to embargoed planets, or helping dissidents in their fights against regimes that the New Republic finds oppressive. The Kyn envoy is immediately stand-offish to the idea, claiming that they don’t even recognize the untitled Zeltron and have no need to make contact with them. Insulted by the Kyn, Katira decides to abandon any attempted connection and instead insults the family for their terrible showing at the racing and asks why they even bothered competing.

> "*The race is just about saving face and building a reputation within the aristocracy here*"
> ― Kyn Delegate
>
>

> "*Oh? Do you save much face or build a reputation by getting a solid last place finish?*"
> ― Katira
>
>

Observing his race partner losing her cool, Blaine opts to settle up on the bet that was made before the race and prepare to leave. While Blaine collects 10,000cr from the Juoni, Katira approaches an attendant and asks after the departure of the Praji from the compound and the broken repulsorlift outside the living quarters. He informs the duo that the repulsorlift has been repaired, and the technician that was stuck inside is doing well. On the topic of the Praji, he states that they left in the morning. After a moments hesitation, he adds that it was odd: the Praji departed in their own vehicle rather than using a valet, and they didn’t actually *look* like the Praji that have been visiting quite regularly as of late.

### **Arrival on Coruscant**

The team departs for Coruscant, looking to dig to the bottom of what exactly has been going on with the Praji Family, and hoping to cash in on their 100,000cr wager. Stopping off first to return *The Diversity* they run into Genos Ia'danian and enlist his aid in the nuanced political affair. As Bota Zi, Droo Vos, and Tek Krodak look into the amenities they have access to as an ambassadorial delegation, Blaine, Genos, and Katira head over to the Praji Estate looking for a meeting.

Arriving at the estate, a footman approaches the trio and gives his warmest greetings. Uninterested in Genos’ claims that he can get them in easily, Katira attempts to persuade the footman that they need to see the head of the house immediately to discuss delicate information pertaining to the family as a whole, but is asked to come tomorrow. Smirking, Genos steps forward and uses a Jedi mind trick to assure the footman that they have an appointment already, but the footman proves to be rather resistant to the skill. Finally, an exasperated Blaine simply cons the footman as to the great importance of their meeting.

Finally admitted to the facility, the group is lead into a lush office room. Entering from a balcony on the far side of the room, Cortan Praji introduces himself and offers drinks to the group. They decline politely, and launch into the reason for their arrival. Blaine produces the photo, and subtly mentions that they may be willing to make such an embarrassing image “disappear” for the right amount. As Genos uses the force to dim the senses of Cortan, Katira takes a different tact. Expressing concern for the representative, she states that their primary purpose is the settling of a 100,000cr wager made on Denon.

By pure luck, Cortan chooses to ignore Blaine’s attempt at blackmail and instead simply asks to see the photo before whispering an order to an aide and having them take it away. A few minutes later, the aide returns with a report that Cortan shares with the group - the man in the photo is not Cortan’s brother, who was sent to Denon, but is a Clawdite. Concerned over the state of his brother, but also worried that someone would impersonate a member of the Praji, he is grateful for the information provided and unsure of how to proceed.

In response Blaine offers to assist the Praji for payment of their 100,000cr wager, but before more can be said Katira alters the proposed agreement. As an ambassadorial aide, the perceived impersonation and potential blackmail of such a prominent New Republic family is concerning. She agrees to assist in determining what is going on, with an understanding: If it *was* Cortan’s brother who made the initial bet, she is sure he will do the honorable thing and pay it when he surfaces. If it is found that it was not a member of House Praji that made the bet, she states that it is still best to oppose any group that would carry out such acts and hopes that the Praji will find a way to reward the group for any assistance in the matter.

## **Featured Characters**

### **Our Heroes**

* Blaine Hansom
* Genos Ia'danian
* Katira Eve

### **NPCs**

* Cortan Praji
* Kyn Delegate
* Illustra Delegate
* Juoni Delegate
* Vahali Host

### **Mentioned**

* Bota Zi
* Droo Vos
* Tek Krodak

## **Notes**

* Genos initially was skeptical of the trip to Coruscant, but agreed to help when Blaine offered 20,000cr when the 100,000cr wager was paid off