The Brothers Greth - 9.000

[Simeon Greth]

Perinn Sector

The Lambda-class shuttle burst out of hyperspace in a blinding flash and a noiseless crack, appearing in the vaccuum of space like a stark vision brought to life.

In the distance, the orb of Valc VII hung in space like a deceptively serene picture of tranquility. In orbit however, were the instruments of military might that gave the planet its' most visible teeth, and the pilot of the shuttle had to keep himself from staring too long at the ships which seemed to almost stand like towering sentinels around the planet.

Of course, the necessary approach vectors and passcodes took precedence over any amount of staring, and the man set himself to the busy task of making sure that his transmitted information was correct and the codes that'd been provided were current. All second nature thankfully, and the entry approvals were short in coming. All routine. All like clockwork. All like a well-oiled machine that turned smoothly and gave no quarter for delay.

Which was just as well; their passenger had instructed them to hurry, and given the nature of his rank and clearance levels, that was exactly what they did.

And so the shuttle angled downward, accelerating into Valc VII's upper atmosphere for a scant few moments before tipping her nose further down and cutting deeper towards the planet's surface.



Sat comfortably in the back, Simeon Greth smiled. He'd never been to Valon; of course, he'd also never really been to Valc VII either, but that was just splitting hairs. There'd never been an overriding need to visit the planet until now, and the Imperial had spent his journey studying as much as he could of the world. It looked enjoyable at the very least, and he grinned at the prospects that would no doubt abound once he had acclimated. It wouldn't take long. Not long at all.

[Moff Joran Greth]

Major Travers looked over the days itinerary and noticed the next listing. he looked at it twice to make sure he had read it correctly. A brother, he thought to himself. How could there be two of them, how did Greth not eaten the other before birth. He put his feelings aside and opened the comm channel to the Moffs desk.

"Your Excellency, You have a standing appointment at the star port scheduled for ten fifty hours."

No response came and Travers sat back and thought about Jorans brother. What kinda of man would he be. The door to the Moffs quarters opened and two storm troopers walked out. seconds later three Twi'lek women exited the room. One limped and held her hip, the other two seemed unharmed for the most part. He watched them as they walked to the lift. He almost missed the next group to walk out of the Moffs room into the ante chamber. Three Uganaught's carried a fourth out of the room. He had seen the four enter and tried not to assume their purpose. He found it best not to attempt understanding the going on in the Moffs chamber. His predecessor was more inquisitive than he and ended up leaving with an inquisitor.

Greth exited the room fully dressed. he watched the group board the repulsor lift then walked to one of the Storm troopers standing next to the doorway.

"Have them all detained once they get down to the lobby. Send them to the mines."

Greth turned to look at Travers. He smiled and walked over to the majors desk.

"Ah Major, It is a grand day. My brother is arriving. shall we go see that his arrival is grand.

[Simeon Greth]

The shuttle's pilot, following protocol and procedure with practiced precision, settled his craft down onto the tarmac gently and with the ease of a man who'd done this many times. The post-flight ritual as well was handled with second nature, and as he let the boarding ramp extend from the shuttle's belly, his peripheral senses caught the unseen motions of his passenger.

For his part, Simeon was more than ready to leave his transport, and he made no illusions as to any other feelings. His smile was fake, the passing salute was more of a joke than anything else, and his steps were hurried, taking him down the length of the ramp until his Ithorian-made leather shoes touched sole to terra firma.

Breathing in deeply, the Imperial scientist let it out in a long exhale of relief. Both hands came up to brush down the front of his suit - he had long since eschewed the normal uniform so inherent to the Empire - and he took a moment to straighten his tie.

The few personal effects that he'd brought along would be seen to without the need for his supervision, and with that in mind, Simeon started away from the shuttle at a brisk walk.

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran had just arrived when the shuttle entered view. The dull grey of the ship saddened him. Why were all the ships they gull grey color.

"Major, make a note to have all the shuttles painted a crisp white color. No grey. Ground all traffic until every transport has been painted."

He went back to watching the shuttle touch down. He stood a good two hundred meters away from the platform beside his LAV. He turned to see the same grey as the shuttle. He shook his head and went back to watching the shuttle land.

The Ramp made a pop then a hiss that could be heard even at this distance. The ramp slowly lowered and extended it lower ramp out to meet the hardened durasteel of the Landing Platform. A slender man walked down the ramp and looked around as he set foot on the Platform. A young officer stood near the ramp ready to great Simeon.

"Hello Sir, I am Lieutenant Monal, I am here to escort you to his excellencies car."

The man motioned up a wide ramp th where Joran and Travers stood.

[Simeon Greth]

His Excellency?

Simeon let a smirk play across his features as his thoughts mulled over those two words. To hear his older brother referred to as such was strange enough, but he supposed not entirely out of the ordinary. Still however, it was amusing in its' own right.

Following Lt. Monal, Simeon allowed his gait to take on the slightest hint of a swagger, and as they closed the distance to the LAV, he let his eyes fall on the lanky frame of Joran Greth. Both brothers had inherited their father's height and slim build, though thankfully their mother's full head of hair.

As he approached, Simeon let his smirk turn into a mirthful, teasing grin.

And as he drew near enough to be heard, the younger Greth spoke.

"Always the spoiled one; only title I have to my name is 'Hey You' or 'Stop Poking Me With That'."

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran watched his younger brother strut up the walkway. He was always a show off. Joran was sure the man had a stylist aboard the shuttle with him. He was sharp and clean the man looked like a recruitment poster for the Imperial Justice Department. His brother spoke and Joran's mind was awash with memories.

"That Spanner was sharp and that Droid had tender plating."

He let a smile crack at the corner of his mouth but fought the urge to laugh. What would Travers think If he saw him enjoy anything outside the punishment of others. He might think Joran had a normal side and take advantage of that. He liked the man. He was a good assistant. It would be ashamed to have him shipped to the mines or out to the waste management moon.

"Please, join me in the repulsor car. I apologize for the drab color. I'm having it painted after it drops us off."

[Simeon Greth]

"Oh you would," came the good-natured rib from beneath his breath, and without wasting time, Simeon ducked into the LAV.

Making himself comfortable, he idly ran a palm over the creases in his trousers as Joran followed.

"And what would mother say, to you being so... " there was a minor pause as he conjured up the most fitting word.

"... lavishly entitled... ?"

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran thought about his mother for a moment. She had been a wonderful woman. Fun and lively. He missed her greatly but there was no room for grieving in his life. He shock the thought from his mind and answered.

"She would ask where I kept the good Brandy."

[Simeon Greth]

Leaning back in his seat, he gave a small hrmph.

"I suppose you're right. That is something she would say."

He felt the LAV shudder into motion, not bothering himself with the task of expending the energy for the slim safety harness provided.

"She always knew you had the better connections," a self-satisfied grin as he made a smug face.

"... though I had the better quality."

Neverminding, of course, the fact that he'd gone into science and chemistry as his chosen field. It was only inevitable that Simeon Greth had branched out into the age-old art of distillery.

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran sat across from his brother taking in his words. Better quality, that was something the empire had a problem with. The Clone troopers had given the New order an elite card of better quality storm trooper. Now few of the original clone storm trooper was left. Cardia and Corulag turned out new recruits at an ever slowing pace. The elite corps had taken a hard beating over the last twenty five years. Now the Imperial army played more of a role in any military action than it had in the Empires past. The quality of its personnel was not uniform enough to give the Empire the Better quality military it once had and now so desperately needed. Joran returned to the conversation and spoke again.

"Yes, you did always have the good stuff. That is one reason I ask for you. I need someone to fill the position of research and development head. The Last one no longer has his."

[Simeon Greth]

Simeon gave only a single raised eyebrow at that, and as he settled himself more comfortably into his seat, he took a few moments to look off to the side. Finally, he brought his eyes back to his brother.

"I only really came here hoping for a vacation, you know."

It was a partial lie, and both knew it. Still though, Simeon kept on.

"I'm busy enough with my projects on Corulag."

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran smiled at his brothers words. He knew Simeon was working on something big in the core. Corulag had far more resources then Valc VII. Joran was sure the money there was good and that convincing his brother to leave would not be an easy sell. Still He needed someone he could trust. Someone he knew would keep what was going on in the Perinn sector to themselves.

"Ah yes your work on Corulag, I forget. The core worlds seem to have their own way of doing things. Well, that is fine. Just promise me while you are here you will think about it."

[Simeon Greth]

"I won't have much chance to forget about it, I'd wager, if I remember your tendencies well enough."

Simeon gave a self-satisfied grin, rolling his shoulders in a minor stretch.

"Time away from normal day-to-day tasks is always anything but when you are in the mix... "

He felt the LAV slow a bit, before turning.

"... which was why Mother and Father usually left us home when they went for vacation."

Younger brother gave older brother a knowing sideways look.

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran looked out the window of the LAV at the city. He thought about his parents again. It had been a long time since any of his past had surfaced inside him. Now his brother seemed to just drag Them and everything up from the deep.

"Ah yes, But if I remember we liked it that way. You remember that one nanny, oh what was her name? Timera, yes that was it, Timera."

Joran let the wave of memory and emotion wash over him. He could see her face clearly. The contours of her body.

"Oh and the Korinta woman, Jorsy, yeah."

Joran and Simeon had a privileged childhood. They both had been rambunctious and at times out of control, spoiled some would say. Parents who were absent most of the time. Given free reign the two did mostly as they wanted. Now Joran was again in the same situation. Out on the border of Imperial space, very little interaction with the Empire. He did as he wanted and had no one to dictate what he did. Yes his life was his own and that was how he liked it.

[Simeon Greth]

"Oh I remember them well enough," came the quick reply, followed by a memory-laden grin.

"Don't you ever wonder why we went through so many while growing up?"

Yet still, Simeon assuaged his brother's concerns with a grin and a brotherly slap to the elder's chest.

"But yes, I will think on your offer. You're my brother after all, and I'm keen to see what sort of trouble you have managed to plunge head first into this time."

[Moff Joran Greth]

Joran sat back and relaxed for the remainder of the ride. His brother had made him think of things he had wished left in the past. He had turned his back on any ties he once had. His brother had been the one person he did not cut out of his life. He was too intelligent person to lose track of. Deep down he loved his brother, as much as he could love someone, but he now looked on him as more of an asset than a relation. The LAV slowed as it neared the entrance to the moff's palace. A hiss of pressurized gas escaping preceded the hatch swinging open. two stormtroopers stood on each side of the hatchway motionless like statues. Joran motioned to the hatch and smiled.

"After you brother"