Observation... [open]

[Parker Proctor]

It occurred to the Corellian Minster for Information, shortly after noon on one cold day, that he had never had the pleasure of visiting the infamous ‘High Roller’ casino. In all his five years working for the planets government, he had not once considered the possibility of boarding the Saiatah. Truth be told, he was not a gambling man and the garish lights were far from his preferred environment. It was on this day, however, he decided that it was high time he stopped putting off traveling to the luxury ship. He was, after all, expected to know everything about his ‘people’ and so he didn’t doubt that the venture could be profitable – perhaps in more ways than one.

Pacing out onto one of the main casino floors, he was quickly accosted by a waitress who forced a slim glass flute into his hand. He smiled politely, glancing briefly at the vile smiling liquid in the glass, which he would continue to carry without drinking for the entire duration of his stay.

There were a good number of card games taking place across the floor. Spying one that seemed quiet in comparison to the rest, he stepped a few feet short of the table and casually swirled his drink – as people tend to do, without really realizing why – as he observed the goings on.

[Kathrine]

Kathrine had been at the table enjoying herself without going overboard for quite sometime now. It was good to have sometime to herself for once. She had finised her lightsaber earlier tonight and now it was her time.

The dealer turned to the man on the left and asked for his bet.

"Four hundred."

He went to the next one and on down the road, each one checking. Then he came to Kathrine. She smiled as she looked at the cards in her hand. The game wasn\'t the usual sabacc that was at most tables. This was an older game. One that not many knew how to play, but still popular in its own time. Corellian hold\'em.

Basically the game was played as so. Two cards were placed face down and then two cards dealt to the pleyers. Then the next three cards were dealt face up, each one being bet on. The one with the highest hand, using the cards on the table, won the game.

On the table sat two saber cards and one blaster card. Not bad a higher card could win the game.

"Hmm....I think I\'ll see you and raise two hundred."

Most of the others looked to each other before folding. Now it was only the man who had placed the bet and her. He tapped his cards on the table and his eyes kept darting from them to the pot. It wasn\'t big, but enough to put him at well over four thousand credits. Finally he slid the chips forward.

"Call."

"Sorry to hear you say that," Kathrine said as she laid down her two cards. One saber and and a speeder card. She smiled as the man laid down his hand. A blaster and a speeder.

"Three of a kind wins. Lady takes the pot."

"Thank you," she said as she raked the three thousand credits to her side of the table. "Better luck next time gramps."

[Javus Parr]

Javus, commander of the Saiatah, was casually walking through the casino as he did on occassion, making sure things were in order. It also didn't hurt to rub elbows with te high and mighty, and perhaps catch snippets of info he could later share with his employers.

Recently, he had been instructed to begin bringing the Saiatah back to Corellia. From what sources and info he could muster, something big was afoot. The Lady Vader hadn't told him much, only that he was to bring the casino ship home. And obidiently, he had begun to.

Stepping into one of the card casinos, he spotted a somewhat tall man standing at a table where a young woman had just won the pot at a card game. He recognized the man as the Minister of Information from Corellia. Perhaps Javus would be able to find out for sure why it was the saiatah had been called home.

Walking up to the man, he introduced himself, "Minister... I don't mean to intrude on your pleasentries. My name is Javus Parr, Commander of the Saiatah. I was hoping, perhaps, that i could have a few moments of your time?"

[Parker Proctor]

Having benefited from something of an upper-class upbringing, Parker hadn’t the faintest notion as to the rules of the game that the crowd was playing. One thing was clear, however – that they were not pleased at having lost their hard earned or stolen cash to a young girl. Though the game was one primarily of luck rather than skill, he smiled and brought his hands together in brief applause. “Congratulations.”

“Minister... I don't mean to intrude on your pleasantries.” Turning to regard the man who had addressed him, Parker saw the self-conident smile of Javus Parr. The men had never met before, but Proctor knew of Parr, a resourceful man, by reputation.

“A few moments couldn’t hurt,” he agreed with a nod.

[Javus Parr]

Javus gestured with a hand for Proctor to walk with him. He was sure to avoid large and close crowds, but still kept himself and his guest in the public, so as not to raise suspicions of what they spoke about quietly.

"I recently recieved orders from the Lady Vader to begin the journey home to Corellia. I have followed suite, and begun to make my way back, dropping off passengers as I go, and having to give them vouchers to continue their trip at a later date to be determined." He paused. "But it is not like her to recall this ship when she is in the middle of a cruise, especially when our profits are doing so well."

Javus' military upbringing was coming back to life, his thoughts clicking as he considered the various possibilities as to what the situation was back home. Having been a decorated Imperial in the past before joining the Sith Orders ranks, he was careful and protective of his ship and her crew. He was curious as to what he may be sending the Saiatah into.

He stopped and looked at the Anzati. "Minister, I don't want to sound as though I am questioning my orders. I am not. I only wish to know what is going on. And you being the Minister of Information, I thought perhaps you could shed some light in my direction."

[Parker Proctor]

“Ah yes.” He smiled and looked down into his glass. “Corellia’s political climate has become less than temperate as of late. Withdrawing the ship is merely a precautionary gesture, meant to avert any possibility of disturbance for you and your passengers – however unlikely such a disturbance might be.” As an afterthought, he added, “You needn’t worry, Commander Parr. You and your vessel are in the safest of hands”

[Javus Parr]

Javus raised an eyebrow while at the same time givig the Minister a lopsided grin.

"I wasn't so much worried as curious. The compliment of fighters on the Saiatah are enough to safe-guard her while back-up arrives. Not to mention the hidden guns along her hull."

He brushed his hands against his uniform, straightening a wrinkle. "I do appreciate you being candid with me, Minister." He half bowed in the Anzati's direction. "Again, forgive my intrusion. Please enjoy your stay here. If you require anything, do not hesitate to contact me. Any one of my security personel will be more than happy to help you in this regard."

"Thank you for your time." With that, he turned on his heel and made his way back to the bridge.

[Parker Proctor]

With Javus departed, Proctor returned his attention to the card tables. His eyes moved back and forth quickly, and came once again to the girl who had just secured a rather large win on one card game.

[Kathrine]

Before Kathrine could say anything to the man he was gone and she went back to another game, this one she lost. Not much, but a few hundred credits. When she looked back up to the man he had returned his attention to the game. She raked up her winnings and proceeded over to him.

"Most people prefer to join rather than watch. And thank you for your earlier congradulations."

[Parker Proctor]

“You certainly seem to be having a lot of luck tonight,” Parker observed, noting that yet another group were glaring and grumbling in the girl’s direction. “I can’t say that I’ve ever played before. Perhaps you can teach me? That is, if you don’t mind sharing your secrets of success.”

[Kathrine]

"Sure I could show ya, but it really isn't that much of a secret. The key to winning is to know when to fold your hand and when to bet big," she said looking at the tables offering the game. "Just pick your table. The one to the far left is for beginners basically, or just those that don't want to bet big. The second table is the more popular. It is where people who think they have skill or just came into a lot of money go to blow it. The third and final table is for the high rollers. Most are people who have a lot of money and who have a lot of practice."

[Parker Proctor]

“I see. Well, I don’t have any currency on me at the moment – at least not any amount that I’d want to put into fates hands. I’ll need some change.” Parker then smiled. “Perhaps I could buy you a drink.”

[Kathrine]

She smiled. "Of course. Hmmm...a sweet drink...yes that would do. Sorry I can't tell you the name of one, but I rarely come in here so I'm not familiar with the choices."