Low key dealings, high yield returns. (closed)

"Everything's in place, about damn time", Alystae T'Naron thinking as she went over the preparations for her meeting with Assemblyman Max Vallario. Her two top troubleshooters were at the stir fry/bistro establishment, Aricia, the ex-Armali scout was at a discreet booth near the door, and Desmond Hughes, the ebony skinned ex-marine was near the kitchen exit at the bar. Though the human didn't have the pedigree that the Armali native did, his survival at Norfolk and increasing competence during the war placed him above more visible members of the Co-op, Randall Erskine especially.

Nodding to her two enforcers, the maiden walked out of the dining establishment,passing the owner who gave Alystae a respectful nod. The co-op head deciding to wear her semi-business attire which consisted of hip hugging slacks, a white blouse and her ever present pea coat and boots, adding to her already above average height.

"How's it look Aricia, the good assemblyman has a clear avenue from where I'm standing." "All clear, swept the place for bugs, Desmond's got spotters at the nearby ducts, and the staff are cleared, just waiting on the stuffed suit." "Good work Aricia, but once Vallario arrives keep your opinions in a dark place where even I can't find them", Alystae sighing as she keyed off her omnitool and set it to silent. Sitting down at one of the outside tables she ruminated on the meeting she had with the assemblyman and how it contrasted with his tides awful campaign slogans.

"Vote for a true maverick???" The trite slogan still made the Co-op chieftan laugh but perhaps that was the point. Max Vallario was a much better speaker ex tempore than if he had a speech, not to mention his ability in the cut and thrust nature of debates. Like him or hate him, he had the makings of a decent plan and knew how to defend it. Vallario did have an overactive libido, but that was normal for most pols, rather boring in the sliding scales of scandal. "Might give him a chance, see if he's not just all talk", a predatory grin creasing Alystae's face as she saw Vallario's car approach...

"We're here sir."

Max leaned forward as the car pulled up in front of the restaurant, seeing Alystae standing outside waiting for him. He couldn't help but smirk a little, eyeing her up from behind the window: she was one fine specimen of the Asari race to be sure. He leaned forward, giving the human intern behind the controls a squeeze on the shoulder.

"Good work Danny. Now listen up, the both of you..." He turned to the other intern, a Salarian, making sure he was listening. "After you park the car, just get yourself a table close to mine- but not too close. And only come over if I call for you, or if it's an absolute emergency. I have private, personal business I need to discuss with Miss T'Naron, and I don't want to be interrupted at all. Order yourself some dinner and put it on my tab. Keep your mouths shut, do as you're told, and you'll be my star interns for the foreseeable future, understand?"

Both young men nodded vigorously and Max patted them on the back before turning to open the door. He kicked some empty fast food wrappers out of his way as he got out of the car- they'd taken one of the intern's vehicles, and it was about as 'clean' as you'd expect for a college student's ride. He shut the door behind him, tapped the window, and they took off in search of a spot to park. Once they'd turned the corner, Max put on his best smile and walked up to Alystae. Time to mix business and pleasure...

"Ms. T'Naron, how good to see you again!" Max crooned as he approached the Asari. "I'm so glad we were able to meet like this."

"The feeling is mutual Mr. Vallario, my apologies for the delay. The attack on Miss Rondor's charity ended up consuming quite a bit of the work week." Alystae T'Naron replying as she walked over to where Max the Maverick and his two interns had just exited, the vehicle a postgraduate's if one judged it by the garbage falling from the passenger's seat. Giving the assemblyman a wry grin, the maiden offering her hand in greeting. "I know this establishment isn't as prestigious as some others on the presidium, you'll find the menu pleasing and the staff discreet." Saying the last, Alystae's smile hardened slightly, the fact of her being a minority owner and principal investor would guarantee the restaurant's silence gave her a warm feeling.

"As to your staff, I've arranged a table for them by the door. Oh, don't you worry about the cost, you three are my guests. This meal is on me." Alystae's eyes keeping locked on Assemblyman Vallario as she made a small gesture to Desmond, the dark skinned human wearing semi casual instead of street gear as he opened the door, allowing the four entrance into the restaurant.

"Ahhh yes, I'd heard there had been a break-in at the charity during the reception." He shook his head as he took Alystae's hand in greeting, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "A shame. It just shows how the crime situation is getting out of hand on this station. We really must do more to strengthen law and order here before it's too late. But, don't let me launch into political speeches before we've had a chance to sit down and have a drink first," he said with a smile and a chuckle.

The Turian nodded graciously at the man opening the door as he and his two interns followed Alystae into the restaurant. "Well! Thank you very much. That's very generous of you. I'll have to make sure to return the favor the next time we do this- provided we make a habit of it." He nodded to the two young men, who broke off from their boss and took their seats at the table by the door the Asari had pointed out, doing their best to hide the excitement that only an unpaid intern could have towards a gratis meal.

Max was happy to get a free meal himself, but knew the old axiom 'there's no such thing as a free lunch' was always true. He was 110% sure Alystae was after something; but then again, so was he. It didn't worry him in the slightest. This was just the game of politics after all. They just had to work together to find the right path through which they could help one another in pursuing their interests.

He had a few ideas already.

"Well, to be fair, your spontaneous remarks far outstrip your prepared speeches Mr. Vallario", the tall maiden replying smoothly as she led the assemblyman to their table just off center of the dining establishment, giving them a commanding view of the area. The table itself slightly lower than average, to compliment the two chairs Alystae herself picked out, two black leather semi-lounge things she managed to acquire from her grey market contacts. Nodding to the turian behind the bar, the co-op chieftain waited for Max Vallario to take his seat as the first round of drinks arrived.

"I suppose the assault on Leaving the Ducts is a byproduct of the 'terminus mentality' Mr. Vallario. The sorts who ply their wares on Omega and the Abyss aren't used to an assault like what Miss Rondor is attempting." An semi-appreciative smile starting to form on Alystae's face, over the past few months, watching the chubby charity worker and her attack dog take the fight to the Lower Tayseri Elite was entertaining but with Zahir Al-Sofar turning Durix loose, the time for consolidation was nearing it's end.

"Long story short, despite Mrs. Pesh giving sole credit of the victory to the 'fleet', a citadel based milita is very much needed, not just for security reasons. We need a independent self-defense force to restore the Citadel's pride and get the inhabitants to truly invest in this station. Otherwise we'll just go back to the various council fiefdoms carving out territory for themselves," Alystae delivering the last with a knowing grin as she sat down, her honey yellow eyes meeting the turian pol's, letting him know that she heard the gist of his debate with one Mr. Lowell, along with the message that he needed a power base to make his plan a reality.

Max chuckled and shrugged modestly. "What can I say? I work far better off the cuff than with prepared statements. I keep telling my press secretary that, but he's slow to learn. I may need to commit to a staff shake-up earlier than I thought." Max settled into the comfortable chair, taking the drink he was offered and clinking it against Alystae's in a toast. "Cheers." He took a long sip, letting the alcohol burn down his throat a bit before continuing with the conversation.

"I'd say 'Terminus Mentality' is an apt way of putting it. It's all well and good for charitable groups and NGOs to try and better the Citadel, but they're going up against vicious gangs that respond to any sort of threat with force and only force." He took another gulp from his glass, smiling back at her slyly. "You can't win the hearts of minds of people like that. We need to show them they have to respect the rule of law, and if we don't there'll be no more rule of law to speak of."

Max's smile grew into a grin as his eyes met hers, and subtly and quickly scoped out her out. "I'm glad to see you're so informed and supportive of my plan Alystae- I hope you don't mind if I call you that. There's no need for us to stick so close to formalities in a casual setting like this." He raised his glass to her with a little arch of his brow. "But yes, we really have no choice. Our own military force would protect us from outside threats, provide backup to C-SEC in taking on dangerous criminals, and give the citizens something to be proud of. The only alternatives are let the station fall into anarchy, or be beholden to the Council members for their protection. Really, us having our own military benefits them too; less resources they have to worry about spending on their own."

"Well and good Max but there is one tiny problem with your proposal...it makes sense", Alystae remarking with a hint of mirth, sipping her drink of choice, kentucky bourbon. Her joke aside, Alystae knew that such a measure like a citadel militia would be pilloried by both Alliance emissaries and citadel conservatives alike. The money, 'experts', and pressure that could stymie Assemblyman Vallario, if not stop him cold outright unless he secured his hold of his seat in the ward assembly. "And that's where I come in Max Vallario", the ice bitch thinking as the waiter approached with the appetisers and a drink list proper.

"While we wait for the menu, can you indulge a maiden's curiosity? Alystae playing up her young maiden demeanor while keeping eye contact with the Maverick, "What was the inspiration for your proposal, did you see fighting her during the cerberus raid, or were you deployed elsewhere?"

Max laughed at Alystae's comment, shrugging. "That's the argument my 'esteemed colleagues' who are still around from before the War use. Unfortunately, it works better than you'd think." The political scene on the Citadel was at a turning point; a struggle between the fiery newcomers- veterans or victims of the war like Max -and those establishment figures who'd managed to survive and retain their seats from before the Reapers attacked. Whether he'd intended it or not, Max's proposal was quickly turning into a poster child for the conflict between those two factions.

"Well, I'm immediately a fan of any picture you suddenly come into Alystae." He smirked, keeping his eyes locked with hers. "As for my reasons: I was a fighter pilot with the Hierarchy Fleet during the war, and I fought in the final battle, here, at Earth. You know, of course, how the Reapers essentially 'kidnapped' the Citadel, bringing it here where they could more easily defend it..." Max finished off the last of his starting drink, downing it all in one gulp, before continuing on with his recollection.

"...If the Citadel had had better defenses of its own, the Reapers may have been delayed in stealing it long enough for us to arrive and drive them off. We may have been able to fire the Crucible and end the war without a costly assault on Earth. The Council had starting establishing a local militia, but they didn't have enough time to strengthen it before the Reaper assault. They were too late. I feel like they, and others, haven't learned anything from the Geth attack from '83, or even the Cerberus assault earlier in the war." He shrugged modestly. "I simply want to stop history from repeating itself over and over."

"I know the 'good old days clique' all too well," Alystae responding, her gaze hardening at the mention of the factions who wanted to return to the prewar status quo, the imbeciles not even attempting to learn from the mistakes made. The co-op chieftan's own people were the worst offenders in her mind, withholding prothean tech until it was too late was just the most blatant example, "and they still ask 'how did this happen?' " Alystae's grip on her drink glass tightening at the memory of the war on earth and the asari's 'wait and see' attitude.

"Well, I can't make a claim for glory or dash like members of the Heirarchy Fighter corps. My slice of the war was on earth for the duration." Alystae giving Max Vallario a sardonic smile as she talked, "I had the unique misfortune of seeing those monsters descend right down, watched them destroy the Norfolk spaceport like it was nothing. The reapers turned the chesapeake into a graveyard as an encore. It was right there I knew, that it wasn't going to be like the 'other' wars. But as to my service, I spent the duration fighting a fugitive war in the tidewater region. We didn't have any way of getting to London, most we could do was save the stragglers and try to use the swamps to our advantage."

Finishing, Alystae took another swallow of her bourbon, her eyes hard as amber while relating her motivations to the assemblyman, "but even now, my own people are trying to pass the fall of Thessia as a fluke. Trying to reject the one unequivocal fact, that the old thinking is what nearly doomed us. If they won't accept the truth, I suppose it will be up to men and women like us to 'educate' them." The last punctuated by a hard smile by the tall maiden as she downed her drink with aplomb. "My apologies for waxing on as I have Max, shall we see what the wine special is for today?"

Max scoffed, shaking his head. "It's amazing how much they can casually ignore. They blame everyone, but at the same time, no one is at fault for how the Reapers got the drop on us. All the failures that led to that... and now they're so eager to get back to what led us to near-extinction." Max may have been a politician, but the anger in his voice was real, feeding off of Alystae's emotions.

His attitude got more somber as Alystae recalled her experiences on Earth. He simply nodded respectfully. "I saw the destruction on the surface after the final battle. I thought Palaven was bad, but that was even worse. It's amazing how humanity has come out of that. I have to give them credit; even with all the other political problems they're facing, they're still managing to inch along." Max lifted up his drink in salute to them, downing the last of it in one swift gulp.

A smile returned to Max's face as Alystae wrapped up her speech. "Don't apologize. I think far more people like you and I should let the galaxy know how we feel. Let everyone know that we need things to change, and that we can't settle for the old ways anymore; not after they almost got us killed. Whether it's the Citadel Assembly, the Asari Republics, or the universe as we know it; They all need to be educated."

His smile turned into a smirk. "As for our next drink, I think I could use something harder than wine."

"Think of the wine as a chaser of sorts Max, and it isn't just for us", Alystae's smile regaining it's geniality as the waiter poured glasses not just for the pol and gangster, but the two interns at the nearby table. The waiter returning to Alystae's table, after the refills Alystae refocused her attention on Max as the appetizer was brought over, a plate of dextro & levo spring rolls for the duo. Taking a sip of the wine before nibbling on an appetizer, the spices subtle rather than bold like most places as she decided to segue into the business aspect of things.

"My questions about you are answered for the moment, now I guess for me and my organization, the task is convincing you of some of the services we can provide a statesman like yourself", the tall maiden giving Max Vallario a cold yet confident smile. "Because between you and me, money is among the least of them, though we will be having independent businesses make the usual campaign contributions. What I can offer you...is services not readily provided by most focus groups and campaign managers," Alystae using the last as a hook as she took a small swallow of wine, washing her palate as she locked eyes with the turian pilot turned statesman.

Max arched a browplate with interest as he listened to Alystae, taking a cautious bite of one of the appetizers and washing it down with a sip of wine. He returned her smile with a calculating grin of his own, shrugging lightly at her comments. "Well, as much as a good politician appreciates an influx of money- and believe me, I do -a really good one knows there are some services that are worth much more than money itself. Something tells me you and your group can offer those services."

He leaned in a little closer to her, swirling his wine around a bit in his glass. "Statesman? Again, you flatter me Alystae." He chuckled and lowered his voice an octave. "Go on, I'm listening..."

"We can", keeping the answer simple, Alystae motioned to the waiter to refill Max's brandy tumbler. The turian politician was interested, that much was clear, but was not clearly signed on. "It was never going to be easy girl", the maiden thinking as she waited for the waiter to finish before making her pitch.

"Well, for starters, information on your possible allies in the assembly, in addition to the inevitable opposition. My organization prides itself on information gathering and discretion, with the access we're offering, I'd imagine you'd be able to find all sorts of uses for that service." Taking a swallow of the wine, Alystae explained the business of the co-op, which really was a criminal syndicate in the making, but one that prided itself on evading C-Sec attention.


"My outfit will also offer use of my 'street advertising teams' to employ a stealth campaign when your push for the citadel milita begins proper. This small gratuity will free your...considerable energies towards policy and committee infightings, and keeps your hands clean when it's time to deal with your opposition in earnest. Plus the discreet yet steady backing of several small businesses in lower Tayseri, including over 1/3 of the bazaar kiosk proprietors." Alystae concluding, hoping that the assemblyman understood what was being offered, a spy network at his disposal, a method to discredit opposition in addition to endorsements in Lower Tayseri. "Well, it's all out there, now let's see what questions come to mind", Alystae's voice and face all business, maintaining eye contact with the rakish Maverick of Tayseri.

"Hmmm..." Max toyed with his glass after the waiter had refilled it, his mandibles fluttering a little in thought. It was a lot to absorb in one setting. For all intents and purposes the Asari was offering to spy on his opponents and rivals for him, among other things- all of which were in the grey areas of legality. But then again, politics itself was a grey area of legality and morality; he knew that when he got in the business and it didn't bother him- just getting caught.

Max took a sip of his drink, keeping his face blank as he went over his options in his head. He could win re-election without this help, he knew he could. It would be a long, hard fight, but he could do it without Alystae's "services" for sure. But he was going to be an obvious target because of his outspoken views; the establishment would want to take him out of the game before he could get past one term and get the incumbent's advantage in following re-election campaigns. He couldn't afford to let that happen, and he'd take any advantage he could get to make sure he kept his seat. It was decided then.

"Well Alystae, there's only one question I can think of..." He took another gulp from his glass before turning to her with that roguish smile. "...and that's whatever will I pour all my 'considerable energies' into once you and your organization get to work for me? Aside from serving my constituents of course..." He ended his sentence with a not-so-subtle wink.

"You are our district assemblyman Max, all we ask, is for you to do your job and represent us to your utmost ability. I have no real inclination to soil you with our more riskier endeavors." The amber eyes gleaming as Alystae took a sip of the bourbon at her elbow, she was so close, making sure not to corner or coerce Vallario. The co-op head needed his willing support, "As a show of what we can do for Lower Tayseri, and yourself, I have a plan in the works to eliminate one of the more, malignant factions of the Tayseri underworld. All I ask in return, is a modicum of understanding when the ball gets rolling, as the humans say."

Taking another swallow, Alystae gave the turian an appreciative glance, he wasn't the sort she normally took up with but when Max displayed genuine emotion, the fire in his eyes, "calm down girl, seal the deal first, then saddle up", Alystae thought as she offered another ancillary benefit to the table, "I do understand that my offer is unorthodox, but this is a brave new galaxy. We both find ourselves in unfamiliar places, with unprecedented opportunity at our doorstep. I merely wish to add my talents to the winning side." Smiling teasingly at the fighter jock turned politician Alystae motioned to the waiter to refill Max's glass with a Macedyn Reserve brandy, mentally she was partially truthful with Vallario. Her given reasons were true, but to secure her position and status among the bigger players, Max the Maverick would be key.

"Well, I'll always be trying my hardest to do the best by my district and my constituents; you can count on that my dear." He beamed as he spoke about his duty as a public servant. For all of his bluster, his faults, and his border-line shady dealings to get where he needed, at the end of the day he did actually want to change things and improve peoples' lives; he wasn't in this all just for power. Sure, power and the benefits that came with it were great perks, but he really did want to change the Citadel and the galaxy for the better. But to do that he'd need to maintain his position and climb up the pecking orer, and he was going to need Alystae and her associates to do their thing in order to maintain a winning edge.

On that note, Max simply shrugged when Alystae mentioned her plan and the "riskier endeavors" involved with her business. "You seem like a cautious and meticulous type. I trust you- in whatever you do -to stay out of the spotlight and keep under the radar. And if it results in getting rid of a 'malignant faction' in the underworld, how can I complain? Just be discreet. Do that, and you can count on my support when you need it. I very much admire people who can be discreet..."

Max returned her appreciative glance with one of his own. He could tell he had an in with her, in more ways than one. "I agree with you entirely. We're in a brave new galaxy, finally free of a destructive cycle that has gone on for eons. For the first time, we're masters of our own destiny. We may be on uncertain ground, but there are so many opportunities out there for those who are willing to seize them..."

Slowly, casually, under the table, Max slid a single claw onto Alystae's thigh, returning her teasing smile with a veiled look of hunger- and not the type for food. "I'd be more than happy to have your considerable talents on my side. There is so much the both of us can accomplish when we work hand in hand..."

"Hmmmm, and what gave that away?" Alystae chuckling as Max evidently seized the moment, in more ways than one, if his claw was any indicator. "Sorry Max, I'll be in charge of this flight",was the ice maiden's thought, a knowing smirk creasing Alystae's lips as her left hand moved down, capturing Max's claw, keeping it firmly in place as she finished her wine, just as the main course arrived for both of them. The maiden's amber eyes displaying an assertiveness as watched the waiter serve the food and just as quickly leave.

"In that case, here's to an unlikely partnership, and all the surprises that will be a result of our mutual endeavors." Alystae T'Naron raising her drink glass with the free hand, her other keeping the Maverick's claw in place, not letting him explore further, nor letting him remove it. In her mind, the symbolism was clear, you want to bed the outlaw, you step in her world...

Max smirked back as he felt her hand catch his claw before it could venture any further. The maiden definitely wasn't all talk; he could feel the strength in her grasp. But, she wasn't pushing him away either. That was a good sign for him. He reached for his own wine glass, clinking it against Alystae's with his free claw while she kept his 'adventurous' one firm against her thigh. Although he had his goofs, Max was no dummy. The symbolism was quite obvious to him; give and take. He could live with that, under the right circumstances of course.

"Indeed. To unlikely partnerships, their surprises, and perhaps even fringe benefits..." He chuckled quietly, taking a sip from his wine after the toast. This evening just kept getting more and more interesting for sure. His mind was working overtime trying to anticipate where it might lead next.

"I might seem a bit ghoulish for saying this, but the attack on Miss Rondor's charity could be the turning point for Tayseri's reconstruction." Alystae slowly eating the hybrid asari/human noodle stirfry dish in front of her, the assemblyman's wandering claw 'forgotten'. "Up until now, the council races and the like were content to rebuild their own power bases with varying success. Understandable, but the price being the citadel's slow revival. It does however, present the fast movers like yourself with an opening to exploit", the co-op chieftan retaining her amiable, yet slightly enticing smile as she took another swallow of her drink, the alcohol starting to slowly take effect finally.

"On the brighter side, the citadel plivadi team has finally reconstituted itself, it'll provide the working men and women with an affordable diversion, along with benign vices for those inclined", Alystae observing airly, "but I'd imagine you're more of a clawball man, if I'm not mistaken." The Nartin native eager to switch to more leisurely topics, her drawl becoming more fluid and pronounced as the dinner went on.

"Ghoulish? No, not at all. I was thinking something similar after I found out." Max began to explore his own dish with his fork, his other hand still pinned against Alystae's thigh. "I actually plan on making a note of it in an upcoming extranet address my staff has in the works. It could prove to be a good launching pad for further reforms of security and law enforcement, and a harder crackdown on organized crime." The turian reached for his own drink, never taking his eyes off the Asari, matching her smile with a coy one of his own; he was determined not to be outdone.

"Well, I don't mean to brag, but I actually played for the Hierarchy Naval Academy clawball team when I was an eager young fighter cadet." Max smirked as the talk turned to something a bit more casual, noticing the colonial drawl that was starting to edge into Alystae's voice. "I can still give the younger guys on my staff a run for their money. Keeps me in peak physical condition too..."