[Tayseri Ward] Let the games begin... (closed)

It'd been an eventful week or so for Citadel Assemblyman Max Vallario. He'd kicked off his first re-election campaign, only to get a challenger in the form of a crazed UCL fighter who was no doubt taxing his one brain cell for this feat. Then, he'd found out from the man's supposed backers that they were only supporting his candidacy to make Max look good, so he would then help them with their interests. All this in just a matter of days.

Citadel politics were simply too strange to survive anywhere else in the galaxy. It was amazing that, as a Turian, he even understood it. But the way he saw it, you either thrived in this sort of environment or floundered and died. So far, Max was managing the latter.

This was all going to make for interesting dinner conversation once Alystae arrived. This time, he was the first one here, as he had picked the location. It was a quiet, out of the way Italian restaurant that catered to both levo and dextro diners. As she had requested, he'd brought his interns along as cover- once more they were simply happy to get a free meal. If only all staffers could be as cooperative as interns were.

Max sipped from his drink as he checked the chrono on his omni-tool. She probably wouldn't be much longer now. He'd given instructions- and a healthy tip -to the maitre d to give him a buzz as soon as she arrived and then lead her back to his table. He was hoping dinner wouldn't run too long before they turned to 'other' matters. The last week hadn't been without its stresses, and he could use a way to burn it all off.

"That's the place, set us down over there Desmond. Ready for this Yara?" The Co-op head Alystae nestled in the back, dressed in business casual attire. Dark grey slacks, dress boots, a light purple blouse and her signature midnight blue peacoat. Her driver was dressed in his street gear but the other asari, was suitably dressed for a business lunch, a modest yet flattering skirt and sleeveless blouse, and heels to finish the ensemble. Both asari were lightly made up and Yara, the shorter one was the one wearing jewelry this time.

"Yeah boss, I know the drill, chat up the interns, make them feel at home and listen." Alystae nodding in approval before adding the final qualifier, "and above all, don't talk about business with them. I know you want to pump them for info but trust me, what they may have heard isn't worth destroying client confidence. We clear?" "Got it Alystae. And thanks."
Yara's sulrty, unbimbo like whisper filling the aircar as it set down in the parking area, jettisoning the two maidens making their way to the restaurant, with cool heads and clean omnitools.

"Assemblyman Vallario, my apologies for the delay between meetings, but business had gotten rather hectic. I'd imagine you're in the same boat, metaphorically speaking." The co-op chieftan strutting inside, her protege Yara a step behind, Alystae's dulcet, Nartin accent announcing her presence. Walking up to the rakish turian, Alystae ruminated on the past few weeks, Aricia behaving strangely, the LTE keeping quiet, to say nothing of the Red Hood taking a trip to the Nemean Abyss. "Try and and leave all you want Julian Snow, it won't do you a lick of good, I've made damn sure of that boy," The thought bringing a knowing smile to Alystae T'Naron's lips as the tall maiden reached Max with Yara in tow.

Max was ready for her. Just as he had set up, his omni-tool buzzed as the server let him know that Alystae had arrived. As she approached the table, he was already getting to his feet and welcoming her with open arms. "Alystae! How good to see you again. No need to apologize, and please; it's always just 'Max' to you."

The Assemblyman was already making plans on what to do once dinner and business were put aside. He thought he had handled himself quite ably at the end of their last encounter. Hopefully tonight would end the same way. Though, he was keenly aware that Alystae had brought someone else with her- not that he could really complain, seeing that the person she had brought was another attractive Asari. He just returned Alystae's smile with one of his own before continuing on with his welcome.

"I understand completely about business being hectic. It's been quite a busy few weeks for me, with announcing my re-election campaign and sizing up my new opponent. It's been a blur of activity back at the office, as I'm sure it has been at yours." He leaned to the side a little, glancing around Alystae at Yara. "Is that one of your business associates with you? I don't believe we've been introduced..."

"Just the one Max, this is Yara." If Alystae noticed the 'appreciative' look Max Vallario gave her protege, she didn't let it show, opting to step to the side allowing Yara to make her introductions. "Nice to meet you Assemblyman Vallario, I work for Miss T'Naron at the Perch when I'm not attending classes at Citadel U." The shorter maiden making eye contact with Max as she introduced herself before turning her gaze back to the interns, leaving the statesman and businesswoman alone at the bar.

"I guess I'll have the levo version of what you're having Max," Alystae remarking as she took her place at Max's elbow, still wearing her coat as the waiter brought a drink over for the tall maiden, "based on the past few weeks, we both could use at least one." A light chuckle escaping her lips as made sure to tip the server, taking a sip of the drink. "Besides, the appearance of Mr. Buckner with supposed corporate support is enough to tax anyone's brain cells, not to mention the threshold for patience. Just my opinion though based on what I was able to dig up."

Setting the drink down on the bar she turned back to the overly confident turian, with Yara engaging Max's interns in small talk now was as good a time as any to get a table. "So, we do have a table here? Or is this establishment one of those places that embraces the newest trend, like eating while standing among other things?" The last punctuated by a jovial laugh from the co-op chieftan as she took another swallow of the drink.

"Yara, a pleasure." Max nodded and smiled at the other Asari. He figured Alystae wasn't the type to get jealous, and after all he was doing was appreciating the merchandise at this point. Yara took her leave, taking a seat with Max's interns and leaving the Assemblyman and the coop chieftain alone to talk business. Max picked up his drink as the two of them caught up, chuckling at Alystae's last comment.

"Agreed. After a week like this, everyone in my office could use a drink. But only from how hard we've been working. We're not drowning our sorrows just yet." He took a generous gulp before continuing. "Yes, Mr. Buckner. There's actually been an interesting development regarding him and his supposed 'corporate backers...'" He ushered her over to his table with an outstretched arm. "Right this way; I'll tell you more about it after we order our food. Personally I think eating and standing is just a fad. I'm an old fashioned 'sit and eat' person myself." He smirked as he sat down in the curved booth he had reserved.

"Not so much drowning sorrows, more like a 'you can't be serious' situation Max", Alystae retorting as she let Max lead her towards the booth, taking another swallow of the drink. Sitting down beside the rake of a turian, the co-op chieftan thinking about Mr. Buckner's 'announcement' and surprisingly high value ads. "Still the glossy nature of his ads, offensive as they may be, suggest that someone else was the one calling the shots. But you know more about Yamantanu than I, I'll defer to your knowledge and perception in this."

In fact, Alystae knew little of Yamantanu save their role in glactic import/exports. However Mr. Buckner dropping the name so casually in his announcement perked Alystae's interest in the company. "As a competitor or an amicable rival, that is the question", the tall asari thinking as she finished the drink. "Between you and me Max, the only thing for certain is that Yamantanu has the credits to burn, the question is why?" An almost predatory smile starting to form on Alystae's face, the prospect of competition and the cut and thrust of citadel politics getting the maiden's motor running.

"Well, funny you should mention all that..." Max took a long drink from his beverage, draining the glass and setting it aside while he motioned for the waiter to get him another. He then took a cautious glance around before leaning in close to Alystae. "I happened to have a very interesting meeting about this the other day. I got an 'urgent message' from someone who said they had information about my challenger, and it turns out that the meeting in question was at Yamantanu Corp- Buckner's 'backers.' It was pretty... illuminating."

He waited for the waiter to put down another drink and walk away, taking a sip of the new beverage before continuing. "It turns out that Yamantanu doesn't actually want Buckner to win. At least, that's what the man who told me claimed. He's claiming that they convinced Buzzsaw to run in order to drive moderate voters to me. They claim they're going to funnel 5 million credits to me through a PAC, and then pull his funding, effectively handing the election to me."

Max shrugged, as he leaned back. "Of course, it's not out of the goodness of their hearts. Apparently they're expecting me to help them with some 'irritable' trade regulations once I'm secure in my seat." He shook his head and chuckled. "Poor Buzzsaw. I wonder if he knows he's just a pawn..."

"Five million for just a 'trade' legislation assistance? Maybe I'm just becoming skeptical in my old age but that number does seem a bit excessive, not to mention poor form when it comes to negotiating with politicians." A dry chuckle escaping Alystae's lips as she took another drink before looking over the menu. So that was the game, bankroll one Buzzsaw Buckner, watch the reaction then make Max an offer that's just a bit too sweet. "So who do you have in the wings Yamantanu? Because if Max were to say no, Buckner would not be a viable candidate, even for Tayseri ward."

"Don't get me wrong Max, it's the name of the game, in a political climate where some consortiums, interests and lobbyists pay up to five hundred thousand credits on a loser, ensuring a sound investment is necessary. It is the suddenness of their offer, not to mention you issuing the challenge to Buckner." Alystae's smile growing just a touch, the give and take of politics and backroom negotiatons was a favorite of hers.

"Seems that they're asking for the impossible, but then again, the best tend to accomplish the impossible. My opinion, limited as it is Max, is to learn which trade laws they want you to 'improve, rectify, modify', whatever the term is. Because for all their assurances, you haven't obtained many answers, nor security. One thing I've learned in my time," finishing her drink, letting her honey hued eyes meet Max's gaze, "is trust yet verify...proverbially speaking of course. No need to anger the Yamantanu reps unduly, but to get some answers independently would be keeping in the turian tradition of due diligence. Wouldn't you agree?"

"The thought has crossed my mind, believe me. Something about all this does seem to all be rather convenient, and sudden. To say nothing of the size of the 'donation' they want to give." Max was no fool when it came to this game, regardless of what some people on the extranet seemed to think. He knew how things worked, and he was keen not to be taken advantage of or used. "I don't think it's as much that they're asking for the impossible as it is they're overestimating what they can get through me. They can give me all the money they have, but at the end of the day I'm still only one man." He smirked. "A devilishly handsome man, but just one."

Max sipped at his new drink, looking back to Alystae. "The man I met with said they'd be in contact with more details soon. I'll have to find out more about what specifically they want. I don't like having unclaimed and undefined favors and IOUs from powerful people floating around with no indication of when they'll be cashed in or what for. It makes me uneasy..." His mandibles twitched as he fiddled with his glass. "...And I'm all for 'trusting and verifying,' but pissing off Yamantanu is a concern. What's to say they don't try and use this deal against me? Make it look like I'm taking bribes or violating ethics or something like that? It feels like it could be a 'damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation."

Max smirked again as his eyes met Alystae's. "This gets you hot and bothered doesn't it? All this political manuevering?" He chuckled and leaned forward. "If you enjoy it so much, maybe you wouldn't mind devoting some of your resources to helping me find out what Yamantanu is really up to. They could be trying to play both me and Buckner..."

"Following in my father's footsteps actually", Alystae retorting, the only elaboration offered was a cryptic smile as she swirled the drink around for a moment. "But since you've asked so nicely, I've already started, mainly with going over Mr. Buckner's associates. I'm still not convinced that Yamantanu chose him as a patsy based on his UCL 'exploits'." The tall maiden's smile lessening slightly as she downed the rest of the drink before closing the menu, her order decided.

Noticing Yara with the interns, the younger, not even century old maiden was chatting with Max's entourage animatedly, "probably about classes at the U." Alystae refocused on Max as another drink presented itself courtesy of the statesman, "when it comes to being a patsy, I'm sure Mr. Buckner is fully aware of his 'position' in the grand scheme of things. My concern is who Yamantanu has in the wings. Because it's I would do, have another candidate lying in wait."

"Maybe I'm just paranoid, but the lump sum of five million credits seems a trap to me. It's why I haven't offered you a lump sum, rather having the businesses I have a stake in offering various donations a hair under the financing limits. No need to subject you to excessive scrutiny." Alystae laying out the final argument for casual espionage against Yamantanu; their support, despite the size, or rather because of the size. the campaign contribution would draw malignant attention. "And another possible trap has crossed my mind Max, once the trade laws have been tweaked, will they leave you a free hand to pursue your Citadel Militia blueprint?" The final question hanging in the air, the co-op chieftan sipping her drink as she finished her argument, the calculating smile returning to Alystae's face.

Max smirked knowingly. "Ahhh, someone is ahead of the game. I was thinking something along those lines too. What if Buckner is just a distraction?" His expression hardened as he considered all the dangers that could be lurking around the corner for him throughout this campaign season. "What if Yamantanu has someone with some actual political juice waiting to leap in at the right moment? This could all be an elaborate ruse." He shrugged. "Maybe politics have just made us both too paranoid for our own good. Then again, is there really such a thing as too paranoid in our positions?" He took another sip of his drink before continuing.

"Oh yes. Thank you for being so thoughtful and subtle in your buying of influence." Max smirked again, showing he was just kidding. "The massive lump sum seemed suspicious to me too. Either Yamantanu isn't that politically saavy an organization, or they have something else up their sleeve. Either way, we'll get to the bottom of it." He pushed aside his second empty drink. "There's a lot of questions about their motives floating around right now. But until we learn more, there's no harm in letting them think that I'm on their side. Enemies are easier to deal with if you have something to blind-side them with anyway; and if I can pull a sudden about-face, that would really throw them off their game. If they are plotting against me." The smile had returned to Max's face as well.

"No need to congratulate me just yet on my initative, it's going to be a bit of a slog filtering out all of the funny, yet useless dreck in Mr. Buckner's past." Alystae retorting with a bit of wry amusement, taking another sip of her drink, then of water to wash her palate. "Besides Max, to say that I'm bribing you like Yamantanu is a bit ugly. We're not asking you for any favors, we do believe you're the best man for the job so we're just looking out for our best interests." Giving Max a winning smile, Alystae didn't have to lie this time when giving her rationale for backing Max Vallario. The rakish, surprisingly spontaneous turian was the best bet to make, a newcomer who knew how to use a bully pulpit and thrived on the chaotic nature of citadel politics. "And if it gets my organization into the ground floor of his suggested milita, so much the better", the co-op chief thinking as the meal finally arrived.


"It is quite the situation Max, but I try to remember what several Tayseri residents like to say come election time", Alystae smiling mischeviously for effect when addressing Max, "it's not a Tayseri election until the dead have voted."

"A slog, yes. But I'm sure you'll find someway to power through it all to find anything of real interest." Max grabbed a fresh drink from the waiter- he was really putting them away tonight. "And please, what we have is nothing like what Yamantanu is trying to do. But I'll say this, flattery will get you everywhere..." He chuckled and winked at Alystae, knocking back his beverage. "...Including, on the path to defense contracts."

"Ha! I've heard that saying. I guess I better make sure I'm on the right side of all the 'dead' issues. Pro-graveyard, meet with all the morgue workers unions, all that shit." He smirked jokingly and shook his head. "Man. This election is going to be one to remember, Yamantanu and Buckner's involvement. And here I thought my first election was a circus..."

"Well Max, if your re-election bid weren't a circus, it just means people don't care. Apathy isn't an option this time around." Chuckling, the tall maiden downing her second glass of water before turning to her meal. Using the meal to pause for a moment, deciding to give the rakish turian a show of faith.

"If the debate doesn't give you the decisive edge, I have other measures prepared to...let's just say give you and your re-election campaign the necessary luster Max." Alystae's face growing grim at her revelation, her honey colored eyes displaying unyielding purpose. "By now even you know of the work of Leaving the Ducts, but what isn't common knowledge, is the 2500 credit bounty some underworld elements have issued on Miss Michelle Rondor's chief of security. Distasteful as that little bit of knowledge may be Max, it can prove quite useful to you and your Pro-Citadel, Anti-'terminus element' stance.

"All right girl, no need to give away the entire game, just need to get him interested and give me the leeway to get it done", Alystae thinking as she finished her pitch, now the proverbial clawball was in Max's court. In the co-op's chieftan's mind, any maiden could give an patron money and/or 'certain benefits', but she can provide him the traction needed to get his Citadel Defense Force idea out of committee and into the public eye. "It now hinges on how badly you want this Max", the maiden thought as she took another sip of the whiskey.

"Ha. That's what we have to decide between nowadays as politicians eh? Total disinterest, or complete and total sideshow. Oh, politics. I love it and I hate it at the same time." Max shook his head and smiled as his own meal arrived, which he delved into with enthusiasm as they continued their conversation. He arched a browplate in curiosity at Alystae's little "show of good faith."

"Really now? I wouldn't have thought Ms. Rondor would keep people in her employ with Terminus bounties on their heads. But then again, people like that tend to have bleeding hearts." He shrugged and took a drink of water before continuing eating. "That would be a great argument for further beefing up C-SEC, and then transitioning from that into establishing the CDF." He nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that could work..."

He furrowed his browplates deep in thought. The debate, in itself, could probably give him enough traction to get ahead in the polls- especially if Buckner crashed and burned like he anticipated. But, could he take that chance? If he had been sure he could win solely on his own merits, he wouldn't be cohorting with Alystae in the first place- well, other than to get in her pants. No, he had passed the threshold a while back. He might as well go all in.

Max turned to Alystae, cold determination in his eyes as he stared at her. "I want it. Bad."

"The boy didn't get that damn bounty in the terminus Max, some individuals right here on Tayseri have attempted to declare open season on him." Alystae chuckling at Max's observation, while people would assume that the Red Hood would be at home in the Terminus, the Ice Bitch knew better. Ms. Rondor's attack hound was a strange kid, a dour, ill-tempered individual who reveled in violence yet didn't indulge in other vices, "a goddamn idealist, with no ideal to follow." Finishing her thought she turned to Max, her eyes gleaming a touch more as she ordered a bourbon.

"I'd imagine that Miss Rondor knew that when she hired the kid. With the charity aimed at the underworld's recruiting pool, she'd need a hard man who knew the life. She's a touch more devious than I give her credit for. Oh, and I believe you've actually seen him once before. He was the black haired kid in the black and red suit at the charity dinner, you know, the one sizing everyone else up for coffins?" Letting a hint of admiration and amusement creep into her Nartin accent, Alystae pausing before revealing her angle to Max. "The individuals who issued the bounty, they made a major mistake by doing so Max, because now, we know what they want and can use it to destroy them."

There it was, her method of adding the 'polish' to Assemblyman Max Vallario and ensuring his election, using a heavy handed charity worker as bait to lure out the gutter trash and gangs who issued the bounty, and remove them all from the equation. "All I need is a bit more time, enough to move everyone in place...", Alystae musing silently to herself as she downed the drink, a bit eager to hear Max's assesment.

"Well, I'll be. He really must have gotten on someone's bad side to get a bounty on his head here. I do vaguely remember him from the ball; wasn't keen to approach him." Max seemed to mull things over for a moment before shrugging. "From the sound of things, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over using him as a pawn in this whole endeavor. I bet Ms. Rondor can't help but hire people like that. Nice lady, but far too idealistic for my taste; thinks the best in people all the time- a dangerous habit, especially in this day and age, and on this station." His brows furrowed as he contemplated something. "Though, you have a point. She has a touch of devious cunning running in her blood. Makes you wonder how good a politician she could be if she let that out more."

Max arched a browplate at Alystae as she started to make things more clear. A smile crept across his face. The plan was all starting to make more sense now. "So, by using Rondor and her death-marked attack dog as bait, we lure out a nice big juicy criminal target that we can hit. Then, not only can we use that as a victory, but I can turn to the Assembly and say: 'look at how bad it's getting with these gangs running amok. Good thing C-SEC got there in time, but they obviously need more support..."

Under the table, he slowly snaked a claw onto her thigh. "You should have gotten into politics Alystae. You're a natural." He grinned.

"Exactly, that's the benefit using the Red Hood as bait for the more...let's just say more malignant predators.
But to be fair about C-Sec Max, they're policing a space station nearly double the Pre-War population without sacrificing quality of the brave men and women in the organization. For a trap like this, we'll need to outsource some of the 'enforcement duties.' Feeling the claw creeping up her leg surreptiously, the Ice Bitch keeping a straight face as she went to the next part of the sales pitch.

"Some of the newer gangs here on Tayseri, they didn't leave the terminus willingly. That's something we can use as well." Alystae paused for a moment, using the opportunity to let her left drift down, gripping Max's wrist, stopping the progress up her clothed leg, but not removing it either. "Easy there flyboy, you'll get there soon enough", the tall maiden thinking as she gave the pol a sly smile.

"My take on this plan is giving something to just about everyone on Tayseri, which would feed the community mindedness you wish to foster with your CDF milita Max. C-Sec gets to cripple one of the biggest slant/red sand slinging crews on Tayseri, you get the incident you need to get your blueprint out of sub-committee, hell, even the Red Hood will get his pound of flesh." Despite her attitude of imperiousness, Alystae knew deep down that to survive on Tayseri, she needed alliances and approval of elder, more established powers. If that meant offering some burnt out, shellshocked charity worker as a blood sacrifice, so be it.

"I don't need an immediate answer, we both have plenty on our plates as is. Merely food for thought, among other things." The last bringing a predatory smile on Alystae's face as she slowly moved up Max's claw up her thigh, her honey brown eyes communicating her intent, this plan would go forward one way or another, but with Max's discreet approval things would become far more collaborative, and lucrative for all parties involved.

"Oh I'm well aware that C-SEC is doing the best they can with limited resources and taxing duties. No one is more supportive of C-SEC than I am..." Max repeated the campaign line with practiced flourish. It helped to hide what thoughts were going through his head. This plan was starting to sound more and more like something from a vid- a conspiracy even. Though he wasn't worried about the ethics of it; just how many more people they could get involved before someone started to talk. But, Alystae seemed to know what she was doing when it came to this stuff, and she'd proven a good partner so far. He smirked as he felt her hand stop his as it snaked up her leg- right on cue.

Max listened to her explain more of her plan intently, going over all the pros and cons in his mind like any politician worth his or her salt would be doing. "Well, I do like any plan that makes me seem benevolent and loving, so I'm liking this so far." He smirked at her as he continued to weigh the risks and benefits in his head. It would be a close brush with elements he preferred not to deal with, but the rewards he could reap would be so sweet. His CDF bill had been languishing in committee for way too long- if he could get that passed before election time rolled around, his re-election would be all but assured. Plus, getting his picture taken with heroic C-SEC officers who took down red sand dealers would push him in that direction as well. The potential boon seemed to outweigh the possible consequences quite handedly.

"No need to wait," he answered as he felt Alystae moving his claw further up her thigh, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm on board. If they taught me one thing at officers school, it's that you should never pass up an opportunity to gain an advantage when it's put in front of you on the battlefield. The same thing applies to politics as well as combat." He shrugged. "They're practically the same thing. Battle just tends to be more polite than politics." Another smirk from him. "Consider me convinced."

"Well, I for one am glad that's one item on the 'to do' list. Maybe we can do something novel at these dinner meetings of ours, such as enjoying the cuisine perhaps?" Sighing with relief internally, Alystae's demeanor maintaining her genial appearance as Max gave his 'official' approval. A great many details needed to be worked out but the basic strategy was chosen, tactics were being laid out slowly, and most importantly, the bait was evaluated and approved.

"So Max, what does a girl have to do in order to get a bourbon around here?" Alystae's eyes meeting Max's, the asari's tone becoming markedly lighter and jovial now that business was done for the moment.