Tarakus Deadmerit: Holding the Right Cards/CH. 8

CHAPTER 8 Coruscant

Tarakus looked at his watch. Tu'verana was going to comm him at any moment. The comm went off. Tarakus answered it. "Hey, Tarakus, it's Wayne III. I'm just wondering why I'm detecting you on Coruscant...you're supposed to be at an Ekatra Coalition meeting right now, aren't you?" Tarakus shook his head, before answering. "Wayne, I'm working on a lead in the Galactic Alliance. Richon hinted that we may have trouble with...Abeloth, again." "Abeloth?! Didn't you run into her years ago?" "Not me...Bar Traskaow did, though. We may need to bring him back, again.  I just hope he doesn't gain his own separations like he did the last time." "Uh, Tarakus, that's bound to happen with him again. It doesn't matter what you do, he'll separate you two off of him again, and he will become independent.  It will happen." Tarakus smiled for a brief moment. "Thanks for that pep talk, Wayne. I'm waiting for Tu'verana to clear us for a meeting with Natasi Daala..." "Want my advice?" "Sure." "Let Richon deal with her. He's had to put up with Daala for the last 45 or 50 years.  He knows how to deal with her." Tarakus simply nodded. "Sure, Wayne.  I'll let Richon deal with her...an old Grand Moff Dragon can handle just about anything, right?" Nothing answered at the other end of the line for a moment. "Sometimes, professionals are best at what they do, because they've had years of experience in dealing with what it is that they are pros at. You've had your dealings with Gualtullo, and you're a pro at handling him, and his son.  Richon, well, he's a pro at dealing with all of Natasi's temper tantrums.  He knows how to handle her, no problem." Tarakus smiled again. "I'm glad you share that opinion, Wayne. I'm very glad you do.  I don't know what I'd do without you." "Right. Well, I gotta get going.  Your great-grandfather is just fuming over a proposal presented by Korsul, again.  And Parathor looks very much helpless right now." "I'd bet. I'll let you go now, Wayne.  Good luck." With that, the comm clicked off. Tarakus started to put his comlink away, when it started to ring again. Cursing under his breath, Tarakus pulled it back out, and activated it again. "Father, it's me. I've got very good news.  I've squeezed you into an appointment at 09:00, tomorrow morning." Tarakus sighed. "Thanks, Tu'vy. You're the best.  Please keep me appraised to any further information from that office, or from Elson." "Will do, Father. Vapthes-Deadmerit out."