Pearl of Tartany - The Reverie [Good Vibes LTC]

"A daring choice, I admit, but you would be remiss not to try them."

The man opposite her wore an idle smile. It was a casual remark, formal to the point light mockery. She thought of Vel, of Luthen. The treats were styled as stellar nebula, speckled with iridescent edible flakes. There was a time when she would marvel at them.

"I would, but the shuttle ride gave my stomach little comfort, lovely as the view was."

"Yes, I can appreciate the discomfort of orbital travel. I can assure you the Pearl offers many things, but discomfort is not one of them."

"It is curious to see it offer you. Is it perhaps unable to ferry you to Coruscant to visit me through formal channels?"

Her tone remained weightless, her smile even more casual than his. If the director of Haelos Star Yards security corps was shaken, he didn't show it.

"A benefit of my employment, discounts on all liner travel we issue. For myself, free. I do not oft have the chance to abuse that privilege, and Hanna city is particularly lovely during the festive season. Sad to see that tranquil state disrupted so violently."

Imperial terrorist cells, per the media channels. In reality a sizeable imperial remnant had attempted an incursion into the system. The Endor-class defender in orbit made short work of their forces, though the incident had thrown the planetary council into disarray. Her own presence was requested, and complaints, delegations and disgruntled officials poured in. 

"The Chandrilan Way is strong, director."

"I doubt it not. Unfortunately, doubt prevails among our customers. Two luxury liners cut their tours short, 27 pleasure craft refunded, 147 personal speeder craft sent back unused. Our losses are in the millions."

"The Committee of interstellar affairs has received your complaints and many others. Once processed each will be accessed and stimulus relief packa-"

"Forgive me, but our liaison on Kuat tells us their request has been denied. They lost more than us, and lobbied harder to recover from it. What makes us any luckier?"

He stood firm, uniform pressed in the Carida style unfurred. He was not the first to make personal appointments to curry reparations, and she doubted he'd be the last. Like all others, he didn't mention the holofilm distributed by imperial sympathizers of her supposed capture. He let it hang in the air. Either she gives in, or the tape is spread further. 

"Haelos Star Yards is a treasured partner of this system. While I cannot guarantee your inquest to be processed favorably, I can expedite its review."

She had told this to all of them, if but to placate them for a little while. The director didn't press further, but his eyes grew cold...