A lot of things have changed

[Corey's OOC]

He was going to start to take weekends off. And he was going to hire a whole new crew to help him out. Marek missed the stars, he missed the adventure. Sure, he was good at his job, finding people, knowing who he could trust, and making what he felt were solid deals to keep companies afloat, but it was starting to get to the point where he needed to branch out to people he could trust so that they could make the deals on his behalf. A lot was occurring within the Techno Union lately, the last bit, the acquisition of Incom Corporation, was something that he was looking forward to.

They were one of the most famed builders of starfighters in the galaxy, and next to Corellain Engineering and Mon Calamari Shipyard, were one of his favorite companies, pre-Foreman of the Techno Union. The fact that the CEO of Incom had useful skills for him was nothing short of exciting as well.

He was always on the look out for assistants. He had recently made the decision to pull Sindy Aerin into his office as his personal tech consultant. It wasn’t his fault that he found someone who could damn near talk to machines. What he needed, as he was so much like his surname, a chaser of stars, an explorer, someone who pushed to be on the move, he needed someone he could trust to go through the options presented to the Techno Union, someone who could be the mingler, and weed through people before they even hit Marek’s office. What he needed was someone who was public relations oriented, without the desire to shoot anything that moved.

What he also wanted was someone with spine. He’d figure that out upon this meeting, he assumed. Awaiting in his own office aboard The Tambor, he was expecting @[member="Araceli Loxley"] shortly for their meet-and-greet.

 

[Araceli Loxley]

Lady Loxley was studying her appearance in a compact as the turbolift moved on its way. Flawless, as usual, but she had to be certain, for this was an important meeting - a meeting with the Foreman, of all people, and so Loxley had to make a good impression. With normal people, that wouldn't pose much of a problem. But this was important, so nothing could be left to chance or her natural good looks and flawless bone structure.

A few moments later, Loxley was announced and ushered into the office. She crossed the office with a confident stride and a pleasant smile, tucking her patent leather datapad portfolio under one arm. "Foreman," she said genially, extending her hand over the desk as she came within range. "It is a real pleasure to see you." The CEO of Incom Corporation smiled and returned her hands to her own person, folding her hands together in front of her.

"This is quite the ship you've got, sir. One of ours, if I'm not much mistaken," she said, looking around the room appraisingly, referring to the ship's origin at the planet she served as Viceroy of. "Beautifully crafted."

 

[Corey's OOC]

As per typical on these types of days, Marek was dressed well enough. Not only was he meeting with one of the CEOs that had joined the Union, he was also dealing with a Viceroy. His black on black suit was clean and he wasn’t too concerned about his appearance. He was making his attempt, and it wasn’t that he looked bad, Irri had ensured that for him. One of the nice things about having the redhead about, he figured.

Standing from his desk, he nodded. “Greetings, Lady Loxley. I appreciate you taking the time for this meeting.” It was more formality sake at first, but upon her track record, he was finding that this would have real rewards attached to it, so long as she was willing to take another job, not that it would be that much work to get paid to mingle, after all. At least, it was for him, not for most. He took her hand and smiled at her, offering the seat on the other side of his desk.

Smiling as she called out the ship being from Druckenwell, he nodded. This one really knew her stuff. “You’re correct. Durckenwell has been the primar builder of CIS ships, and is one of the larger companies doing business with the Techno Union. Add to the list we already have the storied history of Incom, and we’re well on our way to being the prime conglomerate in the galaxy.” He wasn’t ever one to speak ahead of himself, and did not want to claim something that they weren’t. “Have you toured the shipyards?” Just how well did she know how to work people?

@[member="Araceli Loxley"]

 

[Araceli Loxley]

"Not at all," she replied to his thanking her for taking the time. "I'm pleased to be able to make the journey."

She took the seat indicated and crossed her legs. She was wearing a navy skirt and an ivory blouse, with her wavy hair pulled back into a professional style. She had forgone a hat, but wore a string of pearls around her neck. It was all business, and Araceli felt innately comfortable in such an environment. She cast a glance around the office and nodded approvingly, her light eyes scanning inquiringly before returning to Marek's face.

"Oh yes," she answered. "Extensively, shortly after I became Viceroy. Druckenwell really does have the most amazing production capabilities. I would even say that it might rival Kuat Drive Yards - exceed it, with the right investment and management, but of course these take time." She cocked her head to the side, as if attempting to recall something or another. After a moment, she said, "It was Majelin Amkal that showed me around on my tour. He must have thought I was some sort of safety inspector, because all he wanted to talk about was the new and improved safeguard measures!" She waved her hand.

"Of course, in that ridiculous yellow hard-hat and flame retardant coat they make visitors wear, and me carrying my datapad and stylus like a clipboard, I must have looked like one," she concluded with an indulgent chuckle, then sobered a moment later. "But a very impressive setup, and Techno Union as well. I quite agree, and of course, Incom Corporation is eager to make its contribution."

@[member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

See, this was what he was hoping for, someone polite, and not too hoity toity. Not that the Viceroy he has had dealings with was described that way. After all, his Master was the Viceroy of Ryloth. Dealing with these people still felt foreign to him. He was from Corellia, but every bit a Fringer and a Spacer. He didn’t regret it, but really, sometimes he forgot that these people were just people and nothing too metaphysical.

His office was pretty bland, a holocube on his desk showing pictures of Corellia and a few other worlds, his parents, and a few other memories, but aside from that, it was mostly empty. There was a bookcase with actual flimsiplast reference books, but thye had the appearance of being just there for decoration. He was on a starship and most things were just stored electronically. However, the one file cabinet did indicate that Marek was a bit of a pack rat and didn’t fully trust all of technology.

Leaning in his chair as she spoke about her trip to the shipyards, he nodded. No matter who showed up, everything seemed safety centric. It was just the nature of the beast. Someone important was there, more so than just giving the visitors’ tour, it was the safety tour. “Its what happens when anyone of the executive status shows up, I’m afraid. Even when you assure them you are looking for just the run down, they focus on the safety.” He chuckled as he sat forward again.

“That would happen, a lot. And we do our best at the Techno Union. We also make sure that all parties are aware that they are able to keep their sovereign business and products however, sharing technology and products for improvement of other projects is highly encourage. As well as personnel, each company brings their own abilities and unique views with all of their employees, and its been able to create a number of new jobs.” Mainly liaison work, but still, more work was more money given and more products sold.

@[member="Araceli Loxley"]

 

[Araceli Loxley]

"You can't know how relieved I am to hear it," said Loxley, folding her hands protectively over her datapad in her lap. "It is something of an odd balance, isn't it? We have the concerns of our shareholders competing with the interests of our board, and then when you add the Viceroyalty into things and then the Techno Union..." She took a breath and then smiled. "I was able to put the minds of our shareholders and the board at ease by explaining just this very thing to them."

She took a moment, pausing for a beat, and then offered a hesitant smile. "At the risk of sounding impatient -- which I'm not at all, only curious and a little anxious -- I suspect you didn't invite me here to discuss these matters." She raised her eyebrows inquisitively, then leaned forward with a knowing smirk. "Give it to me straight -- is there a problem with one of my designs? Or am I in for a smacked wrist about my interview with the Financial Standard? It occurs to me that perhaps I ought to have discussed it with someone before it happened, though it didn't at the time..."

@[member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

It was one of the bigger challenges to come across when joining a conglomeration such as the Techno Union, Marek assumed. The act of getting the board and primary shareholders to understand the company was still safe, it was just making a move to ensure further safety. “It takes some time, with Haor Chall Engineering, the company I represent, it was pretty easy to remind the Xi Char what the company did, historically speaking. The trick was convincing them that it wasn’t only going to be weapons of war, and we’re working on some decent civil use equipment, and collaborations of the same.”

See? Now this was the oddity. Marek Starchaser was a fringer, he was a survivor, he didn’t have people worrying about offending him, or sounding off. It just didn’t happen. Looking at @[member="Araceli Loxley"], he tried to hide his surprise, even if he mostly failed at that.

“Well, part of it is to discuss things like that. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not traditionally schooled for this sort of business, but life throws us unexpected curves, doesn’t it?” He laughed to himself, really, probably the only one finding himself comical in this situation. Really, someone without business or financial schooling running a large technology firm. “Actually, its quite the opposite. What I’m seeing is an impressive resume, and a go-getter. I was hoping your plate isn’t too full…” He let his words trail off.

 

[Araceli Loxley]

Loxley fixed Marek with glassy eyes, then raised an eyebrow. "My plate is full at the moment, but I anticipate some space being cleared up recently. As Chief Executive Officer of Incom, I'm currently overseeing a lot of day-to-day things that I simply don't trust my current team with. I'm working on building a team that will take the knuckle-head stuff off my desk. I see myself as someone concerned with the company's brand and the big-picture, but the day-to-day operations and the little things I would like to have people in place who know what I would do, and then use that judgment. So that will possibly free up some space."

She flicked on her datapad and then leaned back a little to read it in her lap, navigating with a stylus. "I have interviews all next week on this so I hope to have my team in place by month's end. Would that work for you?" She glanced at her calendar, then nodded. "Yes, that seems realistic. What were you hoping to put on my plate, sir?"

@[member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

This was definitely the type of woman Marek wanted in charge of a few things. She was on the same page as he was, not trusting her staff, or not ready to. New endeavors always caused that, from what he was noticing in this life change. Giving her a nod, he completely understood. “It takes a bit of time, when I ascended to the position of Foreman after becoming CEO of Haor Chall Engineering it took a while to start trusting staff to not totally tank everything.” Taking a second, to form his thoughts. “Half the reason you’re hear, if you catch my drift.”

And she had her life planned. That was good. He wanted someone who could run everything, and keep up with the work. “That’d be perfect. What I’m looking for is someone to run a bit of public relations. A point of contact that knows what the Techno Union wants, and can work on my behalf to screen clients and go to the more... social gatherings?” Force knew that bothered Marek to do.

@[member="Araceli Loxley"]

 

[Araceli Loxley]

Loxley inclined her head, her lips turning up at the edges. "Ah. I think I understand completely. You don't strike me as the cocktail party kind of man. Which is as good for business as it is bad for business. But the Techno Union cannot be seen as aloof and unwilling to participate in what is expected from civilized business." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Of course I would be happy to contribute. I'd like to think I learned some marketable skill from all those years in the drawing room back home. I can produce witty repartee with the best of them, you'll find. And of course, if I should hear of anything that would be useful to the Techno Union, I can provide you with a briefing on the subject." She raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you had in mind?"

@[member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

Was it that obvious that Marek was the type to survive and live by a gun, and enjoy the life between worlds. Others were suited for different things. Some even for cocktail parties. Still, he smiled back at her. “You’re mirroring my thoughts perfectly. What I offer the Union in some places, the ability to adapt, overcome, change and be ready for anything, I lack in others. Like being social and not shooting people I don’t like.” He shook his head, clearly making a joke. Of himself and the situation.

“That’s exactly what I had in mind. I need someone who knows this game, I can only do so much, and I’m not sure education reimbursement is covered in my salary.” He laughed. “Besides, the Foreman of the Techno Union back in business school? If that got out…” Still, he didn’t have the degree in anything, just the ability to make this stuff work. “So, is that a yes?”

[member="Araceli Loxley"]

 

[Araceli Loxley]

Loxley inclined her head and then spread her hands. "Of course, Foreman, I would be happy to help in any way I can. We all must do our part and use the gifts we possess, and if that is my part, then of course I will do whatever I can to help. You may rely upon me." She pulled out a business card and jotted a few notes down on the back of it before sliding it across the desk to him. "My office number," she said, indicating each frequency: "My home number. My personal communicator, and my shipboard communications center. My e-mail address - I almost always have my datapad on me. My home address. If ever you need me for something, don't hesitate."

She sat back in her seat and flipped her datapad closed. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Foreman?"

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

See, there was that title. Marek wasn’t sure how he felt about having a title. It was a bit odd, say true. But really, it was his title obviously. Looking to Miss Loxley, he nodded. At least she seemed to understand that some people were better at things than others. When she started jotting down, he craned his neck to see what she was going for. And then she slid the card across the desk.

Oh, everything. Well, at least he now knew how to find her. “Thank you for this, Miss Loxley.” He picked up the card and placed it in the case of his datapad. He’d enter the information later to his personal address book. And then store the card, because, who knew what could happen?

“I think we’re all set here.” Marek said.
[member="Araceli Loxley"]

 

[Araceli Loxley]

Araceli nodded curtly and stood up. She leaned over the table and offered a handshake. "Good meeting with you, Mr. Foreman. Thank you. Feel free to reach me, any time day or night, if you should ever need anything." She gathered her things and saw her way out, escorted back to her ship. In short order, she was cleared for departure. Once the ship was underway, she went to the communications center and called her secretary on Druckenwell.

"Accelerate all the interviews. I need to clear up space on my schedule for Techno Union business." She glanced at her chrono and then closed her eyes. "We need to get this finished sooner rather than later. Thank you - that's all for now."

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

Smiling, the Foreman nodded. So, there was formalities to be observed, he remembered that. Of course. Reaching for Miss Loxley’s hand, he nodded. “The pleasure was all mine, and I do appreciate your desire to help out.” It was going to save his skin, that was for sure.

Watching her leave, he nodded to himself. This was going to be a good idea. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his data pad. Now what was next? Droids, right? Wonderful.
[member="Araceli Loxley"]