Sic transit gloria mundi
[member="Tegaea Alcori"]
Board of Control was a very ironic...and yet fitting name. It was an instrument of control, for Siobhan. The six members of the board were not equals or even colleagues. They were minions who served at her pleasure. She was not just a CEO. She was an absolute monarch with the power to hire and fire them as she pleased. This, combined with her at times capricious personality, resulted in a rather stiffling atmosphere. Why challenge the Queen when it was more comfortable to follow the party line, fawn over her...and keep her bed warm when she made sexual advances?
"Lady Kerrigan, you look majestic as usual."
"Lady Kerrigan, I absolutely love your shoes. They're from Trada, right?"
"Countess, is it true you pulled a Star Destroyer down?"
"Your Highness, you really taught those Cadalthors a lesson. They won't ever dare oppose you again." That came from the token manling. His position was the most expendable, since he was mostly there to avoid the impression of Firemane being misandrist.
Regardless, she was showered with various compliments of a similar nature. Siobhan did not seem to notice Tegaea's subtle disgust. Indeed, she seemed radiant and best of spirits. She joked with some of the board members, but above all, soaked up the attention.
"Alright, my ministers. Let's get started. We have a lot of ground to cover. My wife has joined us for this occasion. She has a very special presentation to give," Siobhan said jovially. There was a round of applause, more fawning and so on.
Siobhan settled down in her throne-like chair. It was an unspoken rule that she got the biggest chair. Only Tegaea was allowed to have an equally larger one. Lady Kerrigan had a thing about her rather average height. "We shall start with infrastructure and healthcare, then move on to military matters. Kana, do begin."
"Gladly, my Lady," the business executive said with a rather adoring look in her eyes, "under your wise guidance, our efforts on the maglev project have..." and so the meeting began at last. The actual business stuff was mostly productive. While almost every executive saw the need to add references to the wisdom and indomitable will of the infallible Lady Kerrigan, they talked about factual matters. By and large, Siobhan let them say their piece, here and there interjecting with sharp questions, demanding updates and urging them to double their efforts.
Tygara and Arkas were supposed to be modernised. Freetown would be expanded to house refugees from Kaeshana, with a second settlement on the way. Further economic development would provide job opportunities for the locals. A new outpost had been opened on Alderaan to work more closely with the Free Worlds Coalition and expand Firemane's reach.
One board member expressed wariness of the Galactic Alliance, due to rumblings about a 'return to the old values'. This motivated Siobhan to make a wry comment about how the 'true crusaders' had only beaten the One Sith when the latter were already on their last legs. Finally, the discussion turned to healthcare. Some unenlightened spirits had whined about Firemane creating 'death panels' and forcing its employees into 'the slavery that is socialised medicine'. Veterans' care was a big part of it, but it also applied to employees' families.
"I dismiss these claims. don't care what money-lending rabble thinks of the issue. Firemane looks out for its employees. So we're passing the revised healthcare plan. And I'm afraid they can't recall and repeal it...because they don't get a vote," Siobhan finished at last, causing some chuckles. It was common for Siobhan to sum things up at the end...which also allowed her to control matters.
"Furthermore, we shall expand into the tourism business. We can make a lot of money through hotels, luxury resorts and cruise ships and export some culture along the way. Furthermore, we shall make advancements in communications tech by building on the success with quantum communicators. The first worldship will be operational in a month. It will be the first of several. Likewise, we will be arming the Tygaran Sepoys, starting with the Qadiri battalions since they're the most reliable. We have no need to play coy with the Eldorai anymore. This brings us to the next issue on the agenda, military matters."
Now there was fervour in her tone. Her expression became grave. "The traitorous vipers in our midst might have been wiped out, but make no mistake, we're at war. Kaeshana must be avenged. Eye for an eye, blood for blood. And the Sith have risen again, thanks to Jedi ineptitude. Our girls and boys, undefeated in the field, deserve the best weapons our researchers can design. I will spare no expenses. We need the best ships, guns and vehicles - and we need them now." What followed was a series of presentations and discussions about how to make Firemane's armed forces even greater.
Board of Control was a very ironic...and yet fitting name. It was an instrument of control, for Siobhan. The six members of the board were not equals or even colleagues. They were minions who served at her pleasure. She was not just a CEO. She was an absolute monarch with the power to hire and fire them as she pleased. This, combined with her at times capricious personality, resulted in a rather stiffling atmosphere. Why challenge the Queen when it was more comfortable to follow the party line, fawn over her...and keep her bed warm when she made sexual advances?
"Lady Kerrigan, you look majestic as usual."
"Lady Kerrigan, I absolutely love your shoes. They're from Trada, right?"
"Countess, is it true you pulled a Star Destroyer down?"
"Your Highness, you really taught those Cadalthors a lesson. They won't ever dare oppose you again." That came from the token manling. His position was the most expendable, since he was mostly there to avoid the impression of Firemane being misandrist.
Regardless, she was showered with various compliments of a similar nature. Siobhan did not seem to notice Tegaea's subtle disgust. Indeed, she seemed radiant and best of spirits. She joked with some of the board members, but above all, soaked up the attention.
"Alright, my ministers. Let's get started. We have a lot of ground to cover. My wife has joined us for this occasion. She has a very special presentation to give," Siobhan said jovially. There was a round of applause, more fawning and so on.
Siobhan settled down in her throne-like chair. It was an unspoken rule that she got the biggest chair. Only Tegaea was allowed to have an equally larger one. Lady Kerrigan had a thing about her rather average height. "We shall start with infrastructure and healthcare, then move on to military matters. Kana, do begin."
"Gladly, my Lady," the business executive said with a rather adoring look in her eyes, "under your wise guidance, our efforts on the maglev project have..." and so the meeting began at last. The actual business stuff was mostly productive. While almost every executive saw the need to add references to the wisdom and indomitable will of the infallible Lady Kerrigan, they talked about factual matters. By and large, Siobhan let them say their piece, here and there interjecting with sharp questions, demanding updates and urging them to double their efforts.
Tygara and Arkas were supposed to be modernised. Freetown would be expanded to house refugees from Kaeshana, with a second settlement on the way. Further economic development would provide job opportunities for the locals. A new outpost had been opened on Alderaan to work more closely with the Free Worlds Coalition and expand Firemane's reach.
One board member expressed wariness of the Galactic Alliance, due to rumblings about a 'return to the old values'. This motivated Siobhan to make a wry comment about how the 'true crusaders' had only beaten the One Sith when the latter were already on their last legs. Finally, the discussion turned to healthcare. Some unenlightened spirits had whined about Firemane creating 'death panels' and forcing its employees into 'the slavery that is socialised medicine'. Veterans' care was a big part of it, but it also applied to employees' families.
"I dismiss these claims. don't care what money-lending rabble thinks of the issue. Firemane looks out for its employees. So we're passing the revised healthcare plan. And I'm afraid they can't recall and repeal it...because they don't get a vote," Siobhan finished at last, causing some chuckles. It was common for Siobhan to sum things up at the end...which also allowed her to control matters.
"Furthermore, we shall expand into the tourism business. We can make a lot of money through hotels, luxury resorts and cruise ships and export some culture along the way. Furthermore, we shall make advancements in communications tech by building on the success with quantum communicators. The first worldship will be operational in a month. It will be the first of several. Likewise, we will be arming the Tygaran Sepoys, starting with the Qadiri battalions since they're the most reliable. We have no need to play coy with the Eldorai anymore. This brings us to the next issue on the agenda, military matters."
Now there was fervour in her tone. Her expression became grave. "The traitorous vipers in our midst might have been wiped out, but make no mistake, we're at war. Kaeshana must be avenged. Eye for an eye, blood for blood. And the Sith have risen again, thanks to Jedi ineptitude. Our girls and boys, undefeated in the field, deserve the best weapons our researchers can design. I will spare no expenses. We need the best ships, guns and vehicles - and we need them now." What followed was a series of presentations and discussions about how to make Firemane's armed forces even greater.
