An Ocean Of Money [Kamino, GTG]

[Tethis Aresis]

Kamino. Many did not know how to reach this world. Many never would. To most, it was a long-lost world, where the rumours of clones and armies reached the ears of the public carefully. The Galactic Republic had erased most knowledge of Kamino's location. The Sith had rediscovered it, in secret, almost two centuries later. From there it remained a carefully-guarded location whose secret would forever be protected by those who jealously coveted its prized cloning laboratories.

He had been its Lord Protector, centuries before. He knew the cloners, protected the world from invasion under the banner of his Empire as its master. Theoretically, he still had his clone bodies present on this world as precautions of his death. He had flash-trained, dined with the Prime Minister and his partner, veritably mastered the art of water manipulation upon a tidal wave that threatened to destroy Tipoca City. To say that Tethis Aresis had vested interest in the aquatic world of Kamino was an absolute understatement. Second to Nyx, which was now gone, Kamino had been his home.

Now, flying the banner of the Galactic Trade Guild, he was back. Only one ship had been brought to this planet, the delegates from the other major corporations represented upon his Nexu-class corvette. The Reaver was now playing host to hands with a lot of credits to spend and they were going to do so on Kamino. The pilot he hired to fly his beloved vessel was doing so superbly with the help of the onboard AI, Sera, freeing up the Master to spend his time in the conference room. A timer gave them an exact countdown until they reached Kamino - two minutes, fifteen seconds.

"Remember - this is not a military takeover. Treat it like a friendly buy-out; we have no need to upset the Kaminoans. If their planet is anything like it used to be--" specifically, if the Golan he had bought them as a vectored entry point was still in operation-- "I will handle entry procedures. The Kaminoans will listen, if you have the money to back it up. I will not tolerate mistreatment of the laboratories or the locals," he said, almost hissing that one out. He had to resist every urge to wear his crimson Imperial Guard armour to remind the Kaminoans of who he was, but left that in abeyance just to keep the Guild guessing. They didn't need to know his past.

"Questions?"

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha didn't say anything, she just sat there as she stared down at the blue planet of her birth. This was why she was superior, born with the knowledge of circuit and programming hardwired into her by the local geneticists. They did such a good job on her and would prove a valuable asset in the coming days of the Guild. She let out a little sigh, she couldn't help herself. "I'm considering setting up a joint Biotetech firm on the planet," her voice trailed off. "Santhe Biotechnology System. Clone limbs for rich clientele.” Make virus’s and cures, clone and equip armies.... “I could use more partners.” She licked her lips as she looked at Tethis. The guy was barely on his feet as most things went. “And since you’re so well to do on this planet well, Santhe-Aresis Biotechnology does have a ring to it.”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Velok remained quiet, adjusting his immaculate suit by scrutinizing his reflection on a viewport. He tightened the cravat just so. There was little point in disclosing that he, too, had certain interests on Kamino, and a good working relationship with certain functionaries. If they saw fit to publicly recognize him, so be it. But Tethis Aresis...

Well, one did not live for two hundred years, interacting with the Kaminoans throughout, without hearing a thing or two.

Yes, whatever Velok's connections to this world, they paled in comparison to the fragmentary tales of Tethis Aresis. The Living Holocron whuffled in amusement.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Brooklyn stared at her datapad, having downloaded an article on Kamino to read during the journey to give her some inkling of what it would be like. Torrential downpour, check. Quiet, professional scientists doing their jobs with grace, check. Massive flying beasts that could leap out of the water at any time and eat you, check. Brooklyn knew little about Kamino and cared less. She was here for Tethis; anything that was his interest was hers also, at this point in her career. It didn't hurt that he was paying her extremely well.

"I've got no problem keeping my gun in its holster," she said, finally looking up from her datapad. "But what makes you think that the Kaminoans can be bought out so easily? I've just been reading up on them," she hefted her datapad, "and from what I've read it seems... unlikely. I'm curious to know what we can offer them that they don't already have, or coudl get on their own." She looked to Tethis, her black eyebrows lifting in silent question.

 

[Alli Wren]

Alli just sat there and pondered what on earth their plans were, but she just waited, she was going to let Tehis do his thing, he obvously had a plan. She was going to stay out of the way, so she sat, there usring her implant to do computer work, it looked like she was just lying down, but of course she was doing more than that.
She was just fine though letting them think she was sleeping. She might as well, she was letting them run the show, she was here to show her support in the endeavor.

 

[Tethis Aresis]

"Santhe-Aresis Biotechnology, huh..." Tethis said, his voice trailing off. He knew what that ultimately meant; they'd be the stars of centre stage in the space opera known as the Galaxy when it came to the power of their processing and he liked that. Sure, he wasn't anything like the big companies, but what he lacked in money, he had in skill and power. "I like it. Let's do it."

Brooklyn had a very valid concern, however, one that had to be addressed. "Well, thing about the Kaminoans is that we don't need to take control. They'll let us establish a valid business on the planet with the capital and the political clout with which we'll need to expend and we have that in spades. There won't be a problem, really. I'm more concerned with establishing supply lines and the like as we need them."

The ship's timer hit zero and the Reaver dropped out of hyperspace over the aquatic jewel world and, with the guidance of its pilot droids and artificial intelligence, navigated its way towards the surface while Tethis' mind raced.

"I think this is how we need to work this - Alli, you, Velok and Brooklyn work on setting our supply lines up. Contact whoever you need to, commandeer whatever vessels you can and start flying our supplies in and establish a sort of base in the financial district. Bribe whoever. Money's no object. The rest of us can go work on the diplos."

 

[Valik]

Valik sat a distant seat from the gathering. Unlike the other members of this congregation of Trade, Valik was not a businessman, but an 'Honorary Associate'. He had interests in large quantities of exotic materials from all sorts of places in the galaxy, and the GTG had interests in his creations, many of which were currently being produced and profited from by Seinar. He noted that while he was a Sith Knight, strong in the Force, there were at least three people here his equals, if Valik was being generous about his abilities. Aresis, a Force-User and businessman who seemed to be in charge of the endeavor told Velok and the non-Force users to go establish supply lines while he and Santhe maintained diplomatic endeavors. Valik wanted to go with the Whiphid and the non-Force users to get a feel for the weakminded of the group and perhaps learn something from Velok, but knew if he joined their group would be double the diplomats. Thus his option was picked for him.

"Let us continue to business then." Valik said and rose to join the heads of Sienar and SunTech. Diplomacy was not Valik's specialty, but he had observed the act from his Master. Now was as good a time as any to learn.

@[member="Sasha Santhe"] @[member="Tethis Aresis"]

 

[Alli Wren]

Alli smirked and nodded " Of course consider the supply lines gotten, Velok if you would please join me, I believe we have a building in the financial to purchase. " The ship had slowly come to a stop as it landed, and she smiled as she got up. " After that we can set it up and begin the real fun, setting up operations on this planet. "

It was her specialty, and she loved it, She waited for Velok to proceed, she needed someone to help her, and the old Whipid seemed like just the person. She also wanted to learn more about him, he intrigued her, and Alli wanted to know more. The best way to do so was to work with him. So here went nothing.

 

[Alli Wren]

Alli smirked and nodded " Of course consider the supply lines gotten, Velok if you would please join me, I believe we have a building in the financial to purchase. " The ship had slowly come to a stop as it landed, and she smiled as she got up. " After that we can set it up and begin the real fun, setting up operations on this planet. "

It was her specialty, and she loved it, She waited for Velok to proceed, she needed someone to help her, and the old Whipid seemed like just the person. She also wanted to learn more about him, he intrigued her, and Alli wanted to know more. The best way to do so was to work with him. So here went nothing.
@[member="Velok"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha smiled at the purported Jedi master who supposedly at one time ruled this entire sector. The vessel landed on the wind swept landing pad. They were greeted by a Kaminoan who nodded at them. Sasha breathed in the air. "It's been a long time," she recognized the dignitary instantly. He had been there when she was born. "I believe we have an opponent," she said in a manner all too innocent and polite for her.

The deligate nodded and led them off into the main room and up a few flights of stairs. "The Prime Minister is eager to speak to see you once again."

"It will be a pleasure to him once more as well." Sasha stared at the man accompanying her with a superior glare.

 

[Tethis Aresis]

Now Tethis knew when he wasn't being addressed. There was something Sasha wasn't telling him about this planet. He knew it well... eight hundred years ago. Her knowledge was current and apparently very comprehensive. Something about this made the Master feel extremely off-put about being here all of a sudden because she was hiding something. Yes. She had to be.

"So. Who do you actually know here?" he asked, eyebrow raised. He wanted to know!

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha smiled a superior little smile and stared at the man with a look indicating she knew more than he did. He might have been a big shot several hundred years ago but now was a different time. "I know a great many people," she said sticking her nose into the air. "And even more know me, I am a Santhe after all." Every answer is a reply, but not every reply is an answer. It is something Sirella told her one time when she asked a question. It had infuriated her, and she hoped it would have a similar effect on this Jedi. "There are a great many planets, and corporations who would like to get involved with the Santhe family. Your corporation for instance. I saw how your eye tinkled at the prospect of teaming up to create a biotech firm."

Their Kaminoan escort politely pretended not to notice them as he led them to a room. "He shall meet you here in a few minutes. If you want food or refreshment, they will be brought up for you."

 

[Tethis Aresis]

Hmm. Right. He had to expect that from the local snob queen. It wasn't an answer, except if you could speak Sasha, which meant 'I know everyone we need to know and all the people with money'. It was a foregone conclusion that Tethis should have expected.

"You do realise I am literally using you for your money, right?" Tethis said, entirely bemused at the fact that he knew he could get away with it. The lightsabers on his hip - one of which was an Imperial Knight saber - were not just for show. He had to come here prepared. And, not to mention the fact that if the Kaminoans knew their history, they'd recognise it. Which gave him a great idea.

"Question, ser. Do cryo-storage pods ever get sold?" he asked the escort. If not... well. Admittedly, he knew the answer. Of course they didn't, unless times had changed in eight centuris. Kaminoan client privacy was their number one concern.

 

[Sasha Santhe]

"We strive to serve all our customers as best as we can." The escort said. The implication was clear, after the plague and galactic collapse everything was for sale, at least for a price. He nodded and left the room, leaving the two to bicker.

Sasha smiled and laughed, "Of course you're using me for my money, but I have so much of it. What's a few billion credits between friends." She plopped into one of the chairs letting her legs hand freely over one side as she arched her back over the other. "And if this goes well... me and you will be even more wealthy, even more powerful." Licking her lips she added, "I know it's what you crave, it's what all strong and successful businessmen crave. So just sit here, wait with me, and eventually the right person will come to make us both rich."

 

[Tethis Aresis]

Tethis rolled his eyes. "You're losing your touch, I think," he said. "Strong and powerful businessman... that never really tickled my fancy. Strong and powerful is something a Sith really wants to be. I'm happy just making the credits roll in for an honest price."

Unfortunately, that mant they probably sold his pod. Maybe he could ask the Prime Minister. It was one of those more... secret pods, anyway. The contents held within weren't exactly things to be trifled with. If he could access it, though, he'd be doing well for himself. In the meantime?

"Besides, aren't you forgetting the fact you're sitting here in a room with the person least likely to go for 'strong and powerful', hm?"

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha laughed a little at the man. Credits derived from power, economic power, but power all the same. "So you're more into the meek and helpless type then?" She pouted a little bit and put a hand to her forehead letting her back arch and head fall pretending to be faint, "Oh no, I'm just a poor girl in a harsh world of business. Won't you help me Master Aresis?"

She chuckled and sat up in the chair, "Who are you kidding? No one likes the helpless type. Confidence is always an attractive trait, it's one of the, very few, things I admire about you."

 

[Tethis Aresis]

"You're funny," he said, leaning back in his chair. "It's obvious what you're trying to do here. Mess with my head. Make me drop my guard. Are you having fun, Sasha?" Tethis asked, very much trying to keep her off balance. She was messing with him more than he liked. It wasn't entirely good for him to be working with darkspawn, especially on Kamino, but at this point he had to remember the fact that he wasn't an Emperor or an Imperial Knight. Or even a real Jedi any more. It was a big change.

"What's next? Gonna jump across the room at me?"

 

[Onrai]

Kamino.

The planet that used to hold an enormous amount of secrets for cloning and whatnot had become practically ruined financially. It needed companies willing to invest financially in it, to boost its economy and allow the Kaminoans to rise above their paltry begging ways once again.

And Circe was the one who would be doing it.

The Galactic Trade Guild's goal on this planet was to economically strip the Kaminoans of their credits through the promises of advanced technology, and Subach-Innes wanted in. The company in particular noted that the design for clone trooper armor had come from Kamino, and she was eager to get her hands dirty by acquiring the specs.

She would have to talk to some of her fellow company leaders later, but now, the focus was on Kaminoan technology. Excuse me... Who on Kamino currently holds the specifications for Phase I and Phase II Clone Trooper armor?