An Unexpected Commonality

[Karacan Rigten]

Ferron was sitting at his desk when he made the communication; he hadn't been in his office all day but right now it was slightly sudden. He would be personally sending a message to the Queen of Commenor Systems Alliance, requesting to meet with her. Whether it was received and responded to by herself or by a secretary or whatever else didn't matter to Ferron. He expressed deep gratitude for the accomplishments the Alliance had achieved, and for how peaceful their message was. Ferron had a sense of Justice and Morale in his personality and he could see it in CSA. He hoped to get into contact with them, and enter into a possible non-aggression pact. Now that the Coalition had subsided from their area of space, KDY could venture out and throw some weight around of their own, but he wanted to make sure he wouldn't be upsetting his neighbors... at least too much.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

These past few weeks had been troublesome at best. After her husband's exile from CSA space, Kay had done her best to not spiral into despair. Fortunately she had her work to delve herself into. More worlds were wanting to come under the CSA banner, and more companies were wanting to do business.

So it came at no surprise that a message from [member="Ferron Troste"] came her way. Kay's assistant Olivia screened it first. They needed to take extra precautions these days, as one never knows what kind of attack would be next. That is of course only reliant on if they were still a target.

Seeing that the request was simple enough, Kay wrote up a response and sent it through:

~Mr. Troste,

I have received your message. Thank you for the kind words. I am available in a couple of days for a meeting with you. Where would you like it to take place?

Lady Kay Arenais
High Queen of Commenor Systems Alliance~

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]

The Holonet was such a convenient device, much more powerful than a planets local net. No matter the time or place, another individual could send and receive information from across the entire galaxy. But how well are the holonet nodes these days? Hopefully they don't need repair or maintenance too often, and surprisingly pirates and others don't mess with them too harshly.... perhaps that is another path to pursue for the company. Ferron was quite glad a response was made with such haste, it helped him get his schedule straight a lot sooner rather than later.

//Queen Lady Kay,

I appreciate how quickly you responded to my request, and I thank you for being willing to meet me so soon. I can meet on Commenor, as long as you do not mind a security detachment. Or we can meet on the Kuat Orbital Array, which you can bring whatever security you feel is necessary, however weapons are not permitted on the station. I look forward to your response.

President Troste
Owner and Sole Proprietor of Kuat Drive Yards//

 

[Kay-Larr]

Hmmm. To remain on Commenor or to travel. Lately the dangers had been pretty high. Both at home and abroad. Now she had Imperial Sentinals keeping watch over her, on top of her regular security. It was at times annoying, but it was the price to pay for not just divorcing her husband or seeking his execution for his crimes. That and it was still quite dangerous out there.

It was better to stay at home. It was wiser to stay at home.

So she whipped up her response:

~President Troste,

Thank you for the invitation, however I cannot travel at this time. You are welcome to Commenor, as is your security. But within the Palace walls, they must be disarmed. It's protocol for all guests upon their first visit. With the current political climate, I must be careful. I do hope that you understand.
Lady Kay Arenais,
High Queen of the Commenor Systems Alliance~

[member="Ferron Troste"]

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]


No weapons? That was a predicament. As the owner of Kuat Drive Yards, Ferron always had a target in his head. However, hopefully they could come to a compromise.

//Dear Queen Kay,

I do not believe a full disarmament is entirely possible. It sounds as though you may not feel very safe, if you feel your own home is compromised. Would you rather we postponed our meeting for when things are safer for you? Could I be of some assistance?

As for the disarmament, would you be against stun sticks for my security, and my security chief having a pistol? If we wait a short while, Kuat Drive Yards will have an outfit of clones that will obey any command I give them, ensuring they will never go against you. Please let me know how we should continue.

President Troste
Owner and Sole Proprietor of Kuat Drive Yards//


Ferron did not like leaving the safety of his orbital array, and in fact the last time he left he was nearly killed. He may as well be dead, with the hunting party the CIS sent after him. But in these trying times, Ferron needed friends. Unfortunately it seemed he had to seek alliances with galactic leaders.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Another message. Although this time [member="Ferron Troste"] didn't respond in quite the way that she had expected. Just like many in her government; and justifiably so; he was prone to paranoia in regards to possible attacks.

In this day and age, that was probably normal. Yet she didn't want to afford to wait for long. Things can change in an instant.

~President Troste,

Your men may carry stun sticks and the lone pistol. However they will all require security clearance first. Recent events have had us adjust our security protocols. But all of that can be spoken of later.

If you find this all agreeable, then please let me know when to exoect your arrival.

Lady Kay Arenais,
High Queen of the Commenor Systems Alliance~

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]


This was good. Some leeway for both sides. Ferron didn't want this to be a negotiation, however, they both had their reasons for their choices. And they were right, on all sides. Ferron scrolled over to send a message to his secretary before messaging the Queen bacdk. He was asking for his men to prepare themselves for a visit to Commenor. Of course, with the specific requirements. Ferron could vouch for his security chief, but he only partially knew the men under his chiefs arm. Still, it was necessary, and he hoped the Queen would not be too upset by all this. Once he was finished, he scrolled back over to his message with Queen Kay, and sent a final message. After sending it, he stared at the monitor as he thought for awhile. He did not expect taking over KDY to be this troublesome. He knew it would be a lot of responsibilities, but jumping into the big boy seat it.... well, let's just say Ferron felt the upper management world in the galaxy was a little... distatseful, considering his past interactions. He hoped this would be fruitful, or at the very least, better.

//Dear Queen Lady Kay,

I am thankful for your choice on this matter, I hope our meeting will prove to be positive, in the very least. If not, I am prepared to pay for any trouble caused. I hope you can see me as a friend. Someone has to eventually stick their neck out, or else everyone will be prepared to backstab the other. Just know the new Kuat Drive Yards operates only legally, strictly prohibiting dishonor and unjustifiable acts.

I am preparing my men, I will leave shortly to meet you. I will go through all the security you need, as long as my chief is by my side. I look forward to our landing coordinates.

President Troste
Owner and Sole Proprietor of Kuat Drive Yards//

 

[Kay-Larr]

So [member="Ferron Troste"] was coming. That was good. It saved her from having to make a trip and having to arrange her own security detail. It made her wonder if her people liked the fact that she didn't travel so much. It saved them tax dollars.

She sent Ferron the co-ordinates for the Palace's landing pad and prepared for his arrival. Given that she didn't know him, Kay was sure to have him be escorted to a meeting room instead of waiting for him at the landing pad itself or to have him sent to her office.

When it was time, she sat at the long table. Tea was prepared, a cup of which was in her hand. Other drinks and treats were available too. Not everyone had to partake in her addiction, afterall.

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Ferron would be arriving in an ordinary transport ship, he was trying not to be very fancy or catch peoples eyes as he traveled the hyperlane or entered Commenors orbit. Still, he had an escort, an escort that stopped at the edge of Commenor territory, and where Commenor forces would escort them. Ferrons plans.... he knew they would raise eyebrows, and he didn't want people thinking he was encroaching on their territory, or preparing for war. Commenor being so close was definitely one of those major influences he had to see to that they did not cause conflict. After ship ship entered orbit and landed at the coordinates available to him, Ferron and his men proceeded to the location of the queen, escorted by COmmenor personal. However, upon reaching the appropriate designation, it seems Ferron still was not content.

One of Lady Kays personnel, whether it was a secretary, a security person, or otherwise, had to interrupt Lady Kay and her tea to alert her that Ferron would not enter the room without his guards. They explain that Ferron would like his men spread out along the walls and at any nearby windows or doors. He only had a small number of security, six being exact. Including his security chief.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked up from her tea as Einon approached and gave her the message about [member="Ferron Troste"] 's lack of trust with her meeting room. He seemed to be content with the halls. It made her wonder if the man was expecting some kind of ambush. Were the rumours being spread really that bad?

"Let them in. All of them. They should have already been cleared, so it's fine." [member="Einon"] , Kay's Head of Security gave the slightest hint of a nod before heading out to the hall to give Ferron the message.

Now she waited, sipping her tea. There were two tall windows in this meeting room, plus the main door. One other door lay hidden, one of the many secret doors that led to various passageways and tunnels throughout the Palace.

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Ferrin nodded as he and his men were given permission to enter the queens room. His men wasted no time as they surveyed the room and the chief gave quick, silent orders. They all planted themselves at the walls, windows and the door that was the entrance to the room. As promised, they all only had stunsticks, and the chief who stood by Ferrons side was the only one to carry a side arm. It wasn't even a weapon of war, more like a hold out pistol or security side arm.

Ferron approached the Queen and nodded his head, putting a hand to his chest. "Greeting, Queen Kay. I am President Troste. It's good to finally meet you," he pulled that hand from his chest and extended it towards her in a gesture that suggested a handshake. "Again, I hope you forgive my requirements, I believe the choices I offered you make this all satisfied. I've already had one unfortunate event which caused a lot more tragic and bitter feelings than necessary. I trust you are doing fine, or at least fairing better than I?" If Lady Kay offered him a seat, his security chief would stand next to him or behind him, and kept his hand on his weapon. Not entirely due to any possible threat, but to make sure no one could snatch it so easily. He tried to have a relaxing demeanor so Lady Kay would not feel pressured.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay watched [member="Ferron Troste"] and the others as they walked in. She sipped her tea while they all took their positions around the room and secured it for their employer. It was not unlike what her own security detail would do.

She set down her tea, rising to her feet as Ferron introduced himself and held out his hand. Kay placed hers in his, giving it a firm, yet soft shake. Then she sat down, gesturing for him to sit across from her.

"It's quite alright. I know full well of what it's like to feel unsecure in a new location. But there's no danger for you here, I can assure you. As for how I'm faring.....these are trying times, yet I manage well enough." She folded her hands in front of her. "What brings you to Commenor? Anything that we can help you with?"

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]


Ferron felt honored in this situation, honestly less so in the presence of a Queen but for the fact she was willing to meet in such short notice and agree to his security terms. Otherwise, this meeting may have never taken place. "As you know the major presence that was called the Free Worlds Coalition has subsided" Ferron adjusted his seating posture. He sat up straight and proper. "Of course, they still linger in the area, but as an enforceable entity, you are one of the closest, in fact you are a 'door knock' away, as one may say. Kuat Drive Yards, as you may know, has never been described as a civilian company. We have even had our own militaries in the past. Well, as we branch out, I plan to do so, again. I plan to protect my assets with real, hard military. I came here today, to tell you any military activity you will see is not to encroach on your domain, nor a threat to you. That, or convince you into a non-aggression treaty."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded. She was told ashort while ago about the Free Worlds Coalition falling apart. Hopefully her own government won't fall in the same way. She furrowed her brows as [member="Ferron Troste"] continued, speaking of using his own private military to protect his company and his assets. It was decent of him to let her be aware of it, of course. That's all that she needed was to have her people on high alert for his own fleets that were just passjng through. Paranoia wasn't always a good thing.

"I appreciate the heads up, President Troste. And given that our former King has become an enemy to our people, well, you can imagine that things are a little tense here right now. Your military can receive a special designation in order to let them be known as friends, instead of foes."

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]


Ferron nodded, agreeing with the Queens response. Having someone who was essentially owner of the government and military going rogue is an intense security risk. He was proud they weren't forced into negotiations nor was he threatened to be put in some place. "Just so you know, we don't expect to run this part of the galaxy, but our locations and assets will have substantial protection, as much as the strength of your military might. And Kuat, well, it's a given that it'll be as secure as your homeworld. I just wanted to make a formal visit to inform you that we are going to increase our military build up soon, not only having the current protection we have. We'll be creating a formal military soon." Ferron pulled his hands together and laced his fingers, "I don't expect to move in on your territory, but it's proper you should know... we still act as a company. Only under dire circumstances would we call for territory and restrictions to outsiders. So please, do look forward to doing business with us. If we purchase lands or structures on your capital or in areas within your territory, I hope you don't see us as invading. We are simply conducting business, and protecting that business."

 

[Kay-Larr]

A company with it's own military protection detail. That was a bit unusual. But in these times it wasn't unexpected.

She listened to [member="Ferron Troste"] 's request and his prospects for the future, even so much as purchasing land from the CSA to conduct part of his business and protecting it with his own militarized security forces.

"A company wanting to protect it's own assets; that's not unusual. And no different than the Embassies that we have here. They each bring their own forces to protect their people. And we allow that. But their jurisdiction only remains within their little pocket of territory. Otherwise permissions must be sought on a case by case basis."

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]

Ferron understood and agreed with most of what she said, however there would be no disputed lands nor foreign rules. His 'military' wouldn't act any different than ordinary security, albeit it was more 'Private Military Company' than a typical security detail. "Please understand, we don't bring new, foreign laws, Queen Kay. Many buildings have a uniformed guard outside their places of business, such as Banks and private facilities? Trust me when I say I would make no attempt at changing the rules of a planet, only protecting the land and property that I own. Of course, if there are no rules against robbery or trespassing, or if there are laws against enforcing such, second thoughts would be had. But I can only assume Commenor has pretty standard laws and rulings compared to other planets?"

 

[Kay-Larr]

Ahhhhh. So [member="Ferron Troste"] was just bringing in his own people to guard his assets, and not wanting to act like those in the Embassies. Well, that was easier.

Kay nodded with a little smirk as he remarked on the laws of the land. "Oh yes, our laws are pretty standard. Crime is low here. Most people are quite content and have fairy good wages. No illegal things such as spice, stripjoints and other such criminal activity is found here. I'd like to think that it's a safe haven. If people want those things, then they can go elsewhere. Yet it's not as though there's nothing to do, or that we're boring." With Commenori brandy being one of their top exports, it wasn't as though they outlawed drinking.

 

[Karacan Rigten]

[member="Lady Kay"]


Ferron nodded, seeing his explanation had been understood. He wasn't planning to make his own laws, just have company buildings located in the area. "That is exactly what I'm looking for, and for a place that others see as a safe haven, as you call it, is even better for business. Not only because our facilities will be safe, but because our customers will appreciate doing business in places they won't be cheated, or robbed, or lied to. I believe I will be looking into placing facilities on Commenor sooner rather than later, and I hope we can eventually do business of our own. But, I must warn you, as I warn everyone else. We have security measures on everything we create, produce, or modify.... We have a system in place that prevents our technology from being used against us. Some have called it boobytrapping, although this has always been something KDY has done. It's not to protect us from our customers, it's to protect us and our customers from thieves, rogues, and pirates. I hope this doesn't upset you?" Ferron didn't bother asking for tea or anything to snack on or drink, he seemed to be acting quite professional and putting off a demeanor that showed he was here for important matters, and not to partake in beverages or meals, although he hoped he didn't make any offense by doing so.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded, agreeing with [member="Ferron Troste"] 's statements. The safe haven that CSA space offered had a lot of potential for businesses.

She raised a hand as he spoke of the safety measures that he put in place to protect his technology, as if she was trying to politely tell him to stop, as though there was no need for him to explain. "I know that my own people will not try to steal your tech. So there's no need to worry about that." At least not on their end. But it was a great precaution on his part anyways.

"Shall we have a contract written up?"