Conglomerate Meeting

[Jaster Awaud]

Jaster had asked a Miss. [member="Xenia Nastassia"] to meet him on Val'hala where they would speak about one of the Conglomerates posistion open on the Merchant Board. He didn't know much about the women, and didn't have the time to send spies to go find it all out. All he knew was that she created droids, and he needed them desperately. He invided her to his personal Viceroy office to conversated about what she would be interested in return if she was to give her support to the Conglomerate.

Jaster tuely didn't have time for such a women's concerns, but if she was to sign on, then one of his few problems would be dealt with. Jaster needed the Merchant board to be complete before their construction of the Merchant Fleet. So he would have to play it cool so she would not know of the desperation in the man.

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"].

It was funny how often the players quickly became the played. As magnetic locking systems disengaged and the Coronet's main bay's began to embrace the sucking void of space, something which looked like Xenia gave the command to push forward. Sliding hatches made their last movements, and out from the massive space liner's belly was shoved the more sleek and barely more elegant J-type Nubian, its iridescent thrusters pressing it ever closer to the world before them. Greens and blues with thick cloud coverage, the planet looked welcoming, far different from many of the Sith controlled worlds which seemed to corrupt and melt from the insides out. While most would be comforted by the aesthetic difference, Xenia found herself mildly annoyed by its subtlety. Here, there was no inherent challenge, only the calm and often laboriously boring game of politics and spider webs.

Both of the cockpit's main pilot's chairs were occupied, and both by nearly identical beings. Nearly, because their primary and only difference was in the clothing they wore, and the trappings which customized their accessorized look. Xenia, in double, one steeped in formally flowing layers of soft white shimmer-silk, the other in a much more rough and casual gear. Without warning, the image of the first girl faded, flickering into little more than an oddly spotted array of flecks, under which was the far more intimidating bulk of a droid. <<I've selected what you'll be wearing.>> It's voice transitioned from a twin nature of Xenia's own to the much more sterile and bland male programming of Detox's original programming. Xenia gave no answer, only a passing glance over the left of her shoulders in recognition. Instead, she rattled off a few brief suggestions as to their angle of entry into the planet's atmosphere, and prepared an information bundle to send whichever orbital patrol unit found them first.

There was little requirement for further briefing on this Jaster. Both had read and reviewed the invitations sent and addressed to Nastass-Tech's president and leading member, Xenia. Both had conducted more than enough safe searching over the holonet to figure there was little danger in approaching the man, though with some potential gain. With both the Techno Union and One Sith pleading for business, she had a hard time believing offers of these natured could much interest her- but resources were resources, and she'd long since learned how best to master the art of wealth and personal gain. Xenia was familiar with Mandalorian customs and traditions, the honor upon which they all seemed to sit comfortably, and their indomitable warrior's spirit. The Coronet in which she made the trek was a derivative of their pleasing spacecraft, a testament to quality in design. She had saved and been saved by Mandalorians, or found herself on either end of many numerous conflicts wherein the fierce combatants were involved. They were simple in their natures, base in their opinions, but made such lovely puppets to play.

After com channels opened and their entry was cleared, another bit of data arrived with a chirping alert, set aglow on the instrument panel before Naboo's heiress. "You get that," Xenia asked. <<Yes, it looks close, I'll begin my prep of the landing gear.>> It was clear they had done this before, their quick exchanges of both verbal and nonverbal feedback setting them in an almost flawless constant exchange of information. The chrome plated starship lowered towards the ground based landing pads, whirring and hissing jets of pressurized steam when three spindly legs leapt forward to support the hull's weight. Even after the starship's power had been shut off, there was a warm tingle of computerized parts and mechanical bits from inside needing time to finally lay at silent rest.

When the hatch fell open, a landing ramp sliding like fluid from the sleek body, only a single woman stood in view. The one covered in shimmer-silk, a fitted poise of elegant nature, Detox's guise. Behind the holo projection droid, covered in the saturated shadow of the craft's cargo hold, the real, organic Xenia, whispered "good luck" to her doppelgänger and retreated towards the solitude she much preferred to fruitless social interaction. Before she had even returned to the pilot's seat, Xenia had linked her tech with Detox's own internal systems, allowing her to see and hear as it did.

"Lights, camera, action... annnnd all systems linked. Remind me to run an update on this geo-sync transceiver, it can barely process all of the information you're feeding in."

<<Noted. I don't see Jaster.>>

The droid's words came as lines of aurebesh text in which ran like tears down Xenia's three dedicated screens. She had only to activate an oval touch pad to speak back.

"Just wait, he'll show up. Remember, he sent the invitation to us. And if he's got any clue what he's doing, he's already lost."

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

Jaster had constructed Conglomerate Trade Plaza near the center of Olympia, it was a great place for buisness and always had the Trade Station in orbit above it. It was a sign of influence and power for Jaster as leaders, and warlords continued to threaten his presence. The Wild Space as well as the Unknown Region were hard places to start a buisness now a days. With the fall of the Fringe and Omega stopping their patrols along the trade lines, Jasters Conglomeracy was the only thing left to protect trade ships in this area of space. He was a constantly busy man, with the construction of the Merchant Fleet, the Central Trade Station, and negosiations with a multitude of companies, Jaster was lucky to get enough time for this meeting.

Jaster was Mandalorian by tradition only now, as a Dar'Mando he was forbidden to state he was a kin to the planet of Mandalore. Standing 6 foot 5 inches, Jaster was taller and darker then most Mandalorians without their armor. As always, Jaster chose to attend the meeting in his black lab coat and black military boots. Only hours before he was in a meeting with Umbrella Scientist about the plans of their exspantion, again, Jaster never stopped working.

He walked down the halls with an assistant speedily walking next to him, they were making their way to one of the many Landing Platforms on the Trade Plaza. He then exited through a pair of automatic doors and headed tword the female he was to meet with, or he hoped so. The Plaza was over 10 building and often one could get lost.

"Hello ma'am, I am Jaster Awaud, Viceroy of the Trade Conglomerate and CEO of Umbrella Interest, it truely is a pleasure to meet you after so long, I do hope your journey was enjoyable." Jaster personally liked traveling in space much more then being on a planet, though the gravity was supposed to feel the same, Jaster felt heavier on planets.

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"].

Before Detox had more time to complain, two lightly armored automated doors slung themselves to either side in an mad dash effort to part before their speeding master. Jaster, a darkly toned man of his mid-to-later years, though the sharpness in his eyes belonged unmistakably to a warrior. Xenia would have seen it, though Detox saw it faster, facial recognition scans and proxy analysis letting the droid remove any and all factors of the greater 'unknown' from this particular encounter. Strong arms, legs, and torso, it was clear their host had seen battle or war of some kind. A redeeming quality in a man, Xenia thought- viewing each of Detox's projected data reports as they were entered in streaming text down the lining her screens. The younger woman to Jaster's left, clearly of less significant rank, wore the same rushed and stressed wrinkles as her master. They were busy, hardly attractive in greeting.

As the two drew closer, Detox lowered its body and Xenia's image bowed accordingly, each fine movement a perfect shadow of the real woman who lurked just out of reach. One hand cupped her lower abdomen while the other removed itself to her posterior, a gesture common among Naboo royalty. Detox made little effort to appease the prying eyes of Jaster's assistant who stared curiously at Xenia's image, no doubt highly aware of their guest's prestige. Xenia, for years now, had been the subject of constant media bombardment, surfacing in every day's holos and news. At first more a celebrity than political powerhouse, she forged her path through fame and into strong standings, though her intimate following had never ceased their siege on the woman's privacy.

"Hello ma'am, I am Jaster Awaud, Viceroy of the Trade Conglomerate and CEO of Umbrella Interest, it truely is a pleasure to meet you after so long, I do hope your journey was enjoyable."

<<The pleasure is mine, you can be sure.>>

Speaking with the pronounced cadence of a Nubian native, Detox ended its bow and fell into a more casual stance, though still stiff with relative formality in its final form. Her, the illusion, smiled as she spoke, an inaudible, infectious giggle behind her words. Even Xenia was unable to differ her own voice from the droid's copy. Hearing it over the cloaked exterior coms inlaid over numerous points on Detox almost always took her breath away. The noise of her own words spoken through something else's mouth, bouncing around the hollow sphere of her cockpit. Had her starship's viewports remained yet open, Jaster would have been able to see her sitting there, while her creation fooled him below; all he'd see were tinted oval slabs of the transport's blastshields, shaded until you could no longer exact who or what was on the other side.

<<Just as enjoyable as any trek through space, I'm sure you know.>>

With each ticking second Detox was unraveling more and more of the man, breaking him down into mannerisms, copying his motions, his tones, the way he spoke. The way he stood in transit, how he swung his right hand just a hair behind the left while striding. Studying the make of his clothing, the styles associated with them, what else he might wear. Most of it was information Xenia didn't take the time to read over as it poured in, instead focusing on strictly relevant and important notifications. Curling back up from the polite bow, Detox straightened and didn't let the others wait. Bounding forward at a surprisingly invigorated gate, the droid's image joined the other two and became swept away in whatever direction Jaster wished to proceed with their meeting. <<And your name?>> Detox blurted, bending in order to meet the other woman's gaze for but a second, a miniscule twinkle in it's eye, fiendishly friendly. Playing to the public had always been Xenia's most devious weapon, and Detox mimicked it in perfection.

<<I must admit my curiosity in receiving your invitation.>>

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

She seemed to skip nearly all formalities and go strait for the throat. Jaster had dealt with Nabian Nobility before, was in charge of a security detail for one of the queens children's as they visited off world. The child was a pain and had a fling with one of her guards so her mother payed Jaster and his men to guard her instead of the old detail. She had pretty much the same set of personality as this women, she must have been of the same nobility or some sort. Again with all the tuning around Jaster was running into this meeting blind, no Intel could be arranged before the meeting. Then she asked for a reasoning for the meeting, Jaster was happy to answer her question.

"To be frank ma'am, we here at the Trading Conglomerate are interested in your companies Manurfacturing, we have need of such droids and of your prowess in the Mid-Rim, your popularity alone is well known even in a planet such as this in Wild Space," Jaster brought out a data pad and was about to read off it when he noticed something about Ms. Nastassia, he only paused for a second then continued, "We are offering one of our lead open positions among the Merchant Board along with all benifits of being a member in exchange for a reduction of your pricing of your droids, open negosiation can start with 34% discount of product?"

Jaster couldn't help himself, there was something odd about her that he just couldn't put his finger on. He couldn't accuse her of being weird, otherwise he'd have to do the same to nearly all his scientific staff. He would have to just keep a close eye on her until something slipped.

"So shall we enter one of the meeting rooms, I'm sure this chill is getting to you, the planet takes a little getting use too."

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"]

Detox seemed to give it all real thought, not speaking for a moment and letting the ideas mull themselves over in her head. Flattery was common, offers and invitations as well, but Xenia and her droid both could tell he was in a somewhat precarious situation. He gave himself so completely over to her, displaying everything without the proper tact of a salesman. After a moment's silence, the image chuckled and looked back to the pair before it, eyeing each of them as if completely capable to look through them and into their thoughts. His ideas were solid, everything he said sounded good, if not a bit desperate. Not something one wanted to convey in their first impressions. There were a great many micro expressions which went unnoticed to the human eye, but which had no hope of escaping Detox's astute craving for detail. <<Thirty four percent,>> Detox started, obviously delighted by the over precise math. <<That's so specific,>> but the chuckling quieted in the next few seconds, and the droid motioned a total submission.

<<We could, or you could show me what you have to offer. Words are one thing, Jaster, but I'd love to see for myself what this... conglomerate is capable of producing.>>

Turning and pointing her opened palm, Detox levied its gaze towards one of the higher stretching towers in the Trade Plaza's surroundings. Just before landing, Xenia had pointed out the rather large energetic readings coming from its upper floors, a rich zone of signals and channels, no doubt some large bundle of information waiting to be peeked into.

<<You'll have to tell me more about this position, I'm not overly familiar with your goals here, or the direction of this organization.>>

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

Jaster was still pondering what was bothering him soo, yet what could he do, short of asking. He didn't want to be disrespectful to his guest, Jaster believed in being hospitable and as such didn't believe in being overly observant of his guest, some found it rude. He was no royalty, if anything he didn't really have the galactic statues to even say he was. Yet he knew the rules of the trade, lie if you must, but when dealing with professionals who you wish to be working with later, best to be honest. As such Jaster would only delve what he could to this women, unfortunalty nearly everything was classified in the conglomerate. He would still state what he was able to, after all she did travel a far distance for this meeting.

"Well I must state first that here as a member of the Conglomerate we believe in discretion and as such nearly all our projects are classified until they are released into the general public for sale, we have some of the most dedicated staff and brilliant scientist and researchers, and here on Val'hala about 30,000 kilometers above us is the construction site of thee largest trade station in the galaxy, Comglomerate Orbital Trade Station, a joint effort of all the members here, that is pretty much what we try to accomplish here, join together to progress each of our ideas and ingenuity to create, as well as pushing the bar of exploration and knowlage," Jaster gave the Datapad back to his assistant and she gave him another that he gave extended to Ms. Nastassia, "That there is one of our more open projects that is still in development, a Hyperlane connecting this planet with Muunilist through the Hyperlane, currently though we need the completion of the Board before we can move on."

Jaster didn't want to sound desperate, but to find certain needs in this area of space after the Fringe left, the UTC was stuck with renagades looking for resources. The development of the Private Police Force along with the new Corperate Fleet was staggering and difficult on the budget. Jaster made it work though, he was constructing a new frontier in a galaxy of conflict. Hopefully this women would see that and possibly take the chance.

"Membership among the conglomerate will certainly give you a very profitable means, as we explore the Unknown Region, we will be setting up mining outpost, research stations, colonies, and other facilities, depending on the situration, the Board and myself will decide who gets portioned the resources, your company will also have reduced docking fees between 40% to 68% and free transport by conglomerate trade ships, other members are also available to assist with development of some of your product, though they may decline of they are too busy, as Viceroy though I will be available for your assistance if need be."

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"].

She hadn't found it. The specific answer she was looking for, even behind the restrictive bindings of confidentiality. It seemed Jaster was more private than she had expected, even in dealing with such a potential associate. That or his intentions really were of purer, less ambitious value. Benefits were benefits, and the conglomerate was certainly something work investment, but she had come here seeking some in particular. In looking around her, she couldn't find it. Not in Jaster, his assistant, the buildings, or the people. On the other hand, that very same discretion, the boundaries of classified information- that sat well with her. She didn't like the public eye interfering with her more private projects though she pondered this conglomerate's level of tolerance.

<<A fine pitch...>>

Detox's cadence suggested brief boredom, even while its face lit aglow with a never dying enthusiasm.

<<This Board of Executives, what are they, how do they function, and what responsibilities are they given. Are you on that same board, or as Viceroy do you set yourself apart and in higher authority? You must understand I needn't a membership for cheaper goods and payed travel expenses.>>

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

Jaster could understand her couriosity, Jaster himself was courious about her. There wasn't much information he knew about her and that meant he didn't trust he much. This along with the weird feeling he was receiving was placing him off balance, yet he wouldn't budge, confidentiality was something he offered to all his members. This was no social club where gossip gripped every cornor, this was buisness and that required trust between allies, otherwise it crumbled.

"Well, the Merchant Board is the central politics behind this Conglomeracy, they decide what plans come first and step by step decide which direction this alliance goes, it's a very tough posistion that requires intuition of our members foresight, let's say for example that there is a resource we are in desperate need of, yet we have a colony we con build to gain another, the Board decided which direction we go or if we split our resources and do both, as Viceroy I bring certain thing to their attention and then join the discussion, my vote is userally to replace a member who isn't there,"

Jaster had placed this on the old data he had recieved of the ancient Trade Federation, a large Trading Guild that lasted over 100 years. He also believed that they traded in more needed materials, Jaster had his hands in some rare metals and resources.

"As for trading in cheap resources, I agree that we are still in the early stages of much of our construction, but we have planes for development, you are currently standing on the only planet in the unknown region that contains Phrik and we are scheduled to mine it any day now, we also plan on mining other rare metals, as well as rare resources, and in exploring the Unknown, create new rare goods and be the sole trader of such goods,"

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"].

Detox needn't even say anything aloud to send an array of defensive eye maneuvers, silently communicating that it, she, was aware of Jaster's general confusion. Deflecting his curious gazes as if they might be taken the wrong way should they continue. While neither the trained vision of photo-receptors nor security cams could decipher Detox's cloaking, sometimes there were those who had their instincts brought into haziness. A subconscious ticking which warned of trickery, drowned under legions of logic proof to the contrary. Even so, Detox hardly feared its illusion could be undone through a human's instinct alone. Even a trained one. Though, after a drawn out moment, it'd filter forward and towards the next smile. "See what you can milk it for, how far are they actually willing to go," Xenia spoke straight into the droid's head via the short stub of a vocal encoder. Detox made no retort, didn't need to, and its exterior demeanor hadn't shifted.

<<Interesting.>>

They continued, and Detox handed the data pad back to Jaster, one cocked eye brow lingering for a second's fraction. A betraying gleam as if impressed, then back to neutrality. <<Phrik, you say?>> Detox turned its attention back to the man and let loose a cacophony of pleasant micro expressions. A series of charming and youthful yet fleeting look overs, studying him for each reaction. Mining for its own list of weaknesses and quirks. <<I've encountered phrik before,>> on the clawed hands of a Sith Lord.

<<How many members will be assigned to this board, and how much freedom in personal endeavors could I expect?>>

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

Jaster now realized that she was hooked, Jaster never had to mention he had rare metals to sell, as he liked members to join out of curiosity. She was not one of those he guessed, the gambling type. Jaster enjoyed gambling as he always was on top when gambling. He just now had to reel her in and keep her interested.

"Well there is only one posistion among the board that is still open and as Viceroy I have to choose between you and one other person, but board members have free range within the confines of any UTC facility under the utmost secrecy if that is required, metals as well as other resources are divided between companies that can use them the best, this is decided by the board."

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"].

"What did he just say?"
<<You heard correctly.>>

Xenia's voice poured through the empty space of her cockpit, fingers pressed heavily into the activation stub of her voice encoder, feeding directly into Detox's head. In like manner, the silent response dripped down her display screen mere moments later. A second's frustration soiled the woman's previously neutral expression and she let a low, stammering breath bellow from her lower abdomen. Then Jaster, this Viceroy, intended to play them for fools. She had no time to play 'candidate,' or 'nominee,' if she was to do business, it would be in the now. Not the future. <<One other?>> Detox questioned, a tone tipped in discrete venom, masked under a swiftly erected though subtle grin.

<<Jaster, when I came here it was under the impression you had made an offer. If you're merely screening me, I have no intentions of auditioning for the part. Phrik, while lucrative, can be found elsewhere. Funding, intelligent support, resources, all available when you know where to look. Ambition and drive, or direction, that's harder to encounter. I'd hope you're capable of seeing such qualities when they stand before you.>>

Xenia didn't compete with anyone. She hadn't risen through ranks so quickly from her charming smiles and pretty face alone. In fact, such ploys were merely the weapon to disarm many of her diplomatic enemies of combatants. Instead, a brash eloquence with words, a powerful will and resounding linear objective set her apart from her peers. The deception of wit and the cloak of half truths Xenia spun about herself paved the way for near impossibility when opposing her. Detox had ceased walking alongside the Viceroy and instead stood still now, letting a more serious set of eyes scour both the man and his assistant. They looked tired and strung out, obviously in need of something.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

Jaster stopped as the women who was suppose to follow them had stopped in her tracks. Truely she already had the posistion all she need was to agree and sign the contract, but this sudden tantrum was a little worrisome. Board members were often bought by jaster, userally required him to force decisions to their interest, it could not always be this way of course. If a board member was to suddenly create a scene and throw a tantrum because they did not get priority over a colony, not only would Jaster power be questioned, he could be removed as viceroy when the faction grew.

He looked at his assistant and nodded, with that one look she continued to walk off leaving the two alone. He then removed his tired look and turned into a cold stare, is true face was no longer full of negosiation curtsy. This was in his eyes a rude display of childish behavior not fitting of any buisness person, and it would have to be knicked in the butt.

He continued to walk closer so she could hear his low tone of voice, "You were not wrong in you assumption, the posistion was yours apon your arrival, but this sudden behavior has me question your capacity to lead, you company has been known as a wonderful addition to the galaxy, you yourself are considered a star amongst the buisness world, I personally don't care for such things in this galaxy, so if you dare insult my ability to run this alliance of companies in blatant view of any of my employees again, know I have friends in high places but also in the places unseen, Jaster then turned to continue on their walk, he spoke louder then his whisper seconds before as if what just happened didn't occur, "as for the other candidate, she was just to settle the debate of weather I was picking favorites, thus she was a distraction to the other board members, a man in my posistion can never be too careful, plus choosing you was a much easier decision."

Jaster would have to remember to speak with his assistant so as rumors of this encounter would never be anything more then ideal gossip.

 

[Xenia Nastassia]

Olympia System;
Val'hala;
[member="Jaster of Clan Awaud"].

Detox made no expression towards the assistant as she was dismissed, holding one of the two data pads being previously exchanged. She didn't look back as she left, and moved briskly despite whatever curiosity she had. The droid's eyes followed the assistant in a low hanging, passive assertion even as Jaster turn to her with concerns of his own. Though, as soon as he finished speaking she looked back at him and nodded, leaving little room for complaint. A chirping smile crackled over her face for the duration of a second before she resumed her previous gate alongside the man. Both Detox and Xenia knew well that their loyalties belonged with each other and themselves, without room for anything far beyond. No matter the man's proclamation of power, Xenia would never fear him or hide from him.

<<You mistake insult for firmness, viceroy. Without public displays of assertion, a leader cannot thrive. If you feel so threatened already, perhaps you need to flex your muscle more often.>>

In an instant, Detox's gaze fell upon Jaster and it spoke again before Jaster could respond, finishing its previous thought as if to add justification for its words. <<You'll understand that, while I respect you and your design here, I feel in no way subservient outside of the Trade Conglomerate. I'm more than capable of professional attitudes, and will follow your lead as the business model suggests, but I'll not filter my most base thoughts. If you request that I do so only in private, that's fair, but you cannot silence me completely. To some degree, my words are my value, you'd be wise to keep them.>> The droid bowed its head slightly, a humbled expression playing digitally across Xenia's image. Most who tried to loom over her in rank found only that she'd slip past them.

 

[Jaster Awaud]

[member="Xenia Nastassia"]

Jaster still carried his smile, he knew there was nothing to fear from such a buisness women. He had bigger enemy's to be concerned with, a small droid Manurfacturer was nothing compared to the other pressuring forces. She would have free rain in this small world he created for his members, this would never be disturbed and Jaster would have to provide such promises whatever the cost. For this though, his enemy's could not see that he could not control his people, otherwise these agreements would mean nothing. Support within the conglomerate was strong for Jaster, one or two rebellious individuals were expected.

He looked at the women and provided and explanation, "A dog who bares his teeth is put down, if I was to, as you stated, flex my muscles more often, would I not be called a tyrant or dictator who requires fear to control those around him, that would not also place critacal eyes on our alliance, what you also just stated was true, as viceroy I must stand firm, but as a buisnessman I must also never give them the leverage to take away power from not just me, but that of this coalition and its members, and to assert that, we must give the public appearance of unity and unquestionably loyalty, hence why many of our prodjects are classified."

The members of this buisness and Goverment alliance needed the appearance, in the world of politics and buisness this was everything. Jaster did unquestionable thing to keep this appearance up. Gossip could destroy a country, rumors could plummet stock prices and a buisness could go bankrupt with the smack of another's lips.