Corporate Expansion

[Burnevsky]

As the delegates flocked from the hall, Na-Doth walked out with his Chief Director's sash on him. He had been elected to the highest post in the company. Some 129 delegates, all representing the various member cooperatives and corporate departments of the Trans-Galactic Agri Coops Union, had voted unanimously to elect him after ten ballots. The newly constituted board of directors was also elected, with representatives from many of the big interests within the company. Many of the plant-based cooperatives wanted greater investment in R&D and an expansion into genetic science. Many of the recreational drugs cooperatives wanted investment in lobbying efforts to legalize their products on different worlds. This all had to be managed by Na-Doth.

His first meeting however was with the head a potential new member cooperative, a first of its kind in the company: rare animal hunting. It's a booming industry. Many rich well-to-dos wanted pets of various kinds. Gladiatorial contests which involved wild animal segments required a steady supply of dangerous creatures to act as challenges for their contestants to enthrall crowds. Biological science companies needed test subjects. All of this meant a great possibility for profit and expansion.

As the convention was called to a close by the master of ceremonies, Na-Doth exited the convention to head up to his office. He had an interview with the potential new director of said cooperative.

Just before the meeting, he was briefed by his personal assistant who acted as his economic analyst of sorts. She told him all the relevant information about the industry, certain numbers and figures, various players in the industry and the current state of company affairs. Na-Doth's experience as a beastmaster and agriculturalist in the Jedi Order's Agricorps also prepared him fo the task.

As the meeting with his PA finished, he sat in his office and waited for the arrival of his guest.

 

[Saine Kela]

Are you sure about this? Last chance, Saine . . .

The tall, chestnut-haired human female ascended the lift to Na-Doth Emerlar's office. Her mind was swarming with a myriad of last minute thoughts, all of them involving scenarios of backing out of this charade. Could she play the part without tripping up? She did not know much about the Chief Director, in spite of all the digging she took upon herself prior to this meeting. In the past, he had worked as a beastmaster and agriculturalist in the Jedi Order's Agricorp - suggesting that while not necessarily a Jedi, he would have rare insight into the minds and demeanor of mystics. But would it be enough for Na-Doth to see through the Ylesian's little scheme?

The turbolift door opened and the young woman stepped out, every step exuding confidence and easy grace.

The position involved directing a cooperative dealing with rare animal hunting. While an adept tracker herself, Saine loathed the thought of many species going extinct as a result of Emerlar's little new business venture. Although she was no stranger to profit (as her entire life revolved around making it via unorthodox means), the Ylesian did not care for the idea of hunting the galaxy's most rare fauna even unto its deplorable extinction. And she had serious doubts that the Chief Director of the Trans-Galactic Agri Coops Union would care to draw the line where Saine did.

Oh well - time would tell where he stood where her concerns beckoned.

All these thoughts grated on her nerves as Saine walked down the hallway, effortless gait bringing her up to what the young relic hunter thought would Emerlar's office door - according to the building map, anyway.

Here goes nothing . . .

A small hand lifted up to press the door chime once, alerting those inside to her quiet, albeit persistent, presence.


[member="Na-Doth Emerlar"]

 

[Burnevsky]

[member="Saine Kela"]

Just as Saine chimed, the door opened by itself, showing an entrance to a small, grey, profoundly spartan office equipped with only the basic of necessities. Na-Doth, being a Givin, viewed luxuries as being completely inconsequential to his task and, unlike say a Neimoidian, he was not obsessed with the idea of keeping up appearances. He was an incredibly frugal man and this showed through the treatment of his surroundings.

"Enter!"

Sitting to the side of his unremarkable wooden desk was his personal assistant, a female Muun and a mathematics droid designed specifically to execute econometric calculations. She was dressed as humbly as he, and the droid took up very little space. On the table lie a holoprojector designed to project business information. A truly brilliant contraption that could show entire industrial structures and analyze their profitability. The droid would complement this with up to the minute financial data processed directly from TGACU's central computer.

 

[Saine Kela]

Although she had come across -many- species in her many travels across the known Galaxy, Saine frequently winced at seeing a member of the Givin species. It would not be appropriate to describe them as 'creepy', even if their skeletal appearance spoke volumes to that effect - yet it was the first thought that washed through the young woman's mind the moment her eyes rested upon the white-skinned, hairless humanoid. So focused was the Ylesian (on her host) that she completely ignored the surroundings she found herself in - save the desk behind which he was now sitting. To her credit, however, the young woman did remember the correct way to greet the Chief Director, her impassive voice enunciating each word in perfect Galactic Basic.

"Two X plus three, equals seven."

Waiting to see if she would be invited to take a seat, Saine then dipped her chin in a subtle nod of greeting to the Muun assistant seated next to Emerlar's desk. Her gaze then promptly returned to the Givin, as a brief period of silence ensued.


[member="Na-Doth Emerlar"]

 

[Burnevsky]

"X equals two. It's very interesting you remembered my species' love for mathematics. I tend to greet other species, namely Ylesians like you, the way they wish to be greeted, namely by a polite hello rather than an equation to solve."

He'd then point towards the seat in front of him and to the side of the Muun assistant.

 

[Saine Kela]

Saine took the proffered seat without hesitation. She merely smiled at Emerlar's remark while she maintained eye contact.

He assumes I have a preferred way I'd like be greeted. Curious. Scientist to the last . . .

Patient and serene, the Ylesian folded her hands in her lap and waited for the interview to begin.


[member="Na-Doth Emerlar"]

 

[Burnevsky]

"Let us begin then. Talia, the analysis please."

The female Muun would click her finger and a large stream of financial information would begin streaming. Certain species of animals Saine would recognize would flicker on the screen, with prices being indicates and clients being listed.

"We've spotted a very clear opportunity to make quite a lot of money in the animal business. Many of our richer clients oftentimes keep pets or run animal shows that require a steady stream of wild animals. Investing in some modified livestock transportation ships and recruiting competent hunters could be quite an opportunity."

Talia would then stop for a minute to look at her board, then keep talking

"Ship Repair and Customization Division tells us we could have a ship modified specifically to carry large beasts with modifiable pens to suit each mission."

Na-Doth would then speak

"Thank you Talia. Now, Saine, as for you. What are your qualifications in this field?"

 

[Saine Kela]

Her head inclining politely in the direction of the Munn assistant, Saine listened and then nodded in acknowledgment for the information the female provided. Now it was her turn. Na-Doth looked to the Ylesian expectantly, causing Seine to emit a small smile as she looked straight at the man - no hesitation on her part.

"During my studies at the Coronet University on Corellia, I have acquired dual degrees in Archaeology and Xenozoology - with two years practice study in each field. Part of the study involved being a beast handler to a Nexu named Cabur and a Narglatch called Galshak. Needless to say, I have spent the past five years traveling the galaxy in search of archaeological relics where every journey brought me in close contact with fauna native to whatever planer I have visited. I am familiar with over twenty-five thousand species inhabiting the Known Galaxy - this includes some of the most rare specimens one could run into, such as a Lakata or a Fullor."

Pausing for a moment, Saine waited to see if the Chief Director had any specific questions dealing with her education or experience.


[member="Na-Doth Emerlar"]

 

[Burnevsky]

[member="Saine Kela"]

"Very well. Do you have any management qualifications, particularly involving the management of the potential xenofaunal expeditions you might lead as part of your duties?"

 

[Saine Kela]

"Naturally. My expeditions almost always comprised of a team of scientists: myself, another zoologist, a creature handler and a botanist - not to mention three to four able-bodied men who ensured the safety of our display."


[member="Na-Doth Emerlar"]

 

[Burnevsky]

[member="Saine Kela"]

"Very well then. Talia, have you anything to add?"

"Yes, sir. Do you have any experience in business or accounting? This may come in handy for budgeting."

 

[Saine Kela]

Saine thought about it for a moment. To be honest, she never had to deal with the business side of things before as those kinds of things were looked after by the university and whatever firm she was contracted by, that financed her expeditions. She shook her head and smiled lightly. "I would lie if I said I did - but then again, I am a very quick learner. I've always been good with number crunching, it simply did not come into play for the majority of my career."

 

[Burnevsky]

"Very well then. We will add you to our short list of candidates. We will contact you once we've made our decision. That is all."

 

[Saine Kela]

Saine drew to her full height and nodded in acknowledgment of the Chief Director's brief dismissal. "Thank you for this opportunity as well as the time taken to see me, Director Emerlar. I look forward to hearing from you," the Ylesian smiled lightly, then pivoted on her heel and promptly left the Office.