First week in office

[Corey's OOC]

She’d been in office, what? A week? Maybe two? And already she was losing sleep. How did people run governments? She assumed it would get easier once things calmed down and the worlds under her influence picked up from where they left off and things went back to normal. But there was a lot that needed to be done. Work, and research, and the political game. That last bit was something new for her, well, not completely. Charlize Martin had graduated with a Masters of Political Science and that was what separated her from the rest of the scientists and engineers within the Abrion Sector.

And she even moved her office. Sure, she had a ship ready and raring to go if she needed to run back to Hypori, but for now? Roon would work. It was a better ecosystem than the Techante headquarters world. She had made a call to a Count out of Serrano that had something to say to her. And for this reason, she was pacing her office. It was a nice enough office, if a little dry right now. She hadn’t had time to move in. Maybe take some personal time to step away and hold calls for a few hours to move things in.

That meant she’d have a lot of backed up calls. Wonderful.

Still, she had to get to the bottom of this issue with Baktoid. What had gone on during the Druckenwell fiasco? The Technate never did research this after the fall. That was the government’s job, the Overseer was only there to make sure things went smooth, this was out of his realm of responsibilities.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

In the grand scheme of things there were only two kinds of people in the world, the movers and those who got moved, it wasn’t exactly clear if Count Adrian of Serenno was a man who got moved easily. But one thing was clear to the select few that mattered, Adrian was Ovmar’s man.

Marek and Ovmar had made sure this meeting would happen, without any direct involvement of either of ‘em of course, such a thing wasn’t done in the shadowy world of corporate intrigue. It was the fastest way to get your reputation ruined and if not ruined then at least soiled.

So when Adrian of Serenno stepped into the office of the Technate leader, he was all business and just a slight fragrance of charm - just as his progenitor and secret benefactor.

‘Miss. Martin, I am pleased we could have this meeting. Our mutual… friends are delighted that things are able to move at this rate. You are well, I hope?”

 

[Corey's OOC]

Was she a puppet? Maybe. But she knew that Marek was also a Force master, and that meant he had vision and drive somewhere, right? So why not submit to that move. The man was younger than she by a good number of years, however all she really knew was he put his financial cajones behind her in the bid for the leader of the ASA.

What was her exact title anyway? Lord Marshall felt so… mystic. And she was here to do business and advance technology. Lead Scientist didn’t fit right either. She’d have to get marketing on that.

She liked having people. And that was when the Count arrived. Smiling as the Count walked in, she nodded. “Count Adrian, things are going very well. Aside from the issues with some companies under my sphere. What news do you have for me?” Surely he had things to say about Baktoid? Information maybe?

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

The Count sat down and took out his datapad, nodding to the woman. ‘Yes, my Lady. I have been in touch with some of my sources and the things I have dug up… they aren’t all that pleasant.’

‘Baktoid is a sketchy company at best, a potential threat to the integrity and safety of the Technate at worst. Pulled some strings and a couple of things stand out. The Galaxy at large believes that Miss. Wren is the person who brought down the Orbital Shipyards over Druckenwell. It’s not clear if it was negligence or malice.’

‘But she actively worked against the Protectorate efforts to stop the shipyards from falling. I don’t have to remind you how many corporations of the Techno Union lost their assets during that incident, not to speak of the countless innocent deaths.’

‘Furthermore there are signs that the company dabbled in installing kill switches on their tech. Managed to dig up a report of a marriage in Protectorate Space, it’s stated that she shut down Baktoid Technology used against her remotely. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out there are PR concerns here, the public and governments at large won’t buy from the Technate if we support a company whose integrity has been firmly compromised.’

‘All in all, we both know what our mutual friends want, my Lady. The facts presented on this datapad should be enough foundation for the actions requested.’

 

[Corey's OOC]

Right, he was one of those. Charlize gave a smile and shook her head.
She gave him a smile before taking the datapad up. Baktoid had been one of the larger contributors in a time before now to the Techno Union. With things going… south since the declaration of war from the Omega Protectorate a lot was changing. The galaxy was changing.

And so was this government. With Salem leaving, that made things a bit… easier for Charlize. “Regardless if it was negligence or malice, if she’s becoming public enemy, that’s not going to be helping the citizens of Abrion. And there was a lot of profits lost, one of our major shipyards. Starchaser was there with Arceneau, helping get people off world. But it was too late, from what I heard.”

Of course, those were recorded transmissions and not word of mouth. Charlize didn’t deal with opinions. “If there are kill switches, we need to do something to turn the company around. And the Technate and Abrion should be heading that. What do you propose, before I contact Miss Wren, Count?”

There was no time to play soft.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

And so the Count was equally blunt and equally direct in his response to the lovely Technate leadster.

‘We do not need Alli Wren for Baktoid Industrial to become a more trusted and committed partner of the Technate. I have a proposal here.' written down by you know who.

He extended it towards her and let her read it.

What it said was simple.

Either the CEO and owner of Baktoid Industrial would sign over her company to the Count, or all her assets in the ACA would be seized.

It was terrible move, but terrible times… invited terrible action.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Taking the piece of flimsi from the Count, Charlize gave it a quick read. Right, seizing assets. It would have to come to that, wouldn’t it. Biting her lip as she look from the sheet back up to the Count, she nodded slowly. “Its come to that, hasn’t it?” And the Count, being from Serrano… “You’re from Serrano, correct?”

“I only bring it up because I’m tasked with guiding this sector, where I was born and raised, and leading it out of the darkness that was left in the wake of the past leaders. We have the ability to start off new. While I understand that holding one person on a pedastal is not the best way to do it, protecting one and hurting the whole is not what I intend to do. We can get miss Wren here. However, I want it to be known that if it comes to seizures and your… our… the beings headlining this operation will be guided and watched by citizens of my own military. We have had enough pain in this region of space, and I want to prevent any unnecessary danger.”

“Additionally, will this seizure be whats best for the Abrion Sector? Will we be able to utilze the facilities under the new management? We can’t lose the scientists and engineers. But we do need to shy away from the name that’s causing a stir in this galaxy.”

They didn’t need to become more hated than they were. And burning one for the good of the many? It was math at that point. "Shall I call Miss Wren in?"

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

The Count nodded. His benefactor had already figured she would need to hear the words, she was a loyal subject to Abron. Not like… some Sith Lords who were only loyal to themselves and Tion. Heil.

So he spoke yet again, repeating the words that had been said to him many times until he was able to speak them without a hitch, even believing them to be true.

‘I was born on Serenno and raised there too, that is correct, my Lady. Yet I do not find pleasure in the needless loss of innocent lives, I will do everything in my and power to make sure this ends peacefully. At the end of the day if innocents bleed, it will be on Wren’s hand not ours. Rest assured.’

‘My benefactor has an… understanding with you and yours, my Lady. Whichever path Wren decides to take, it will only be better for Abrion. Money will be spend to make sure the facilities and people are operating at high efficiency, we will make sure there are no problem with integrity anymore and with that… the Abron Corporate Alliance will be supported in its endeavour to bring a better future to its territories and the Galaxy at large.’

‘Yes… I think we are ready for her now.’

 

[Corey's OOC]

Charlize didn’t have any loyalties aside from that to the Abrion Corporate Alliance, or whatever the space was starting to be called now. This was her home and she needed to make the best decisions for the greater good. She had no knowledge of any operations that anyone else might be involved in, aside from a casino company that seemed to have perfectly legitimate operations in this sliver of the galaxy.

At least the Count was making sense. He knew where she was coming from. And he was speaking the truth. The Abrion Sector probably should have moved when everyone else did. But they wanted to give the chance for this to turn itself around. New leadership had come in before the situation came to a head, and that made things even more… disconcerting. Was Norongachi in league with the Omegas? No… couldn’t be.

“It isn’t easy that I’m doing this, but the public view on this sector hasn’t repaired since the Druckenwell Disaster. I just hope we can make this work. As you represent these galactic architects, I’m going to request that you headline the speeches. My loyalty is to the people of Abrion, and I will work for the best solution.”

Opening up a comm. Channel to her assistant, Charlize Martin requested that [member="Alli Wren"] be sent in.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Alli Vern]

Alli Wren appeared, she didn't like getting surprise invitations to places such as these. Ashley, her bodyguard and assistant followed behind her. She recognized the new Grand Marshall right away and bid both her and the other man a welcome. It wasn't everyday you got to meet with such important people. She was wearing a Black Dress and eyed them curious what the meeting was about. Her best efforts to find the meaning of the meeting had been foiled.

"So I tried to inquire but never found out what is this meeting about exactly? I mean I was friends with Salem, and i know your the new Salem so to speak, I can brief you on anything you want, as I have been spearheading the building of our shipyards to replace what was lost. ?"

[member="Marek Starchaser"] [member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

It was a good move that Marek Starchaser was not handling this meeting. Any man would definitely be put off on a dress like that. It was a good thing that Charlize wasn’t one for women, or really anyone. A lonely career driven life was what this was for her. And she nodded to Alli when she entered the room.

“We understand the moves that Baktoid has made recently. However…When we look at it from the viewpoint of someone that is not a politician, and from a science standpoint, there are issues in the cogs of the machine. And its something we need to approach in order to repair Abrion.”

One step. The next might be to speak to the right people in the SpyNet. Charlize looked to Count Adrian of Serranno.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]
[member="Alli Wren"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Marek Starchaser"] [member="Alli Wren"]

The Count of Serenno offered Alli Wren and her assistant slash bodyguard a smile, one who didn’t have a lot of warmth in it and suggested only the faintest hint of arrogance and power.

‘Yes, miss. Wren. We have heard all about your recent efforts, a briefing won’t be necessary, though the offer is appreciated all the same.’

He waved his hand offering her a seat and then continued on.

‘You might know miss. Martin already. She’s the new head of the Technate, a proud member of the Abrion Corporate Alliance and avid supporter of the ideals of the Techno Union.’

‘The reason for this meeting is simple, it’s the wish of the Technate and the Powers that Be for you to relinquish control over Baktoid. Sign over your company and those same Powers will make sure you are well taken care of.’

The message behind the lines were clear. Don’t sign over the company and things would turn a degree to nasty.

 

[Alli Vern]

Alli wren hid the her suprise as well as she could. It was.. really after what she had done for them. All she had done for them helping them convince worlds to join, supplying most of the army with their tanks, grenades, starfighters and even some ships. She had to remain calm though. "I was under the impression that you allowed private international citizens to own, property in your territory, and international business's to own property and operate as well. I understand PR is bad, I more or less have taken the fall for the deaths in Druckenwell, but to sieze my assets, after all i have done for the Abrion Corporate Alliance? I was here when Hypori was nothing but a lifeless planet and the CIS now Abrion Corporate Alliance was not even an idea. You are to tell me that this new government which I helped form, is going to take away my company? Well I can't stop you, and I rather not result to bloodshed if I can help it. I have a counter proposal, I will relinquish my position of CEO to a qualified individual, and assume a more of a silent partner status as owner of Baktoid, I will have some say to the direction of Baktoid but the day to day operations and the running of the business as a whole will be someone else's problem. "

She was communicating to Ashley via the chip in her head, and probing around the office for a connection. Perhaps she could cause a problem if all else failed.

[member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Alli Wren"] [member="Marek Starchaser"]

And yet… you prime your assistant for action… and yet… you search for ways to escape this situation. How the Count knew of Wren’s actions would have to be obfuscated for now, because he didn’t speak of her actions, didn’t even blink so much as an eye when she spoke saying one thing and doing something entirely else.

Instead his eyes studied her, there was a certain cold in those eyes, a certain lack of interest that implied that he cared little for her qualms and held not even the slightest pity for her situation at hand. It was the studied look of a man who cared only for his and his own.

Then a facetious grin broke through that facade, it was a lazy grin, it was a grin owned by specifically one man and with it the Count was marked.

‘An interesting proposal, one which will have to be denied, I am afraid.’ with that he pushed over a contract and then nodded towards it. ‘The Technate thanks you for your long-term service, miss Wren, you have… distinguished yourself in such manners that only few could ever hope to match you. Sign that paper, if you will, with it you are signing over all interests and assets you have acquired over the years.’

His cold blue eyes met her own just then, now there was calculation in those eyes, calculation and pleasure. The Count knew his offer was outrageous, preposterous even. The sheer audacity with which he delivered it suggested something though… it suggested a plan.

It suggested a… goad.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Right, that was in the file, that there was a bodyguard for the CEO. That was fine. Charlize made the Stormtroopers of the Empire of Old look like master marksmen, and not the ones that took down Jawas, the ones that were after Skywalker and his team. This wasn’t entirely a surprise. And, well, she had the Count, even if he didn’t realize she was the President, but they were on Roon, after all.

In the Leader of the Abrion People’s office. The Technate’s office was another world. A young blonde was filling in for Starchaser. Or something. Maybe she was the Overseer. The other was a recluse. She really wasn’t too keen on working with Galactic Architects (unlimited, LLC, Inc, whichever they called themselves) but this was the most clear choice for the ASA.

“There has been a lot of issues surrounding the Sector since the Druckenwell incident. I’m sorry, but research has found us here.” With the Count speaking, however, Charlize took a step back. Running the people meant she needed to do what was best FOR the people while not getting wrapped up in the individual. And having the right way to do it? Well, she wasn’t sure how to do it.

The Count, for all that he was, did. She however, was going to monitor the situation and speak up only when she was needed.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]
[member="Alli Wren"]

 

[Alli Vern]

"I am sorry, but I don't just sign documents, surely you understand. I will need my lawyer [member="Mr. Ash"], who is not available at the moment, to look over the agreement and of course I will need to be ensure that the Count of Serrno is indeed authorized within the ASA to even make such a threat. There is also the matter that Baktoid Industrial Systems, is not registered in the ASA. I remind you that while It owns property within ASA space, my company is not local to ASA space. If we can clear up all these matters, and insure that Mr. Starchaser indeed has given you the power to do as you threaten and my lawyer finds nothing incriminating about your document there, I will comply. "

Alli was furious. This was obviously a well laid plan, one that did not just happen she eyed the count with malice.She began sending transmissions through her chip, she wanted to ensure things were in order. How one could monitor her electronic transmissions were a wonder but she didn't care she was not doing anything illegal, she was calming down ashley who was very tense at the moment. while the robot wasn't feeling tense, she was ready to pounce, and the last thing Alli wanted to explain was why her bodyguard attacked the count so hopefully Ashley could understand that now was not the time to get trigger happy.

"I do believe that my request is reasonable? is it not, surely you wouldn't want me to sign it under duress."

[member="Marek Starchaser"][member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Alli Wren"] [member="Marek Starchaser"]

Not a single threat had been made audible during this brief conversation between the Count and the CEO. That was the name of the game, that’s how the Count and as an extension Ovmar worked - they figured people understood already what kind of power they wielded… so why shove their faces into the inevitable?

That said.

Every once in a while you got a person who didn’t want to accept reality, or at the very least wanted to make more trouble than it was efficiently worth. So the Count smiled to Wren, it was another cold smile with no humor or warmth in it whatsoever. It was the smile a shark gave to its prey, before eating it alive. It was the smile a silverback gor-- okay, I think we got the metaphor here now.

‘A lawyer… yes. Because mister Ash was so helpful to you when the Protectorate took you for everything you were worth in their own territory.’

‘The point is this, my Lady. The Technate’s first and foremost responsibility is to support the interests of the people and domestic companies that dedicate themselves to the Alliance. Like you just said… you are an international citizen with an international company, Baktoid isn’t registered with the nation and so the Nation is not obligated to protect your interests. But… what it is obligated to do is protect the interests of those who serve the Nation.’

The Count was still speaking, but Alli Wren wouldn’t hear him anymore, because just then another voice invaded her mind. A disembodied voice that would screech and rip through her psyche, dominating her hearing faculties to such a degree that listening to the Count’s annoying voice just wasn’t possible anymore.

‘You negotiate, you try to buy time… all in the belief you have bargaining power. You have none, Alli Wren. I have seen your works and judged them lacking, you think you can wiggle your way out of this situation? Think again, I could make your pretty little droid there attack and kill you, I could make you kill the dear ol’ Count there and blame you for it all. You are so far out of your league you are hardly a blip on my radar.’

‘You think your lawyer will save you? I will order him detained and killed before he even gets here, the Law is a joke for men like me and you can’t hide yourself behind it. Sign the damn papers and I will make sure you are well compensated for the trouble, I will even… throw in some extra. Fight against me and I will make sure the Technate seizes all your assets in this nation. An hour after that the Fringe will follow suit, two hours after that the Mandalorians. You think my reach doesn’t extend that far? Try me.’

The message was delivered in such a calm, deadpan voice, that it could have been delivered by a weatherman talking about the forecast, through it all the Count kept talking and finally when the mysterious voice subsided, Wren would just barely catch the last of the sentence.

'...so please, let's not make this any harder than it has to be. Sign the damn papers and we will take care of you.'

One thing would stay with the Lady Wren. That whoever the voice belonged to... was utterly confident in his ability to do just what he had threatened.

 

[Alli Vern]

The count won this time, Alli tried to think of anything to save her self, but short of murdering the two in front of her nothing would work. She was weak, and he knew just when to press to the jugular. The damnable man had pressed just where it hurt.. and if that voice had any bit of the power it suggested, she would be ruined, and she would lose everything. At least with this, she would get something. She could start over if nothing else with the compensation. It was a sad day, she had been beat. She had to respect being beat. She would have her day but it would not be this day. No, she had to admit defeat as much as it killed her to do so. She ensured that her personal assets were not linked to Baktoid's control quickly, should the Count try something after this, once the quick check that that was indeed the case. "Fine" She said biting her lip and signing the document. She gave the count a dead cold stare

The fact was she was beat at her own game. She hated it so very much. To be beat to such a degree that there was no way out. There was nothing she could do to get out of it or even buy herself time. Nothing worked nothing but signing this would get her any sort of return. She glared daggers into the count, Waiting for what would happen next, now that she had signed the damn paper. [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Chaos Maxtor]

Elgyn had entered the room late. He had been beckoned. He not used to meetings of schedule beyond his own he had lost time. He had apparently made his entrance in an unfortunate time. He looked at the redhead who was most likely a human. Elgyn had listened to the bureaucratic banter. Watching the stances and moments of their interactions, it was a trait of his race. The social pressure boiled as he stood back near the door.

He pondered his reason for the beckoning, but he would keep quite until called upon. His mind went back to the subject at hand to ignore what the future would bring.




[member="Alli Wren"][member="Jared Ovmar"][member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Alli Wren"] [member="Chaos Maxtor"] [member="Marek Starchaser"]

The Count of Serenno carefully looked at the document, before sending a copy through the proper channels for copying and distribution. Then his eyes settled themselves on the former CEO and owner of Baktoid, a weak man, a malicious man might have used this opportunity to rub some salt in the wound.

Perhaps he would have gone a step further and order Wren’s arrest, maybe he would try and intimidate her more just to satisfy his own desire for self-stroking. Adrian of Serenno was not such a man, his persona was exemplified through generations of breeding and genetics which were all brought together into a cocktail of good looks and the instinctive knowledge when you could push farther and when it was time to give some ground yourself.

As his father had once said to him: “When your enemies defy you, you must serve them steel and fire. When they go to their knees, however, you must help them back to their feet. Elsewise no man will ever bend the knee to you.”

Adrian knew the truth of this and so he nodded to Wren, his face melting into a form of compassion and sympathy that hadn’t been there two seconds ago, you would even stop to think if this was the same man that had first served her fire.

‘Thank you, miss Wren for your understanding. You will be contacted soon for your compensation. These men will escort you.’

With that a couple of ACA personnel escorted the Lady from the premises, as she stepped out of the office she would notice a peculiar thing… soldiers and Obsidian Knights filling away from the hallway towards their previous stations.

Had Alli Wren tried to murder the President of the Technate and the Count of Serenno, it would have been followed by a dogpile of immense proportions which could only have ended in her capture, imprisonment or perhaps even death. It was a good thing the Lady had decided otherwise.

With that the Count’s job was done for today, he nodded towards the President speaking his farewell.

‘My Lady, it was a pleasant exchange. We will be in touch for the other formalities.’

He also nodded towards the newcomer, before taking his leave from the office himself.