GR Contract: Aurora Industries

[Caius Flavian]

Carida System
New Valor Station, Carida
Presidential Suite (Aka the Senatorial Suite)
1430 Galactic Standard Time


“Mr. President I want to congratulate you on the recent initiatives you’ve made with Chancellor Reagos. It will go a long way to restoring internal trade between the respective colonies.” It was odd to hear Justicar Bsallia make such a praising remark of her rival. Perhaps it was a sign that tensions were beginning to ease.
While the system was named after the primary habitable planet of Carida there were two other habitable zones. Aventine and Nova Sierra. All of them together were collectively referred to as the colonies of Carida. I had brokered a number of deals to ensure a political reformation in the system that would improve everyone's situation.
New Valor Station was fast becoming the capital and seat of the system’s government.
With each day the system’s Government became more centralized.
“Thank you Justicar, Now then I’ll be switching hats here shortly to utilize these measures to bring more business to our system.”
“Well then I look forward to reviewing its legality, Senator…” Bsallia spoke with a hint of jibe switching.
With that our conversation ended.

I turned off the holo conference call before gazing out the window with a smile.
Despite the hardships I’ve endured through this whole process everything was going according to plan.
Now.
To the matter at hand…

I rose from my desk and meandered over to the view port.
The Presidential Suite was located in one of the upper towers.
It specifically overlooked the third docking arm of the Station.
There sat my warship.

The ISDIII Herald of Retribution.
I looked past the star destroyer and out to the distant planet of Aventine. It was an agricultural world. Further beyond my normal sight was the large gas giant known as Nova Sierra. A Tibanna rich planet with a large number of moons.
OMNI centuries ago had arranged the orbit of the moons of Nova Sierra somehow some way beyond astronomical understanding so that none would ever collapse. Along with providing a number of them with habitable atmospheres. Although the system was no longer the same as it was predestruction its new chapter.

Millions of people lived in this system.
Balancing the needs of everyone was a challenge.
For now though we needed to bring industry to the system.
As far as I was aware Theed held facilities for their own private ship production.
What was needed though was a large project that would generate jobs and utilize local resources to improve economic opportunity.
I’ve been meaning to get around to talking any of the three Directorate companies to obtain a potential contract for both the Galactic Republic and the colonies Carida.

So it came as a surprise the timing with which a request from [member="Taeli Raaf"] to meet and discuss said potential contract.
Things have certainly changed in the last six years.
I would await her arrival and looked forward to reminiscing with her.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Entering Carida system

Her ship dropped out of hyperspace at the edge of the Carida system and she took a few moments to look at the star system famous for being an old Imperial academy world and site of the Blood Nebula from when it was destroyed by the Sun Crusher. The technology of the past that had rebuilt the world and its star system was indeed a master stroke and she pined for the days when such technology might be accessible again. But for now, they had to muddle through with what they had and that was what brought her here.

Carida was an important system, not just in the Republic, but in this entire region of space. That was what had drawn her attention as Taeli had decided that Aurora Industries needed a strong location to operate in within Republic space. She had big plans for the future, but to accomplish those plans, the company needed to expand and gain more capital. The Republic needed technology and ships as many of their shipyards and such had been either destroyed, conquered, or moved out of the galactic power's sphere of influence after Lasedri's disastrous coup attempt. Aurora had been a member of the Corporate Alliance, and had taken the stance against the government then, but she had also been working with the Republic military to keep them supplied with what they needed.

Her ship began to angle towards New Valor Station, the heart of the Carida government and the designated location for her meeting with an old acquaintance who now basically ran the Carida system. It had been a long time since she had spoke with the then Commodore [member="Caius Flavian"], but she remembered working with him and the past Imperial Remnant fondly. Even on her approach, the large ISDIII Star Destroyer loomed in the distance, a piece of technology that would remind many of the Imperials that had settled here... and how quickly they had worked in the system to rise to some prominence.

'Shipyards, droid construction facilities, weapon facilities, tech labs, so much to negotiate and build here this time,' she thought, sending her docking code to the station and receiving instruction to land in Bay Three. Getting up, she smoothed out her blue and purple dress, made sure her lightsaber was on her belt to indicate her status as a Jedi, and made for her ship's boarding ramp.

 

[Kara Runo]

New Valor Station, Carida
Docking Arm 1, Landing Bay 3

“Jedi Master [member="Taeli Raaf"], welcome to the Carida System and welcome to New Valor Station. I am Commander Kara Runo acting Security Manager for the Senator and President of the Colonies of Carida” Kara wore her black Imperial uniform without the rank bars and instead wore a blue armband. Upon the arm band was the Imperial COG held in a fist with green laurels adorning the wrist. With the letters FSC imprinted upon a scroll above the fist. It was the only thing that held any sort of aesthetic clothing to the woman. On either side of Kara were two males also identically dressed. Her voice was soft and as warmly as she could possibly put on. It was something she had been working on since her last greeting.

Kara’s eyes drifted to the lightsaber and considered whether or not to ask the Jedi to leave it with her vessel.
Instead though she decided to leave it be, Caius had made it a point to allow Jedi to move freely as they were the supposed protectors of the Republic and thus must be at least armed with their signature weapon.
“The President was in a meeting and unable to greet you personally. I’ll be escorting you through the station to him. If you have any questions let me know. If you would like to make arrangements to stay we have a number of executive suites available in Tower four.”
With that the former Imperial officer beckoned the Jedi to follow her as they would make their way to VIP turbolift.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Commander," she said with a smile. It was actually nice to see that some of the old Empire had survived here. It would seem that while they had been forced from the galactic stage, they had survived and adapted. As they walked to the meeting room, she couldn't help but add, "I must say it is nice to see that some of that Imperial style has endured here. I was always a fan of the more prim and proper Empire than anything else. And I completely understand about the President being busy, running a system such as this must be very hard on his time."

Riding the VIP turbolift up, she could see similar Imperial motifs in just the style of the station itself. It would seem the good Commodore, while professing a loyalty to the Republic now as Carida's president and Senator, was still harboring some of that Imperial ideology. That was good, she had plans she wanted to discuss with him besides the development of Aurora facilities in the system.

"Tell me Commander, while we walk, how has the Empire assimilated into the Republic and the Carida system?" she asked. "I can see that much of the structure of this station and indeed the security forces have an Imperial vibe."

[member="Caius Flavian"]

 

[Kara Runo]

For Kara it was odd to hear the praise and remarks coming from a Jedi such as [member="Taeli Raaf"]. Although Caius had mentioned she wasn’t a Jedi when he first met her. She took a moment to think over how to best respond to the question. As they arrived to the new security level the turbolift opened into a long hall way at the end of it was guarded by a squad of storm troopers with an E-web pointing down at them.
She raised her arms and stated “Ace ‘ehm high” Which was her code phrase to essentially not be gunned down.
The jock pilot now staff officer strut her way walk down the hallway and began to speak.

“Well Master Raaf, assimilate is a strong word, it was essentially Lady Fel’s idea. When she was still Empress Kista Fel she made a final decree and ordered the then Commodore Flavian to disband the Imperial Government but carry out the fight against the Sith. When I say final I mean the last order and decree before subsequently abdicating the throne for failing to protect the Empire. Her words not mine though on the last part. Unfortunately not all the Imperial Commanders liked the idea. Many tuned warlord for themselves and we had ourselves a brother versus brother, sister versus sister, showdown above Carida here. As we were squabbling the whole of the Galactic Republic was being rocked by that Lasedri woman’s revolution. Carida itself experienced a selectivist uprising and military coup in the same day as we were laying waste to ourselves.”

As the party made their way into a second turbolift the Commander leaned up against the turbolifts bulkhead with one on the ground and the other against the bulkhead. She crossed her arms and then tugged a little at her black cover with the Skull Squadron emblem on it and continued the story

“Our sensors went down at one point during the battle but I’m certain that the Herald is likely the last ISDIII left. Those of us that remained loyal to the Empress’s final orders pledged ourselves to Caius. We then embarked on a peacekeeping mission here in Carida and restored order. With the threat of simply blasting the opposing factions into oblivion from orbit we managed to halt the chaos and Caius took a hand in stabilizing the government and abolishing the old and reforming the new one that is here today. Us Imperials I guess are simply doing our best to keep our identity and heritage. Carida’s staunch militarism fits nicely with us. Although the other states here in the system are a bit more obtrusive to our presence.” She thought of the argi world of Aventine and its staunch Republican government as well as the lunar states of Nova Sierra and their oligarchical stranglehold over the mining and tibanna trade in the system.

A ding and a moment later they were at the top level. There were no guards as the doors opened.

“Here we are. The route we used before was so karking tedious to get here that it was almost faster to take the normal security levels. Senator, President, Commodore, whatever title he fancies himself today Flavian is up this hall” She jabbed a thumb down the hall while the other two escorts entered on to the deckplate to assume guard of the turbolift.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Kara Runo"] [member="Caius Flavian"]

"Well I can certainly say I'm glad that some aspect of the Empire survived," Taeli said, walking out of the turbolift. From one of the viewports, she could get a clear view of what the Commander said might very well be one of the last ISDIIIs in existance and that was really a shame. She had known them to be quite a powerful vessel. "Commander, it was a pleasure."

Moving down the hallway, she entered what she assumed was the former Commodore's office and couldn't help the small smile on her face as she saw the man. He hadn't aged much, perhaps that was explained by how he went missing before the whole Crina affair and the attack by the One Sith.

"I'm not sure if I should call you by your former rank or your current station, but it is nice to see you again, Caius," she said. "How times have changed eh?"

 

[Caius Flavian]

While I tidied up some paper work the distant chime of the turbolift alerted me that perhaps my guest had arrived. That or one of my damnable republic staffers come to inform me of some pomp and circumstance I had to attend. I looked up to see a face quite familiar, youthful still and yet her eyes spoke volumes of a life now filled with wisdom and experience. A smile crept upon my lips and I had to get up from my desk and greet her at the door myself.

“Heh, I could say the same of you Darth Arcanix or now Jedi Master Raaf. Caius is perfectly fine for an old acquaintance such as yourself. I wear far too many hats these days” I put out my hand to shake hers not quite knowing the proper protocol for this and then stated “please help yourself to a refreshment or two” I waved a hand to the mini bar alongside a table that sat in a corner of my office with a warmed pot of water and bagged teas atop it.

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

"Feels like a long time ago when I was called that, but it's only been a few years,"she said, shaking Caius's hand and moving into the room properly. "I think being a Jedi suits me a little more than when I was Sith, certainly means I'm not getting dirty or fearful looks everywhere I go. That just gets wearing on an individual."

Spotting the tea set, she smiled as she remembered the first time they had conversed.

"I see you remember my fondness for Bastion Black," she chuckled, moving over and grabbing the pot of water, a tea bag, and a mug for herself. "It's hard to get still since Bastion is still recovering from those crazy zealots, but hopefully supply will open up again. I suppose it is just one more thing that symbolizes the continuation of the Empire... in some form or another."

 

[Caius Flavian]

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

I pulled out a chair for Taeli and then rounded the desk to plop myself down.
“Well I’ve certainly done my best to keep the legacy of the Remnant alive in some way shape or form. Ever since Empress Fel abdicated I’ve pretty much carried the torch. One day we'll stick it atop Bastion again but that area of space is beyond our capability of aiding or retaking at the present moment. Especially with as you mention the Primeval cultists roaming that space. Worse I've ehard rumor of a potential Mandolarian crusade fomenting out there.”
My grey steel travel mug sat in front me and its contents, although still half full, remained warm. I enjoyed a Yavin jasmine blend of tea. The Bastion black though I fancied as a picker upper when the day seemed long.
“Was your voyage safe?”

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

"Anything will be better than those Primeval zealots of the population of Bastion," Taeli pointed out, selecting her tea bag and setting in her mug. "Mandalorians, while lovers of war, will certainly jumpstart that region's economy again. War materials, medical supplies, and so on. It's gonna be a busy time once those new Mandalorians and their Manda'lor get on the warpath."

She wasn't sure what direction those new Mandalorians might go in, but she suspected it was going to be towards whatever would give them the greatest challenge... once they had firmly established a power base to work from.

"It was safe enough," Taeli answered, pouring out some hot water into her mug and letting the tea bag steep for a little bit. "I was conducting a little expedition on Onderon's moon of Dxun before coming here. I know Sith space, and when one has a stygium cloak on their ship, evading Sith patrols isn't all that hard. Still, we should get to business before we get too wrapped up in other matters."

Shifting her seat and taking a sip of her tea, she assumed a more business-like manner and said, "Aurora Industries, which I'm sure you remember as Krayt, is interested in expanding our operations into the Carida system itself in a rather large expansion. Multiple shipyards, droid and weapon facilities, research and development labs for our technology divisions, etc."

 

[Caius Flavian]

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

I sipped my own tea in response then nodded at the shift to getting on to business.
“Well now the Colonies of Carida would certainly appreciate Aurora to be part of our growing economy. We have plenty of open real estate even a few moons unoccupied if the size of your operations intend to be that expansive."

I paused to consider what obstacles might come about from this contract. The Nova Sierran's were very anti droid and preferred their near slave like economy when it came to mining. I would have to figure out some assurances that it wouldn't impact their way of life. Although one day I hoped to break their little monopoly and emancipate the workers of those moons.

Droid facilities might be a problem that I can overcome through some spending some of my political currency. Weapon facilities are certainly always welcome on Carida itself. Research and development certainly can be co-located as well. I’m certain this will do fine. I think the only concern my constituency will want to know is whether this will be bring jobs here. Otherwise I can utilize my position in the Republic Senate to move some funds to aid in subsidizing this operation. Will it be similar to that of the shipyard designs you had proposed last time we spoke of shipwright construction” Our first encounter was oddly enough the same sort of topic. Now years later and it almost seemed a little deja’vu

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

She took in everything Caius said, nodding along as he explained the position of the Carida system and its population. It wasn't too much of a concern to her at this point, and she would be explaining why.

"Let's say I want Carida to become an economic engine for Aurora, and we have changed several things about our shipyard operation," Taeli said, pulling out her datapad and activating the small holoprojector on it. An image of the current style of Aurora shipyard came up, slowly rotating and showing all sides of it.

​

"These are known as our Crucible-class Shipyards," she explained with a smile and another sip of tea. "They can produce one to three ships up to 3000 meters, four to six ships up to 2000 meters, six to ten ships up to a 1000 meters, eight to sixteen ships up to 600 meters, ten to eighteen ships up to 400 meters, and twelve to twenty ships up to 200 meters or a combination of those. Aurora Industries wants to construct six such shipyards in the Carida system."

Taking a sip of her tea, she continued her pitch on what she had planned.

"The problem with the droid facilities I suspect is domestic, yes? Well that can easily be assuaged by assurances in the contract that droids would not replace human workers in any Aurora facilities or in the Carida system. I am glad to hear that weapon and research facilities are certainly attractive to the Carida government and people. As for jobs... beyond specialization jobs that require more trained hands or that have sensitive material, it is Aurora policy that we hire all our workers from the local population. As you can see, I and my company want this to be massive and in support of both your system and the Republic, so additional subsidization in the construction process by the Republic would be appreciated. However, Aurora Industries would have complete control over the facilities."

 

[Caius Flavian]

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

I damn near sputtered on my tea.
The thought of six of those was huge.
Just the amount industry alone that would bring us.
My thoughts immediately turned to the lunar colonies of Nova Sierra and the vast mineral wealth that could be put toward this. The Gas Giant itself could provide a number of gaseous materials to any vessel produced in these shipyards.
Her assurances mirrored my own and now I could of course.
I figured as much for full corporate control.
What matter to me though was putting people to work and the simply being involved in construction would put thousands of people to work followed by what ever other jobs could be lined up.
“Much appreciated Taeli I’ll be sure to convey that to the particularly vocal group I know I’ll be discussing this with later on.” My head throbbed just a little at having to deal with the Kurganova family. They styled themselves a principality… Bunch of stubborn Tibanna inhaling snobs if you asked me.
“Perfect. Our mining guilds will gladly enjoy the business of being able to sell to a local project such as this. The Weapon facilities I presume range from small arms to combat vehicles? R&D is a broad term, what specifically are you looking to utilize for testing areas? We certainly have a variety of terrain on Carida itself to test in every biome. Outside of that plenty of open space to use along with our asteroid belt. I just want to be aware of these things so that when I approach the Colonial Defense Forces about use of Militarized areas for testing. Basically once that gets settled it would simply be working with the local.”

I had to continue to mull over where in the system six of these shipyard stations would be appropriate to place.
It took a moment but two light bulbs in my mind clicked together and I knew of what would be one the best combinations of ideas.
I would wait a moment and process my thoughts a little while I sipped on my mug of luke warm tea and awaited her response.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

She took a moment to savor the surprise her words had caused in Caius, it was always a good thing when a leader of a planet was shocked and enthused by such an offer. It really would go a long way to revitalizing the entire system's economy and would make Carida one of the Republic worlds to envy.

"Our weapon facilities mainly focus on the production of small arms up to heavy weapon systems," she said. "Aurora has yet to expand operations into the business of developing combat vehicles, but plans are being made privately to create a division just such development. Our R&D division is that broad actually. They are assigned to develop technology that is used by the other divisions, such as our ship production division. That requires a wide range of terrains and areas to work in as we believe in a more practical approach to development. If your local defense forces wish to, we would be happy to allow them the chance to utilize anything we are testing currently in war games and other exercises."

 

[Caius Flavian]

“Fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” the excitement in me was bubbling up it was a little hard to contain a composed smile. This was a political meal ticket practically. I sipped on my luke warm tea while my other hand pressed a button to focus on the two moons that orbited Carida itself. “In terms of defense as I see from some of the technical details that these shipyards have limited defensive capabilities. For that reason I propose to you that the moon Ord Sigma is the best candidate to put them in orbit around. It is fortunately further out than mascot allowing a lot less interference of gravitational pulls and constant course correction. Aside from that lesser detail, the real reason is that I plan on turning this moon into a Republic Naval Base, jointly operated by the Republic Navy and Colonial Defense Force. With orbital and surface weapon systems to add the defense. As stated it would be jointly operated with a Republic Naval Battlegroup working alongside an equivalent strength CDF battlegroup. Thus enough collective firepower to deter attack and give a sturdy enough fight. Of course security vessels operated by Aurora are certainly welcome in conducting joint defense operations.” I unveiled my own plan for the system. I had enough insight to recognize that the level of industrial strength that [member="Taeli Raaf"] sought to bring to Carida would likely make this system not just off to the side of the Perlamian trade route. It could very well shift it so that Carida was a way stop making my home a jewel of republic space.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

"That sounds perfect," Taeli replied. Putting shipyards around a potential naval base would certainly provide necessary defenses and ease of input on what sort of ships the military needed at the time, both planetary defense force needs and Republic Navy needs. "We do operate our own security forces, so you won't need to have Republic or local forces on the shipyards or facilities themselves. Watchmen and Harbinger droids are typically our security contingent, augmented by men utilizing our Sianium technology. We do also have our own security fleet, so joint security works well with that."

Leaning back, she took another sip of her tea.

"Did you have any requests for me for your side of this contract for both Carida and the Republic?" she asked.

 

[Caius Flavian]

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

“Taxation. I’ve been hard at work writing a legislative bill for the Republic as a whole to ease and assuage the private sector. Lasedri’s revolution and attempt at forcing a command economy on the Republic had crippled us. With our new government I’m trying to ensure that we keep to a mixed economy. My fear is considering we have a pirate for a Supreme Chancellor is preventing a radical swing to a Laissez-faire.”
I leaned forward.
“In my time at University and as an Imperial Commander I’ve found that taxation is unfortunately a requirement for a government to function. As someone who has overseen a command economy myself I know the folly of reliance of entirely government run operations. Regulation is something I’ve found that works best of keeping a balance between gaining effective results. In finding that balance the following are the terms for taxes for operating in this system for Carida.”

I pressed a few buttons and the details of taxation in the system would become available to her datapad if she chose to accept.
I leaned back to give her a moment.

Terms of Taxation
4.5% Retail Sales Tax
All products purchased by entities or individuals other than the Government of Carida or Republic will experience this taxation.

4.5% Start Up Corporate Income Tax
This is the initial tax rate on Income generated by corporate entities. It is a two year set rate before corporate entities file under tax brackets

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

"I see," she said, looking over the tax codes he was discussing. "I can agree that any Aurora operation here or in Republic space is subject to these, but you have to understand the company spans multiple systems outside of Republic space, including our headquarters. To place this on all parts of my business might be construed as overreach by the Republic into systems that they have no jurisdiction over. Yes?"

That was always the problem with trying to tax a pan-galactic business. Once it grew to that size, restricting it to one tax system was almost impossible as it did business with multiple authorities and powers.

"How great are your fears that Sparrow will adopt a much looser economic policy?" she asked.

 

[Caius Flavian]

[member="Taeli Raaf"]

I almost smirked at her question and decided to address it first before returning to the matter of taxes.
"In all honesty Taeli I don't fear it. So far his excellency [member="Jack Sparrow"] has hardly made any sort of executive actions or measures. Although his term is so far just begun the issue remains of how the economy shall work is so far a mystery. Back in university I did several cases studying during my anthropology and xenology courses on the issue of piracy,"
I took a breathe and for a brief flicker of a moment I thought of those countless hours in libraries and engrossed in my datapad conducting research

"Most pirate crews are democratic in nature in a much more brutal sense. If you fail as captain you are then voted out of power and return to being a deckhand or whatever your occupation was prior too. Those are for the most part the larger demographic. Seemingly they tend to be footnotes in most sources as we often build up the image of brutal despots leading vagabonds in raids on worlds. Jack Sparrow is a pirate, an honest one in terms of his own image, but Piracy is in a sense the ultimate form of free market attitude that comes with that democratic mindset. However"
I paused again more so to break up my own thoughts. I sat upright so I could stretch my arms over head while shrugging my shoulders a little as I was still sore from a gym session earlier on.
"I also feel it is because of that same mindset and origins that he has allowed the Senate a much stronger involvement in handling the 'ship' so to speak. Odd for an Imperial to pay a compliment to a pirate, but I've learned that to concede once in a while especially in this volatile political landscape. I wouldn't trust him in a game of sabacc or hell with my own valuables though!" I gave a laugh to that and ceased to stretch. I then shifted thought to the matter of taxes.

"My apologies my dear these taxes are specifically only to the reported Income generated by your property within the system of Carida. Not outside it. That just me acting as President of Carida. As Senator of Carida I state that the Republic's tax rate is something else entirely and I can assure it is incredibly low. Essentially while resources and labor locally are going to be fairly cheap for your company to acquire here locally, especially with Republic subsidization, then of course the government transactions are tax exempt. For both governments my reasoning on this method of taxation is why tax the entity supplying us with ships on transactions we make? Its almost like I took a bite from a cookie and handed it too you for the rest, would you take the cookie still? Would you take the cookie though after its had a bite from it? Depends on the relation ship we had of course..." I pause to take another sip from tea. I leaned back to relax with a little recline. "so because Aurora is setting up shop initially we want you to succeed here just as much as you want to bring business to Carida. A reverse of my analogy is instead you are the baker and we want a dozen ships and we'll be paying the price straight but not be taxing that income you generate from us. Celestials I must be getting hungry for sweets at this rate..."

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Caius Flavian"]

"As long as it is understood that the Republic can't bite into any income I make from say the Galactic Alliance or the Silver Sanctum, that is fine by me," Taeli said. "We aren't a domestic company after all and operating under different tax codes and such is always a headache, but the Republic will receive their taxes from sales in its space. Since I'm also feeling generous, any ships or technology bought by the Republic or the government of Carida will be discounted 10% from the normal prices we sell at. A show of good faith as it were."

There was another matter she wanted to discuss with Caius, but that could wait until after the contract with Carida and the Republic was made up and signed. From the viewport, she could still make out the ISDIII and she smiled softly to herself about what the other of this meeting would be about. Taking another sip of her tea, she smiled gently at the former Commodore.

"How is the former Empress these days?" she asked.