How could this happen in McYoda's?

[Quintus Varro]

It was a a sprawling mess, a chain of restaurants that seemed to grow without guidance, planning or even much marketing, but it grew. The current owner certainly couldn't take much credit for it, the only thing he'd really done was add certain 'spices' to recipes. In truth he knew nothing about the service industry, and pretty damn little about how it operated. It could however he had no doubt make a lot more money if he'd ever put the effort into owning it, an incredible gift he'd kind of just stumbled into.

He wasn't honestly sure where to even began really, so he decided to start in the simplest of places, as a customer. So he found himself standing in line looking over the menu with a dozen others. Every other store had different menus and he supposed there was no blaming that, every planet and species had their own little rules and palette. Here on a random space station in the Core the menu was a bit more stable, but still the menu itself would need some work, some kind of standard. The line moved well enough along though and in a few moments he was through with a burger and some kind of seasoned fries. He'd passed on the drugs though, he knew well enough how that could work.

Sitting down at a table he slowly chewed on his food absently as he watched the entire scene. He was going to need to hire a team out to explain all this nonsense to him, but there was plenty of time for that. Chewing absently he nodded towards a table near him as he chewed, well at least the food was good.

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha walked into the McYoda’s. It was a McYoda’s and Sasha was one of the wealthiest women in the galaxy and yet there was a craving for ground meat and sauce on a bun. “These places have the most addictive food. Super good,” she said to her companions. “Like its the greatest bantha burger this side of the unknown regions. And the special sauce…. One of these days I’m going to run a chemical analyst on it and find out exactly what makes it so good.”

She turned to her companion and smiled. “Better than sex,” and then she shrugged, “Well better than sex with myself... “ She thought for a moment and turned to [member="Gerion Ardik"], “Not that I know what that’s like…. I can have sex when I please…. but I’m sure you know the feeling.”

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Sasha Santhe"]

A McYoda's? Gerion could hazard a dozen guesses as to what was in that Bantha Burger. None of the guesses actually included bantha. Given the choice between skipping lunch and going to McYoda's, Gerion almost always skipped lunch. He usually brought his own, but someone had broken into his fridge and thrown it out. There was only one real suspect where that was concerned: Irani. If that twit wasn't holding up production with delayed responses, he was stealing food from people. Honest people, ones who weren't ruled by their more base desires. Speaking of which...

"Right." Gerion said, just tersely enough to indicate she had, in fact, made him uncomfortable.

 

[Quintus Varro]

He stopped in middle of a bite as his eyes settled on the figures walking in the door, it seems the business meeting would be starting early today, and with one more. Tossing the rest of his food into the trash he brushed his hands together before walking over. Agriculture was the subject but neither of the people he was meeting with was known for that particular field, and both were much higher on the food chain then he was. Neither of those factors phased Eamon much though, they were here to do business and so was he, albeit they could have bought his entire company out most likely.

Offering a hand out as he walked over he offered a small smile, "Well a bit earlier then planned, but thank you both for coming. I'm told you have quite the ambition towards agricultural growth, and well I could use strong suppliers. I'll admit surprise, but I suppose we all have to extend into different markets sometimes."

[member="Gerion Ardik"]
[member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

“Money is money” Sasha said with a little nod. “And honestly this is a bit of a side venture. I am not defined by the company I keep as it were.” She quirked en eyebrow over at [member="Gerion Ardik"]. [member="Eamon Tragon"] has a square head. Sasha was reminded of an alien she had once encountered…. she couldn’t remember his species name…. or even his name now that she put a little thought to it. Horrible at cards though. It was the compound eyes she thinks. Every species with compound eyes that she had encountered thus far has been utterly horribly at cards. Someone should propose a study. Sasha smiled at the pair. “Yes, in these times of uncertainty its important to diversify our holdings.”

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Sasha Santhe"] | [member="Eamon Tragon"]

First they were waiting in line for quasi-edible garbage (or she was, anyway), now they were talking business with this common vagrant. Of course Sasha wasn't definied by the company she kept. She would have had a much more pleasant definition if that was the case. Agriculture holdings? What sort of talk was this? They were diversifying their holdings now? This was all new to Gerion. Clearly there must have been a meeting that took place he wasn't invited to. Again. There was a point where this stopped being cute, you know.

Gerion looked between Santhe and Tragon, either annoyed or confused. "I'm sorry, do you know this person...?" It was a question that could have easily been for either of them.

 

[Quintus Varro]

With a small chuckle Eamon dropped his hand and nodded slightly, "I know Miss Santhe here, and my name is Eamon Tragon, a person of no real consequence to you. Miss Santhe's assistant contacted me quite sometime ago with the prospect of buying all of McYoda's agricultural needs from one source, her. Its been some time since then, but I suppose a side venture can wait." He didn't even bother to look annoyed, they were both players on an entire different field from his own, and he wasn't going to pretend he was there or ever would be. There was however money to be made.

Ardik looked about as annoyed as a man could be to be here, but he supposed that had been Sasha's plan for whatever reason. He wasn't about to argue either way, she was offering him cheaper stabler products which would raise his bottom line. Giving a second look towards the rather irritated looking man he threw him a bone. "So would you rather conduct this in a more professional atmosphere?

[member="Gerion Ardik"]
[member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

“Of course he would,” she sticks her nose to [member="Gerion Ardik"] to indicate him. “He’d hold all his meetings in stuffy boardrooms if he had the chance. Why do you think his skin is so pale and greasy? He never goes outside. You have to drag him by the conditioner kicking and screaming.” Sasha smiled politely and nudged at her elderly companion. They were friends. Really.

“Anyways yes, let's go find another more proper location for this meeting, just promise me a drink. Every good deal requires a proper dosage of alcohol for both parties to stomach. It’s how you know a negotiation has been successful.”

[member="Eamon Tragon"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Eamon Tragon"] | [member="Sasha Santhe"]

His face flashed red with rage and embarrassment. He would have liked to think it was the former, but of course it was the latter. What was it that drove this girl to be so mean? He'd never understand. People kept informing him that this was how the younger Santhe behaved towards her friends. He didn't buy it. Gerion wasn't even that rude to Irani, even if that toad of a human being deserved it more than most war criminals. At least his checks didn't bounce and his corporation made quality products. He had that going for him, at least.

"Why, yes. I agree." He huffed, looking around to make sure no one had been listening. This was a McYoda's. No one was listening. They were too busy slowly killing themselves with this so-called food. "Perhaps a professional atmosphere would be more conducive to a better attitude." Somewhere, deep within him, Gerion was bandaging up his wounded pride. He was so offended, he couldn't even bring himself to make a comment about Santhe's apparent alcoholism.

 

[Quintus Varro]

It was with a slight smirk that Eamon led them from McYoda's, not exactly what he was expecting from this level of business meeting. Then again he supposed he was low enough on their lists of give a damn they didn't have to actually pretend to care. Leading them into a room he'd rented for the occasion aboard the station he gestured for everyone to take a seat before taking one himself. He imagined they were used to quite a bit more opulence but he hadn't paid much attention to his business resources and well they hadn't been extremely profitable despite spreading like the plague over the galaxy.

Taking a seat himself he gave them each a nod before turning on a holo display showing his current numbers in food usage and cost. Looking at it gave him a headache, hundreds of different companies supplying different stores with dozens of different menus at a cost that made him cringe. He was an engineer not a business man, but it seems it was time to try on a new hat. It was either that or eventually the whole damn company would slowly fail. [color= gold] "So hopefully this is a bit more to your liking, so I suppose we should start again. I'm Eamon Tragon, owner of McYoda's largely by accident, and the man who let it grow into a monster without any controls. Saying I've made some errors is beyond an understatement, but its grown despite me. I'd like to start making some money off this thing though, and I'm told you can help."[/color]

[member="Gerion Ardik"]
[member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

Sasha smiled at [member="Eamon Tragon"] and looked around the new locations. It wasn't bad. It wasn't nice, but it wasn't bad. Sasha Santhe imagined the room on the station was what purgatory was like. "I've recently invested in a venture," Sasha said, "That has a bit of an agricultural concern. They deal primarily in cash crops. Silkweed, cotton, things of that nature you see. However I'm told that crop rotation is a thing...." she waved her hand in the air, "And that other crops can be accommodated. In addition I know they have bantha ranches that they use for leather and there is then meat left over. I'm not a farmer. Point is I'm told they can accommodate you."

She looked over at [member="Gerion Ardik"]. "And what they cannot I've been told Gerion is interested in the industry. Farms with 100% droid labour I imagine. Great agricultural machines. Which reminds me, Gerion you should meet with this new business venture. Machines for textile operation and all sorts of contracts could be had there. Open up a new industry for you."

And that was how the business world worked. A person knew a person knew a person.

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Eamon Tragon"] | [member="Sasha Santhe"]

An agriculture operation? Gerion had considered it at some point. He made arrangements with a Neimoidian to head up a production operation, but they fell through. Most of his plans did. It was a sad fact of life that for every one sinister scheme that came to fruition, a half-dozen more were routinely forgotten about, cut out of the budget, nullified by outside action, or abandoned. Such was life. But men were not measured by the number of plans they made, only by the ones that actually worked. As long as none of them physically failed, which was a fate Gerion had avoided so far, surprisingly enough. That would probably change. He was still young, in the grand scheme of things.

Getting involved in the machinery aspect of the business, providing droids for farms, would be a better way of getting his foot in the door of the industry if he chose to do so. As opposed to just throwing money at Neimoidians and leaving them to their own devices. Unlike that approach, this could only net him a tidy profit. "Sounds interesting, I suppose. Where is this venture of yours located?"

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

At that moment, the door swung open and admitted an enormous, blubbery being. Orcus of Giju, the Herglic security and transport magnate, clutched a seven-by-seven burger in one flipper and an XL shake in the other. Somehow, he had managed to not spill a single bit of ketchup on his blue pinstriped business apparel, otherwise known as a suit. But as certain individuals herein object to the terms 'suit' or 'denim' or "jeans" in the given setting, they will simply be termed business apparel.

"Pardon my lateness. You would not believe the traffic." He chomped on the burger and swallowed in one bite. "Delicious, Tragon, although I daresay if this chain gets any bigger you will have bantha activists and Dim-U priests crawling out of your ears." Orcus chortled.

The bipedal whale patted Sasha Santhe's head as he took a seat next to her. "Spritely as ever, Miss Santhe. I trust my Darkwater guards have been serving you well? Excellent, excellent." Orcus swung his ponderous head toward Gerion. "And you, Ardik, my good Umbaran, when will you start trusting to real blood and blubber to protect you, hmm? Those Malacath suits of armor are absolute wonders by the by, can't thank you enough. Now then.... what's this about agriculture?"

Orcus leaned back and sucked steadily on the straw of his shake.

[member="Sasha Santhe"] | [member="Gerion Ardik"] | [member="Eamon Tragon"]

 

[Quintus Varro]

All he could really do was blink as the whale scarfed down a ton of ever so slightly drugged McYoda's food. Making a mental note to build a few more on there home planet, maybe include some fish entrees he shook his head out of the daze and back to the group. He wasn't exactly sure who'd brought the Herglic here, but he certainly wasn't going to be the one to tell him to leave! Besides he might just be his best customer.

Moving his eyes back to Miss Santhe he nodded at her trying to get himself back on track he smiled slightly. "I can understand the need to stretch out, so long as these farms can cover what you claim they can. I imagine with mechanical efficiency that wouldn't be a problem. As long as you can guarantee you can deliver I can't complain. Your prices are better then the competition, and your ability to make things happen quite a bit heavier. More so with Mr. Ardik's aid."

Turning towards Hion for a moment he just pursed his lips then shrugged, he wasn't sure what he was here for, but he evidently knew everyone. "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you were coming. Miss Santhe and Mr. Ardik have made an offer to sell McYoda's bulk goods in the agricultural department. Looking to stabilize my suppliers to increase profit and growth. Something it seems we'll all profit on."

[member="Hion the Herglic"] [member="Gerion Ardik"] [member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Sasha Santhe]

"Of course," Sahsa said to [member="Eamon Tragon"], "This was my mistake," she stared daggers over at [member="Gerion Ardik"] for not introducing their friend earlier. "[member="Hion the Herglic"] runs the Herglic trade Empire. He is a friend and leal companion. He has interests throughout Herglic space and is always looking to diversify. I believe with him and the interest I am representing we will be able to meet all of your needs." Sasha looked about to make sure Hions chair would support his weight. "His company may also work it's shipping magic in this deal." Sasha nodded. Yes friends did help one another.

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Sasha Santhe"] | [member="Eamon Tragon"] | [member="Hion the Herglic"]

"We'll discuss expanding your contract some other time, my friend." Gerion said, forcing an uncomfortable smile. He was remembering when Orcus almost spilled wine all over him at a dinner. Mr. Orcus was a valuable ally and an astute businessman, but far too jovial for his tastes. Sasha was glaring daggers at him now, for some reason, but Gerion resigned himself to just take it in stride. Sasha was the one handling the negotiations here and, since he only had a rough idea of what was being negotiated, he had nothing to add.

Was he getting agricultural supplies now? Probably. This was all rather sudden...

 

[Gorba the Hutt]

The only sound in the room after Gerion's comment was the steady sucking of Orcus' XXL shake as he intently drained the cup to its dregs. After a final slurp, Orcus set the cup down on the table and grinned at the room.

"Well, that was delicious, Eamon. I have to know what you put in it. Can't seem to get enough of this, McYoda's. Incredible."

He rubbed his belly unconsciously before Ardik's concerned expression brought him back into the moment. "Ah yes, well if they are selling in bulk no doubt they will need some ships to do the lifting. And who better than Herglic Trade Empire's cargo cruisers? I can aid along the Rimma Trade Route, Shapani Bypass and Giju Run, of course. Additionally, should you need any security Darkwater would be happy to provide you with a comprehensive physical security detail for your shipments."

[member="Eamon Tragon"] | [member="Gerion Ardik"] | [member="Sasha Santhe"]

 

[Quintus Varro]

Well it seemed it was all decided then, and now it was just time for everyone to sign on the dotted line. He wasn't really sure if there was a separate contract in the works between Santhe and Ardik for the droids, but that really wasn't his issue. For now he had a stable supply of food, and if Kyra had been right, a whole lot more on the way. "Well it appears we're all in agreement. I'm sure our lawyers will go through it about a dozen times each before giving us a piece of paper to sign, but I think we can all agree this deal will help us all. I'd handshake it out, but I'm not really sure how a four way handshake works?"

Crossing his arms he kind of extended a hand out each way in half joke, though the Herglic might have induced enough magic dragon sauce to actually take it. With a little chuckle he shrugged and pulled out a preliminary contract. Signing his own name he pushed it out to the others. "We'll have the full thing sent shortly so you can bounce it about, but I consider this matter complete. I look forward to working with you all again the future, I'm sure there is more credits to be made out there."

[member="Hion the Herglic"] [member="Gerion Ardik"] [member="Sasha Santhe"]