Need some Shanty Singing Droids

[Corey's OOC]

Ships.

He had ships. And a lot of ground to cover. Marek needed to keep these moving, but office, customer service and dealer jobs to sapients. The rest? Aside from piloting? That would go well with droids. And now that he wasn’t directly connected to the Confederacy…ASA…whatever, at least for this project, and he was going to put good funds in the hands of certain beings, he was hoping to deal with Cestus Cybernetics.

As was typical for Marek Starchaser, he sent a message to Ord Cestus, hoping that his name, or at least the call for credits would get him a meeting with [member="Zothustro Quill"], or one of his advisors. Having their droids on the Bright Star casino ships would be nice. All he needed to do was hope that the message was returned before he landed on Ord Cestus, so it wasn’t that he was gate crashing.

 

[Ugoto Chivaro]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

The Starchaser name was one associated with the Techno Union and, by extension, the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Even though the Confederacy called itself something different now, their crimes on Druckenwell and their defeat at Vergesso made Zothustro very skeptical to pursue business with them. Thankfully, Marek was not approaching him on behalf of the Confederacy or the Techno Union. This was apparently for some private project, which Zothustro would be glad to be part of.

As long as they didn't drop shipyards on another world or something.

Marek's message was received and responded to promptly, directing him to land at the private landing area near Cestus Cybernetics' headquarters. It was near this pad that Zothustro waited, hunched over his cane as usual, ratty cloak clinging to his back. He liked his cloak, despite its condition.

 

[Corey's OOC]

When Marek stepped out of the Vagrant Wind, he nodded. This was a social call, he was starting to push his ships to which operations he was taking. Marek used his Haor Chall Slipstream for ASA and Techno Union jobs, and until Sasha Santhe introduced another line of Challengers, he'd use his Corellian freighter to handle Bright Star and Tion jobs. It was enough for him, but he was really going to need to forge a second identity if he was going to run around the galaxy like this.

Or just keep Alana working as the stand-in Foreman. She knew a bit of what she was doing, and he'd help when he could.

He saw [member="Zothustro Quill"] and smiled. It was nice to see that someone was trusting him to step away and from the bounds of the Techno Union. Walking down the gangway of his ship, he waved to the elderly being. "I appreciate you taking time to meet with me." And to trust him.

 

[Ugoto Chivaro]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Zothustro nodded in return, shaking the Starchaser's hand. Surprisingly firm for his age, though it might have been the chitinous exoskeleton of the X'Ting doing most of the work there. "<< It is no problem. I am always happy to meet with fellow businessmen. >>"

He gestured behind him, beckoning Marek to follow him to the door leading into the headquarters. The building itself did not look very significant, a robust, brown colored building. It spoke volumes of the humility of its owners. The inside, however, didn't. It was all very modern and lavishly decorated. Zothustro guided Marek to his office, which was thankfully close by and did not require any awkward elevator rides.

Once they were in, Zothustro gestured for Marek to sit down and did so himself behind his desk.

"<< What can Cestus do for you? >>"

 

[Corey's OOC]

It was just nice to see that beings weren't holding grudges against any one person, just the deals they made. It was part of an almost though experience, for Marek. It was going to see who proved to be open to business even if there was a tie pointing someone in a darker direction. With Bright Star, he was making a new front for himself, a new path. He was keeping this decidedly out of any military, or major player in the galaxy. And [member="Zothustro Quill"] was providing to him just what he was hoping.

Credits could always fix things.

"Well, as you know, this is not for the Confederacy..." Yes, he still called it by its older name. "And instead for a new venture I have, Bright Star is a casino and entertainment group who works out of several liners and at least one heavy cruiser. I've seen the offerings from Cestus, and I'm hoping you'd entertain the idea of supplying, and servicing crew droids for the vessels. And if you have any droids that can run security, or general maintenance of our current and future land-based resort locations, I'd love to preemptively discuss that as well."

 

[Ugoto Chivaro]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Zothustro made a strange sound as he reclined in his chair, one hand folded over the other in contemplation. This strange sound was actual the X'Ting equivalent of a "hmm..." Unfortunately, this was lost in translation. Instead it sounded like one prolonged click. Cliiiiiiiick. Mandibles were probably the greatest thing ever, especially when it came to crossing the galactic language barrier.

"<< This sounds more than amenable. You will wish to order our Z6 Naval Crewman Droid in bulk, in addition to as many Z5 Maintenance Droids and TA1 Battle Droids as you deem necessary. >>"

 

[Corey's OOC]

See, with [member="Zothustro Quill"] being a X’Ting, it didn’t bother Marek. He himself ran a contracting company that was staffed by insectoid species, so… they were familiar to him. All their sounds and clicking. Though, this one he wasn’t sure he could translate that sound. He was going to take a seat, however, and wait for word from the elder merchant.

“That is correct. I’d appreciate it as well, if you would not mind maintaining the droids, as bringing them to the source sounds the best way to handle this. And we’ll be needing new shipments as new locations come online.” He was really hoping to not need battle droids at his locations, but security was security.

 

[Ugoto Chivaro]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

"<< Handling the maintenance of the droids would be our pleasure, as will providing you with more as you open new locations. >>" Zothustro nodded candidly. "<< I shall have the paperwork drawn up and sent to you as soon as possible. >>"

There was very little he could see going wrong here. A deal like this could only mean good things for Cestus Cybernetics. More money, more publicity for the droids, and so forth. Starchaser had impeccable credit, as one would expect from the Foreman of the Techno freaking Union

 

[Corey's OOC]

The last bit of the deal was something he was reserving for select companies. Something to sweeten the deal and perhaps generate better rapport. And that was store fronts and advertisement.

"That would do us well, [member="Zothustro Quill"], on top of that, we are opening shopping locations on our up and coming planet based locations. I'm unsure if Cestus has store fronts, or is looking for more, but I'd like to offer that to you as well, rent would need to be paid, however."

Might be good for them. Wouldn't hurt Bright Star if they turned it down.

 

[Ugoto Chivaro]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Storefronts? Zothustro liked the sound of that. Little Cestus Cybernetics stores where people could examine product and purchase droids. Yes, yes, yes. The issue of rent would ultimately be moot in comparison to potential profits. That would be great for generating sales and getting the Cestian name out there. Never mind the fact that, unbeknownst to Zothustro at the time of this thread, the name was about to be radically changed. It was the effort that counted, and securing the contract now would be good regardless.

Still, Zothustro was a cautious man. He would have to consult with some other company officials before making a move on that.

"<< I am open to establishing storefronts. It would be good for business. >>" Zothustro concluded. "<< I will need to consult before doing so, of course. I will contact you with our final decision. >>"

 

[Corey's OOC]

The concept of working with Cestus was one thing, working with someone who could be purchasing the company was something else. So long, in Marek’s opinion, that the company was remaining friendly to Tion control, because of the kick of working with those companies, and their respective executives and work force, then there wouldn’t be a problem. Store fronts would go up, almost like those Brookstone stores in a galaxy far, far away, and they would generate profit and buzz, rent would be paid, and it would attract a proper clientele. Hopefully the same that would work well with Akure.

Marek completely understood Mr. [member="Zothustro Quill"]’s thoughts. Making sure that there were companies in place, and the right groups was one of the things that he was worried on, and was hoping any CEOs would do their respective homework. “I fully understand. If you speak to your people, and they decide it wouldn’t be a smart move, all I request is the courtesy contact letting me know as such. However, I’d be most interested in carrying on with the droid contract.” Because shanty droids?

Boy howdy.

 

[Ugoto Chivaro]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

"<< Yes, yes, the original contract. >>" Zothustro echoed, getting back on track. "<< The paperwork, once I've finished drawing it up, will be sent to you. It shouldn't take too long and I trust everything will be amenable to you. For all intents and purposes, I believe you can consider us to be in business. >>"

 

[Corey's OOC]

Standing up, as [member="Zothustro Quill"] finished speaking, Starchaser nodded. "Its a pleasure meeting with you, as always, Quill." Was it Mister? Did that work with this species? He might be the King of the Xi Char but... not this species. Reaching out a hand in the stereotypical human manner, he nodded. "I'm looking forward to a good partnership with this, and would like to welcome you aboard the Bright Star, anytime you'd like." Because, well, getting one, maybe it was a hive mind. And honestly? Word of mouth and experience for the galactic listening posts these ships could become, and that was all he needed to sell his ships and permissions in the galactic market.