Private Networks in Motion

[Ra'a'mah]

The upper platforms of the Denon bazaar reflected the evening lights of the sprawling city below, a lattice of movement and opportunity suspended above the streets. Ra'a'mah Numare moved with quiet purpose along one of the quieter walkways, her posture relaxed yet deliberate, hands lightly folded in front of her. Every glance, every subtle shift in the crowd, spoke to her practiced awareness. She had long walked spaces where commerce and discretion intertwined, where the right observation could open doors without a word.

As Dominique approached, Ra's gaze met hers, steady and composed. A slight, deliberate nod accompanied her voice.

"Dominique Vexx," she said evenly. "I am Ra'a'mah Numare. This location seemed fitting, neutral ground, above the city, with enough space to speak freely, and the right perspective on the flow of opportunity below."

Her eyes swept the platforms, taking in subtle exchanges, movements, and currents of commerce without breaking focus on the woman before her.

"I have worked closely with the Metal Lords who created this bazaar," she continued, tone measured but not boastful. "They designed it to be a place of interaction and observation, where those who move carefully can find paths to their goals. I am interested in understanding your ventures, and considering where our interests might converge."

Ra inclined her head slightly, an invitation tempered by composure.

"If you are willing, we can find a quieter corner. A drink, while we discuss possibilities, seems fitting. This is a place for business, discretion, and the occasional insight that only comes from seeing things for oneself."

Her gaze lingered a moment longer, calm, steady, and deliberately engaging.

"Shall we?"

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique held her hands out to either side with a smile broken only by a cheerful call, "Ra'a'mah Numare. How delightful to see you here." The Director had opted for a bit of an overly formal, white dress that flowed about her feet as she strode across the deck. A rainbow of color formed lines down its length reflecting the circuit-nature of their surrounding and those the woman had name dropped. Denon hadn't forgotten the Metal Lords. Denon never forgot. That didn't mean new interests hadn't tried to create and fill voids, however, in order to acquire power and influence.

The Senator and Director of Denon certainly had no problem taking full advantage of everything in her reach to bend the Board to her will.

Her hands slowly folded inward as they extended toward Ra'a'mah; perhaps to take and hold the other woman's hands, or if she showed signs of disinterest in contact then merely to slowly fall as the distance between them shortened. "Anywhere you'd like. We could have met on the planet below and had as much secrecy. You can never underestimate the investment in anti-surveillance technologies. You never know who -- or what -- is listening."

She then gestured off to one side. "There's a delightful little area over here for privacy with an exquisite view of the planet below. Please." Dominique's other hand lifted behind Ra'a'mah's back to signal for a waitress to join them soon enough for their order.

"I hope you won't keep me in suspense what brings you here for too long. Perhaps, afterward, you can even tell me a little more about this history of this bazaar." The meeting area was in a sunken floor with floor to ceiling windows into space, and a railing above and behind a small assortment of chairs. By the time they neared the seats, Dominique had fished a small device out of a concealed pocket and tossed it gently into the air. It'd emit a field of energy to dampen intruding signals and keep their voices and signals from leaking to anyone 'just bypassing by.' She cast a quick smile to her companion. "Now we can speak freely." A golden eye spied the waitress nearing for their order. "Once we have refreshments." They would be fast in coming leaving the two to converse in private.

Ra'a'mah​

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra met Dominique's hands with a firm, measured shake, letting the motion communicate respect and acknowledgment without hurry. "Dominique Vexx," she said evenly, eyes steady, voice calm yet warm. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Her gaze flicked briefly to the small device Dominique had deployed, noting the thought given to maintaining discretion. "A wise precaution. Neutral ground is valuable, but privacy is rarer."

As they approached the sunken seating area, Ra's hands returned to her sides with quiet composure. Her eyes drifted over the sweeping platforms and the city far below before returning to Dominique. "The Metal Lords envisioned this bazaar not merely as a hub of commerce, but as a place where observation, negotiation, and opportunity could coexist. Its upper levels were designed for perspective—both literally and figuratively. Those who understand the currents of trade and influence can move far here, if they observe."

A faint, almost nostalgic smile touched her lips. "I hosted a small gathering here many years ago: a pizza party for the organics of the Metal Lords. It was less about celebration and more about understanding the people behind the trade, their needs, and their perspectives. That approach has stayed with me ever since."

She inclined her head slightly, a subtle invitation. "I am interested in learning about your ventures, Dominique, and considering where our objectives may intersect. A conversation over drinks seems appropriate."

Her gaze held Dominique's, calm and attentive, signaling openness to dialogue while maintaining the measured composure that had long defined Ra's approach to business and alliance-building. "Shall we?"

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"My ventures?" Dominique smiled across at Ra'a'mah . "Denon is the center of so many different economic and research initiatives. We encourage our investors -- those with top of the line facilities -- to pursue lucrative and new ideas. Excessive regulation is hardly necessary, though we aren't oblivious to the needs of our people either." Well, at least Dominique tried to keep the Executive Board from endlessly polluting the world into a ball of living death. And Ayumi was certainly helping with her elaborate technologies able to revitalize entire regions.

"The High Republic has always given Denon the freedom it needs to grow by leaps and bounds without pointless bickering over perceived social issues." Not that all of them were baseless, but allowing public opinion to develop to the point spending credits to address the issue immediately was not usually beneficial toward their longer term goals. It was hardly a perfect balance of giving the people what they 'deserved' while ensuring corporate interests weren't impeded, but she did what she could. "Naturally, I've supported efforts to bolster their stability and growth in turn. A mutually beneficially relationship." A parasitical one was more profitable in the short-term, but a mutually beneficial one was better for the long-term. Companies were free to pursue fast credits, but Denon as a government would ensure a stable road on which companies tread.

"If you'd indulge me, I'd love to hear more about your objectives."

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra inclined her head slightly, a measured, approving gesture. "Your perspective aligns with what I've observed of Denon—innovation paired with oversight, allowing growth while maintaining stability. A careful balance, and one that encourages ventures to thrive without losing sight of consequence."

Her gaze shifted briefly toward the platforms below, noting the steady flow of commerce and exchange before returning to Dominique. "My interests are diverse, and I prioritize connections and opportunities that are both sustainable and strategically sound. Ventures that integrate oversight, discretion, and long-term stability are the ones I tend to support or engage with."

She let her words linger for a heartbeat, then continued, "I am particularly attentive to initiatives that allow for growth without exposing unnecessary vulnerabilities, or that create networks of mutual benefit while maintaining independence. In that regard, your efforts here appear…prudent."

Ra's expression remained composed and calm, but her eyes carried a subtle invitation. "I would value a clearer understanding of your current objectives, and any areas where our interests might intersect. This conversation is, after all, as much about insight as it is about opportunity."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

It was nice of Ra to appreciate the precarious balance they sought to maintain on Denon. Whether they were always as success as she suggested was at times questionable, but balance was exactly what Dominique sought. Give the people enough to be productive, and reap the profits from their contributions. There was no need to grind people into dust -- even if they had quite a few literal bodies on the planet. The crime had begun to get out of hand around the time Darkwire was active. Those terrorists had come far too close to getting what they wanted for her taste.

Golden eyes observed the other woman as she spoke of her interests. A warm smile and slight shift of the brow accompanied her words to suggest attentiveness. Everything she said seemed to be in alignment; no unusual or unreasonable expectations. What company wouldn't like freedom to pursue their interests?

"Certainly. As you know, Denon is a world with countless corporations operating in, on, and in orbit at all times. Has the nexus of three major trade routes we have the most interstellar vehicles in system at any given time of any planet outside of the Core. Our facilities have been built to accommodate so much traffic and exchange of goods, of course." Dominique gestured out to the windows and the view before them. "My objective is to ensure not only that we continue to meet those needs, but increase our ability to sustain even greater volumes. It is a tireless effort to reach out to worlds throughout the galaxy so they're aware of the countless goods and services available by the Corporate Sector Authority."

"Naturally, ensuring the security of our partners and their shipments are also important, and recent steps have been made to bolster those aims. With security comes privacy as well. Discretion. We wouldn't want any partner to be harassed by well-meaning, but needlessly disruptive elements." Well-meaning might be overselling it, but she was trying to be polite.

"Would there be something particular that has your attention, Baroness Numare?"

Ra'a'mah​

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra'a'mah remained still, her posture deliberate, hands loosely folded in front of her. Her gaze drifted briefly to the bustling sprawl of Denon below, then back to Dominique, steady and unflinching.

"Your vision for Denon is…thorough," she said evenly, voice calm and precise. "Maintaining that level of traffic, exchange, and interstellar connectivity requires not only infrastructure but relationships—networks of trust and influence. One misstep, and even the most capable facilities can falter."

She inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the care behind Dominique's measures. "It is why I am here. To observe, to understand where your initiatives thrive, and to explore where connections—long-standing or lost—might be reestablished. There are avenues of business, discreet and deliberate, that extend beyond the usual channels, and I am interested in how those might intersect with your objectives."

Ra's gaze lingered, measured, unhurried. "I have spent time among those who built the foundations of this bazaar, and I have seen how influence, carefully applied, ensures survival and growth. Since their departure, some ties have weakened; others remain latent, waiting for the right opportunity to flourish. My interest lies in determining which of these opportunities align with your vision, and where mutual benefit may be found."

A quiet pause followed, as though letting the weight of her words settle. "Discretion, stability, and the flow of commerce—these are universal aims. I seek only to identify points where careful alignment can strengthen them for all parties involved."

Her tone remained calm, yet carried subtle conviction, an unspoken assurance that her presence here was as deliberate as any infrastructure Dominique oversaw. "If there is a particular interest you would prioritize, I would be glad to learn it. Otherwise, we may begin by surveying the broader field and determining where our aims naturally converge."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled across at Ra. "Denon is a world made of many, Baroness. Alignment may depend on which company you choose to interact with. However, I do lead certain coordinated initiatives that may bring greater results if you contributed to their efforts than any one company, or loose cabal of such."

"What is it you have an interest in, yourself? Weapons, armor, cybernetics, slicing, humanitarian aid? There's usually a particular field a person or group has that they want to dedicate their priority interests toward. What's yours, if I may ask?" Golden eyes regarded the woman that said she wanted to align her interest, but Dominique didn't quite know what her interests were. Denon's were already on the table. She hoped by understanding Ra's that they might just come to an accord.

"And if you have history here," Dominique gestured to the bazaar, "I would be more than happy to help you re-establish yourself on familiar territory. Anything in particular? Certain location. People. Whatever you need."

Ra'a'mah​

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra inclined her head slightly, taking in the senator's poise and the offer beneath the diplomacy.

"My priorities," she began, tone even and precise, "are always shaped by stability and endurance. I have seen enough of the galaxy's chaos to understand that progress only matters if it lasts."

She let her gaze sweep briefly across the luminous expanse of the bazaar beyond them before returning to Dominique. "My interests are strategic rather than singular—logistics, defense architecture, and the preservation of infrastructure that ensures a system can weather a crisis. I've worked with sectors that design more than weapons or armor—they design balance. Technologies that safeguard rather than destroy."

There was a faint curve to her lips, not quite a smile. "Cybernetics, research, transport—anything that strengthens foundations instead of feeding the cycle of destruction. Those are the fields I find most… rewarding."

Ra rested her hands lightly together, a gesture of composure. "As for history here—yes. I was once involved when the Metal Lords first built this place. They believed in a kind of cooperation the rest of the galaxy often forgets—organic and synthetic, equal and functional. It was an ideal worth keeping alive."

Her gaze softened, though her voice remained calm. "I would not oppose reestablishing ties. Familiar ground is often fertile soil for new alliances. If your initiatives align with those principles—durability, discretion, and foresight—then I suspect there is room for something mutually beneficial."

A faint glimmer of interest touched her eyes. "Tell me more about your coordinated efforts. The ones that reach beyond a single company's gain."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Denon is a planet of countless companies, as I said, all with their own interests. All with their own Executive representation. Each seeks to acquire the greatest gain for the least investment." Dominique shrugged, her expression buoyant despite the topic of discussion. After all, this was just how things operated. "Left to their own devices, they would -- and often still do -- seek to undermine one another as they seek to climb the ladder of profitability. That can work, but it leaves the system vulnerable to exploitation. It reduces planetary efficiency, and could result in lasting harm to multiple industries. It could even shake investor confidence." Credits really did keep the world spinning in their case.

"So, certain interests came together to form... an alliance. Chief Executives that seek to band together for an advantage over such cut-throat rivals. That want a stable market in which to flourish. I, being one of the Executive Directors, have taken it upon myself to ensure such alliances are represented and have what they need. They, in turn, ensure our endless growth and prosperity. A mutually beneficial arrangement."

"One that could benefit from your interests, Baronness. Cybernetics, research, and transportation are universally needed here. I should have no problem making your services known to quite a variety of companies below." Dominique chuckled quietly. "Of course, I cannot guarantee they may solicit yourselves. They do have standing arrangements with others. But, I'm certain an enterprising woman like yourself will be able to encourage change." As Executive representation, Dominique might also be someone that could be... persuaded to lend a hand in that change for a modest investment. Not that she would openly dare suggest as much, of course.

A soft hum filled a moment's pause. "The Metal Lords. I have heard reports of synthetics in certain Levels of Denon to this day. I have not had an opportunity to explore their circumstances. Darkwire and other criminal elements may not always make living in obscurity easy or painless. Still," she spread her hands palm up, "if there is anything I can do, please let me know."

Ra'a'mah​

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra inclined her head slightly as Dominique finished, her expression thoughtful but composed — the faintest sign of approval glinting in her golden eyes.

"The system you describe is familiar," she said evenly. "An alliance built from necessity, not charity. A network strong enough to outlast individual ambition. That sort of cooperation is what sustains prosperity when chaos threatens from without."

Her hands folded neatly in front of her. "It's not so different from what I have begun rebuilding elsewhere. The United Protectorate of Sovereign Systems — or the UPSS — was born from the same philosophy. Worlds fractured by conflict, stripped of resources and autonomy, found stability not through conquest or isolation, but through deliberate alliance. We provide what larger powers will not — security, coordination, and the means to rebuild with dignity. Each member world governs itself; we ensure its survival through shared defense and interdependence."

She paused, allowing the thought to breathe. "It is not an empire. It is not idealism. It is structure — a system designed to hold when everything else breaks."

Ra's gaze drifted briefly toward the great windows overlooking the vibrant lattice of the bazaar. "My hopes are simple. To see a galaxy less defined by domination, and more by cooperation. To build something that can endure beyond its founders. That is why I am here — to find allies who understand that influence, when applied with precision, can preserve far more than it destroys."

Her tone softened, though her words remained deliberate. "If Denon's alliances are as forward-thinking as you describe, then perhaps our paths are already aligned. The Protectorate seeks to work with those who value foresight and stability over chaos and reaction. In that, we may find mutual benefit."

A small, knowing smile touched her lips. "You offer to help me reestablish myself here. I may take you up on that — not for nostalgia, but for what might yet be built from the remnants of old trust."

Dominique Vexx

 

[Dominique Vexx]

Dominique smiled as Ra spoke. What she said wasn't wrong. It would even be conducive to manufacturing and shipping, but similar to the self-described ambitions of Darkwire, the Director questioned whether such a vision could ever truly be possible. In part, yes, but as a whole? Not for long. It wasn't a flaw in the idea so much as in the players. Exploiting the system was a natural tendency.

"Inevitably, someone will see a moment when a carefully placed word or act benefits them at the expense of others. People may not even realized it had happened, and see only the consequences of the selfish acquisition. How does this Protectorate intend to stop such things from occurring? What will it do to those it discovers?" Dominique leaned forward slightly. "I alluded to it earlier, but there are interests even in the Corporate Sector that are not so 'forwarding thinking.' The best laid plans... Good intentions... and all that. I've heard others speak as you do, but rarely have I had the opportunity to speak with them; so I hope you understand my curiosity."

Not to mention the Executive Board of the Corporate Sector itself. Dominique had her influence among them, but it was not iron-clad. She would need to learn what Ra expected from anyone she needed 'aligned' with this Protectorate's interests. If the requirements were too steep and the likelihood of a breech arrived at too quickly... Well, they should at least extract some benefit before it fell apart, or not endeavor to it at all. It was only proper she make sure they were as compatible as Ra or Dominique might hope.

"Are there others part of the Protectorate? Perhaps some social gathering of meeting prospects? It might open up better understanding of mutual compatibility," Dominique explained.

Ra'a'mah​

 

[Ra'a'mah]

Ra listened without interruption, her posture composed, hands folded with deliberate stillness. Dominique's questions were expected—necessary, even. Anyone with real power would ask them. But what Ra heard beneath the surface was not doubt. It was calculation, the careful weighing of risk and benefit, that all corporate architects understood intimately. Ra respected that.

When she spoke, her voice was calm, smooth, and precise—each word shaped with intent.

"You are correct, Director Vexx. Someone will always try."

A simple statement, offered without sentiment or idealism.

"Ambition is part of every system—political, corporate, or martial. No structure can erase it, nor should it. Ambition can drive creation as easily as destruction."

Her gaze held Dominique's with a quiet, steady acuity.

"What the Protectorate does is ensure that ambition cannot rot the foundation beneath the people standing on it. Our purpose is not to eliminate self-interest—only to make certain that those who pursue it do not destabilize the whole."

Ra leaned forward slightly, not aggressively, but with the weight of truth behind the motion.

"When corruption surfaces, we act swiftly. Quietly."

Not dramatic. Not attention-seeking. A controlled excision, not a spectacle.

"We investigate. We isolate. We remove. And wherever possible, we replace. No public crusades. No grand purges. The most effective corrections are the ones that do not disrupt the system they protect."

Her tone remained even, but there was a subtle shift—an edge of iron beneath silk.

"The Protectorate is meant to endure. That requires stability, not fear. Accountability, not public shaming. We correct the problem, not set fire to the infrastructure that houses it."

She allowed a moment for that to land, then continued with the same composed clarity.

"Your concerns are not misplaced. You understand the Corporate Sector well."

She acknowledged this without flattery—only truth.

"Some interests within your sphere will inevitably test boundaries. Others may seek to exploit the arrangement or undermine cooperation for advantage. We expect that. We plan for it. What matters is not preventing every offense, but ensuring no offense becomes a fracture."

One corner of her mouth shifted—not a smile, but the hint of one.

"If we are aligned, Director Vexx, your insight would be invaluable in anticipating such attempts."

On the matter of gatherings

Ra eased back slightly, her composure unbroken.

"There are others within the Protectorate. Leaders of planetary defense forces, former Jedi, senators, business magnates, commanders, and influential independents. The coalition was once known by another name, but now it operates with broader reach and clearer purpose."

Her eyes sharpened faintly, though still warm.

"If a gathering is what you prefer, I can arrange it. Some of our members will be assembling soon for strategic discussions. A private summit. Limited attendance. Invitation-only."

She paused—not theatrical, but deliberate.

"You would be welcome."

Another beat.

"And you would find the others… insightful allies. Or strategic competitors worth knowing intimately."

A soft tilt of her head—measured, intentional.

"Shall I arrange your introduction?"

Dominique Vexx