Private Profit and Power

[Marlon Sularen]

P R O F I T_A N D_P O W E R

IMPERIAL CONFEDERATION
BONADAN, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

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Economics. They were a fundamental aspect of society, the very core that held entire nations together especially in times of crisis. A fragile economy could result in the collapse of political systems and an ineffective military apparatus, which could render planets and galactic governments vulnerable to their rivals who might try to take advantage of such weaknesses. At the same time a strong economy would enable a state to resist political unrest and foreign challenges ensuring it's survival in the long-term. Of-course there were multiple approaches governments would take regarding their economies, some better then others although in the end what mattered was the results not the means. As long as your economic system worked in creating a strong economy, then any measures taken to support such a system no matter how harsh they could be were necessary to the survival of the state.

The Imperial Confederation was among a group of rising factions that had risen within the galaxy in the past few months to challenge the traditional galactic order that had once been dominated by the Galactic Alliance and the Sith Order, working hard to carve it's place amongst the stars and emerge as a new dominant force of Imperialism in the galaxy. Naturally in order to achieve it the Confederation would need a strong economy to support it's efforts in the long-term. Usually, major governments would have large megacorporations support them in growing their economy while others would take more direct control of their economic affairs. The Imperial Confederation on the other hand had taken an approach that balanced both options inviting megacorporations such as the N&Z Umbrella Corporation to partake in it's growing economy while also using government resources to invest in sectors were in dire need of economic growth and support.

As tensions and conflicts in the galaxy only further escalated especially with the Galactic Empire's reveal of their so-called Death Star III, the Supreme Commander of the Confederation's Armed Forces, Marlon Sularen had sought out new partners for the Confederation outside the N&Z Umbrella Corporation hoping to reduce it's reliance on N&Z, give other corporations new opportunities for growth and further expanding the Confederation's economy. He had already made an attempt to seek out the member corporations of the now defunct Corporate Interest's Guild during a summit at Saleucami and already negotiations were underway to secure a trade deal between the Imperial Confederation and the Mandalorian Empire.

One of the potential partners that Sularen set his eyes on was Tetron Centrex, a recently formed company based in the Corporate Sector which had been slowly building a presence on the galactic market. Having quietly observed Tetron Centrex's growth, the Supreme Commander grew only more interested in the company especially with the products and assets that it had developed which could be of good use to the Imperial Confederation's military and civilian sectors. As such it wasn't long before Sularen had arranged an appointment with the Prex of Tetron Centrex, Oda Dunn in the hopes of negotiating a favorable deal that could bring the company into the orbit of the Confederation and bring further prosperity to both the Confederation and Tetron Centrex.

Thus, the Supreme Commander would soon find himself walking through the halls of the Tetron Centrex Headquarters as he was escorted to the Prex's Office. Soon, he would join the Prex of Tetron Centrex in a meeting that would potentially alter the course of his corporation and further elevate it's status in the galaxy while simultaneously strengthening the Confederation's economy. After Sularen reached the entrance to the Prex's Office he took a deep breathe and stepped forwards the doors leading to the office opening up as the Imperial Supreme Commander stepped into the office, walking up towards the Prex's desk and extending his arm for a friendly handshake. "Prex Dunn. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Tags | Prex Oda Duun ​

 

[Prex Oda Duun]

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Prex Oda Duun sat quietly, cold synthetic fingers steepled, his body frozen in unnatural stillness. While many found the synthetic mannerisms unsettling, his personal staff had quickly adapted to it, with some of the analysts and statisticians coming to even appreciate the cold and calculating indifference. Oda was glad for this - there was too much to do to accommodate personal hangups - and those that had failed to adapt were quickly demoted or replaced.

"As I was saying Prex Oda, the shipments from Dashiell Corporation have arrived, and the materials have been inventoried and accounted for." The analyst tapped a few times on his datapad, sending the figures to Oda's desk terminal. "According to our projections, we should have more than enough war materiel for our assault on Likon Corp."

"Excellent." Mused Oda, leaning back in his high-backed chair. The simple positive affirmation had the analyst sagging, and inwardly, Oda sighed. He couldn't blame the man, though. Everyone had been on edge since the Corporate Sector Authority had sent an observer; Tetron's every move was being watched under a microscope, and even slight mistakes - ones that Oda would normally brush off and forgive with nothing but a reprimand - had taken on new urgency and danger. "What are our troop projections?"

"5,000 corporate soldiers, or one regiment." The analyst replied after a brief datapad consult. "Respectable, given this is our first time raising an army, with no help might I add."

Oda snorted in response, reading the subtext in the man's words. The Corporate Sector had no shortage of mercenary corps and war platform manufacturers. Despite Tetron symbolizing a nice and tidy profit of 40% gross, per their demands, the CSA had not deigned fit to help Tetron or educate them in warfare manufacture and logistics. The ensuing research and development had been a massive drain on resources for Tetron, having to engineer from the ground up everything from blasters to hand grenades. "They want to see if we have what it takes to be a big player, sink or swim. They'll only intervene if we start drowning."

"And the rope they toss us will probably be woven out of receipts." Remarked the analyst dryly. The man seemed surprised when Oda genuinely chuckled - Oda not displaying much of true emotion since being enteched. "Sorry, sir, I shouldn't speak so plainly." The analyst replied, with a wry smile.

"No no, it's fine." Replied Oda, waving a hand. "It's the truth. It will be a noose made of receipts to be sure." Oda sighed, bringing up a holographic chart. It showed troop recruitment, weapons allocation, and other logistical data. "5,000: one regiment." The word was unfamiliar. Oda was not a military man, but things were changing, and you either adapted or died in this galaxy. Thankfully his tutoring by his hired mercenary general was going well, and Oda was very quickly acclimating to many of the concepts, foreign though they were. "Five battalions, twenty companies, one hundred platoons, five hundred squads, one thousand hazardteams..."

"What are your orders, Prex Duun?"

Oda trailed off, contemplating. Likon had stepped up their aggression in recent days. Mining the plentiful ore in the CDZ-625 system, they had been selling cheap tritium to the colonists of the Parthovian Cluster; Tetron colony reactors used liquid hydrogen or more expensive deuterium, both being derivatives of hydrogen. Tritium, also a hydrogen derivative, apparently worked just fine when mixed with other hydrogen fuels. The result? Virtually all of Tetron's fuel profits were drying up overnight as the competition cut Tetron at the knees. Perhaps mining the moon had been a genuine mistake; a misread of corporate charters and deed lines. But this? This was deliberate. This was personal.

"Immediately begin mass-scale manufacture. This 'Tritium War' will be Likon's final act." The analyst nodded curtly at Oda in response before spinning on his heel, fingers tapping away at his datapad.

Silently, Oda steepled his hands again, the hologram twirling idly on his desk. It was all or nothing, but if this worked...Tetron would gain a massive boost in its manufacturing capabilities, let alone an increase in its margins and bottom line. With Likon in hand, the Parthovian Cluster would become truly his, with or without the help - or tacit approval - of the Corporate Sector.

There wasn't much of a wait between appointments - the life of a Prex was filled with meetings - and before long there was a soft chime at the door. With a wave of his hand, the hologram displayed a pair of corporate security guards and the uniformed form of Marlon Sularen. The Imperial Confederation; a major player in galactic politics. Oda had been briefed on the faction - autocratic, imperial, with most of their business through N&Z Umbrella Corporation. It seemed that Tetron had been making waves to be noticed by yet another major faction.

As Marlon Sularen walked in, Oda waved the hologram off and offered the courtesy of rising from his desk to shake the man's hand, Oda's cybernetic grip somewhat cold due to the gel-form covering his mechanical frame. "Marlon Sularen the Warlord himself - the pleasure is mine." Oda made a gesture, and a conform lounger rose from the floor. With another gesture, the windows of the office turned opaque, and the air hummed with the sound of a sonic dampening field being activated to protect against eavesdroppers.

Oda took a seat once more, gesturing for the man to feel free to do the same. "I admit, I was anticipating the Mandalorians reaching out before the Imperial Confederation, given their proximity to Bonadan, but I welcome pleasant surprises."

Marlon Sularen