Rise of the Techno Union

[John Locke]

Location: Ministry of Science


The ministry building still had that newly built scent, the rooms and corridors as yet unmarked by the wear and tear that came with the constant use that any office building was subjected to. A small smile turned up the corner of John’s lips as he reached out with one hand, metallic fingers just running along one wall leaving a small mark behind. He knew that the cleaning and maintenance droids would be on it soon, and next time he walked through there would be no sign of it, but for now, for a little while he’d left his mark on the building.
The smile remained on John’s lips as he rounded the corner, his hand sipping back into his pockets in a relaxed, familiar gesture. There was always someone at the ministry, always a bustle of office workers and researchers who filled the halls as they shifted back and forward about their tasks. It was a comforting, pleasant feeling, to just sink into the normal work that made up the everyday life of the ministry, that offered to wrap comfortably around him. Only that wasn’t why he’s was here in the first place.

Today wasn’t about his work with the ministry, it was about a new proposal all together, a collection of companies from across the vastness of their territory coming together to support the Confederacy. There wasn’t a chance he was going to miss this, in fact he’d booked out the Ministry’s restaurant, offering it up as a venue for the meeting. The cyborg had no idea who was going to turn up, but whoever did, he’d always found meeting like this to full of surprises.

A few more minutes ambling brought him to the doors, a server eager to provide him with a drink as he took a spot by the window staring out at the city before him. When the others arrived they’d be shown up from the main entrance, in the meantime he could enjoy the quiet and his whiskey…maybe he should do this more often.

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

Visanj walked through the corridors of twisting, turning labyrinthine offices and facilities the mammoth new headquarters housed. She wasn't surprised, watching the hum and rhythm of the place unfolding, that's exactly what it was meant to be of course, the heart of a Ministry whose vastness and efforts would be felt not only throughout the Confederacy, but across the stars. At least, that was the idea anyway.

Minister Locke had summoned a meeting of some of the Confederacy's most brilliant and influential persons, heads of corporations, innovators and inventors, scientists, explorers, you name it. Just once, Vis wished, she could get a peek into the man's contact list. But Locke kept that as secure as his name sounded, a man of secrets to be sure, but one whom she'd come to admire and respect since having fought beside him at Taanab and now, working as his Deputy Minister. Sure, they argued, mainly about his staunch quickness to veto her ideas, but then again, that was his job and he was good at it. Vis knew that, when he did sign off of one thing or another, he stood behind her all the way, and she appreciated that more than she had the words to say. She hadn't ever had a brother growing up, but she felt like she had one now, and she wouldn't let him down - even if he failed to see the important possibilities of up-armored emus or battalions of psychopathic ferrets. She chuckled, enjoying the knowledge that John's greying hair was at least in part due to her. "Serves the old cyborg right" She mused.

As she went to her office, she greeted the officer from the Corps of Discovery, the Ministry's paramilitary wing, with the progress report of the Ministry's latest efforts. All was going ahead of schedule, and the Ministry seemed to be a well-ordered enterprise, a thousand moving parts all working for the whole. As the maroon-jacketed officer left, Vis knew it was time to get ready. Locke had reserved the whole Hearthstone restaurant, and was putting together a gala welcome to those who would form this new cooperative. It wasn't a normal day, not by a long shot.

Visanj T'shkali, Baroness of Dagata and leader of the Dagatan Free State, had made the Ministry to double as her people's embassy on Geonosis, and the vast artificial lake in which the shiny headquarters stood was a gift from her people to the Confederacy. She stared out the window, savoring the view as it stretched out before her. From the desert came forth the sea, and with it, new life bloomed. The prophecy of her ancestor, Shalya, echoed in her mind as she went to her apartment and prepared for the gala. "With a little luck, new life will indeed bloom tonight!"

=-=-=-=-=-=

"Baroness....Minister Locke said this was a casual event, are you cert-" Aries said before she cut him off.

"The old cyborg has no plans to arrive in his overalls and slouch-clothes, and neither will I. I want our guests to see that their presence is not merely appreciated, but deeply desired, and that this Ministry is nothing short of committed to accomplishments on the very grandest of scales! Now, how do I look?"

Visanj stood there, dressed in her Baronial Gown, and matched boots and necklace, with her hair worn up, accented by aurodium-leaf, checking herself in the mirror as she sipped her scotch. She wore Heartbeat Faster and Artist Rouge lipstick, with smoky eyes and contouring. It wasn't often she donned this look, preferring the comfort of more simple and casual dress but this was a special occasion.

"Every bit the Baroness. Minister Locke will appreciate that you decided to dress up for this. I don't think he was too pleased you held the tele-conference with the Navy last week from your bed. He'll be happy to see you're being more professional."

"Eh, it's good for him. The guy needs to relax and enjoy life a bit. Alright Bucket, you stay and man the fort, and I'll go meet our guests downstairs. Send a case of Whyren's up to John's suite upstairs, he's earned it having brought all of this together."

"Yes Baroness....how do you say, 'Break a leg?'"

"In these heels, I just might!" Visanj laughed as she entered her private elevator and went to meet the Ministry's guests. They'd better have an open bar, she thought.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Dress | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 1 Nozhi Blade (concealed) | 1 Czerka knives (concealed) | 1 Nastirci Combat Knife (concealed) | Mos Wrist Link
Tags: [member="John Locke"] | [member="Visanj T'shkali"]

She'd been staring at the area the building had been constructed on for some time. Her own building, the Whimsy R&D Geonosis Facility was right across where the former Ministry of Science had been. It had been months ago that the old one was destroyed, and she had watched it from the window of her office, wondering how much they knew of what had lurked in the darker corridors of that building, how much had been hidden beneath the rubble. She had seen it, when she had worked together with a Minister of Science so long ago. One that had made her offers she'd had to reject, for their price had been too steep.

Several times she had tried to use her Ministry of Secrets connections to find out what they'd discovered when they tore the place down, or what they were planning to rebuild there. The former, she never found an answer to. The latter, had become public knowledge soon enough. No one was hiding it.

But when the invitation to arrive there arrived, Scherezade had been surprised beyond words. Her company? Her? Thankfully, there was enough time to conceal her surprise at the entire thing. And of course, she would not be missing this one.

Unsure of what of the clothes she owned would be best suited, Scherezade had eventually chosen her green dress, the one that had made few people wonder how she breathed in it. She was a Warrior. Breathing was not mandatory. Besides, the stiff fabric allowed her to conceal some of her weapons. She never went anywhere completely without them, though this time not a single one was in plain sight. Some, would consider that a huge surprise.

A proud smile was on her face as she crossed the street from her building, the Ministry's. Ushered inside through the main door was another surprise – no one was embarrassed about her presence there.

Looking around, she saw some faces she'd been before, but no one yet that she truly recognized. Biting her lower lip, Scherezade hurried herself to the bar. "Tall cream on the rocks please," she asked almost shyly of the bartender before she turned around, hoping to see slightly more familiar faces.

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

As Visanj entered the spacious and opulent hall of the Hearthstone, she noted a small but growing number of guests on the main floor below. A band played softly. Corellian jazz, she should have known since this was Locke's event. She eyed the room, spotting Locke, partially obscured behind one of the potted ferns, sitting and pleasantly smiling as the guests arrived, whisky firm in hand. Vis grinned and shook her head.

"Guess I am doing the welcome wagon routine." She said softly to herself.

Moving down to the main level, her dress trailed softly behind her. She spotted Sherezade, the operative who'd been sent by the Confederacy on their scouting mission to Taanab. The green dress she wore flattered her curves nicely, but - Vis' memory was accurate - she was no doubt armed. Vis always liked that about her, how she was always ready for a fight and the way she seemed disappointed when their mission together had been nothing more than simple sneak and peek. She looked at the swirl of people, still not recognizing many. A few senior researchers from the Ministry, another handful more circled around Commander Ryo, who'd become quite popular since she started working in the Corps and spending more time in the Ministry. Ryo - dressed her Corps officer's uniform - nodded and smiled softly through the bevy of suitors all vying for her attentions. Vis nodded back, silently wishing them good luck, as she knew that Ryo wasn't likely to give more than her name out to anyone tonight. She'd known the woman too long and too closely, and was happy to have her on the team.

Wonder what Locke ordered for dinner...he usually has good taste in such things, Vis wondered, feeling the slight tautness of her belly and remembering she hadn't eaten hardly a thing yet today. She headed to the bar, where the bartender asked her order.

"Wookie-Wango...shaken, not stirred."

Turning, she continued to watch the room. Maybe he'll have coin crabs? Lobster Bisellian? That would be lovely.

 

[Asher Malvern]

​

[member="Visanj T'shkali"] [member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="John Locke"]​

Wearing​

​

There was a noticeable smile on Asher's face. The man was excited. This was not something that happened often. Hell it wasn't something that happened seasonally. The last true formation of a conglomerate of companies within Confederate space had been long before his time. To see something like this in his lifetime was a treat. He'd tightened the tie that hung around his neck and placed a fresh patch over his right eye. He'd spent most of the morning gathering a portfolio of some of his companies latest achievements, placing them in a neat file within his datawatch. The metallic device that was wrapped around his wrist came alive with an orange hue as a childlike voice called out.

"You're really excited, huh Ash?"

"I though I told you not to call me that, D.E.L.T.A.?" The grizzled man grumbled as his eye scanned over the datapad one final time. As the watch illuminated, the voice chimed once again.

"I just haven't seen you this happy since you left Serenno. If this is something you like the idea of so much, why didn't you do it?" That was a good question. The answer was simple and DELTA knew it. Asher was an introvert, so there was no way he would make something like this happen. He'd often been called a hermit by members of his own lab staff, so why would he do something so....forward? It simply wasn't in his nature.

"Did you finish checking your systems for bugs?" Asher asked, his tone one of scolding, almost like a parent would a child. And in return, the young voice made a sound of supreme discontent. It was obvious this was not something he was wanting to do. "Asher, every time I do that I have to go into reserve power mode for hours." He protested.

"Then you'd better get started, shouldn't you?" Asher asked, arching a brow at the metallic watch. The sound of a sigh came through, yet in the next moment the watch's orange glow turned dim and began a faint blinking. With a slight smile, Asher pulled his cuff over the watch and turned to the establishment before him. The man adjusted his tie once more before making his way into the restaurant. The moment he entered he was able to notice a few different faces, most of them were people he had known as competitors in the industry. Asher had been named a Chief Science Consultant for The Confederacy years ago, so those who he did not directly know he had some knowledge of in hearsay. He made his way over to the main table, not caring to start with a drink this evening. He'd rather keep his mind clear and his ears open, how was this evening to go?

 

[Kelsie Sylvan]

Kelsie felt under dressed.

See, it wasn't often that she got invited out to these sorts of shindigs. It was the wrong kind of MoS she was showing up for today. When she'd received the invitation from Locke she'd assumed it'd be low-key, maybe even a mission. The Techno Union had only been thirteen major tech firms working in tandem as part of the Republic, and it'd broken up quickly with the rise of the Confederacy -- but that was ancient history. Now it seemed like there was a bit of an overabundance of companies; or at least an overabundance of people here in the restaurant that the young woman found herself in. "You're supposed to tell me about this kind of stuff," she growled to the miniature comms device on the inside of her yellow nerf jacket with blue stripes.

<<"Adding 'Fancy Venues' to warning protocols,">> Missy replied immediately.

"Patch me in to Locke." Kelsie pulled down her simple cap as she strode across the room towards the bar. It'd be awkward if she didn't at least attempt to blend in despite her clear lack of fancy clothing. Once the comms link was established -- thanks to Missy being Locke's creation, of course -- she spoke quietly. "So is there someone you wanted me to kill or what?"

It was then that she focused on her surroundings for a moment and she noticed the brunette at the bar. Her Cyber-eye contacts picked up the knives immediately, but Kelsie would recognize this particular mug anywhere. A glance to her left revealed a gorgeous blonde, and Kelsie sent a wink her way as she slid into the seat next to Scherezade and spoke. "Hey hot stuff. Didn't expect to see you here..." She was given a small flashback to Maramere the last time a few birds were in the same area as numerous important Confederate individuals and quietly had Missy scan for bombs within the area. "You got a company or something?"

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Visanj T'shkali"] [member="John Locke"]

 

[John Locke]

Faces old, faces new. The room slowly filled with people, some John had never met, never seen before, others whom he was very familiar with. The man slowly rolled his glass of whiskey around in his hand, the amber fluid catching the light, throwing distorted patterns through the crystal glass to dance on the floor near him as he slowly raised his drink to his lips. To be honest, when he'd put out the cal to the various companies, the creators of the Confederacy, John hadn't been expecting a lot of them to show up, he'd have settled for one or two, so the turnout, the number of people who actually had showed up, well it was almost mindblowing, not that he'd ever admit that aloud.

A soft smile turned up the corner of the man's lips as he pushed away from the window he'd settled by, silently skirting the tables as he let the empty glass slide out of his hands, dropping onto the nearest table with a soft clink as John slid his hands into his pockets again, that common well practiced gesture. He'd made a big deal about how proud he was of his cybernetics, and he was, if faced with the choice he'd run into the burning building again. He just couldn't quite shake the feeling that everyone who he met was judging him for them. Was giving him an askance look.

He knew it was all in his head but still, it was hard to get past that twist of doubt in his mind, it was something he knew he had to work on but not now, not today. The man didn't let the smile on his face falter as he padded across the floor, settling down next to Asher with a nod at his rival. "Fancy running into you in a place like this."

[member="Kelsie Sylvan"] | [member="Asher Malvern"] | [member="Visanj T'shkali"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"]​

 

[Asher Malvern]

[member="John Locke"] [member="Kelsie Sylvan"] [member="Visanj T'shkali"] [member="Scherezade deWinter"] ​

​

When it came to Research and Development there had only truly ever been one company to earn Asher's appreciation. As John Locke, the owner of that very company, sat down beside him the older man's lips curled into a knowing smile.

A waiter walked by the two, offering Asher a drink, however the older man held a hand up in declination. He nodded the waiter away before looking back to John, holding a hand out for the man to shake. "I can't let you have all the fun, now can I?" He said, chuckling a bit before nodding. "I thought this could be a good bit of fun. It's not every day that you see a list of these names. Well done, John." Asher said, inclining his head towards the man thoughtfully.

The grizzled man's single eye glanced at the cyborg for a moment before he crossed his arms, adjusting himself in his chair. "Still. Getting us here isn't the hard part. Hell, you can get just about anyone to your door with some good food and liquor."

"The question is what comes next?" Asher challenged, his gaze holding some meaning before he chuckled softly to himself, breaking through the serious moment. "Ah, ignore me. I'm sure you've got it all thought through. If not, then I hope the food is very good." He joked, before taking a menu in his hand and beginning to comb through it.

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

Wearing: Dress | The Forgemaster's Ring | Ring of Stasis | Sofitor
Wielding: 1 Nozhi Blade (concealed) | 1 Czerka knives (concealed) | 1 Nastirci Combat Knife (concealed) | Mos Wrist Link
Tags: [member="John Locke"] [member="Visanj T'shkali"] [member="Visanj T'shkali"] [member="Asher Malvern"] [member="Kelsie Sylvan"]

Assuming the role of the wallflower, Scherezade took her drink in hand and leaned against the bar, looking over the people who had come to attend the opening. She recognized quite a few faces, some from her time working with the two former Ministries, some from her various jobs and gigs with the Confederacy, and a few, such as [member="Visanj T'shkali"], because she'd worked with them.

Whom she had not expected to see though, was [member="Kelsie Sylvan"], also known as Jaqueline. The two had met each other for the first time months ago, while doing a mission that at the time had been aligned with the Knights Obsidian, if she remembered right. Scherezade had still been pretending to be Madalena at the time. Since then though, they'd come across each other on a variety of missions, most of them having to do with birb power.

And now here they both were as well.

Scherezade raised an eyebrow, looking the supposedly younger girl over. She knew the symptoms. She had each and every one of them herself – always busy, appearing everywhere. What was [member="Kelsie Sylvan"] running from, hiding from? They were not close enough that she could ask her, pry into those sort of personal affairs. But there was always a reason.

Sipping from her drink, Scherezade finally averted her gaze to the others, hoping for a familiar face that wans't busy with someone else.

 

[Kelsie Sylvan]

"Silent treatment. Okay, okay. I see how it is. I don't get ghosted often. This is new," she muttered, shaking her head. A 'hi' would've been nice. Scherezade could at least pretend to be Kelsie's friend... or maybe give her an update on what the deal with this place was as a respected comrade in arms. She let out a small sigh and flagged the bartender, quickly ordering a glass of Corellian whiskey. Her usual. Not quite drowning her sorrows, more for enjoyment.

Kelsie turned around, drink in hand, Missy running facial recognition. It didn't seem like anything was off, so now was a good time to actually relax a bit. Not that she'd stop running all of the military-grade response protocols to any threat to her. Force of habit.

After getting a rundown of the situation, as well as selecting people she might like to talk to -- or steal from, who knew -- Kelsie turned slightly, scanning the blonde woman at the bar beside her for a moment. Truly someone fascinating. The young woman shifted over, sliding into the seat nearest to a certain Visanj T'shkali. "I didn't realize they were inviting holostars to these kinds of gigs. Not that Locke isn't a weird guy." She took a sip of her drink, giving a slight side-smirk to the woman.

[member="Visanj T'shkali"] [member="John Locke"] [member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Visanj T'shkali]

[member="Kelsie Sylvan"]

Noticing the attractive woman as she sat down, Visanj couldn’t help but to smile and laugh softly at her opening line. Perhaps this party was looking up. Visanj shifted closer and sipped her drink once more.

“I don’t know about holostars, but thank you. The boss is weird, but he grows on you. So what’s a place like this doing in a beautiful girl like you?” Visanj grinned and winked at the woman, sipping her drink again.

“So what do you think so far? The boss’ parties are usually pretty good, but this one is slow to start. I do hope this takes off, there’s a lot riding on the Techno-Union’s resurgence.”

[member="Scherezade deWinter"] [member="Asher Malvern"] [member="John Locke"]

 

[Kelsie Sylvan]

Finally, someone who was normal. Well, mostly. Abnormally attractive, clearly very wealthy, in a room full of genius tech developers -- or at least ones who were competent enough to run a large company. Still, from what Kelsie could tell, Visanj seemed normal enough. And of course she loved anyone who could step up and flirt with her. So much more fun than the wallflowers. "See, I was about to ask you the same thing," she said, flashing a smile to the blonde.

"Well, if it isn't obvious..." She looked down at her comparatively casual outfit, then back at the woman. "I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion. I love a good party, but I'm more of a fan of the wild raves over the quiet, high class stuff like this... and in this environment, I'd be hoping for a bit more business. Still waiting for Johnny L to get this party started." Kelsie didn't really know much about the current deal with the Techno Union. Maybe it would be a good time to catch up.

"The Techno Union was big in the original CIS, huh. I wonder what'll change..."

[member="Visanj T'shkali"]

 

[Jorik Valnora]

[member="Kelsie Sylvan"] | [member="Visanj T'shkali"] | [member="Scherezade deWinter"] | [member="Asher Malvern"] | [member="John Locke"]​

---

If the day had never come for Jorik to step foot upon the sunscorched, cracked rock of Geonosis’ surface it would be soon. And yet, this is exactly where the Valnora Enterprise CEO found himself. An invitation extended by the hand of the governing body that held sway over the world he called home. An offer to come and join this self-ordained immaculate order that so aggressively sought to extend its influence further and further out into the ether of the galaxy like gluttonous tendrils of darkness in the night. Something reminiscent of how more territory in this wretched galaxy equated to greater power. Such was the struggle innate in every dark corner of the cold dark clusters inlaid in the various arms of this galaxy they all lived. Beyond its borders, lay the unknown. But it probably mirrored that same thirst for power which thrived and festered uncontrollably throughout the history of this home of theirs.

But much like the powers of government that sought to spread out like a petulant disease over the galaxy, the corporate world ran through a similar set of eb and flows. Each conglomerate forever engaged in the competition that would always exist between the rivals. Whether they worked in alliance among one another or not, that competition was always there. Each company’s mission and philosophy varying in some form or fashion from the next. But in the end, each could revel in their similarities and triumphs. In the product and what it would bring to the galaxy.

But now it seemed the Confederacy sought to drive a new meaning and purpose to those companies, no matter how big or how small, that found themselves wrapped in the embrace of those ever expanding borders. A strategic and intelligent play by Ministry that now headed this, and one that would no doubt prove fruitful in its labors should everything come along as had no doubt been planned. But even so, that was likely to be quite the ambitious undertaking.

All to be seen in time.

Jorik had not arrived as early as the others gathered there in the restaurant - the place that had been deemed the appropriate venue. Instead, this little gathering had been a last minute addition to his already encumbering itinerary. The very fact that he’d arrived now, would a surprise in itself. Though, for him, his distaste for this desolate ball of dust and rock made made his mood coming into this rather sullied.

His entrance was not intended to draw any extra attention to himself, and he moved with an eerie silence to a vacant chair along the edge of the gathering, yet inclusive enough that those assembled would know he was in fact a part of this . . . well, whatever this was supposed to be.