Same Contract, New Signatories

[Caius Flavian]

Republic Space
Carida System
Herald of Retribution ISDIII
Executive Suite

It seemed as though the Celestials had it out for the Imperials of the Galactic Empire. A government in exile ironically given asylum in Republic space on the world of Carida.
The Republic itself was in the midst of soul searching after the events of its Prime Ministers revolutionary attempt to change the system.
That Revolution had resulted in our government and people being attacked by Lasedri's personal army and elements of the navy that had backed her.
They had taken a number of senior members of leadership from power and executed them.
I gazed down at the world of Carida.
It held as many opportunities as wild space I had been lost in for the last year.
Now being back our interim government was doing its best to rebuild.
[member="Tanomas Graf"] was the only surviving Moff
[member="Alva Calvarona"] was our only knight and one of the few members of royalty left.

Time was not kind but the best solution was to continue marching forward and do so with renewed vigor.
Yes justice will one day come but in order for that justice to happen the Empire had to reestablish its logistical capability and sustain long term means of arming itself.
Imperial Arms Incorporated was a State Sponsored Company or at least it was listed as such on an old roster.
'Here is the first of many steps to keep our cause alive... aside from my own company our infrastructure has crumbled completely. Let's see it says here that Eobarda Tarkin had initially finalized the deal between our government and [member="Alicia Drey"].'
I briefly recalled the young woman's initial foray into forming a corporate enterprise under our banner long ago when we had annexed Kad V. Such long times ago.
I tapped into the holonet and used the contact information listed to reach out to her. It was time to renew and begin actually producing weapons, ships, and star craft to aide our cause. Who knows perhaps we can even expand this company further. It was technically fifty fifty control.
I cc'd Princess Alva Calvarona, along with Moff Graf and the other remaining Imperial Officers as well of the holocall so that they may join in or observe.

I sat down upon my hover chair in my executive suite. The world of Carida floated behind me.
Now to wait and see if the holocall would go through.

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Caius Flavian"] |

Alicia Drey climbed off the public transport, that had taken her from the spaceport at Emita to Caius Flavian's ship. As she was being flown to meet with Caius Flavian, she reviewed the contract that had been drawn up all those years ago. The Imperial Remnant would fund the I.A.I project, and in return, Alicia would devote her skills as a designer and manufacturer to put forward weaponry vehicles and much later, war ships, for the Empire to use.

It had been a good deal at the time, but the circumstances had changed. The One Sith had effectively stopped their Imperial cousins from establishing a foothold to expand, with the annexation of Crina finishing any hope, at the time, for the New Order to return. The deal would have to be re-negotiated, as she doubted the Remnant were in any position to fund anyone now, given their present circumstances.

Alicia wore stylish, yet comfortable clothes. The designs are native to Chandrila, of which was her home. Escorted to the meeting, she entered the room and lowered her gaze to officer sat across from her. "It's been a long time, Caius. How are you?"

 

[Caius Flavian]

My holocall hand gone through and arrangements were made to meet.
When she arrived to my executive suite I had arranged for table to be set in the room for us.
My suite was an observation deck converted into a berthing for VIPs.
Our meeting would be looking out from the neck of the Imperial Star Destroyer III.

I rose, out of respect, for my guest and waved for my personal storm trooper protection detail to depart the room.
"Ah Lady [member="Alicia Drey"] it is a pleasure, I'm in good health these days given the current climate I suspect that is almost a commodity"
I admired the dress Chandrilan clothing its style was a prominent eye catcher every time.
I walked over to her and offered my hand.
"I trust that you are doing well?"
My own clothing was the typical olive Imperial uniform only with a few more colored squares now on the ranking plaque.

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Caius Flavian"] |

"As well I could be, considering the state of affairs in the Republic." After taking Caius' hand, shaking it as she did, Alicia lowered herself into the seat on the other side of the table, where the Commodore would no doubt sit on the other side to speak.

Alicia pulled out her Lenoi, unfolded it on the table and activated it. She brought up the contract that the Empire and she had signed, when Imperial Arms Incorporated had been founded on Crina. She lifted her gaze back up. "To business then. I'll get straight too it. The terms of this contract were broken by the Empire. However, given what has happened, I am willing to negotiate a settlement. I am here to help the Empire. Not put it back further."

In her eyes, the Empire had failed to fund I.A.I and that was why the corporation has, to do date, released no products or made any sales, instead costing Alicia some of her personal fortune. She had a case for a settlement to be reached between herself and the Empire. But first she needed to put forward her terms. She rested her eyes on the Commodore, folding one leg over the other to hear what he had to say first before naming them.

 

[Caius Flavian]

[[member="Alicia Drey"]]

I took my seat across from her and listened to the Chandrilan women's obvious disappointment in the state of affairs with the company.
The seat wobbled for a moment as the built in repulsor compensated for my weight.
I plucked my travel mug and took a sip of warm tea-caff.
"While I do agree it has been quite the challenge for us to fulfill our end of the contract but I would surmise though that in all actuality it has been a struggle for both parties to fulfill their obligations given the unusual circumstances of time"
I paused for a moment and thumbed a key on my chair to bring up a holoprojection.
"In fact I.A.I and the Empire's government has had some success with designs,"
The holograms flickered between several different ships

• Victory III Class
• Raider III Class

"By working with I.A.I's engineering consultants and cooperating with Crinan Royal Industries we've managed to produce only a few of these 'products' prior to the fall of Crina. Now though the situation is we have these designs but are unable to produce them due to our territorial losses and physical assets to base production facilities from having been effectively destroyed. Which would be I presume the reasoning for our failure to uphold our side of the contract. Those same reasons are why our other economic endeavors and products have ground to a complete halt with other companies"
I took another sip of tea,
"Would you like a refreshment?"

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Caius Flavian"] |

"Water will be fine."

Alicia turned to observe the Victory and Raider designs. She had not been aware of them. Someone else had designed those ships and attached the patent to I.A.I without her knowing so. Considering that she had been so far out of the loop, in regards to the Empire, it wasn't surprising that they had been designed without her knowing. After all, she hadn't even been aware that the Empire was still alive and kicking at Carida, even going as far to believe that the Imperial Remnant had well and truly died at Crina. But she would keep those thoughts to herself.

"The loss of Crina is, I agree, to be the core cause as to why I was never able to bring the type of success to Imperial Arms Incorporated, that have been seen in the other corporations I have been involved in. However, I am not a politician, bureaucrat or leader. I am a business woman and I have experienced losses since I reached the agreement with the Empire to begin the company."

"The truth is that, given the current circumstances of the Empire, the current fifty-fifty split in the corporation cannot be considered viable on your side. The agreement that we made, if we are to continue working together, has to be modified. Unless the Empire can show me that they have the means to keep up their side- which is to fund the project- then I would say that the agreement is now broken and void."

"In plain terms, Caius, the Empire must pass over the majority to me. I have access to shipyards. I have the ability to design, manufacture and facilitate. I have the resources key to construction. You have neither of these things at this current time."

Switching legs around before reclining her seat, Alicia propped either elbow on the chair to fold her hands together beneath her chin. She rested her chin on her fingers, observing Caius cautiously. "The Empire will have to give up it's fifty percent stake in Imperial Arms Incorporated, if I am to facilitate my services, knowledge, time and money into it's revival or I will be forced to liquidate my half and pull out. At this present time, it is not viable economically for the company to construct weapons, vehicles, star ships and so on for the Empire, when the Empire doesn't have the facilities, resources or money to pay for or construct them."

 

[Caius Flavian]

A smile formed on my lips. She was lethal with words alone. A trait few possessed. A business woman indeed.

"I would disagree. While our physical assets such as the shipyards of Valc from Krayt Industries and Crina Royal Industries on Crina were destroyed along with the I.A.I facilities that we under construction over Kalee being scuttled the Treasury remains intact. Now facilities and resources can be easily rebuilt and gathered. We have our military as a source of man power to staff these. At the moment the Republic have allowed our government to reside on Carida. Although their recent almost civil war had brought ruin to a number of our projects." I looked glanced over at the world outside the large view port and pondered on the loss of our own clone and force user projects. So much had happened prior to my return to the Imperial Remnant, now boastfully claiming its rightful heir as the Galactic Empire, it was a little overwhelming getting through multitude of briefings.
"Now I'm no fool to our reality though, the Republic Government has already proven itself to be unstable so our presence here could be only temporary" I spoke without mentioning the attack on Carida by the Prime Ministers Clone Army and revolutionaries. "Now what precisely are your losses from this venture? An exact credit number. As far as I see it we've pretty much broken even with this venture and while there may not be much success economically speaking, the primary goal was for our forces to be well equipped, which at the moment is exactly what we have."

"I see it in the best interests to consider the physical production capabilities of I.A.I be modular and mobile. For now my first thought would be to convert the IM-455 stowed aboard the Herald of Retribution as a start to reboot this endeavor as the contract originally holds with fifty fifty control. If you incur any losses I'll personally guarantee the reimbursement of losses. Consider it akin to starting a business out of one's garage..."

[[member="Alicia Drey"]]

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Caius Flavian"] |

Alicia took the glass of poured water, drinking it slowly. It was a planned move to dictate the conversation, in order to think about her response. When she lowered her glass, she was ready to continue the negotiation.

"The assets you spoke of at Valc, Crina and Kalee are exactly the losses I am speaking of. In particular, the staff, technology and credits I put into the facilities on Kalee were a significant loss, forcing me to sell Chandrila DataTech to an acquaintance to recuperate. Significant capital, time and more importantly, lives, have been lost since I have been involved with the Imperial Remnant."

"The fact that you are offering to set me up in second rate prefab garrison, is quite frankly, insulting. I also do not accept your position. That you think the Empire still has the money and resources available to construct Star Destroyers is ludicrous. The fact of the matter is the Empire is poor and doesn't have access to the materials necessary for construction."

"The only way the Empire can support it's military, is by becoming a client, not a partner, to Imperial Arms Incorporated. The only way that I am going to invest capital, time, resources and lives back into this project is if I have full control of Imperial Arms Incorporated. This is my first and only offer."

 

[Caius Flavian]

"It seems then that I'll have no other choice but to give into your demands. Please layout the contract I'm certain you've already written up."
I said with a sigh giving into the Chandrilan woman's ultimatum.
It seemed there would be no negotiation with this and little room to maneuver.
I felt it simply wise to move forward with this transaction than against or seek some middle ground.
As painful as that seemed it would leave less of a headache.
I sipped my tea and prepared myself for the setback this would become.

[member="Alicia Drey"]

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Caius Flavian"] |

Alicia removed her Lenoi from her pocket. Unfolding it, she brought up the contract that she had drawn up for the real, having been confident enough in her negotiation skills to have it prepared prior to the meeting. When she wanted it, she got it. No questions asked.

Passing the datapad over to Caius, all that was required was his signature.

"If you would just sign here?"

IMPERIAL ARMS INCORPORATED

This Agreement was made as of 844 ABY.

BETWEEN

THE GALACTIC EMPIRE

&

ALICIA DREY

Reference: Agreements made, by the disclosing party, the Galactic Empire, to the recipient, Alicia Drey, on behalf of the company, Imperial Arms Incorporated, to be treated hereinafter to the sale of shares between both sides.

The disclosing party, agrees to the to the following terms:

1. Liquidation

[a] The disclosing party agrees to the liquidation of all it's shares, holdings and ownership to Imperial Arms Incorporated, to the recipient, effective immediately.

The disclosing party agrees that all patents, assets and stock filed under the ownership of Imperial Arms Incorporated are to be treated as such hereinafter.

[c] The recipient will become the sole owner of Imperial Arms Incorporated.


~

Signatory [The Disclosing Party]: Caius Flavian, 844 ABY
Signatory [The Recipient]: Alicia Drey, 844 ABY

 

[Caius Flavian]

A smile flickered across my lips and my look of defeat changed to one of confidence.
I leaned back reading over the contract, In war it was best to have knowledge of your enemies and allies intentions, and so by feigning defeat he could see truly what it was that Ms. Drey desired.

"Its unfortunate that the products designed were not solely I.A.I assets nor entirely patented by the company, in fact other than consultation. Full liquidation of our shares into I.A.I? Well played." I began.
Another sip of the warm teacaff.
I set my mug down and composed myself fully upright in the chair.
My voice was stern but with no anger, just a matter of fact tone to convey.
"Ms. Drey, My apologies that you felt insulted, in the eyes of the government it is just as insulting that our partner was no where to be found at all during any of our attempts to develop. It was you who left, not us, it was very us who did what we could among the other companies beholden under our banner to produce the weaponry necessary. who then returns with ink sharper than a vibroblade demanding with an ultimatum of either give me everything or I'm no longer involved."

I tapped my foot on the silent security alarm beneath the desk.

"Consider this the end of our partnership then..."

Door opened behind [member="Alicia Drey"] and my storm trooper detail entered

"Escort Lady Drey back to her ship"

 

[Alicia Drey]

| [member="Caius Flavian"] |

Alicia stood up from her seat, lowering her gaze to Caius. "Thank you for your time, Commodore."

Picking up her Lenoi, contract signed, Alicia was escorted out of the Commodore's office, back to her ship. After receiving clearance for launch, she took off, out of the Star Destroyer and towards the edge of the system, where she activated her hyperdrive, slipped into lightspeed and begun her journey back to Chandrila.

 

[Caius Flavian]

[member="Alicia Drey"]

In a short time after the Imperial Government in Exile dissolved into infighting.
The remaining Senior leadership could not properly reform their government and soon broke apart into scattered bands of warlords.

While standing at view port on the Herald of Retribution's bridge I gazed upon at the burning hulk of a vessel as it was caught in the gravity well of Carida.
Traitors and fools who failed to rally beyond their own self interest.
Give a man or woman just a sip of power and often times they become blind to the honor and duty of our stations...

I held a datapad and began to sign away many of the assets. Some I simply changed the letterhead and ledger into my own personal accounts and then put away as many of the designs into my corporate database.

I came across the contract that Alicia Drey had written up.

I shook my head at the sad truth that I simply had not wanted to realize at the time.
I decided then and there in my final act as an Imperial Commander and likely one of the few signatories left... I glanced again at the wreckage of the Victory III Star Fire as it one of its engines went critical and exploded. The light proton beam cannon from the Herald of Retribution had pierced the heavy cruiser from fore to aft and just barely missed the engines in its shot. It was like watching someone bleed to death from being shot in the guts.

I sighed as now circumstances had finally hit their lowest for me.

With a flick of the wrist the contract was signed and I walked away from the view port as several new little suns briefly held life before fading away.

I tossed the datapad to an Ensign who was now the acting Comms officer and said "Here pass this on too the recipients and inform all those who have pledged their allegiance to me that we will make ready to depart from Carida"
"Yes Sir"
"Also congratulations as of today you are now a lieutenant and will man this station with better loyalty and honor than your predecessor..."
"Thank you Sir!"
I moved to leave and stepped over the dead body of the former comms officer who thought to betray me.
The bridge itself was a battle ground as civil war had reached every corner of every ship throughout the remnant fleet.
My storm trooper detail led the way as moved to leave the bridge.
I stopped for a moment to tend to the Captain of the Retribution
"Well Caius, it was a good run for me..."
"Shhh... You fought bravely and that is all that matters, You've served the Empire with true honor and distinction..."
"Thank you Commodore, I'll fight through this..."
"Get some rest"
The Corpsman and his droids moved to get her transported to the sick bay.
I left for my quarters it was time to think of my next move.
Now I was no longer part of the cause, I was nothing more than a warlord...
Opportunity awaits for only those who wish to seize it.