Slicer Business

[Jen]

The Dragon Palace, one of the many places across the galaxy that lingered with deceit and death, criminal gatherings and nothing more. These days the former attractive casino had become more and more nested and blackened by the criminals that ultimately ran it. Once it had not been obvious, it had merely been a forefront from where the Syndicate ran their business, but now it was a fortress, and a powerful one at that.

It however still did accommodated most of its luxurious accessories and today was no different. Jennifer, a half-ryn, half-human girl, sat within one of the many large VIP lounges that roamed the casino. Sitting in a large comfortable chair with a Sandro computer in her lap, another one, seeming newer than the other resting upon a metal table that stood infront of her chair. A yellow tranquility screen had been activated long ago around the booth the teenager was sitting in, muffling the loud upbeat music that filled the casino, making it appear as a distant booming whisper.


Today she was waiting on a possible customer of the Sandro computer. Truth be told she had a very tight connection to the Sandro and she wouldn’t just give it to any person that looked to buy it, so this meeting was indeed important both to her, but also to the customer.

Perhaps signify the importance of this meeting, or that she was not to be messed with, a small gathering of DD-S1 droids lined the walls in the VIP booth, guarding the entrance and overlooking the room from their standing positions in it. Across from the metal table where the sandro stood, a large corellian leather could be seen, a white dog resting in the far right end of it, a cap seen upon its head. Probably a fashion statement of sorts from the owner.

“Mpfh…” Jennifer groaned, leaning a bit forward to press a button under the table, enabling a communications line to the guards at the lobby. “Is he here yet?” She let out another noise, a sigh almost as she raised her arm, a gold chrono seen around her wrist on which she with a quick glance checked the time..

[member="Warren Century"]​

 

[Warren Century]

A teenager would enter the room. The teenager would be clad in a nondescript gray outfit that covered him from the neck down. As the teenager entered, he'd notice the positions of each droid in the room and survey the area. Upon finding everything to his satisfaction, the teenager approached so that he arrived near where the table was. Little did anyone know that the teenager in question was actually Warren Century, but Warren had gone to great pains to hide his identity. The reason for this was in case Gordosa ever discovered his deception, it would be very difficult to find him presently or nearly impossible, preferably the latter anyway.

"I am here on behalf of Warren Century. He has authorized me to make the payment, and collect the Sandro to deliver it to him. During this meeting you will have no direct contact with Warren Century. Are those terms acceptable?"

 

[Jen]

The guards micro scale racked movements made sure that one would know they were following the events that unfolded in front of them, their motions so tiny that only one with keen eyesight would truly notice. As the teenager entered, the VIP room after passing a few droids, Jennifer glanced up from her computer for a second only to look back down again, waiting for the boy to step through the yellow tranquility screen that surrounded the booth she sat in, dividing it from the rest of the room.

As he stepped through the screen and started to speak, Jennifer adjusted herself a bit in her chair, still typing away on the computer’s keyboard while the white furred dog in the couch stood to face Warren, standing almost perfectly mechanical still as it took him into view, its eyes blank as if it felt no emotion.

As Warren stopped talking, Jennifer tilted her head a bit while still looking towards the screen of her laptop, slowly closing the screen before finally turning her direct attention towards the boy. A frown had appeared on her soft features, blue hair kept in a hairstyle seen adorning her face, the hair stiff as if having been hair sprayed one too many times. Perhaps the most currently noticeable feature to her appearance would be the large tattoo that could be seen around her right eye, in the form of arrows of sorts. Pointing towards her iris at from the top, side and bottom of the eye. Biologically at least they were almost the same age, with Jennifer being the oldest. She took a sip from a glass of cognac that stood upon the metal table before turning back towards him once more, seemingly thinking about how to handle a situation such as this one.

She surveyed him for a second or so with the amber eyes of hers before talking as she turned her eyes back towards him, a gold chrono watch seen around her wrist, her clothing in itself showing that she was someone who at the very least used a lot of money on clothes. Or perhaps just that she in general owned a lot of credits.

“So… You’re a messenger?” She sighed almost dramatically, letting a hand run through her short hair “You do realize I wanted to meet this Warren only to judge if he would be a proper client, yes?” She glanced briefly towards her still standing dog, its gaze locked upon Warren. “No, the terms are not acceptable. I’ve other things to use my time on so unless you carry some sort of personal message from him you should consider leaving.”

[member="Warren Century"]​

 

[Warren Century]

Warren then approached, closer to her and whispered. "I'm really Warren, but in a previous identity...well a Hutt wanted me dead. So I'm taking all precautions I possibly can to avoid attracting attention to the fact that I'm still around and kicking. It's a safety measure that I've also taken by assuming a new identity completely. I'm Warren Century, former owner of the company known as Suvian Sciences. I plan to launch a new version of the company, and your system will help me do a lot of the computer stuff now that I'm no longer a droid. "


Warren paused for a moment, and said. "If you keep me a secret, I'll give you a 100% bonus." This was said because when Warren started working on the technology to incorporate into a suit of powered armor, he'd need to have the resources of a slicer to help him with the armor, anyway. Plus there was a lot of stuff he couldn't do, as he didn't have the skills required anymore. Sometimes being an organic was a double edged sword, but learning how to use the force was gonna be his advantage.

"So do we have a deal?"

 

[Jen]

Jennifer wasn’t a fan of people who kept secrets or lied, that much was obvious when Warren whispered to her, a frown still seen on her features as she listened, the full attention of both the dog and the other droids in the room now fully directed at Warren.

She leant a bit back in her chair and turned her attention towards her dog as Warren paused during his speech, thereby giving her a short pause to talk in. “Comm channel one. Bring us two glasses of cognac.” The dog blinked once, standing perfectly still from its position in the couch, still facing Warren. It would at this point start to become apparent that it was a droid as well.

“Of course credits are never just rejected, but compared to the security risks handing you the sandro could pose, forty thousand are still not worth it.” Jennifer said slowly, gesturing towards the couch where the dog stood in an invitation for Warren to take a seat. “I need to know what you will use it for and where your loyalties lie.” She offered a kind smile just as a male Twi’lek dressed in a fine waiter suit approached them with a plate in his hand, two glasses filled to the brim with the golden liquid that was cognac seen in them.

Jennifer hadn’t quite caught the thing he had said about him no longer being a droid, pushing it aside for the moment. Yet she thought it apparent that they were around the same age, even if Jennifer would seem older than her actual age simply due to the odd confidence that shined from her. One could assume that having such was only natural when you had to grow up in an environment such as this one. “You are allowed to drink. Yea?” She added, smirking somewhat as she grabbed one of the glasses.

[member="Warren Century"]​

 

[Warren Century]

Warren nodded, and took the glass. "Well for starters, I'm gonna use the system to hack into an old encrypted heavily defended computer I set up on Tatooine, and get access to some of my designs. Finding something with the processing power to do the job was next to impossible until I heard about the Sandro. "

This was true, because when he had closed Fort Suvian down he had heavily secured the computer systems there, with so many fire-walls, it would take a computer with an obscene amount of processing power to even connect to that system. Cracking the firewalls would take a computer that could handle all of that. Draining the glass slowly, Warren savored the taste of the Cognac because it had been a while since he had eaten or drank anything. Honestly he was still getting used to the complexities of being human.

"Your system will also be used, with your permission as part of the internal hardware of a new line of battle droids I'm thinking up. I'll even give you 20% of the profits from each sell of the battle droids that will use the Sandro for their internal processor. The Sandro will also be used with your consent, as the operating system of a suit of powered armor I'm soon gonna commence working on. "

Getting the designs out of Fort Suvian was not going to be a piece of cake, especially with the security system he had installed as a droid. Why had he taken such measures to ensure the safety of a few trinkets? Aggravated with himself because of his own apparent stupidity Warren began some planning. Putting a team together would be a good start. A mercenary, a hacker, a grifter...yes. Three parts of the new Suvian Sciences could be put into play, right away. But he'd have to find just the right people.

 

[Jen]

Listening carefully Jennifer took a sip from her drink as well, the taste usual to her, just another drink. As Warren started to talk she gave the Twi’lek a quick smile as it walked off with the now empty tray, adjusting herself a bit in the chair to get seated properly and comfortably as the white dog jumped down from the couch to jump up into her chair. She stayed silent while scratching it behinds its ear, listening to Warren talk until he paused to take down the glass of cognac.

Almost muttering she talked. “The R.I.C.O droids are such gentle beings, effective too.” She smiled, going back to listening as he continued to talk, silence ensuing for a minute or two, as he was completely finished. She judged his words carefully, pondering silently for some time.

“You got big plans that is for sure. You do have to realize though that the Sandro is not some sort of mass-produced product. It’s custom made to every single person who orders one. Therefore, it would be hard to transfer into battle droids, however…” She paused for a second, letting a hand run through her hair: “I will be able to help you out. I got the credits and the access to the parts to buy you the parts needed to construct something with similar power capabilities. The operating system the Sandro uses will be easy to program the droids on I assume, if that is what you want. Considering getting into your old… Fort. I can help you with that. All in all. A sandro is a personal computer, not one to turn into droids. However the parts the sandro uses could be. I can help you with all of it, but the sandro won’t get sold on that premise.

[member="Warren Century"]​

 

[Warren Century]

"Very well. Although later I will have to work on some sort of AI in order to manage the droids so they can't be reprogrammed in order to kill me. I may seem a bit paranoid about such things, but I'm not about to risk my own extinction." This was said by Warren as he considered the possibilities. A new line of droids all with similar computing power to the Sandro. It wouldn't be as good as giving them true artificial intelligence, but it would be a step in the right direction. Some of them, like the droids he had made to counteract lightsaber wielders would need to be overhauled and completely upgraded from scratch. Yeah, there was a lot of work he had to get done, soon. "Your computer system had one distinct advantage over most commercial bought ones, fewer back doors. Which means it will likely be harder for hackers or slicers to reprogram my droids to eliminate me, even if we used something similar to the Sandro in them."

Warren smiled, and then took out a PDA that had the contract on it. A quick alteration removed the part of using the Sandro, and replaced it with use of a similar system, and then he handed the PDA over to her.

"You know, once my droids start getting made we'll both be raking in the credits."

 

[Warren Century]

"Very well. Although later I will have to work on some sort of AI in order to manage the droids so they can't be reprogrammed in order to kill me. I may seem a bit paranoid about such things, but I'm not about to risk my own extinction." This was said by Warren as he considered the possibilities. A new line of droids all with similar computing power to the Sandro. It wouldn't be as good as giving them true artificial intelligence, but it would be a step in the right direction. Some of them, like the droids he had made to counteract lightsaber wielders would need to be overhauled and completely upgraded from scratch. Yeah, there was a lot of work he had to get done, soon. "Your computer system had one distinct advantage over most commercial bought ones, fewer back doors. Which means it will likely be harder for hackers or slicers to reprogram my droids to eliminate me, even if we used something similar to the Sandro in them."

Warren smiled, and then took out a PDA that had the contract on it. A quick alteration removed the part of using the Sandro, and replaced it with use of a similar system, and then he handed the PDA over to her.

"You know, once my droids start getting made we'll both be raking in the credits."

 

[Jen]

“Droids are pretty sophisticated machinery and they are artificial intelligences to some extend. They are just… Bound by other… Moral programming, I guess.” She flashed another slight and tired smile. She had to admit it was interesting to had met this Warren Century. He for one at the very least knew what he was talking about, which was not the case for many of the people Jennifer had considered possible clients for the Sandro. The truth was that in some way or another the Sandro was merely a pathway to get to know people with similar interests, the computer in itself did of course mean a lot to Jennifer, it was powerful yes, but it wasn’t irreplaceable. The technology wasn’t rare either and it would of course take some time, but she should be able to code another operating system should it become absolutely necessary. Security risks and all. Of course that wasn’t something she wanted to do just yet, no urges there as it was tiring work, so she still had to be careful to who she sold it to.

Therefore, that problem was out of the way with a contract like this. It required no Sandro and only bits and pieces of its operating system, somewhat converted so it could be used in droids. It seemed like a fair deal… Except for…

Jennifer took another sip from the glass in her hand, having ignored the non-stop booming music that was muffled by the yellow tranquility screen that continued to surround the two in the booth. She moved the contract a bit in her hand to get a closer look at it, slowly scrolling over the conditions. “So what we’re getting at here is... Suvian Sciences will together with a private investor-” She grinned at the thought, pointing briefly towards herself with her thumb. “-launch a new series of droids. The private investor will sell the internal hardware and parts of the operating system used in the droids to Suvian Sciences. Hmmm.." She the kept her eyes on the last bit of the contract for a little while before turning her gaze back up towards Warren, her amber eyes surveying him for a second.

“You detail twenty procent of the profits for each sell of a battle droid. Shall we not raise that to thirty? Furthermore, lets say that for the personal, obviously off-contract powered armor of yours you’ll make an extra one with my measurements? Yea? Oh and one last thing. I would like to be involved with the work of both products. As a team.” She nodded a few times mostly at herself before she tapped the datapad a few times to send off the contract file to a Red Raven lawyer to make sure that no holes were in it. She figured those terms were acceptable considering her part of assistance in the project and leant back in the comfortable corellian leather chair with a pleased expression, letting out a sigh.

"I'm sorry for my tight up attitude by the way. It's been one hella of a week..." She said, almost growing even more tired simply at the thought of the ongoing things that happened within the Ravens. So probably in response to that she after having taken off her leather jacket so she sat in her white tanktop, grabbed a leather case from its inside and snatched a deathstick from the case, looking at the stick with a mean glance before tossing the case onto the table. "Deathstick?" She offered. A saying on the streets went that you couldn't cheat in business with people you had shared sticks with. Probably.

[member="Warren Century"]​

 

[Warren Century]

"Suvian Sciences will not be selling the droids, you misunderstand. That company is dead, buried. As for wanting a copy of the armor with measurements, very well that can be done. Furthermore, I will also up the profit margin you get to not 30, but 40%. I will soon be launching a new company which will sell the droids, as well as a lot of other products. " When she offered him a death stick Warren thought about the potential risks provided by the Deathsticks. It was best if he not risk taking one to begin with. Warren paused for a moment, considering how to word this.

"Since I'm new to this human body somewhat, I'd better not take the risk of a deathstick just yet. It's just that I'm trying to do everything I can to keep my body in working condition, if you catch my drift. Also, as part of the contract you'll be given a gift, a Star Fighter I'm presently in the process of designing, when it's completed. You'll hold one of the only prototypes to that design. In addition, I'll give you the armor with the measurements you want, but you'll need to choose out an acceptable color scheme. I've chosen Gray, Black and Purple for the suit of armor I will eventually have, but as for the one you'll have, you'll need to choose out the color scheme. "

"You will be involved with both products, especially when I weaponize the armor, and the droids."

This was spoken by Warren who took the tablet, and when it asked for a signature provided his thumb print. Then he offered the tablet back to her and said. "Please provide your thumb print."

 

[Jen]

Slowly she put the death stick between her lips, listening to Warren talk, seeming not to take a lot of note judging from the way her gaze was turned other place, as if she was pondering upon the very fundaments of life. She probably wasn’t though and was in fact listening intensely. Everything seemed in order, this business deal had turned out to be quite fundamentally good. It at the very least proved the initial reaction of character Jennifer had gotten wrong.

“Sounds great, Warren? Can I call you that?” She asked, continuing to glance absentmindedly towards the nearest entrance, not really paying too much attention to the death stick between her lips as of yet. “Aha… Well your choice, they are of good purity these ones… Nevertheless, a star fighter you say? Interesting. What are you going to call it?” She paused for a second as she tried to come up with a good color scheme, lighting the death stick with a grin as her amber eyes turned back towards him.

“I’ll take magneta, cyan and… White? Yea?” She took the the datapad and briefly skimmed over the contract again, didn’t matter terribly much. The lawyer team had already looked over it and cleared it judging from the short text she had gotten on the datapad of her own. She pressed down her right hand’s thumb on the screen in the marked area. “A pleasure doing business with you, Warren.”

[member="Warren Century"]​

 

[Warren Century]

"Given that my original Star Fighter was called the Wasp Class, this one will be called the Mantis as the name I wanted to use was taken by someone else already." This woman wanted a Magenta, Cyan and White suit of powered armor. Warren nodded, smiling. "It was a pleasure doing business with you as well Jennifer. I look forward to being business partners with you for the forseeable future. After all, a business relationship between us would prove to be mutually beneficial. Oh, there is one other thing I must have you sign, here and now before I forget."
A second tablet was pulled out, this one had a contract that would prevent her from at any time suing him. It would allow them to use an arbitrator or a mediator, as opposed to going to court against each other. A wise failsafe, given the circumstances.

"This is just an anti-suing document."

The document also contained a clause prohibiting the employment of mercenaries, or assassins or the deployment of agents, operatives or Free Lancers by the Red Ravens to attack him, so long as he didn't attack them. Of course, if they did attack him he was permitted to use reasonable levels of Force to prevent attacks by them.

 

[Jen]

She seemed to calm down considerable after having lighted up the death stick, her before some what tightened attitude loosing up a bit as she leant back in her chair, grabbing the anti-suing document and scrolling through it, skimming it. After she had read it herself, she would send it to the Red Raven lawyers and wait for their response, taking another drag from the death stick while waiting.

“Looking forward to seeing the finished products. Just send me a message on my personal HoloNet line if you need me.” She said with a grin as she tossed a business looking card with a phoenix looking bird on it printed in black on its white square surface. As soon as it hit the table, a long series numbers would light in a blue transparent holo projection, shining faintly above the card.

“But just know that I can’t write agreements for the entire Ravens. It’s us two who are doing business, not the Ravens. I’ll make sure that the forms are handled as properly as possible. Reach out to me if you’re harassed or anything.” She would say in a casual manner, soon after getting notified of the skimmed through contract. If there was nothing wrong with it other than what just mentioned she would sign it.

[member="Warren Century"]​