[Summit] And the Money Kept Rolling In [IGBC]

[Natasi Fortan]

The summit at Cloud City was turning out to be rather a success, Natasi reflected as she stood in her suite, reviewing the notes she had made for herself over the last several hours. She had planted a seed with the CEO of Iron Crown Enterprises and had a good feeling about that. She had thought to speak to [member="Valessia Brentioch"], but the woman had disappeared. It was no great loss to Natasi's over-arching scheme, but since she had heard marginally positive buzz about her business, it did seem a shame to let her get away. She rather hoped the woman would come around again, but -- alas. She drew a line through Brentioch's name on her list and moved to the next one.

[member="Lan Porgata"] -- the chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan. Yes, this was more critical to success. If she could open relations with the IGBC, the First Order government might be able to obtain a line of credit, which could make their expansion a little easier and a little faster. She thought she had imprinted favorably on the Chairman at their first meeting, though of course she had know way of knowing for sure, particularly with a Muun. She thought that there might be some elements in the First Order that would find such an alliance distasteful, but these types typically found a way to overcome their scruples when it came to cash, and Natasi herself was not among them.

She had a meeting with the IGBC this afternoon, after luncheon. Natasi almost never ate luncheon, so here was she, in her suite, reviewing her notes and fielding calls from Dosuun about the crane collapse. Natasi was just ringing off a call with the head of the search and rescue operation when Sioux Chambers knocked on the door and then pushed it open. "Ma'am? Your two o'clock with Chairman Porgata." Natasi glanced at her wrist-chronometer. It was ten til. "Thank you, Sioux," she answered absentmindedly, gathering up her documents. "I'm going now. Would you please stay and monitor the situation on Dosuun? Pull me out if you absolutely need me. And see if you can find a way to get them to stop calling it the crane crisis."

Three minutes later, Natasi was setting up her things in an ten-person conference room supplied by the hotel, overlooking the plaza below and offering panoramic views of Cloud City out the window. She poured a glass of water from the carafe and then set the carafe and some spare glasses on the table in case the IGBC contingent needed it. There were assorted other beverages and snacks on the sideboard as well. She reviewed her notes one last time, took a deep breath, and waited, trying to remain calm. This could be a big deal for the First Order, so naturally, she was feeling a little on edge.

 

[Lan Porgata]

Lan had dressed for the auspicious occasion by wearing a long nickel colored robe, swathed by a lavender sash. It was surely much more formal than he was used to wearing around the office on Muunilinst but the weight of this summit deserved him and his entire delegation showing it the respect it deserved. He had asked Plu and Jor to attend the meeting in addition to Eon.

The four of them arrived five minutes before the meeting time, and entered the room behind Lan who smiled graciously and approached [member="Natasi Fortan"] with a smooth stride and a relaxed air about him.

"Moff Fortan, it is a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for making time in your schedule for this meeting. May I introduce you to my associates, Plu Hone and Jor Refu. Plu helps to oversee the commodities markets while Jor is a risk analyst in our galactic finance division. And this is Eon, my personal aide. Please let's be seated."

He motioned the chairs, and the two other Muuns took seats to Lan's right while he sat opposite Natasi's seat. Eon fetched a small assortment of fruits and a pastry for Lan with a cup of caf before retreating to a chair set by the wall, where he could provide assistance to his boss but otherwise be unobtrusive.

"First off, may I offer my condolences to your people regarding the tragedy in Dosuun. I hope that your inquiry is expedient and that there is swift healing for those who have suffered losses. Are there any resources we can offer to help assist the recovery efforts?"

The aftermath of accidents or disasters were never quick or cheap but they were necessary. How the First Order would handle this incident would speak much of what their priorities were in regards to their spending. Jor had been watching the developments unfold on the news for the last 24 hours, and she regarded the Moff with a careful expression but with sadness in her dark set eyes.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Likewise," said Natasi with a pleasant smile, bowing in greeting. She repeated the respectful nods to the other members of the IGBC retinue. "How do you do? What fascinating work you do," she said, with no hint of false flattery. Indeed, these were areas of interest to Natasi. She didn't invest personally, but had studied the markets during her undergraduate work, and had long thought about putting some First Order funds into the commodities, but had never quite felt comfortable enough to pull the trigger before the affair at Herevan Hold. Natasi followed the lead set by [member="Lan Porgata"] and smoothed her skirt as she sat down, unbuttoning the button on her blazer as she settled in.

Natasi's smile turned sad at the mention of the tragedy at Dosuun. "Thank you, very kindly. Thankfully, we have been requiring a bond against such accidents from the companies building on the capital, so we can at least provide for the families of those who were lost, and ensure first-rate medical care for the survivors. Of course, I will pass along your comments to the Supreme Commander when I report to him next." She nervously adjusted the balance pendant at her chest and then picked up her pen. "Tragedies like this, however horrible, can be used as learning opportunities."

She smoothed her hands over her notepad and looked over the table. "If you don't mind, I'd like to talk about you -- about the InterGalactic Banking Clan, that is." She favored the delegation with a polite smile. "Obviously, the First Order is looking to demonstrate that it is open for business. We like to think that an environment of stability and peace will be profitable for all business interests. And clearly we would be interested in cultivating a relationship with an organization as prestigious as the InterGalactic Banking Clan. What are your thoughts on the subject?"

 

[Lan Porgata]

He listened intently as [member="Natasi Fortan"] spoke, paying close attention to her nervous gestures. She was uncomfortable with discussing the tragedy and Lan did not see a need to force her to speak of the subject, and so when she steered the conversation back towards the IGBC, he was more than happy to oblige her.

"Of course madam."

He reached for a sip of his caf before he cleared his throat.

"Naturally, we also favor market climates that are conducive to growth. The First Order sits in a region of shifting tides so to speak but contains some vast resources, including Bespin. The effect on the market for tibanna gas has reflected the politics of the region. Trades route blockades, embargoes, sanctions and seemingly endless conflict; all these things are blocks to free trade which impact the rest of the galaxy. The Galactic Alliance is an aggressor in the area, well intentioned though they may be and where they seek to spread their influence, they also end up discouraging open markets. As I say quite frequently, money is neutral. So we, and indeed I, would like to see what assistance can be offered to the First Order either in negotiating for trade routes, or providing other avenues of capital to flow between the Banking Clan and the First Order."

His voice was deep but smooth, if a little pinched and nasally due to the structure of his anatomy. There was nothing duplicitous in his mannerisms or tone, it was a matter of perspective that the militant goals of the Alliance opened doors for freedom for many citizens of the galaxy however, their doctrine closed out many of the smaller corporations and governments who had once been labeled as members of now defunct galactic organizations that were somewhat less than morally upstanding.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"It's interesting that you should mention that," Natasi responded to his saying: money is neutral. "I say something similar: credits don't care about feelings. Yours is more concise and to the point, I think," she said with a pleasant smile. "The situation at Bespin is rather interesting. Granted, I am a firm believer in the free trade of materials, but in this scenario, with tibanna gas being such a strategic resource, it would be foolhardy in the extreme to allow the free trade of it into, say, the Galactic Alliance," she said cautiously, "Since we don't suspect so much as know with certainty what types of ships they would fuel with any tibanna they might get from Bespin. And we know against whom they would direct them. So -- while I am philosophically against embargoes and other barriers to trade, in some scenarios they are necessary."

She folded her hands in front of her over her portfolio. "That being said, we are always looking for ways to increase trade opportunities in non-hostile areas. I anticipate an increase in the tibanna output in the next several months, so we would be able to improve the supply for trade. If we could draw upon the reputation and markets of the InterGalactic Banking Clan in order to sell tibanna and other commodities on the exchange. Besides the obvious benefits for your organization and mine, the association of your name would underwrite a note of ... well, for lack of better term, legitimacy ... which is extremely useful for a relatively newly-minted organization like the First Order. It would be something that the First Order Independent Sector would be willing to pay a premium for -- say, built into the back end of the listing fees?"

[member="Lan Porgata"]

 

[Lan Porgata]

Lan seemed puzzled for a moment and then understood. He had not made his point concisely and so Moff Fortan thought he was speaking strictly about the trade of tibanna in the region. He nodded to her concerns, sipping his caf while she spoke.

"I believe I may have given you the wrong impression. My mention of tibanna was only to illustrate what the turmoil of the region has done to the price fluctuations of it as a tradeable commodity. I do not wish to push the First Order into dropping trade sanctions or opening dialogue with the Galactic Alliance. No, my point, which I failed spectacularly to make, was that the Alliance has thwarted businesses and governments in the region which once were protected and aligned with the Techno Union or the Order of the Black Rose or the broken arm of the One Sith that lead out to Panatha. These are the ones I believe would be helped by the First Order and the InterGalactic Banking Clan."

Lan sat forward in his chair, his arms resting on the tabletop now as he leaned in, his voice coming down a tad lower.

"Political ideologies aside, someone who may not share the same views as the Alliance has just as much right to see their business flourish. It is as absurd to penalize them for it as it would be to penalize their business for religious reasons or that they are not human. These kinds of prejudices have no place in business. If the First Order can be amenable to that, then we are prepared to offer assistance to those efforts with special programs and finance incentives for the First Order itself."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi blanched as [member="Lan Porgata"] explained himself. She listened intently and nodded her agreement. "Yes, I quite agree with you. The employees and stockholders of the corporations in these impacted areas did not ask to be involved with, and certainly did not ask to be disadvantaged by, the political tumult caused by the Galactic Alliance," she said with a sniff of disdain. "Certainly the First Order would have an interest in doing what we can to help. It's not only good for business, it would be good for our image and, frankly, it's the right thing to do, I think."

This next bit was somewhat sticky. There were certain humanocentric elements in the First Order, but Natasi was not necessarily one of them. She leaned forward, her tone matching his. "Absolutely, the First Order sees business separate and apart from these other issues. As long as the ideology isn't destructive against our interests, naturally." She smiled across the table and leaned forward, getting her pen ready to take notes. "What is it you have in mind, Mr. Chairman?" asked the Moff.

 

[Lan Porgata]

The Muuns may not be an overly expressive species but they could read the signs on the faces of others. There was a touch of discomfort in the Moff but rather than call attention to it, Lan merely filed it away.

"It's quite simple really. You encourage commerce from smaller systems, and assist the IGBC in establishing a new commodities exchange that is centralized on this side of the galaxy, and free from the Alliance influence. No longer would the prices of raw materials be dependent on the galactic market, subject to its whim because of the battles of the Sith, the Republic, the Alliance or whoever else threatens free trade. Manufacturing costs will drop and inflation will go down. You help drive business towards the IGBC and in exchange we open our coffers to you. The First Order will enjoy a generous line of credit with exceedingly favorable terms to help with building your nation."

Lan glanced to both Plu and Jor who nodded thoughtfully at his words. Plu pulled a datastick from his case and set it next to Lan. The Chairman placed a gentle finger on it and slid it across the table.

"The details are much more numerous and are contained on this stick for your finance ministers to review and approve. Of course, something of this magnitude will require signatures at the high level, so we are not looking for a yes today. Plu and Jor have some additional requests for information to properly assess the risk profile for the project but this could be a revolution that breathes new life into the small businesses, and the resource worlds of this side of the galaxy. And the First Order would be the shepherd of that prosperity."

He sat back, folding his hands in his lap, his demeanor relaxed.

"In exchange, you get what you need to do what you must. We have no desire to tell you how to run your government so long as the credits flow, we are content to fund your expansion and keep to Muunilinst."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi raised an eyebrow, her stomach clenching in equal parts excitement and terror. "I am... very pleased to say that we are of one mind on this matter," she said delicately. The idea of Dosuun -- her city, the city she had planned and built -- as a financial capital not just of the First Order but of the entire region. It was too much to hope for, too good to be true. And yet, this Muun did not seem duplicitous, though that might have been Natasi's inability to read him.

She agreed with his assessment about the details of the deal as she leaned forward to collect the datastick. Indeed, this sort of deal would need to go to the Supreme Commander at least, possibly the Supreme Leader himself. If it all came off -- if it all came off well -- Natasi fancied herself home and dry as far as her reputation was concerned, not just with the Supreme Leader, but with the military establishment, the political classes, and the men- and women-on-the-street. She allowed herself to relish just a sliver of hope and joy as she fingered the datastick, carefully tucking it into her portfolio.

"Be assured that I will discuss the details carefully with my advisers and superiors. And, of course, Plu and Jor," she nodded to each in turn, "will get whatever information they require should my superiors agree to your terms." Natasi rather thought they would, but there was no point speculating until she had had the disk scanned by security and then had a chance to examine its contents. "I shall pass this along as quickly as possible. Is there a time-frame in which you're looking for an answer?" she asked cautiously. "During the summit?"


[member="Lan Porgata"]

 

[Lan Porgata]

"I believe that the scope of this project will take some considerable time to weigh and to investigate for your government. We have outlined a proposal however it is considerable in length and breadth. We are prepared to accept changes and concessions, should you require them. My staff and I are committed to growth on this side of the galaxy and will be available to meet with your leaders to help guide the process. In that regard, we can wait as long as it takes for your superiors to convene and discuss it in detail."

Lan reached for the caf, sipping it thoughtfully as he leaned back in his chair. It was a monumental undertaking to be sure. However, he and in turn, the IGBC felt it was a necessary one. Should the Alliance beat the Sith, then what? They were a resistance force, not a functional government. And they may shelter the companies in their midst so long as those companies and people believe what they do. Lan was sure that the First Order could be just as narrow minded in their prejudices against non humans, however he was willing to bet that they would play ball much more than the Alliance.

"My staff and I will finish out the summit and then we will be in the region paying visits to those who could use a helping hand. Should we be required to visit Dosuun to meet with your government, it will be a shorter trip. The council back on Muunilinst would also like me to look for locations for branch offices. So it's fortuitous that we could take this opportunity, Moff Fortan."

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"Fortuitous indeed," Natasi agreed. She spread her hands. "We do know where to reach you, to be sure, and we would be honored to host you on Dosuun should it be convenient for you. Of course, I am prepared to travel to meet at your convenience when my government has had the opportunity to review your proposals. If you think it best negotiations, as needed, take place in person, we can accommodate that as well." The Moff knitted her hands together over the notepad she had been using to take notes.

She would begin review of the information immediately after the meeting, and would transmit the details to High Command back home for their review as well. The truth is she was rather eager to get it in front of others in her government, to see if anything leaped off the page at anyone else. She ran a finger along the edge of the little pocket holding the datastick before looking back up to [member="Lan Porgata"] and his delegation. "Is there anything else you'd like to discuss while we've got a few moments?" Natasi looked pleasantly across the table at Lan, Plu, and Jor.