Private Sunk Cost Galaxy

[Okono Dukkha]

​

The sun had set this side of the City That Never Sleeps. Imperial Center... heart of the galaxy. The office buildings of the Financial District slowly drained of life as bureaucrats turned in for the night, and outside in the skylanes the rush hour traffic gripped the city. Its facade had taken a distinctly sinister appearance since the Empire's return. Where once beleaguered citizens stared blankly out of their speeders at the billboards and the flashing lights of consumer capitalism, they now drove past buildings draped in Imperial banners, and propaganda where the eyes roamed. The liveliness that existed in the freedom of the Galactic Alliance was nowhere the seen or heard. Heads were kept down, no more were truths and hopes and dreams shouted from the rooftops. Everyone a citizen looked, there was something to remind them of the times that had passed. Vast swathes of the surface of Coruscant remained scarred from the decades of violence over the crown jewel of the Galaxy, a fact commuters could easily be reminded of if they skirted too close to the ruins of the Senate District. The wreckage of past battles, the stripped back cultural footprint, the authoritarian apparatus that weaved its way through the entire city... it gave the planet an austere, haunting beauty, the way the city lights still illuminated a world fallen into darkness...

​

With a press of a button the windows of the office turned opaque. Okono turned his chair back to his desk and the datapad in front of him. The numbers were astounding. The demands were outrageous. The stakes were all or nothing. The Empire marched, but with every step it hemorrhaged money and resources. The corporation demanded more. COMLIT demanded more. The war demanded more. The Empire's front line was conscript soldiers with old blasters, some of them even had ammo. They starved because of rationing, and most of them died. Equipment retentions rates from fallen soldiers was declined, and plummeted with Atrisia. His department couldn't produce enough Tibanna for blasters, nor fuel for ships, and the grand affair, the utter blackhole of resources that had been Project Stardust, had exploded in orbit. Unless things changed, the Galactic Alliance would not be the only government that overextended itself, and collapsed.

His desk intercom buzzed, then the voice of his secretary came through, "Sir, Director Reiner Ghadi has arrived." she stated.

Okono pressed down the intercom button with cold precision, "Good, send him in."

Okono released the button, then straightened his uniform, sitting upright, stiff, proud... Imperial. There was much to discuss between the Director of Science and the Minister of Resource Exploitation. The Brain of the Empire, and the Stomach of the Empire. One to innovate, one to fuel... both to unite. That was what the Alliance had lacked. Strength in unity. Ever since Operation: Cinder that had been the guiding principle of the Empire's oligarchs, that the ties of hardship bind them tighter. The Alliance's bickering liberal democracy had scattered to the wind because it had realized its own inefficacy. Unity was only a saying to them, a conviction that was revealed to be lip service when the cards were on the table. When the situation was dire, the politicians of Fondor had walked out. The politicians of the Empire overcame. With the Director of Science, Okono aimed to find a solution to the empire's deficits, and overcome the odds stacked against the troubled birth of the new Empire.

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Okono Dukkha

Tales of The Future

So much work... down the drain.

The Alliance had fractured, breaking apart at the very seams just as Reiner always knew it would. Such tenuous relations between inept politicians were always meant to fail. For all of their efforts, the Senate that Reiner had once been a member of amounted to little more than puffed chests, empty words, and even emptier actions. Yet, despite the Empire's enemy disintegrating before their very eyes, all that the Director could focus on was the loss of the Empire's superweapon.

Weapons of such a scale cost money, time, and manpower. A nearly incalculable amount of each, at that. The time it took just to put the logistics to paper was more than he cared to remember. Reiner bit the inside of his cheek, stifling the frustration welling in him, if only for a moment. The Emperor, for all of his successes, was an egomaniac. Though Reiner wouldn't even dream of thinking such a thing in his presence or that of his precious Dark Side Elite, the fact remained all the same. That same ego would likely bring the Emperor's wrath upon Reiner in a rather timely and unjustifiably vicious manner. At least... if Reiner hadn't already anticipated the Death Star's potential fate. The OIS had been working around the clock in an effort to continue proving their importance, though they were being worn thin. Their work required time, funds, and most importantly, raw materials. Materials that the Minister of Resource Exploitation could acquire, so long as his back were adequately scratched.

Reiner rode the lift upward to the Minister's quarters, standing in silence, his cold gaze watching out the window of the lift as he gazed upon the silhouette of the Imperial Center's horizon. It wasn't that long ago that he had been on this very planet, doing what he could to undermine the Jedi from his Senate seat. It was even more recently that he had returned to that same Senate building, only to abscond with important intelligence from the SIA's secure network. So much chaos... so much effort. Thankfully, things finally started to pay off...

He could only hope his good fortune would continue.

The doors slid open, and Reiner entered the room as calmly as ever, his hands folded behind his back as he approached the Minister. His steps held the cadence of a soldier, as if he were still the same military man he had been years ago. As he came to a halt, his cold, grey eyes shot a glance back to the door, ensuring that they were away from any prying eyes.

"Good evening, Minister."

Short, efficient, and to the point, for there was much to discuss, and little time to discuss it.

Hopefully the Minister would agree.

 

[Okono Dukkha]

"Director, welcome. Your punctuality says good things about the executive skylanes. Corsucant is treating its new masters well. Please, sit." Okono gestured to the two lavish black leather chairs in front of his desk.

He took measure of Ghadi as he approached. The man was always of his stern, calculating disposition, even in a private chamber. The two had met and discussed on several councils and committees in the last few years, but as far as Dukkha could recall, this was the first time they had been alone in a room together.

"I wish I could say COMLIT was having the same easy task of getting things where they need to be. If there is a hell for Neimoidians, it's whatever they've gotten themselves into with our government. Their investments in the Empire might never see a return at this rate, and our logistics network is hanging by a thread trying to supply the frontlines. Just this morning I heard a report from my homeworld that Imperial stormtroopers had taken to using scavenged Alliance weapons against the very democratic loyalists they'd taken them from. The demands upon my sector by the Trade Federation and the Techno Union already threaten to cripple me. I fear to even open the dossier I have received from Kuat Drive Yards. I can't sugercoat things when COMLIT is breathing down my neck like they are... the situation is dire."

Reiner Ghadi

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Okono Dukkha

Tales of The Future

"I believe they have finally come to realize the merits of obedience."

At least, for now. As long as there was some glimmer of hope in the form of a lightsaber, true order would never be established. It had to be ripped out from the root, extinguished forevermore. Until then, the galaxy could never truly operate like a well-oiled machine.

He sat across from the man, keeping his stiff posture. Never let them know your thoughts, he would tell himself. The mind is a valuable thing, and should be kept under lock and key at all times.

"The Neimoidians will find a way to recover. They always do..."

A tinge of vitriol hung off of each word. It was no secret that Reiner wasn't a supporter of myriad of independent corporate powers within the galaxy, and that same venom extended to the Trade Federation. But... despite his distaste for their particular brand of business, Reiner wasn't going to turn their resources away, so long as it served the aims of the Empire.

"The situation has been rather... straining on the OIS as well. We were put under great strain to get the Emperor's superweapon off of the ground, and in the wake of Atrisia, well..."

He had barely escaped with his life that day. If he hadn't seen the writing on the wall when he had, he would have been vaporized before he could board his ship.

"Lets just say resources and funds are rather thin for all of us."

A long sigh followed.

"But I am not a man to embrace problems. I embrace solutions."

His hand reached out, placing a datapad on the desk as he spoke.

"I have been discussing options with my top personnel. There are ways for us to move forward, but they too will be rather costly."

Not as costly as the Death Star, but at this point, any credits hemorrhaged would have to be bled wisely, lest the bloodstreams of the Empire dry up altogether. Once the Minister turned on the datapad, he would see a wide array of weaponry, armor, and other tech that would help bolster their military.

"We put all of our efforts into one big push, which was... shortsighted. We should instead focus on our troops. They are the backbone of the Empire, after all. If we can't ensure their success, how can we ensure the success of any large push against our enemies?"

 

[Okono Dukkha]

Reiner Ghadi

"A man of solutions, yes. Precisely why I wished to meet with you,"

Okono looked as the datapad projected ambitious new technologies rendered in hologram between them.

"I've heard good things coming from your office already. Your man Otker? And his new plasma based weaponry? It's helped to slow the incessant demand for Tibanna cartridges. That's something... a start. As for the Death Star..." the name of the superweapon hung in the air, a sensitive topic. Okono leaned back in his chair,

"A worthwhile gamble, if you ask me. A gargantuan waste of resources, most certainly, but the destruction of Alliance fleet... look what that has led to. The hyperlanes are ours, for the time being. The GADF is without a central command. I've been wondering if we could have built a less expensive weapon... but I suppose it does us no good looking to the past. The collapse of the Alliance is a victory. Looking to the future, I fully agree with you. The armed forces need to be armed better. I would not skirt the authority of COMLIT to speak with you if it weren't of the utmost importance, Director. Their demands are more of the same, over and over again, no matter how many times I tell them we're facing shortages across the board. The question I've been meaning to as you is... what do you know about synthesizing Tibanna gas?"

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Okono Dukkha

Tales of The Future

Reiner simply nodded at the mention of Doctor Afic Otker . He was a newer face within the OIS, but had shown much promise. His rise through the OIS ranks was swift, and in an organization that acknowledged ability over social status, his rapid ascension was certainly something to be impressed by.

"Doctor Otker has certainly proven to be useful. I have already set up a meeting between him and my Chief Scientist to explore the expansion of his work."

Teneb had already set his eyes on the promising Doctor as well, and wished to put his mind and that of Otker's together on some rather... interesting projects. Reiner knew all of the details, but opted not to think about them unless necessary. Teneb was a brilliant man, but also had a rather dark outlook on the boundaries of science. That was what made him effective, though, and so long as that usefulness continued, Reiner saw no reason to let him go.

Reiner chewed the inside of his lip for a moment before speaking again.

"A worthwhile gamble, yes, but a gamble nonetheless. I prefer a surefire win, even if it requires attrition. It seems that you understand the merit of that as well, despite COMLIT's lack of understanding."

As the Minister mentioned tibanna, Reiner leaned back in his seat.

"I must admit I am ignorant to the finer points of its harvesting, but I am aware that it is sometimes spin-sealed, and that it is shipped via carbonite."

 

[Okono Dukkha]

Reiner Ghadi

"I believe investment into Tibanna gas may be the surefire win you're looking for, Director." Okono tapped a few buttons on his desk, a panel in the left side of the mahogany tabletop then sliding open to reveal a small holoprojector. An image of a floating refinery, a tangle of catwalks, silos, and tubes appearing.

"This is a Tibanna refinery on the planet Kril'dor, up until recently operated by the Galactic Alliance, now being subsidized by the Chiss Republics. One of thousands on Kril'dor, one of millions across the galaxy. These refineries float in orbit of gas giants and extract the substance from what is called a planet's Tibannosphere, where the gas reliably settles on top of heavier gases. The need for Carbonite as you mentioned is because of the volatility of the gas. It acts as a medium of solid transportation." Okono flicked through a series of holographics showing refining equipment and processes, including the freezing of the gas for transportation.

"The industry is a well-oiled machine galaxywide, one we have disrupted with our own war. Our predicament is the endless demand for the stuff, and the comorbid lack of Tibanna exporting planets in the Core Worlds. The only hope at importing a steady supply would be the Black Sun, and we would be reliant on paying any ludicrous price those crooks asked of us, and the military cannot afford to take any Tibanna producing worlds in its current state. I have come to believe the only way forward from this otherwise vicious downspiral would be synthesizing it in a laboratory. Your laboratory."

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Okono Dukkha

Tales of The Future

The Minister's comment did little more than project a slight nod from Reiner. The man wasn't wrong, but there were numerous factors that had to be considered.

"Kril'dor..."

It was a planet that had yet come under the iron hand of the Galactic Empire, but nevertheless wasn't fully outside of their immediate purview. But, even though they could subjugate it, Reiner couldn't help but to show some level of discomfort at its mention.

"I understand your point, but I am inclined to inquire... what are your thoughts regarding immediate extraction?"

He had little time for empty words, and even less time for lofty ideas.

"Forgive me, Minister, but such levels of extraction would be... tedious..."

He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap as he spoke.

"Unless we took steps that may... ruffle some feathers."

The implications were already clear, but at this point Reiner could sense that they were of the same mind. And in the grand game of climbing the ladder, similar minds were, at times, all that was needed.

"The corporate entities that have indulged our empire's growth thus far have been... somewhat useful..."

He leaned in, his icy, grey eyes scanning the face of the man before him.

"Black Sun may continue to prove useful, though I hesitate to place too much stock in their dedication."

A brief pause followed.

"How dedicated are you to seeing the aims of the Empire through to the end?"

A loaded question, to be sure, but one that might alter the course of their entire discourse.

 

[Okono Dukkha]

Reiner Ghadi

Dukkha narrowed his eyes at the Director's question. His tone became harsher.

"I thought any questions of dedication had been resolved with Operation Cinder. I didn't sacrifice half of my department to Marlon fething Sularen to come to the Core and sit on my laurels. Both of us are fully aware of the situation at hand, Ghadi."

He pressed the button on his desk that once again opened the blinds and swiveled his chair to look out across the skyline. The holographic grin of Emperor Solipsis lit up the office as a giant propaganda billboard floated past the block across the street.

"My apologies, director," Okono sighed.

"the precariousness of our situation has left me with little sleep. If it is any consolation, I've already enlisted the help of the ISB on this front. If they can secure necessary research from this facility, your job will be markedly easier. As far as the corporations go... I suspect it won't be long until intergalactic sanctions get placed on Cato Neimoidia and Skako. They made their beds with us. If we figure out this Tibanna issue before they do, the upper hand becomes ours, and I assure you they will only continue to be of use to us if we can control them..."

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Okono Dukkha

Tales of The Future

Reiner remained calm during the Minister's slight outburst. Tensions were high across the board within the Empire's upper ranks, and would remain that way unless they found a path forward. Thankfully, Reiner was determined to forge that path, even if he had to step on the toes of others in order to get it. The Minister seemed equally devoted to the endeavor, and for that, he had earned Reiner's patience.

As the man turned toward the window, the Director cleared his throat, tapping his finger on the desk for a moment.

"It is quite alright, Minister. We have all suffered losses recently. I apologize if I offended you. You must understand, I've been in this game for a very, very long time, and I haven't survived this long without careful consideration of each action."

And each alliance, though Reiner hoped he wouldn't have to spell that part out for the Minister.

"I too have sought the help of the ISB. I have heard nothing of your efforts, but our like minds may prove incredibly useful."

He looked down to the holopad, his frustration more clear than he would like to admit.

"I am open to creating an open channel between our endeavors, but..."

His eyes darted up.

"We must present a united front. I believe you are willing to do so, but we might need to create some level of production for validity..."

His weight shifted for a moment.

"How open are you to ending certain... problematic relationships?"

A greater pause followed...

"And furthermore, what would you like out of it, Minister?"

 

[Okono Dukkha]

Reiner Ghadi

"Problematic relationships... Yes indeed. An issue of the utmost importance to me, I assure you that." Dukkha smirked.

He assumed that the Director of Science was speaking of the Corporatists. Their aid had sufficed thus far, but times were rapidly changing. Reins needed to be pulled tighter if the Empire was going to achieve its dream of galactic dominion. The turning point was now. As for what he wanted out of it... that was a changing notion in his mind as well. He'd been a loyal bureaucrat of the Empire for so long, and though he had wielded power in his field, the reins were waiting to be grasped just further afield.

"What I want... is to see my world returned to Imperial rule. Myself as its steward. Shili longs for what it had under the New Imperial Order. The Togruta are a peaceful people, whos minds have been washed with the republican propaganda of individualism and anarchy. They need a firm hand to guide them once again."

 

[Reiner Ghadi]

Okono Dukkha

Tales of The Future

He leaned back, still gauging the Minister's overall vibe as their conversation continued. Alliances were a tedious thing, and Reiner would not find himself caught in a less than beneficial situation. Yet, it seemed that Okono's words were candid and true; a trait that Reiner himself valued deeply.

'Problematic relationships'... the words hung in the room like a lingering threat, though not aimed at either present man. Politics were strange like that, often carrying many levels of subtext one wouldn't usually find themselves speaking out loud.

"Should I have, in theory of course, a way around the tedium of COMFEAR, would you perhaps have a mind to funnel certain... assets towards the OIS?"

The implication was that such things would lay outside of Imperial protocol... but change needed to happen...

ORDER must happen.

"I too wish for the liberation of my home. Aphran was under the thumb of the Alliance for many years. I have support there, but..."

That 'but' heavily involved its distance from Imperial Space.

"There are struggles..."

[/CENTER]