Trading Corporate Secrets

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

[member="Ice"]

STI-

Akure Executive Interstellar is interested in purchasing non-exclusive production rights for some of your products, specifically the No-Show and the Sheer Silence Deluxe. These rights would not allow AEI to compete with you in the open market; our intent is to produce a small, stable in-house supply of these products, exclusively for the Tion Hegemony's highest personnel and closest affiliates. The sum we're prepared to offer is comparable to what the Hegemony would pay you for a bulk order for its top operatives and executives.

-AEI

Ice was pinged an incoming message from an old business associate whom he hadn't done any business with for quite some time. What she requested caused him to raise an eyebrow. Especially considering the business deal he had just concluded with the Rebellion against the Imperial Remnant.

Pulling up his datapad, he decided to do a bit of research on the companies involved. After a couple hours, he had an idea. One that he wasn't sure she would be interested in, but it was worth a shot. Fortunately for him as well, this wouldn't be a breach of his other contract as again it was made with the understanding he would not supply the IR. He had made quite clear that agreement didn't include any other groups. And even now, he still wouldn't be taking production away from the rebels. It was a win win as far as he could see.

"Mrs. Merrill,

It is good to hear from you again. I hope things have been well with you and yours.

Now about your request. STI doesn't normally hand out manufacturing licenses to any of its more sensitive technology. However, with having concluded several successful business deals with you in the past, I find myself wanting to make this work. Now my sources indicate one of your companies acquired some interesting technology after a certain merger. The technology I have been hearing whispers about is field disruptor technology.

So here is what I propose.

I would like to trade you the licensing to manufacture on a limited basis for my No-Show and Sheer Silence Deluxe units as per your message, in exchange for the licensing to use and modify your field disruptor technology. Also on a limited basis of course.

I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Best Regards,

Ice
CEO & Owner of Shadow Tech Industries, SolaraTron Industries, Libeteralia"

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Ice"]

In theory, licensing STI to use and modify the field disruptor technology is certainly on the table. The way forward involves finding ways to circumvent Fringe Confederation government regulations -- the technology is derived from their property, and there are certain export restrictions. The personal use clauses that allow us to make individual sales may be able to apply if your ships fit certain dimensions and capabilities. If you have a specific project in mind, one of our technical officers -- a Vongshaped woman who recently completed a development contract for Incom's StealthX -- may be able to evaluate the project, the feasibility of using and modifying the field disruptor technologies for your project, and the chance of making this work under the export restrictions we face on the Peregrine module. I can have her there quite soon.

 

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

"Hmm." He said quietly thinking. "By all means. The sooner she can be here the better. I'm sure we can find a way that both of us will be able to profit from this quite nicely in one way or another. Though I don't plan to use the technology for ships as much getting smaller items fitted with this technology. I'm looking for more on a personal scale. Anyway, a topic more suited for your technical officer I suspect. I'll be waiting for her the moment she arrives so we can continue these discussions."

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Ice"]

The technical officer (one of about two people Rave trusted) turned out to be a petite woman, human, pale and dark-haired, scarred by what looked like a failed Vongshaping. She carried a QQ-M4T-5U Scanpack, but no holocams or anything of the sort -- intellectual privacy rights, after all, needed to be respected when corporate secrets were involved, and she would surrender even the Scanpack if requested. She brought an intimate familiarity with the field disruptor technology, and traveled to STI R&D HQ by shuttle.

 

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

On arriving in the system, Rave's technical officer would notice one of 3 major structures floating in space. First there was the giant space station of Libertalia. Essentially a a heavily protected luxury resort for the rich and famous to play. Off to the side though were a couple other cube shaped objects of identical size.

​

These two vessels formed the headquarters, R&D, and manufacturing hubs of both Shadow Tech Industries as well as SolaraTron Industries. Her shuttle was soon directed to the cube closest to Libertalia. A small dock just large enough for the shuttle soon appeared. When the woman disembarked, Ice was there waiting as promised. He was flanked by a half dozen security guards as well as a couple of his new military version R.I.C.O. dogs. He gave her a small but respectful bow along with a small smile. "Welcome to STI." He said cordially. "If you can please step this way, we'll just have you get through security and we can get down to business."

Security worked quickly and efficiently. They did request to confiscate any and all electronic devices she may have had on her along with any weapons. Those items were placed into a locked storage container in the docking bay. That way she wouldn't be worried he things were being taken somewhere to be analysed further. "My apologies Miss. We don't get, well, any visitors normally. Security is tough around here for obvious reasons. Please follow me."

As they walked to a nearby meeting room, Ice opened the door for her and gestured for her to enter. "Can I get you anything before we begin?" He asked genuinely. He wanted to make this as pleasant an affair as possible. Especially considering he was obliged to remove a few items from her person and keep them locked away.

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Ice"]

"Thank you, no," said the specialist. She hadn't been terribly pleased to have her Scanpack locked up, and every bit of electronics on her person, but it had been expected, and Force knew AEI worked the same way. On the other hand, she had more than enough to occupy her attention -- Libertalia, the cube ships, and the coming tech work. And though others might find the scarred woman's presence distracting, she exuded the kind of professional focus that sailed on an even keel.

"No," she said again, "I think your security processes have been thorough enough; we can probably begin. Of course I've been asked to look over the schematics and manufacturing processes of the products that have the Hegemony's interests. The Hegemony needs to verify that these things can do what's advertised, and reliably. It's a quality control question, the same we ask every one of our new partners."

 

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

"But of course. I have already arranged for a small demonstration." He said while directing her attention to a box on the table as well as a target across the room. Walking over, he first pulled out the Sheer Silence Deluxe. "This is our SSD. It is designed to attach to pretty much any surface, and generally speaking, on your back. The framework is flexible to allow for folds in clothing or just the curve of your back as you move, bend, and/or twist." He took the end and slapped it gently onto his back. "Now this device projects a field of about a two meter radius form the wearer. Those within the bubble will have no trouble hearing. Those outside will here nothing. Allow me to demonstrate."

Reaching behind him, he turned the device on. "Ok, so you can hear me now because you are within the bubble." He began to take a few steps back. "But as I step back you wi-----" his mouth continued to finish the sentence even as he moved out of range for her to hear him. He smiled and then walked back into range. "Now admittedly, one could say, oh you just stopped talking. So how about this." He withdrew a blaster pistol he had on his hip and smiled again. Stepping away again and out of range, he fired seven shots at a target across the room. Not a single solitary sound would ever reach her ears.

Stepping back into range for her to hear, Ice continued. "And now to prove its not a silenced pistol..." He fired off another shot. The sound obviously showing it to be a regular working blaster pistol. Turning off the SSD, he walked over and retrieved the target for the woman to see the damage inflicted for herself. "The only drawback to this device, is that it creates a double blind. Nobody can hear you outside the distortion field, but you also can't hear them. It will nevertheless block the sound of up to a high power sniper rifle. Decibel ratings higher than this such as maybe something produced by a shaped explosive charge will start to bleed through. But even then only at the sound of a whisper or the level of a person talking casually at best. Now. Are there any questions about this piece?" He asked while pulling the device off from his back, and setting it on the table for her to view more easily.

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Ice"]

With his acquiescence granted, the AEI exec called up the schematics. "Much as you're interested in scaling down our technology, we're interested in potentially scaling it up. Do you have data on any relevant tests or prototypes - and if I could talk to your development team, I have some engineering questions about resonances and stress tests, if that's amenable to you."

 

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

Ice raised an eyebrow at the latest request as he began to walk around the table away from her while gathering his thoughts. "I'm sorry. But that wasn't part of the arrangement here. The offer was I was to get the specs for the field disruptor tech and a limited license to produce items using a scaled down version of what you have. In exchange I was going to grant your company a limited manufacturing license for two of my items for you to produce a small amount of the items for tops members of your companies per Miss Merrill's request. Not to then take that technology and modify it for other purposes. It seems there has been some misunderstanding here. I'm afraid I won't be able to grant the request to be able to modify my technology."

He was slightly taken aback. Why would Merrill waste his time like this? A change like that could have been easily answered over a holo message. He simply waited to see what she was going to say next as he kept ever watchful eyes on her.

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Ice"] got a slow blink as she looked away from the readouts.

"We're still talking about the quality evaluation, Mr. Ice - I'm here to determine if the Hegemony will use your technology, and if it can reliably do what your demonstration indicates. My main goal at the moment, as I said, is to determine this technology's suitability for the most powerful beings in this half of the galaxy. I need to see your manufacturing process - the quality control sector, mainly - and I need to speak with the design team."

The AEI development exec's attention returned to...well, elsewhere. "I was asked to ask about the possibility of a further deal, but only as a secondary concern. My remark was offhand speculation , as I'm sure you can understand. I'm occupied here. My attention, Mr. Ice, is on your product."

 

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

A slight frown began to appear on his face. Something fishy was going on, and he wasn't quite sure what it was. He just new that what she was saying wasn't consistent with what was originally requested. With his own datapad still in hand, he typed a couple commands in before replying.

"A demonstration of our equipment's abilities should be more than enough to determine that they work. And I was under the impression the decision to use my technology had already been made. Thus why the request to gain manufacturing licenses was even made. If all you wanted was to confirm the effectiveness of my technology, again this demonstration should be more than enough. I'm afraid I won't authorize a tour of my facility, nor will I be able to arrange for you to meet my design team. For security reasons, I cannot."

His face took on a more neutral tone once more and even a small smile as he hoped he hadn't offended the woman. "Now then. Shall I proceed with the demonstration of the No-Show?" Ice hoped that a deal could still be made here, as it would speed up his own design processes immensely. However, he wasn't going to just hand over tons of data, and compromise his engineers identities, when none of that was required to manufacture his products. Especially when he had just stated he wouldn't allow his technology to be modified. They would already be getting a two for one deal here.

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Ice"]

"Mr. Ice," said the scarred AEI exec, standing, "I think you may have misunderstood the stance of Akure Executive Interstellar. No agreement has been signed. Options have been put on the table, possibilities that I'm here to examine. Frankly, my company hasn't even agreed to give you access of any kind to our field disruptor technology; our last word to you was that it was possible, but that it was pending my evaluation of your company, your technology, and you.

"A word to the wise. Be careful what you take as a fait accompli, Mr. Ice. I'll show myself out."

 

[Ice]

[member="Rave Merrill"]

He nodded with a slight chuckle. Did she really think Ice was here to beg her for handouts? Last he had checked, they had approached him and his company for a deal. "Oh I didn't assume anything had actually been accomplished yet. I was simply informing you of what I was willing to do, and what I wasn't willing to do to push this deal through based on what had been told me by your boss. And granting you full access to my facilities, research, and design team is not on the table. Still, I am sorry you feel a deal cannot be made. Have a nice day."

As she made her way to the exit, the door opened up to reveal a security team which promptly escorted her back to her shuttle after they returned her equipment from the lockbox in the docking bay.