Treads on Carida (Open to Republic Only)

[Laira Darkhold]

The Cutting Edge set down on the temperate world of Carida, and even before I stepped off the ship I could feel the heavy gravity of the dense world pulling on the ancient ship. I don’t know why I called it the Cutting Edge, its design was almost a thousand years old, but I guess I just call all my personal ships that. ArmaTech would be building a foundry on this terrible world, the added stress from the gravity greatly assisting in the testing process of each vehicle and the militarized world was well defended. In fact its location so close to the border was one of the reasons I chose the planet. Its vehicles could be pulled straight off the line and dumped into battle against the Republic’s enemies quickly, making it a valuable asset in the war. Even still, it was necessary that the Republic take part in the factory’s construction, as they would be drawing from it nearly exclusively. As I walked from the ship’s ramp, I could feel the heavy gravity weigh on my joints and my bones, dragging me towards the ground. I was a big strong guy, but it was a very noticeable difference nonetheless.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

My foreman approached me as I arrived, sweat dripping from his forehead from working all day in the increased gravity of the planet. A pair of EVA droids were still being unloaded from their transports and a small army of droids were present with men running to and fro between them, checking the labor droids were operational before they started working as clearing the land in the area that had been designated for my personal use months ago. The only reason I hadn’t done more with it sooner was because I had a very busy schedule and couldn’t be bothered to work on it at the time.

Finally the foreman arrived in front of me, “Sir we are almost ready to begin construction. We should be able to power on the EVA droids in two hours, and the labor droids are coming online as we speak. Is there anything else?” He asked as he leaned over, easing pressure off his back. I was already done with this planet, and ready to leave it behind me, I couldn’t for the life of me see a reason to stay here longer than was necessary.

“No, continue your progress as you were, I am just here to supervise until the project is done.” I told him, easing his mind of any possible firings.

 

[Gir Quee]

Champion-class Star Destroyer Obi-Wan Kenobi, in orbit via Carida

"Bring us about to vector four-oh-two," ordered the officer of the day.

Ever so subtly, Gir felt the plating shift underneath his feet as the thrusters kicked in. The wedge-shaped bow of the star destroyer drifted closer to come into orbit with the world below. Gir watched as its prow eclipsed the upper edges of the world's atmosphere. As many times as he stood on the deck of a ship approaching a world below, it always seemed to mesmerize him. There was something enrapturing to him about seeing a world from above, perhaps it was the vast swathse of vibrant colors after viewing the monotony of the black deep space for hours, sometimes days, at end.

"Sir?"

Gir turned his attention from Carida to Lieutenant Lod, "Yes?"

"Your shuttle is ready."

Gir nodded, "We'll be off shortly then."

"Sir, how long will you be away?" asked the officer of the day.

"At least several hours," said Gir, striding towards the exit of the bridge, "I will give you an update as soon as I can."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I moved away from the construction area, taking up refuge in a small building with artificial gravity more akin to that of standard where I could look out and see the construction from relative comfort. After I acclimated myself to the conditions of Carida I would go out and join them, but for now I preferred to stay here in more comfortable conditions. A secretary approached, her heels clacking against the metal floor as she walked. She was holding a datapad and when she finally arrived, standing before me she brushed red hair away from her face before speaking. “We have the schematics and plans for the building being uploaded into the EVA droids now, and we have the processors for the ceramic-composite matrix being readied for installation.” She informed me. It was basically just a status update anyone could have done without. I could look out and see we were almost ready to begin construction and had already been told it wouldn’t be long. But her job was too look pretty and keep me posted about the progress of the project, so I couldn’t really fault her for excelling at both.

“And our friends from the Republic?” I asked, wondering if any of them had arrived on the world yet.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

She looked to her datapad, letting her fire colored hair fall back over her face. “Yes, it appears the Obi-Wan Kenobi arrived earlier today, maybe ten or fifteen minutes ago. I can signal them and ask who is aboard and what they are bringing if you like.” She said awaiting orders.

“No, I think I can guess who is aboard that ship. Prepare for a VIP guest and have some refreshments placed in here. Have the VIP shuttle they send down land near this building as well,” I told her. She turned and walked away to make the necessary preparations with just a smile and a simple “Yes sir.” I was happy to have members of the Republic join me in this venture; after all we were revolutionizing vehicle combat over the next few days. And the tanks that would roll forth from this facility would be joining the fight against the Sith as soon as there was fighting to be done. I turned to glance over the secretary again, “Oh and see if you can have the some kind of catering brought in for the boys, and they’ve been working hard and could use a decent treat once those EVA’s get operational.” I told her.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Gir Quee]

Shuttle Remember Hast, entering the atmosphere of Carida

"Sir, I really think..."

Gir spared a quick glance at the duros lieutenant from the ship's HUD display, "Yes Lieutenant? It almost sounds like you're starting to have an opinion..."

The man quickly turned his gaze back to the clouds in front of him, watching the nose of the shuttle pierce through them.

"Well, sir, it's that I do...I do not think that you should be flying...like this sir."

A grin swept across the blonde man's face, "Ever since I flew that R46 on Zeltros, I find myself wanting to push my limits a bit further than I probably should..."

He pulled up on the ship's yoke, rapidly decelerating the craft as he pulled out of its dive. The clouds began to pass by them slower and slower, until it appeared that they were only beginning to float lightly downward like a leaf on the wind. Gir glanced at his altitude readout and blinked. Apparently the inertial compensators are working over time with us, and I need to raise up the repulsorlift's level of power, before I pull a Porkins...He quickly made the adjustments. Minutes later, the Remember Hast glided in to land at the site of the new foundry.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

My secretary walked back to onto the indoor balcony overlooking the construction zone. “Sir, the Remember Hast has landed and they are awaiting you.” She said in her soothing voice. I nodded and turned away from the construction, seeing the first EVS droid’s eyes flicker on with red light, denoting it was now fully online and ready to begin work on the foundry. As it roared to life worker droids swarmed away from its path ready to pounce on what it left behind with each thunderous step towards completion.

“Lets go greet our guest then” I said, motioning for her to accompany me by placing my hand on her back and ushering her through the door out towards the lobby area of the small building. I preferred to meet Grand Admiral Quee here where the higher gravity was abstained by the buildings anti-grav field. It would be more comfortable and no one would have to dither around outside with pleasantries that could just as easily be don inside.

She lead the way down into the lobby where three plush chairs had been prepared along with refreshments sitting nearby and a droid to serve them. We stood in between the door and the chair ready to greet the new arrivals once they entered the building.

[member="Gir Quee"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Outside another loud roar could be heard as the second EVS droid fired up and slowly stomped to life, surrounded by its own army of labor droids working on what would be a titanic factory. I longed for the day I could afford to operate a factory the size and scope of the one found on Byss during the age of the Galactic Empire centuries ago. A continent of enterprise had been built there before it had been destroyed by the Galaxy Gun. I couldn’t imagine the amount of credits such a factory complex would have made each day… They probably made more money each day than I had made at all, I thought to myself waiting for [member="Gir Quee"] to arrive.

Another roar filled the air as the first EVS droid took its first step forward. I loved working with droids and walkers like that. Ones that roared with activity seemed to be partially alive and worked hard for what they did. That’s why I had bought the Harvester-class mining walker from MandalHypernautics and why I wanted to build my own set of vehicles and walkers to ride into battle. They had their own character, their own life force sometimes.

Even as I stood waiting for the Grand Admiral I wanted to be on the command deck of one of those massive droids.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

"...and on Taungsday, you have an office call with the Prime Minister."

The luxury suite of the Nubian yacht had been converted into a mobile office, as the lean and lanky form of a Gungan hung over a desk that was becoming rapidly swallowed by a deluge of datapads, each containing treaties, codes, regulations, policies, case statutes and pending litigation. Budgetary data and clips of congressional debate sat beside legal digests, as the silver plated protocol droid prattled on about the schedule.

Shuffling the pads around, the Gungan found himself at a loss to connect just what the purpose behind scheduling that meeting on the calendar had been. Was this related to S-459? or was it S-495? Looking up, the eye-stalks of the Otolla blinked as he asked, "Whats-ah d'agenda for dis meetings wit da Prime Ministah?"

"Attahox, sir," the droid aide supplied, with mechanical precision. "I believe there may be a question of whether Cyrillia would send aid to Attaho..."

The droid paused, losing the Gungan's attention span in the moment that the senator's eye-stalks had swiveled to peer at the entry of one of the yacht crew. "Sir, we've arrived at Carida," the crewman remarked.

"Good," the Gungan replied, rising from the desk. Smoothing the front of his robes, the tall alien peered back over at the droid, "Dis is dat arms factory?"

"Yes, sir. The start up of a munitions foundry I believe," the protocol droid reported. "The Republic military has significant interest in developing it."

"Oh, da significant interests," the career lawyer echoed, throwing his hands up in the air as he moved toward a transparisteel viewport. Peering out over the planet below, the Gungan asked, "An' how dey's be payin' for dis 'significants interests' I wonder."

"I believe the funding will be supplied through an amendment to the annual Republic Defense Authorization Act," the droid answered stoically. "If the Supreme Commander agrees to a contract, that is."

"Ifs?" the Gungan echoed, pivoting to turn a glare down at the chrome attendant. "...or when?"

"Cyrillia's defense forces may have also expressed a modicum of interest, sir," the droid added, seemingly as an after thought.

"Oh, dat figures," the lawyer exclaimed, throwing his arms up. The eye stalked reared back as he rolled his eyes in exasperation. Straightening his posture, the Gungan leveled a finger at the droid. "Military contractor sets up da shop and da arms lobbyists come out da brylark."

Turning away from the attendant, the lawyer crossed his arms over his chest, exhaling slowly as he peered over the world below. "Well, before I's votes on any military funding bills, or Cyrillia gets da big badda-booms, I'lls looks at dis start-up for mee-self."

Bowing slowly toward the back of the Gungan, the droid turned to face the crewman. "Please inform the authorities that the planetary delegation of the planet Cyrillia wishes to land immediately."

[member="Draco Vereen"] | [member="Gir Quee"]​

 

[Laira Darkhold]

My secretary’s communicator beeped while we stood waiting on the Grand Admiral, no doubt doing a post flight systems check as was usual for high use vessels like his shuttle. “Sir, I am getting word that the Senator of Cyrillia has arrived. We aren’t sure what it is he is here for, as we were not expecting him. What would you like us to do?” She asked a little worried about the newest development. Often Senators had a way about them that made them feel like they were more important than those around them. I thought for a moment before replying.

“Send him in post haste, just like we would the Grand Admiral. I would love to meet him and know why he has come to our lovely factory’s construction project, and in person at that.” I said to her, with her immediately typing on her datapad furiously trying to answer authorizations and prepare for the Senator’s arrival. “Also, what’s his name?” I asked, having never spoken with a Senator and I didn’t really keep up with them.

“Senator [member="Jon Jon Nemo"], he’s a gungan.” She said after authorizing his land and having a pair of security guards ready to escort him into the operations building where she and I stood waiting.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

"...Draco Vereen, sir."

The Gungan nodded, his eye stalks surveying the view over the construction taking place below. The development was clearly underway, and not without difficulty. Even from this height, the lanky politician could feel the gravity pulling on him. As part of the briefing which the protocol droid was providing, it had been discussed that the planet below had a higher than standard gravity. No doubt that had attributed in some way to the formation of the metals which made the location so appealing as to place a foundry there.

"He's human. The president of ArmaTech, the company developing the foundry," the droid remarked, feeding the Gungan snippets of information to help smooth the introductions to come. As the shuttle landed, the lanky lawyer and his silver plated aide exited into the docking bay of the facility that was starting to take shape. "They're a major contractor with the Republic Defense Forces," the droid remarked, continuing as the pair were met by security and escorted inside.

As they emerged into what seemed an observation or conference room, the Gungan's eye stalks focused on a powerfully build man standing with the kind of posture that suggested he owned the place.

Often times, it was because the man did.

"Yousa Mistah Vereen-sa?" the Gungan inquired, moving with the lanky gait typical of the race as he stretched out a four-fingered hand in the distinctly human manner of greeting.

"Jon Nemo."

[member="Draco Vereen"] | [member="Gir Quee"]​

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I didn't need to inspect the gungan, he was a senator and allotted some respect because of such. "I am indeed Senator, pleased to meet you I'm sure. I would normally start with pleasantries, but as your visit was unexpected, I haven't had the time to move my schedule around as much as I would like. ArmaTech Combat Systems is getting ready to expand and this facility is vital to one of our most important projects we have been working on for some time." I told the Senator, "Would you like to sit," I offered, motioning towards the plush chairs in the room and taking my own seat. "I know the Grand Admiral is on his way but we can still discuss why you have dropped in while we await him." I said, sitting with a slight sigh. "Which is what I would dearly like to know." I told the gungan senator. I had no idea why a senator would waste his time coming all the way out to Carida and I really did want to know why he would come so far out of his way.[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]

Outside the ground shook with the power of the EVS droids taking a step further in construction. At the rate of one step every half hour the facility would still take days to complete, and another few days to bring online. The machines that would be producing the expensive Ceramic-Composite were already in route however, ready to be installed at the earliest possible convenience and begin production of the rigid tile armor.

[SIZE=10.5pt][/SIZE]
[member="Jon Jon Nemo"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

First impression: Blunt and to the point.

Not unexpected qualities in a business man. Time was credit. Nemo could appreciate that kind of outlook. At the invitation, the Gungan settled into a seat across from the one that the human took. Nodding appropriately as the man spoke, the lawyer did look away for a moment at the mention of someone joining them. Grand Admiral, he said?

As the Gungan peered over at the droid, the aide bent forward slightly to quietly add, "Grand Admiral Quee, sir," the droid remarked, filling in the gap. "He's the senior naval officer of the Republic."

Nodding, the Gungan's head swiveled to look back over at Draco. Crossing his legs, the politician folded his arms across his lap, steepling his fingers as he turned his attention back to the man. "Mistah Vereen-sa, as yousa may knows-ah, my planet Cyrillia has but recently joined da Republic," the lawyer stated, addressing the man's question. "Dis puts me in position of having to familiarize mee-self with da budget and spending of da Republic..."

The Gungan paused for a moment, before adding, "...of which, dis project and yousa company seems to benefit a great deal from dat spending."

"Meesa will be expected to vote on dees spending bills, so I thinks it right dat I ask two questions of yousa," the lawyer noted, gesturing toward the man as though inviting him to speak. "What is it yousa be developing here? And why should I's support da Republic buyin' it?"

[member="Draco Vereen"]​

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Hmm, it was a fair question to ask. Granted it hardly mattered. Budget or no budget, war spending happened most of the time, however it was best to convince a Senator to be on your side rather than against you. "Well Senator Nemo, first and foremost this project is paid for, owned, operated, and maintained solely by ArmaTech Combat Systems. Also as a member of the Republic and a Stalwart supporter of its military, I saw the need for better vehicle armor. We developed a Ceramic-Composite Matrix consisting of Syndite, Tungsten Carbide, neutronium, and Carbon-Carbide that will be mass produced here, along with the first two vehilces provided by ArmaTech Combat Systems, the ACS- Five oh one and Five oh two. The five oh one is a main battle tank made to replace the Skocha while the five oh two is a presidential limousine.” I told the gungan senator the very rough basics of the project. “The reason you should buy them is because you can’t put a price tag on a soldiers life.” I said, hoping to appeal to his sympathetic side.

Outside another set of labor droids were activated swarming over the facility that would eventually span the size of several city blocks by the time the project was completed.

[member="Jon Jon Nemo"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

"Da soldiers of da Republic be mui, mui appreciated."

It was a line that won elections, but it was also a plain and simple reality. Nemo liked the options and opportunities which the Republic offered, and didn't care for the regulation of the Techno Union or the economic control of the Sith. As such, having a strong military was the first step in insuring Cyrillia -- and Nemo's -- free exercise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of credit. "Help Cyrillia become stable again, da Jedi and military did."

"Yousa said developin' armor," the Gungan remarked, returning to the subject at hand. Did he understand factory technology? No. Did he understand corporations, yes. "Is da vehicle production done in house, or do yousa use subcontractor for da vehicles design?"

After all, it was an arms company. So was he only developing armor? Or was he also building engines and designing suspension racks?

[member="Draco Vereen"]​

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I raised an eyebrow at the question of using subcontractors to produce vehicles and equipment. "No ArmaTech does everything in house. This facility is going to be our flagship production plant for our vehicle division. When it starts applying that ceramic to our vehicles it will do so from the ground to the battlefield, all here, all us. Only we can ensure the quality necessary for the Republic Military. As a soldier myself, I put each piece of equipment through a rigourous testing phase and quality control process. It’s either the best or its trash." I said, waving over the droid to bring me a drink. It swiftly brought over a decanter of brandy to me and poured a glass, and I paused waiting a few seconds. “Keeping you at the Cutting Edge of Combat,” I quoted the company slogan, it was catchy and implied a certain standard of excellence that I held the company to. “Can I offer you something to drink senator?” I asked, nodding to the droid and the refreshments that had been prepared upon Gir Quee’s arrival.

Outside more workers were being brought in already, resupplying the work force as block by block the facility started going up. Tomorrow would see the arrival of the mining teams that would provide the factory with minerals with which to produce the vehicles and equipment.

[member="Jon Jon Nemo"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

So he was.

"Yousa must have quite da portfolio to manage that kind of engineering," the Gungan noted appreciatively. He was going to have to get a stock quote on ArmaTech. From what he was seeing, it appeared the man was operating a lucrative operation. If the quality were half as good as he was boasting, and if the tactical value was as advertised, then Nemo pitied the Sith.

The offer a drink was not unappreciated either. "Please-sa," the Gungan answered politely, gesturing with an open palm to indicate the brandy.

As the droid came over to prepare the beverage, the Gungan dropped into a more conversational tone as he remarked, "Meesa honored ta be yousa guest here, Mistah Vereen." Accepting the glass from the droid, the lawyer swirled the amber liquid around in the tumbler he held. "Meesa like to talk wit dis Admiral Quee for his thoughts on yousa armor and da value dees tanks may have for da Republic."

After all, Nemo was just one cog in the wheel that would fund the purchases. It was the Admiral who was the actual customer.

Which didn't mean Nemo wasn't interested. Any kind of military action by the Republic tended to get scrutinized heavily. Though, if the planetary defense forces of Cyrillia had an eye on ArmaTech, and Nemo could wrap his head around the benefits of the corporation's technology, he might well be able to bag yet another lobbyist group in his bag for the re-election campaign.

It was never too early to think about re-election.

"Dis quality an' testin' yousa speak of," the Gungan said, pausing as he took a sip of the brandy. "Would it be possible to see any part of da assembly or tour da foundry?"

[member="Draco Vereen"]​

 

[Gir Quee]

Gir strolled through the milling construction droids and the workers, his eyes darting around to observe the progress. He had parked the Remember Hast a bit further away than perhaps he should of, but he didn't want the vessel to get away of the construction. He was beginning to regret that. What normally would have been a seven minute walk had turned into a fifteen minute hike between the world's higher than normal gravity and navigating through the construction site and its barriers. But finally, the blonde man strolled into [member="Draco Vereen"]'s office with Lieutenant Lod, his duros aide-de-camp, in tow.

"I apologize for my lateness," said Gir, eying the other soldier, "I'm afraid that I chose I rather poor parking spot..."

His eyes immediately turned to gaze at another figure he had never met more. He extended his hand towards [member="Jon Jon Nemo"].

"I don't believe we've met before," said Gir, "I am Admiral Quee, pleased to make your acquaintance..."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

When the Grand Admiral strode into the building I stood, respectfully, saluting the man. I might be representing ArmaTech today, but I was still a soldier in his military as well. Once he had returned my salute, I returned to a relaxed posture and waved over the droid to prepare him a drink, “Good afternoon Admiral, its good to see you again. May I offer you something to drink, brandy, whiskey, or ale?” I asked the blonde man from Hast. He and I had worked together several times in the past and had a decent working relationship in my opinion.

Turning to address them both, “Unfortunately, the construction has only begun today, and we cannot tour the facility for approximately a week. By then a sector of the complex should be completed. As you know building a factory the size of Iziz isn’t and instantaneous process and takes time and resources.” I told them, hoping they would return to the planet once progress had been allowed to go unabated for several days.

The massive EVS Droids continued construction with labor droids swarming through the facility installing machinery and equipment as they went, leaving behind whole sectors of the factory fully equipped and ready to begin production of the equipment involved. Several bays were already devoted to fabricating and repair the ceramic composite that would become a common feature on ArmaTech vehicles in the future.

[member="Gir Quee"] [member="Jon Jon Nemo"]

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

As Draco rose to salute the man who had entered, the Gungan set his tumbler aside while he rose from out of his own seat.

That would make this man the Grand Admiral then.

Bowing slightly, the Gung showed his own respect toward the gentleman, who did indeed introduce him as the Quee which Nemo's aide had spoken of. Accepting the man's hand, the politician said, "Jon Nemo, of Cyrillia." Humanoids tended to like strong named. The double naming convention of the Gungans was almost sing-song in Galactic Basic, so as a trial attorney the jurist had learned to shorten the given form of the name in order to appeal to jurors. And voters. He wasn't running for office on Naboo after all. "Meesa thanks you for yous mui, mui service to Cyrillia and da Republic, Admiral Quee-sa."

As Draco explained the limitations of the current factory, the Gung nodded toward the dark haired soldier and then looked back toward Quee. "Mistah Vereen-sa was just indulging meesa about dis armor for da Republic," the politician explain, catching the admiral up on the conversation thus far. "Wit Cyrillia's admittance into da Republic, meesa is familiarizing mee-self with da acquisitions and appropriations of government, to be bettah informed about legislation which meesa may have to vote on."

"Admiral-sa, what is yousa opinion of dis project being developed here?"

[member="Draco Vereen"] | [member="Gir Quee"]​