Whiplash Recovery (CIS Faction, PM for Invite)

[Corey's OOC]

There was a whole lot going on in the past few weeks. Was it even weeks? Marek wasn’t quite so sure. He hadn’t don’t much sleeping as of late. And with labor disputes coming up from the rest of shipyards since Druckenwell, he was trying to figure out the best course of action. The first thing was that he moved all contracts going to the Druckenwell shipyard to the one on Hypori. The major trick with that was working with Druckenwell shipbuilders. It made things… complex.

Between that and the new ship designs he was overseeing from the private Techno Union network, he wanted to make sure things were going off without a hitch. The one problem with that was the fact that they lost a shipyard. It would need to be replaced, or others repurposed. In the long run? Creating one or two more wouldn’t hurt. He just needed to figure out where they were going to go.

Sitting at his desk, he had made an open call to the High Command and anyone who thought they had a stake in the forward motion of the Confederacy. Checking his chrono, he nodded. Time to go to the meeting, he assumed. Getting his datapad, and a few other pieces of equipment, namely a projector and other hologram transmitters.

Bureaucracy at its finest.

Walking to the conference room, in a suit that probably looked presentable a week ago, Marek didn’t really care on appearance right now. He was unshaven, and looking as if he slept at his office. Time to get to work, though, right?

“I’d like to thank you all for your patience, and attendance here today.”

 

[Salem Norongachi]

Norongachi was waiting in the conference room. The long table had a dozen chairs set along its length, each held heads of military, intelligence and assorted other high ranking men of the CIS. He expected [member="Kal Strife"] to show his face at some point, the man had become one of his advisers since Druckenwell a position that not only suited his talents but also kept him close, where Salem could keep an eye on him.

The door opened and Norongachi turned with a grimace, pain shooting up the right side of his body where his ribs had been crushed in the battle, and greeted [member="Marek Starchaser"] with a nod. "Burning the candle at both ends I see, Mr Foreman." Salem commented at Starchaser's haggard appearance.

 

[Kal Strife]

Lenora Calisthenes, Captain of the Retributor. Iven Fernloc, ExO of the Retributor. Jori Herol, Third Mate of the Retributor. Thane Domrin, Engineering chief on the Retributor. Urok Hale, Security...

Name after name swirled through Kal Strife's mind as he strode down the corridor looking toward the grand conference chamber. It was a litany of the dead, of the men and women who had died under his command at Druckenwell. Each name engraved itself on his mind, joining the thousands of others that had carved their mark into the Corellian's soul of the years. Each vengeful ghost joined the others in the shadows on the other side of the final jump, ready to enact their reckoning when Strife joined them in that fated land. Kal almost looked forward to that time; he didn't regret their deaths, or any of the others he had caused in his crusades - they had been a necessity - but he would welcome the specters' judgement when the time came nonetheless.

Names still slicing through his thoughts, the Corellian gestured with a gloved hand toward a door just ahead of him. It opened softly, as though pushed by a wind that never touched the depths of this facility, and Strife strode through into the conference chamber, his face a stoic mask as his stormcloud grey eyes searching for threats even as he crossed the threshold.

"Nonrongachi," he nodded, meeting green-eyed man's stare briefly, before letting his gaze sweep on, across the near-dozen occupied chairs. The man occupying them were known to him, though few had looked as worn and haggard in their dossiers or during past encounters as they now did. Yet this was hardly surprising; Druckenwell had taken its toll on each and every one of them, and the land of dreams had become little more than a fondly remembered stranger to many. Another man stood nearby, his suit - an expensive one, tailor made if the Corellian was any judge - ruffled and untidy, and more than a shadow of growth darkening his chin. It seemed he too had only recently arrived, and Strife offered him a nod of greeting in remembrance of the way they had stood together above Druckenwell, before stepping pointedly past the waiting chair.

Leaning back against the wall beyond it, Strife folded his arms, surveying the assembled group all the while.

 

[Alli Vern]

Ashley, Alli Wren's assistant and bodyguard, an HRD actually was present for the meeting. She had been hiding in a corner. " Greetings, I am Ashley, here on behalf of Alli Wren and Baktoid Industrial Systems, we have extensive experience building shipyards and since we took a loss in druckenwell, are looking to replace them. and help build new ones. " She gave a smile, organics liked that after all, friendly expressions. She took a seat and looked to them all. It wasn't everyday she was the one to take care of the business, it was strange with Alli Wren in jail. She was doing most of the business. It wasn't easy suddenly being responsible for it all.
[member="Kal Strife"][member="Salem Norongachi"][member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

Great, people were noticing? Not that it was a problem. Post-Druckenwell Confederate life was being a bit trying on everyone. Running a hand through his hand, he nodded at [member="Salem Norongachi"]. “It happens every so often, Force Commander. I’ve been waiting for this position to get crazy.” He offered a small smile and a nod. “We’ll make it through, though. That I’ve got no doubt.”

Seeing the Admiral step in, Marek looked around the remainder of the room. With [member="Kal Strife"] here, that included a big call from the military. He really could use that. Someone was going to have to babysit the worlds while the construction teams approached. Having someone representing the fleet was definitely called for.

Really, Marek wasn’t thinking. He knew he needed to assemble the shipyards, reconvert existing ones. And probably find a way to pass off a unique Techno Union Security Force team, just droids and sapients who would be able to defend Techno Union interests instead of tying up Military Police, but again, having such a team would probably need to be approached with the Confederate high command.

That was a secondary discussion for a later date.

And there was the representative from Baktoid. Marek nodded. “Greetings, Ashley. It’s good to have the backing of Baktoid.” He really was going to need to figure a way to get [member="Alli Wren"] freed as well. Add that to his list of bantha poodoo to do. Wonderful.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as Ashley has already spoken, this meeting is primarily to discussion the construction and reconstitution of orbital shipyards in Confederate Space. With the loss of Druckenwell, we are seriously in the red right now. We need a way to start constructing ships. Where the Techno Union and all other military contractors can work safely.” There was a glance over at Strife. “And effectively to help reform our military. While construction of the yards would be relatively the same at each world, we’re looking for suggestions on where to begin construction.”

Food. He should eat. Reaching for a piece of fruit from the bowl and taking a snapping bite from it, he nodded. “Table is open. How many yards, where? Why?”

 

[Salem Norongachi]

Norongachi had already prepared for these questions and answered almost immediately "Hypori, we upgrade the existing shipyards there to accommodate a much larger output of ships, Alli Wren handled the matter of my own ship there. They are capable and highly professional, they will serve us well. The second would should be Excarga, it is a mining world and also far removed from the front. This means it will be more secure will having the raw materials needed for our purposes."

 

[Alli Vern]

Ashley threw up a map with 4 systems enlarged out of the rest. " I would like to draw your attention to the systems of Roon, Hypori, Excarga, and Bothawui. I think that these systems would be the best, Baktoid already owns large shipyards on Hypori, and a large station, so we could easily add on there, and I am sure that we can work out the financials at another time, but Baktoid can use our insurance claim on our dockyards above Druckenwell as well as CIS support to build and maintain shipyards that the faction can use. We will however need some assistance in providing the capitol, but have the experience to build and support the dockyards wherever we end up building them. I think that such a joint venture will leave us all reaping the benefit. We can even privatise them under a holding company the investing company's own so that they are technicly neutral and thus protected from destruction by occupying forces as long as we don't have any repeats of what happened at Druckenwell."
She hoped they liked her ideas.

[member="Salem Norongachi"][member="Marek Starchaser"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

So it was mainly he, Salem and the HRD. He could work with that. "I thoroughly agree on Hypori. It is the headquarters of our Techno Union and keeping a yard at our central location is a smart move." Regarding both, he nodded. "Excarga will do as well. The next is a matter of resources. I personally fancy the idea of Roon. Centrally located and easy to defend. A shipyard over a border world, especially our capital however..." He trailed off and shrugged.

Taking another bite of the fruit, he was hoping for discussion, he only neeed to moderate and approve here.

 

[Salem Norongachi]

"I wouldn't grow too attached to Bothawui, I'm already in the preliminary stages of moving our government to Roon. After Druckenwell I don't feel its wise to have a massive shipyard over our heads. No," He looked at the map for a moment. "Rothana, it already has shipyard facilities and is far removed from the front. We would only need to upgrade them further to service larger vessels. These will require a substantial injection of credits of course, I'll discuss with the interim council about hiking taxes or introducing a war tax to aid us."

 

[Alli Vern]

Ashley smiled "So, Hypori, Excarga, Rothana and perhaps not the planet roon, but one of the others in the Roon System. I mean that way they are all in the middle of our territory. " She said with a smile as she thought about it, yest those plantes would be great. "I will provide the materials and labor for building the shipyards, This isn't my first rodeo. It will also help me recover some losses of late. I could use the business, Druckenwell has set me back quite a bit." Ashley was every bit as cunning as Alli had programed her to be. Hopefully baktoid could profit greatly from this.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Number crunching. That was what he needed to do. And placing shipyards, at least major ones, in the center of their territory was smart. Marek nodded to the pair. "Making Improvements to existing yards is a smart move. Saves money as well."

The other ones. They would need to be created. "We will need to focus on these. And once we unveil our new defense platforms, we can place smaller yards on hyperspace routes. For quicker repairs and redeployment." Looking at the HRD, he wasn't sure how much of a proxy she could be for Alli.

"We have a few other concerns that have been given to us through other members of the Techno Union. Unless we are not closing this discussion quite yet." Logistics were going to be closely monitored. Trusted Techno Union staff and only the best pilots ATC could muster.

 

[Salem Norongachi]

"Thats settled then. Quick and painless." Norongachi said casually, although he knew the work and sheer man power involved for what they wanted would be staggering. "If theres more business you feel you need to discuss, then out with it. You might as well run it past me while I'm here."

 

[Alli Vern]

"Well we have been contracted for defense platforms, for the CIS but I was curious if you would sign over the maitence and the providing of the Holonet Satelites for the CIS to Baktoid. We already provide the republic with theirs and would also be able to provide our spynet access to them for their own purpoises with greater access then is currently allowed. We also suggest using Arceneau Trade Company for logistics. We have found them to be great at their job and nothing if on time." Ashley said, knowing too well that that would also increase other Baktoid products capabilities. " I don't have anything else at the moment to bring up."

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek was nodding as Ashley spoke. "I'm not sure who the contract is out to for the satellites. If Salem is fine with it, Baktoid can manage it." Last thing on Marek's list. For sure. He looked between the two. "Miss Arceneau and I already have a working relationship. I'll discuss getting g her out here to assist with the construction." Toss her credits. Maybe he'd get dinner again.

"Also, some of the CEOS have expressed concern in the CIS managing protection. I'm hoping it will be allowed to found a Techno Union security force. Mainly droids and their operators. Nothing too fancy but having guns paid for by the Union. .."

 

[Salem Norongachi]

"I don't feel its wise to use the same systems as the Republic, as you say our men could use it to their advantage but they could also use it to theirs. At the very least, we could use the satellites but there will have to be stringent modifications to their encryption protocols. If that's acceptable then I don't see why we couldn't reach agreement on that front." He paused for a moment as he rolled Dangers company name around his mind.

"She aided with the evacuation of Druckenwell...yes, that's acceptable. The less ships and men I have to spare in this heated climate the better. That also applies to your request Mr Foreman, however the size of these security forces will be curtailed depending upon the worlds and facilities in question. I can't say I'm keen on the idea of a massed army in our midst that isn't under direct CIS control but I understand your concerns."

 

[Alli Vern]

"Of course, we would set it up to match existing CIS protocols, I would not want the enemy to gain access to our systems. Consider it done, I will send over the contract, can I consider it signed? " She said with a smile as she thought about all the work that was coming their way. This was a goldmine. "Well then I shall aide however I can establishing the Techno Union Security Force and begin on Excarga and Hypori at once. You won't recognize them in the coming months. " She said Ashley was doing an excellent job, if only her creator was here to do it. This organic stuff was boring, credits weren't couldn't be as important as they were programmed to be could they? She pondered why Alli wanted her to be so forward about Baktoid, but that was beyond her. However fighting, that was what the droid before them enjoyed, protecting those that owned her. That was what provided a thrill, as danger was always lurking.

 

[Corey's OOC]

[member="Salem Norongachi"] did have a point. Putting a back door in to the satellite system to take down the Republic could be exploited just as easily by the other side. That probably wasn’t the smartest idea. [member="Alli Wren"] was the CEO of one of the Techno Union’s biggest companies, however it still… was better to be safe than sorry. Especially with everything being so mission critical lately, for survival of their civilization. “As long as we make it so there are no backdoors, I shall sign it.”

Again, the commander of the Knights Obsidian and the ad hoc leader of the government raised a strong opinion. “Arceneau Trade will bring their own ships. All I’m really asking for with the Security Force is to use a small number of specially designed ships, and contract hires to work and defend our interests. If the military wants to use their own ships to help defend our stations, that is welcome, but some of the CEOs and board have wanted their own fund protecting their interests. At most it would be freighters and potentially frigates running escort.” Nothing major, but enough to make everyone calm down.

Running the Techno Union wasn’t always glorious.

"Is there anything else the Techno Union may assist with at this time?"

 

[Alli Vern]

Ashley checked her memory banks and then made slight modifications promising a different internal system than the republics and then forwarded the contract to [member="Marek Starchaser"]. Alli had been after this contract for a while, it meant a large bit of business. They would have to produce more maintenance ships to take care and place the old and new satellites. Ashley would have to ensure that Alli's wishes were meant. " We will help secure the security force and with anything else you need. "

 

[Salem Norongachi]

"At this time, no. Begin the preparations for the shipyard construction. Send over a detailed breakdown of costs and I'll see you have whatever you need." Norongachi said as he stood. "As always, its been a pleasure." He nodded to each in turn and then strode out of the conference room and down the hallway, when he was inside the lift he com'd his aide.

"Call a general meeting of the cabinet. I need to move some funds around."

[member="Marek Starchaser"]
[member="Alli Wren"]

 

[Corey's OOC]

Turning to the two in the meeting, Marek was starting to feel an almost sense of relief. Maybe the hump of this rebuild was over. He was really hoping so. Hearing that Baktoid could use a different computing system for the satellites when compared to the Republic, he nodded and agreed that the contract would be sent out for approval. Being the Foreman, Marek didn't mind working with droids, but sometimes a sapient eye was just what he needed.

And [member="Salem Norongachi"] was speaking. Break down of costs, time, construction, all the sorts of things that will go into construction projects of shipyards. "I'll speak to Miss Arceneau and they'll be to you shortly." Turning back to [member="Alli Wren"] 's Ashley HRD, he nodded. "I'd like to begin using modified or special units for a droid starfighter screen, and crew smaller flak corvettes to defend the interests until they get away. We don't need to embargo anyone, but running a screen is smart." At least that was his philosophy, from the man who preferred ion cannons to blasters on his personal vessels.

"With that, we'll end and go on our ways. Ashley, I'd like a report for the Excarga and Hypori construction and upgrade plans by the end of the week" At that, he nodded, and watched Salem leave.

Stepping out to the hallway after bidding Ashley farewell, he activated his tablet datapad. Pulling up the way to contact [member="Danger Arceneau"], he grinned. "Danger. Can use your crews for some construction projects in Confederate Space. Shipyard construction. Building from the ground up. Whats the typical for stations?" He needed prices, and employees and supply costs. Baktoid would handle theirs but he preferred to outsource.

More and more, the Corellian was realizing he was not an engineer.