Ask Diversifying the Portfolio

[Vaz]

Kuat
M-10

Vaz stood onboard the EF77 Nebulon-D escort frigate as he waited the arrival of his scheduled meeting.. they were late.. Vaz had sighed several times in the last five minutes. He and a full entourage of security personnel stood at the docking ring, waiting for the ship to dock. He would have them searched and their weapons removed before they'd be allowed onboard, Vaz would like to think this would be standard practice for events such as these. He had a private office prepared not terribly far from the docking ring, and as he stood on his hovering pram, up to about chest height on a normal sized human, his face was eye level, for a just over one foot tall Senator this helped keep things civil, and not focused on his small size.

Just a few more minutes wouldn't kill the Senator he supposed, but still, he stood there, before the light on the door turned green indicating the docking had been completed. Ah, fantastic! Vaz stated, his security team ready to welcome the travelers, and of course remove any dangerous materials from them.

Once the door opened, and vaz could see inside, he would welcome them, Hello, thank you for making what I'm sure was a long trip to meet with me here.. if you'd be so kind as to allow my security team to remove your weapons, so we can begin.. Vaz would say with a welcoming smile on his face.

Once the search was completed Vaz would direct the pram to hover into the office he'd had prepared for them, four chairs were set out on the guest side while Vaz hovered to his side of the large desk and stepped off the pram onto the desk. So then.. I understand you're in the market.. what is it that interests you the most? Vaz would ask, multiple pucks had been placed about the desk displaying holograms of some of the KDY and its subsidiaries more appetizing products..

@Where

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace was undeniably late, which was very unlike her. She wasn't sure if she had miscalculated the distance, or if it was a change of galactic time zones. Either way, being late made her somewhat apologetic, especially when she wanted to get something from someone. What laid before her was a rare opportunity, a large government entity was actually interested in trade, and it was kuat at that. This was not a deal she could she could fail to make.

A lone skipray blast boat would attach itself to the massive frigate's docking tube. With a small hiss from the airlock, Grace would be fully docked and ready to board. Her oldest friend Havvs would remark, "This is it kiddo, big time. Just be nice to the senator and maybe you'll cut a deal. Remember, getting this meeting was expensive, don't mess it up..." As if she didn't need extra pressure.

The blast doors would open to a pair of guards that would escort her to the senator's mobile office. One of the men would point out her lightsaber, causing her to hand the weapon off in turn. She figured they would need to hold that. It didn't matter much to her, she was always armed with the force.

As she entered the room she would give a bow to the small senator. "Senator Vaz, a pleasure." She would promptly take a seat in front of the man, setting down a briefcase next to her.

It would be then that the man asked her what interested her most, He likely expected the young crime boss to select a specific ship to purchase... But there was much more on the woman's mind. "What interests me the most... Well, that is why I'm here. I haven't come to just buy a single ship and move on. I've come to make a large-scale trade deal you might say..."

She would open her briefcase, revealing a large stack of papers. Grace would then continue, "As you may know Senator, my name is Grace Zann. I own a business known as Zann Re-manufacturing, and a much larger enterprise in the outer rim called the Zann Consortium... My organization is part of the Five Syndicates, but we have not yet reached the heights to be called a true syndicate... The ISC has sown discord through our organization, the traitorous Zaa Fenn has caused us trouble, and now the syndicates are a fraction of what they use to be. I'm aware the sith and ISC have been giving both the Republic and Free Worlds trouble, so you have my sympathies..."

She would pause for a moment, shuffling the papers in her hands. She would look through them briefly, pulling up a page filled with a large invoice, a check for millions of credits. "I'm looking to commission a fleet, one I plan to resell throughout the Five Syndicates, at a ten percent profit margin... A fair deal, since I'd be paying for the tabanna gas to get these things across the galaxy from kuat. If you're interested in such an offer, then I'll get into the specifics."

@Vaz

 

[Vaz]

Misses Zann, I assure you, the pleasure is mine.. Vaz responded, he was definitely surprised, pleasantly, but still surprised. He listened with interest as the woman before him explained her business ventures. He started to gain some concern when she started to speak at length about her involvement with the Syndicates.. He knew who he was dealing with, but ti actually hear the specifics was something completely different.

Then end of the Syndicate's war with the ISC was most of the driving reason behind Vaz actually reaching out to the organization, Vaz felt the need to correct her though, The Republic and the ISC maintain a stable peaceful relationship.. In fact, the end of the war between the ISC and your organization, and the peaceful relationship you've reached are the reason this business opportunity has opened up.. Vaz would say simply, allowing her to continue after his interjection.

Vaz stared at the invoice, looking at the huge number written on it, he couldn't even imagine what sort of illicit dealings brought about these ill begotten gains, but that wasn't supposed to be of any concern to Vaz, his job was to elevate the Republic's, and Kuat's, economy by contracting sales to organizations outside the republic to bring credits into the Republic from the outside, because shuffling the same credits around in circles within the Republic would never stand a chance of increasing the value of the credit.

Vaz would sigh softly, Misses Zann, I need you to understand my dealings with your organization are unlike any I've ever done before, and I'm afraid I may need to request a few additional restraints for our business together. Before we move forward, I will need a full good faith agreement that any such products your organization, and your affiliates will never be turned against the planet of Kuat, or the Republic.. Vaz explained, Following that I believe we could definitely make such an arrangement.. Vaz added.

Specifics would be good, we have many products currently available for transfer, but are more than capable of rapidly manufacturing products to keep up with any such demand. Ships with hangars will come equipped with the standard X eighty-three TwinTail starfighter. I assume that'll be sufficient, given their efficiency. Vaz explained.

While your purchase will benefit Kuat as well as the Republic as a whole, I will admit I do have one request that may be a bit more suited for someone of your profession... I'm prepared to offer a sixty percent discount on one Starhawk three Battleship in exchange for your discrete handling of a problem I have.. if you're willing to accept.. Vaz said, he'd practiced offering this to the Syndicate woman many times, this would be his first ever underhand deal since he entered politics, and with all of the practicing he'd done he still would sound stiff and awkward when he said it, he knew the discount was significant, and may well have been the only way her organization could afford one of them, even with the impressive number she'd thrown down, Vaz knew they would likely be limited to frigates at best. Vaz waited nervously for her response..

@Where

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace would shrug as the man mentioned the Republic's neutrality toward the ISC. She was somewhat surprised, considering they succeeded from the senate and all. She wasn't exactly here to debate politics however, the woman had come to do business.

It would then come that the man request a few restraints be put on their deal. The ships could never be turned on the Republic... What? Did he mean the Republic across the galaxy from syndicate space? That would probably never be an issue. It was a guarantee the woman felt fine making for the moment, though perhaps she would have to bend those rules some day in the far future. "Senator. You have my word that these ships will never bring harm to Kuat or the New Republic. That is something I can have arranged easily."

The woman had to stop herself from grinning as the man explained each ship she purchased would come with a huge compliment of starfighters. With such a large number of vessels, the syndicates may someday become stronger than the sith...

Of course, there was now a catch invloved, as the senator mentioned a sixty percent discount on not just a frigate or corvette, but a battleship. The woman's face would give a clear look of intrigue as she would respond, "A job for someone like myself... For such a hefty discount too... I'm listening. What kind of task are you having trouble with? I would love to assist you as a show of good faith."

@Mad Dog

 

[Vaz]

When @Grace Zann pledged to never turn what would hopefully be their newest purchases against Kuat or the Republic Vaz let out a relieved sigh, he'd worried slightly about that prospect, though now that it was put to bed, he was ready to return to business, with his more unscrupulous offer.

Vaz turned to his datapad, and after multiple button presses, and some encryption bypasses he hit one last button, a second later the datapad belonging to Grace would ding, and multiple files would pull up with a very specific symbol on them. This is my problem.. Vaz would say as the woman opened the file from an encrypted unknown sender, multiple photographs of what appeared to be two different buildings would pepper the files, descriptions of both as well as locations describing a larger hall located on Trandosha listed as the organizations primary base of operations, as well as a smaller building, a cantina located on Florrum. You'll understand that the contents of our conversation are confidential.. Vaz said as she continued to read on.

This organization needs to be dealt with, their behavior is egregious, and needs to sustain a major blow, if you could possibly make these two properties uninhabitable.. Vaz said, Then I'd be willing to ensure the sixty percent discount on the previously stated ship, as well as allowing for an eleven percent profit margin on our future dealings.. Vaz explained, he absolutely hated the organization on the woman's screen, as well as like organizations, he understood looking at the woman that some sort of hypocrisy existed, To be clear, I can respect what you do because you don't hide it, but those who lie and hide behind the true low, within the borders of the republic, the FWA, as well as the ISC need to be dealt with, such organizations only cast a dark light on the more reputable governments they operate within.. Vaz said, justifying himself.

Thus purchase, even if defaulted back to the woman's original deal, would stand to propell the Kuat economy quite a bit, such a large and sustained dealing was sure to flood immeasurable amounts of their dirty money into the cleaning process of the Republic. Vaz just hoped his soul could sustain it.

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace's datapad would light up as an array of different files would quickly populate her storage space. The symbol that appeared on each would be well recognized, the bounty hunter's guild. The woman's jaw would drop for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. The guild must have done something very stupid to get on the republic's bad side. For once it looked like the consortium would be bringing someone to justice.

"Confidential indeed... They must have done something terrible to cross you or the Republic. I would be more than willing to take care of these facilities for you. Though it will take some time... If you're willing to wait, then I would be more than happy to accept such a deal." The woman would scroll through a couple more of the files getting a better look at the places.

These would be dangerous places to hit, but her forces could pull it off. Maybe the Pykes and Hutts would be willing to lend a hand... Knowing them, they probably would.

"Your respect is much appreciated... But there is one question I have. What exactly did the Guild do to get on your bad side? I only ask because the other syndicates will likely ask..."

@Mad Dog

 

[Vaz]

Vaz listened to the woman speak, There will be no need to wait, we can begin processing your order immediately, providing your credit transfers complete, I will just maintain the discounted ship until our deal is.. fully completed.. Vaz said, his attention was back on his data pad as he typed away, an immediate sale of this magnitude would definitely elevate his position within the board of directors.

Her follow up question actually took Vaz by surprise, and he would look up at the woman for a moment before returning to his data pad, Misses Zann, I think we may both agree it'd be best if we left my motives and the source of your credits out of the conversation.. He'd say, he was probably definitely correct..

Vaz finally stopped typing, and turned the screen of his data pad around so Grace could see it. The company purchaser name was simply written as Outer Rim Territories and the representative was listed as Grace Star, below that on the invoice listed a hearty amount of products. Vaz had earned himself a lot of experience in this business since being elected on Kuat, I trust this will be sufficient.. he'd say.

Spoiler: invoice

1X Starhawk III-class Battleship, 15X EF77 Nebulon-D escort frigate, 25X Raider-class Corvette, several many X X-83 TwinTail starfighter, and many such X AIAT/I Gunship.

 

[Grace Zann]

It was unfortunate that the man was unwilling to give his motives, but she wouldn't deny his request either way. Besides, he did have a point about her dealings after all... The Zann consortium wasn't exactly a legitimate business. "Alright. Have your secrets then. They will be dealt with."

She would then get her hands on the invoice herself, nearly floored by the senator's offer. This kind of a fleet was exactly what the syndicates needed, though getting all the hired hands to pilot the vessels would take a large effort. It was far from impossible. Though it would take some time to get that many people out to kuat.

"You've outdone yourself senator." She would remark with a smirk, sliding the man a very large check, written out for several million credits. She had excluded the price of the discounted ship, as she would come back for it eventually... Thank the force they robbed that bank on Pzob a while back, otherwise this would be near impossible for the Zann.

"With our agreement in place, I will go speak to my collogues about a solution to this problem of your's. As mentioned, this will take time, but it will be handled swiftly."

@Mad Dog

 

[Vaz]

The deal was done, millions of credits would flood into the Republic by means of Kuat, credits coming from the outside were ultimately the goal, he knew this sort of business deal would probably be looked up unfavorably, which is why he altered the customer's name, but the purchase price would no doubt stand to elevate him, since the information anyone else would see would state outer rim territories he could more than easily explain that away. Either way, provided this didn't come back to bite him in the rear, he'd done an exemplary job.

Excellent.. Vaz said as he offered the woman his hand, Be sure to notify me when it is done, I hope to see it in the news, and you again soon.. He added.

After she shook his hand Vaz would set to work on the transfer, pressing buttons and and typing in the information... Through a remote transfer, whatever underworld account the woman's credits were flowing from had arrived almost instantly, this surprised Vaz, even the most efficient legitimate financial institutions took much more time than that.. Vaz would look up at the woman as she was preparing to leave the room, It would seem your transfer has been approved... the ships are yours to take.. Vaz would say, it wasn't a usual situation at all..

 

[Grace Zann]

Grace would give a simple bow as the deal had been procured. "As you say senator. Thank you for this opportunity. My associates and employees will be by to pick up the ships within the week. I wish you a good day, and good luck in your other dealings." She would stand, quite proud at her success. Thanks to the combined credits of the syndicates, they had manage to procure a decent sized fleet. Shure they would need to replace the Republic symbolism with something different, but her people could handle that.

The guard from before would return the woman's lightsaber to her as she exited the room. Things had gone quite well, but she needed to talk to Rafe about hitting the Bounty Hunter's guild. It was something they could have done, but it would take time. Not to mention manpower. Of course, they could manage that much...

[Exit thread]