Ask Have No Fear

[Soygun York]

The governor of Kattada landed on Dressel three days ago. Doing research on the planet and its locals for his mission to alleviate some of the fears their loose political associations may have about joining the ISC, he became increasingly interested in the planet itself. While the Galactic Empire strip-mined some sections of the planet long ago, the majority of Dressel was still pleasant and had a wide range of climates, ecosystems and biomes. The Dressellians while very civilized and advances socially, were in no rush to bring on advanced industrialization to their world. In fact, there were miles and miles of untouched, beautiful beaches. The land was pristine and remote- perfect for a lavish private resort for the rich and famous. The Dressellian reputation of being a peaceful and thoughtful folk made York's desires to acquire some land along these beaches quite difficult. They didn't place the same value on profit and economical impact as the Kattadan representative. For three days he scouted dozens of excellent locations, and each time the Dressellian caretakers of each location politely declined to sale or share in a business venture.

For now, the personal business dealings would be placed on the back-burner. Soygun awaited President Emryc Thorne. To this point, the two never spent any meaningful time in private conversation. While York wasn't nervous about the meeting, he understood the importance. Soygun York had aspirations beyond being a resort real estate mogul and a representative for a small, tourist-stop of a planet that defected to the ISC. Getting in Thorne's good graces was a necessary component of climbing the political ladder since York effectively burned his bridges with the FWA and the New Republic. To that end, York needed this meeting with this loose association of political leaders of Dressel to be a success.

Soygun, a stickler for things like punctuality- it is simply good business to be on time- waited at the starport the Empire built around 2 BBY. The surroundings still had the feel of a military installation, and that is exactly what the primary purpose was. The Dressellians tried to make it seem less hostile over the years, but the Empirical military architecture was hard to miss. York made sure to arrive with Travix, his protocol droid, about an hour before the ISC President's ship was scheduled to land. In the meantime, he would read the news from his datapad, checking stock prices and the travel news across the galaxy.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc arrived exactly when scheduled, speaking rapidly into the earpiece that had been custom made for his fluted ears. He checked his chrono as he stepped off the ramp, accompanied by his bodyguard droid. The half Sephi was dressed in a full gray suit, hair gelled and styled as always. He finished up his conversation as he spotted York and made his way over.

At 6’5, he always cut an imposing figure, his face stoic and gaze piercing. It only took a few strides to close the distance between himself and York. Emryc offered a nod, “York,” The smooth baritone rang out, “About time we worked together,” A grin touched his lips.

He was well aware of York’s apprehension of him. Politics was not a game where everyone got along and sang songs together. However, York had proven himself to be efficient and calculating, exactly the type of person Emryc needed around to advance ISC’s interests.

“I hear you’ve been here for a few days,” Emryc began to walk towards the exit of the spaceport where a luxury speeder would be waiting to take them to the capitol building, “What have you observed?”

The droid with Emryc brought with it a box which would serve as a gift to the officials they met.

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

Based on York's dealings with the Dressellians to this point, York opted not to wear the full suit for this meeting. He went instead with khaki colored slacks, a cream colored turtleneck and a light blue blazer. In York's business experience, the lighter colors really accentuated his chocolate-colored skin, and made his smile seem more genuine and soft. This made him more believable and trustworthy in their eyes. The Dressellians, while friendly, were not a trusting lot by York's estimations, and he needed to wanted to pull out all of the tricks of the trade today.

He greeted the President as Emryc stepped off the ship. When Thorne made mention of it being about time they worked together, York said, "Welcome to Dressel, Mr. President, and I agree. This will be no easy task though."

And that much was true. York admired these native's desire to be independent, free, and...by and large, isolated. York liked people that didn't ask anything of him. And for the ISC, that meant they wouldn't be a burden on the coffers. The downside was that it would be a hell of a negotiation to get them to no longer be fully independent.

“I hear you’ve been here for a few days,” Thorne said. "What have you observed?”

"I can tell you it isn't going to be a business deal. They aren't interested in outside money or outside help. I tried like hell to make a lot of different people a lot of money here, but not one even cared for rich tourists coming in, pouring money into their planet, and leaving. All they would ask for is a mint on their damn pillow when they arrived." York said. "But, these Dressellians are kind, polite, and gracious hosts...they just don't want to be hosts."

As they made their way toward the speeder, York added, "I think the trick is we're going to have to convince them that giving up their full independence by joining the ISC is the best way for them to keep their full independence." York smirked and said, "Piece of cake, right?"

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc stepped into the speeder with York, the vehicle elongated and filled with drinks if they so pleased. The half Sephi didn’t bother with it, rolling down his window as he pulled out a pack of cigarra. He offered one to York if he wished.

“I hear they have a penchant for blaster designs,” He said as he considered everything York said, “I brought over a few disruptors, so we can see if that gets them excited,” He tilted his head to give the man a lazy half grin, “Sometimes these folks love shiny things and the means to access them.”

Emryc blew out a cloud of smoke through the window, taking in the sights of the planet. They had a few minutes still before they arrived at the capitol building.

“Been meaning to ask,” He began after a moment, “Since we don’t often catch one another, what are your ambitions within ISC?” Emryc asked quite bluntly. York would know that the half Sephi was not one to mince words and he would cut right to the chase when the two men had a private moment.

Roll for how difficult the diplomats will be: 2/20

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

When the president offered him a cigara, York politely declined and pulled out a small metal cigar case. He was quite happy to see that smoking was part of the norms for the speeder ride. He lit his cigar, sucked in a few times to get a good light on the ash end, and exhaled a plume of smoke of his own toward his window.

“Been meaning to ask," Thorne said. "Since we don’t often catch one another, what are your ambitions within ISC?”

Well, the President was going to cut right to the chase. Truth be told, York expected this conversation at some point. Perhaps not quite so soon, but at some point. York was no fool and neither was Thorne. If York doubted some of Thorne's scruples, he was quite sure that Thorne was doubting some of York's. That wasn't entirely a bad thing. In fact, it could make things a lot easier on the both of them if they were on the same page about pragmatism over moral absolutes.

"I'm not going to insult your intelligence and give you some patriotic rah rah speech about helping my fellow man," York said. "That said, there's a damn good chance that I could end up helping a lot of people just because of the nature of what I do and the fact that I'm good at it." He took another drag of his cigar and blew the smoke out of the window. "But as far as my ambitions within the ISC, they're the same ambitions I have with anything else I do. I want to win, and I want to run up the score while I do."

He grinned and gave Thorne a sideways glance. "But I'm not naive. The real question you want answered is how can I best help you to run the up the score, am I right?" He flicked some ash out of the window and shrugged. "That's the question I would want answered if I were you, anyway."

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc couldn’t help but grin at the casual and subtle insult York dished his way about helping his fellow man. Both men knew that was exactly the approach Emryc took for his platform. It was very difficult to get under Emryc’s skin, and he had no other reaction to the jab.

“People do best when placed into positions that align their skills with their passions,” He drew in from the cigarra and exhaled a cloud of smoke out of the window, “As ISC continues to grow, I will look to rely on others within the executive council to step up and take accountability for different facets of the governing body.”

The half Sephi pondered for a long moment, “I believe you hold a unique position deep within the heart of the Republic. Your contributions can be twofold,” He tilted his head to gaze at the other man, silver eyes gleaming, “One, to elevate your influence across the planets around you to swing them. Two, to capitalize on your skillset and spearhead the strategic positioning of our economy. If you demonstrate and excel in two, perhaps you can influence one.”

Emryc drew in smoke again, looking away once more, “You can’t keep upping the score if your heart’s not in it, York,” He grinned, “Even men like you and I know that.”

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

The look of business was always in York's eyes, no matter the company, no matter the setting. He was nodding slowly as he listened to Thorne speak, and he could feel the silver eyes of the Sephi upon him. York put the cigar in his mouth and turned his head slightly to meet his eyes. When Thorne looked away, York would pull the cigar out and exhale his smoke out the window again.

The ISC President had the right of it. He understood enough about economics to know that an economic powerhouse couldn't be about "fairness for all" and trying to equally distribute the wealth among the planets. This "strategic positioning" was about delegating resources and building industry and infrastructure where it would benefit the ISC as a whole the most.

Interestingly enough, he also wanted York to work as a diplomat of sorts to planets closer to the core, those firmly entrenched in FWA and New Republic space. Not long ago, York would have thought that to be folly. The only reason Kattada bolted for the ISC was because of York's supposed "mistreatment" by the FWA senate and the Sector Rangers. But today, with the ISC actually acting while the New Republic and FWA struggled to wipe their own ass, it was possible that some planets may entertain the thought of defection and a realignment with the ISC.

"Oh, my heart's in it, Mr. President. That I can assure you." He narrowed his eyes as he looked ahead thinking about the situation. "A fledgling empire...that's what you're building right? An Empire?" York would grin, let that hang out there for just a moment before continuing. "A fledgling empire requires infrastructure. That's where we're lacking, especially in the Mid and Outer Rim systems. We have to build, and we have to build fast, under budget, and we have to pick the right places for that infrastructure. Infrastructure is the key. Without it, you don't have industry. You don't have easy access to raw materials. Transportation, both on and off world is limited or slowed." He looked at Thorne directly and shrugged. "It's about acquiring the right property and then construction on that property , and that's my wheelhouse. If you want the infrastructure necessary to build an empire, I'll be honest. I'll be shocked if you have some more suited to do it than me."

He flicked some more ash out of the window. "That's the foundation of your economy. That's how we become an economic powerhouse."

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc listened as York spoke, his face never really revealing his opinions on the matter. Those that often interacted with the half Sephi would have gotten used to never knowing where they stood based on reading body language or expressions alone. He looked away for a moment, “Empire has such negative connotations,” He stated simply, “And I don’t think I quite sport the look of an Emperor anyway,” Emryc said casually with a grin.

He could see that they were arriving at the building, a daunting and tall tower that looked quite gloomy. Emryc pondered on his thoughts for a moment, “I don’t expect to find anyone more suitable, nor do I wish to look. Simply because above all I need a survivor,” He looked at York again, “You and I are survivors. We know how to make something out of nothing. That is exactly the tenacity I hope to see with you managing and driving policies for our Treasury.”

Emryc put his cigarra out in the ashtray provided in the side of the speeder door, letting York sit on the bomb he casually dropped.

“We can discuss the details when we are done here,” He said simply as they finally arrived.

As they stepped out, two Dresselians came over to greet them.

“Welcome to Dressel, President Thorne and Governor York,” One of them said as he led the way, “I trust your travels were comfortable. Right this way to meet our Senator and her senior officials.”

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

As they were getting out, York would offer. "Thank you for your confidence. Let me say that you're not going to hurt my feelings with negative connotations, Mr. President. I'm a realist. It's my experience that feelings get in the way of results." Likewise, he snuffed out his cigar and left in the ashtray.

So, that was it. Just like that, Thorne didn't ask for a resume. He didn't ask suggest. He all but told York that he would be heading the Treasury for the ISC. York didn't mind that a bit. He would excel there. He knew that he would. From the treasury, he would have the purse strings to all the other departments. The glitz and glam of positions like Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State, or whatever the ISC decided to call their top diplomat, got all of the press. Ultimately, though, their budget would run the treasury. York could make their books look as good or as bad he wanted. He was more than satisfied.

York gave a polite bow to the Dresselian ambassadors that met them at the car. “Welcome to Dressel, President Thorne and Governor York. I trust your travels were comfortable. Right this way to meet our Senator and her senior officials.”

"Indeed, a very hospitable planet. Beautiful landscapes as well." York would stop there. He still wouldn't mind buying some ocean front property on what seemed to be infinite miles of coastline on this planet. It would be in bad taste at this juncture however, and the Dressellians didn't seem to be a bit interested in profit anyway.

York started considering how Dressel would benefit the ISC. If it joined, it would be a border planet. A military installation would almost be a necessity. At the very least a naval yard or a military space station in orbit. The planet itself was largely unpopulated and untouched. The Dressellians did well to protect their planet. This meant that secret bases would be easy to hide. There was no telling what untapped raw ores and materials were on the surface. Dressel had a long history of isolation, and as such, there were still a lot of mysteries about the planet itself.

But, before those mysteries could be explored, they first had to get the Dressellians on board. York entered the building next to the president and being led by the greeters. They were led into a lift and went several stories, if not to the very top before being let out. The greeters turned guides stepped out and motioned with their hands. "Right this way."

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc followed the attendants over to a conference room. He noticed that unlike most places, he didn’t have to hunch too much to step through doorways here. Dresselians were taller than many species he encountered and he was offered a brief reprieve from always having to watch his step.

The Senator had sharp eyes set above a wrinkly face. She looked from Emryc to York and then back to Emryc. There was no smile as she walked over to shake their hands. She walked right back and took a seat, gesturing for the men to do the same.

There were two other men with her, no doubt her senior officials.

“Welcome to Dressel,” The woman began in her native tongue as a protocol droid next to her rapidly translated, “I am Senator Yasra. I have been hearing and seeing a lot about the ISC. I am curious to know what you can offer us.”

“Certainly,” Emryc said with a smile. He reached for the box he carried and placed it on the desk, opening it up to reveal the model of a gun. He saw the officials get visibly excited, the locals always priding themselves in weaponry.

“You’re looking at a replica of the DX-2 Disruptor,” Emryc explained, passing it off to them to inspect. He next rattled off the specs of the gun and potential for mass production, “Consider this as a show of good faith to bring these guns into circulation here on Dressel and allow your industry a significantly competitive edge.”

They were barely looking up from the model, all three marveling and completely smitten. Emryc cast a sideways glance at York that was full of amusement. The half Sephi allowed them a moment before continuing.

“The ISC so far has identified the best skills and resources for each planet within its borders to become part of a joint coalition. The goal is to pool together our best assets to collectively elevate us into a galactic power. With joining ISC, you will be a part of an ecosystem that bridges trade and travel routes that weren’t possible before.”

He gestured to York, “Governor York can highlight especially on the strategically economical benefits to joining our ranks,” Emryc knew the man could think on the fly and this was his moment to shine.

OOC: Again - they were a 2/20 so they should roll over.

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

York looked at the pistol and raised a brow. Probably illegal in most systems. At the very least, such a weapon would raise more brows than just York's. The ability to disintegrate the target the molecular level was a hitman's dream weapon. No body, no evidence. No evidence, no murder.

“Governor York can highlight especially on the strategically economical benefits to joining our ranks,” Thorne said. York wasn't totally taken by surprise. He had seen the ISC President in action enough to know he liked to put people on the spot. Whether or not he wanted to watch them squirm or test their meddle, York wasn't sure yet. Perhaps both. Be that as it may, York was as prepared as one could be for a question he wasn't prepared for and didn't skip a beat.

"Of course, President Thorne," Soygun said. "An important point that I hope is not overlooked is that the ISC stands for the Independent Systems Consortium. Independent. I know what that words means to the Dressellians. President Thorne knows. The ISC coalition knows. Dressel has protected its own independence and has taken great steps to protect its culture and way of life. Indeed, that is what the ISC desires for our member planets and systems. Our economic model is designed to enhance each planet's economic footprint while staying true to the core ideals of their culture."

He knew the Dressellians would like the talk of staying independent. It had been a sticking point for thousands of years here. In fact, some would consider the Dressellians "isolationists" but that didn't sound quite as flattering as being independent. "That is what we offer you. You have industry now. What you don't have a great deal of is mining and the process to harvest raw materials. As a result, it is no secret that you pay exorbitant prices to get what you need to manufacture your goods. By joining the ISC, you can join our supply chain. Will the raw materials be gifted to Dressel in her Starports without payment? Of course not, but the days of paying above market price for your raw materials would end immediately. In fact, as part of our consortium, you would be paying well below market value. Or, if you chose to start harvesting raw ores and materials from your own planet, we can help you get started in that endeavor as well which would further improve your profit share."

York motioned to the disruptor pistol. "Also, you would have access to our scientists, blueprints, and technology. You will not have to engage in the galactic scene in order to get the rights to manufacture goods such as this. The Consortium can do that for you. In short, your way of life, your culture, is not at all changed by joining the ISC. Your people's quality of life, however, is almost certain to improve."

York leaned back and interlocked his fingers on the table in front of him. "This also strengthens the Consortium. Being a planet with industrial capability that produces complex goods ready for market, you add significant value to our supply chain and our tertiary economic sector. By strengthening our position as a Consortium and you being a part of it, you strengthen your ability to remain independent and free. We have great potential to help each with an agreement today."

The Kattadan nodded, his pitch complete. York had been in board rooms and cut deals with cutthroat business people thousands of times. These were no cutthroats. He had seen the look in people's eyes when they were on the brink of agreeing to a deal. That, he could see with the Dressellians in front of him. They desired their freedom and independence above even their quality of life. Soygun had pitched them how they can increase both. He was quite positive that they could close the deal here.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc nodded in approval of everything York said, the corners of his lips almost drifting towards a smile. The man was just as sharp as when he had been actively debating against him that day on Naboo. While they had their differences in the past, and likely still had some, York was a solid ally to have on his side. Emryc turned to observe the Dresselian, watching them marvel at the model and also drink in every word being said to them.

While Senator Yasra’s face scrunched up at the topic of her planet not having strong mining operations, she couldn’t offer any words to disagree. York had them hanging on every word, applying all the research he had done on them. By the end of it, there was nothing but silence for a few moments as Emryc allowed them to soak up the information.

“As you can see, Senator,” Emryc stated after a moment, “The ISC may be new, but we are composed of some of the greatest minds in the galaxy. We are not indoctrinated with age old principles or processes that exist for the sake of process. We will always push innovation and always seek to find value in every planet within our border to bring them to the forefront as a galactic power. You need only to step forth to become a part of it.”

There were a few more seconds that passed as the Senator snapped her fingers to motion for the protocol droid to remain silent. She then turned to quietly whisper away with her advisors in the local tongue.

Emryc politely looked away, gazing instead at York with a flat expression. However, his eyes betrayed pure amusement. After a bit of back and forth, the Senator looked at them again.

“Very well,” She said as the droid began to translate again, “We will join you. We would like to have access to this...Disruptor technology as soon as possible also.”

The half Sephi nodded, “Thank you for your time, Senator Yasra, you will not regret this.”

@Isen

 

[Soygun York]

Deals of great consequence were no stranger to Soygun York. It was what he did for a living after all. He could read body language easily enough in these situations, and the Dressellians had awful poker faces. Generations upon generations of trying to stay isolated from the rest of the galaxy did little to help hide their thoughts and leanings when bargains were being struck. The Kattadan knew that he and Thorne had them. When President Thorne looked at York while the senator and her advisors discussed the deal, York would look back and give a short nod, an assurance that the deal was all about agreed to.

And, as it were, they were very plain about their agreement. A simply "we will join you" and a desire for the weapon technology offered by Thorne. President Thorne gave his thanks, and York would stand and bow slightly. "I will personally see that you get the appropriate blueprints and research on the disruptor. I look forward to strengthening our economic standings together. Thank you."

The Kattadan governor pushed in his chair, and as a matter of protocol and respect, would of course wait for the President to take his leave so that he could follow.

/exit thread