Ask Raxus Just Czerking Around

[Guinevere Delevigne]

The terrible news fresh in mind, something had to be immediately done to prevent Imperial Czerka from collapsing into internal squabbles until its new CEO could be appointed. Given the significant investment the Empire held within the company, despite its private nature, along with its defence ties being vital to the war effort, Overseer Delevigne elected to step in to help.

Enlisting an increasingly more familiar face to represent the IAF interests, a meeting was needed to calm the board and ensure that business could continue as normally as possible in the meantime.

A secure ISB facility would house the temporary Czerka HQ while the formal investigation into Julia's demise was undertaken and a formal assessment could be completed as to what would happen with the company following. Outside the meeting room, where it was expected that most of the board would holo into, Guin waited for her companion for the day.

@Rimrald

 

[Otto von Bastion]

It was true, the Empire did have strategic reserves to dip into in times of production shortages. With the Czerka HQ in ruins it was surely one of those times.

While a temporary system for order management and information dissemination was being worked on to get information to the Czerka production facilities in the absence of 'home base'. The Empire was beginning to route deliveries of equipment from lower priority customers to the higher priority recipients like offensive and front line defensive units for the coming clash with the Hutts.

Entering what felt like an oversized safe house, one of probably hundreds of secure ISB facilities of this nature inside and outside the Empire. Otto paused to marvel and grimace at the sheer reach of the ISB, and how very little he knew about their capabilities. Something he intended to remedy in time.

"Overseer Delevigne. Long time no see." Otto remarked with a half hearted smile, as the bombing of Czerka HQ was a potential setback the Empire could not afford in this conflict. Otto would organize his talking points and a number of personal notes before turning, to Guin looking ready to address the group when they she was ready to begin the call and enter the meeting room.

@Xorism

 

[Guinevere Delevigne]

The meeting was destined to be short and sweet, all things considered the company might have had its head knocked off but its body remained. If you excuse the metaphor.

"Is it Lieutenant Von Bastion or just Bastion?" She asked with a smile, attempting to break up the monotony of the dreadful wait they'd endured thus far. It was true that Czerka HQ being bombed had hurt the war effort, but it didn't have to be a wasted opportunity, or so the ISB would say. Shortly after, the signal arrived that it was time for the meeting to begin.

The various board members joined the projected meeting with again various stances and lists of complaints to air. Within seconds an eruption of shouting, heated discussion and name throwing was tossed about as the factions tested their waters now with Julia gone.

Seizing a brief lull in activity to press her nose into the conversation, Guin spoke up for the first time.

"Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the late Julia Hipori for her exceptional work as Imperial Czerka CEO prior to her assassination." Keying a button, a short few slides of tribute would play across the screens highlighting her career.

"Secondly, I would remind you that we are at war with the Cartel, any such division as what we have just heard is only playing into the enemies hand." It was clearly obvious that none of the rival groups were going to play along willingly, and if that meant the ISB playing a more direct role in its operation, then so be it.

"In the interim, we suggest appointing Jynna Primen as CEO." Guin's face held steadfast even as the board began a heated discussion, as she wanted to elevate a member of the board who was far friendlier to the ISB than the others.

Exploiting this chaos, the Overseer continued. "The board shall of course take a vote, all those in favour?"

The silence continued for a few precious seconds, with none initially willing to be the first until the dam broke. One by one, hands raised until all of those remaining in the call approved the decision.

Guin turned to the Lieutenant with a stern face. "Your report?"

@Rimrald

Roll: Nat 20

 

[Vallyrie Winters]

Vallyrie stood at parade-rest in front of the Overseer. She was wearing the Imperial fatigues worn under her assault trooper armor, but without the armor. She watched the meeting go from loud squabbling to almost pure silence. The new lieutenant didn't know much about Imperial Czerka, but weapons, ammo, and funding needed to come from somewhere and it sure wasn't coming out of Vallyrie's pockets. She couldn't help but smirk though. Lady knew how to put people in their place real quick and in a hurry.

When it finally came time to speak, Vallyrie snapped to attention and saluted the woman, as was customary for the IAF. She pulled a data-chip from her pocket and placed it in front of the woman for her to plug into her computer or datapad to view the contents. It was a list of assets currently secured as loyal, and a list of assets that would be needed to cover the span of the Empire.

"Ma'am," Vallyrie started. "Data-chip has all the hard numbers. We're only accounting for assets that have either presented as, or fully sworn to be loyalist. My personal take on the matter, ma'am, is that if the armed forces suspend campaigns outwardly, we'll have enough to handle the internal campaign to root out traitors and crush insurgencies. If not, we'll need a few more battalions at least. Any unit that doesn't have proper COIN training needs to get sent to Yaga Minor to remedy that." Vallyrie paused, making sure she got the whole gist of the report out.

"If that's what the Empire needs, ma'am," she added. As a lieutenant she was not about to sound like she had final say in any matters. A task was requested of her, and she performed the task as ordered.

@Xorism

 

[Guinevere Delevigne]

The Lieutenant went through her briefing for the board rather well. It seemed that even with the vast amount of credits being thrown about, the military had supposedly been rather loyal. Guin could only speak to ISB operations, and even most of that information would be rather classified above most of those in the room.

"Very good Lieutenant." Primen piped up, rather enthusiastically. Guin nodded in support, as well. "I trust that the ISB is looking into Miss Hipori's murder, which we welcome, but likewise also caution that protecting secrets is as valuable in our profession as it is in yours, Overseer." Primen smiled briefly. "We will provide you what information we have available that you might not already have, even if much of it was destroyed in the explosion."

Guin nodded once more. "Thank you, Miss Primen. Yes, we will be investigating this, although I suspect the culprit is long gone by now." But that certainly didn't mean they couldn't review any data they could get their hands on. "We'll be in touch." The voice said as the screen disappeared abruptly.

"That went well." Guin finally said after a few moments of silence lingering in the air. Politics was one thing, but the corporate world was entirely another, and the blonde had barely set a foot in it. Imperial Czerka would do their best to ensure some level of support arrived for the beleaguered IAF and Imperial worlds, but the effect of the attack would be felt for some time while it was reorganised. But at least it was time to go, for an Overseers work was never complete.

"Say you were to lead a COIN operation against suspected Imperial traitors, hypothetically speaking, how would you do it?" She asked rather cryptically. The phrasing and tone suggesting that the conversation should not exist outside the corridors they began to walk through.

@TheDudeMike

 

[Vallyrie Winters]

Vallyrie waited for the meeting to be over, and for the Overseer collect what things she needed and stand. The question wasn't a surprising one, though it was very broad. No two situations were ever exactly the same. That was one lesson she had learned from Yaga Minor. That, and the Empire knew how to hire some great kriffing actors. Vallyrie walked with the Overseer in silence, her mind on the question posed.

"Well ma'am, it would depend on a lot of different factors. How large the AO is, what friendly assets are in the area, history of everything from growing crops to selling drugs in the AO, past allegiances, past troubles- just to name a few," Vallyrie explained. Her brown eyes never left the hall before them, her figure never slouched. A model Imperial soldier, even sans the dress uniform the Overseer was probably used to seeing from the officers she met from the Armed Forces.

"Hypothetically if my company was ordered to perform COIN operations in a city like this, I'd start by establishing a FOB, ascertaining what assets were available, and rules of engagement. I'd start slow, sending single squads out at a time for patrol. Have them check out a building, set up shop for a few days, and observe. Get to know how the locals act, talk, what their needs and wants are. Eventually integrate patrols with local law enforcement; crack down down illegal activities."

"Everything gets documented and reported up to ISB," she said, taking a deep breath. "Then it would be up to the ISB whether or not to move on the suspects or not. My troopers would be in support, cordon off buildings or blocks. Let agents do their jobs while we do ours." The idea would be the same regardless of level of command. With a company, an entire city could be done, but it would depend on the size of the city. A battalion though? A battalion could easily handle the entire capital.

@Xorism

 

[Guinevere Delevigne]

The abundance of military lingo might have phased others, but given her proximity to a close friend in the IAF, she'd heard many of them on a far too often basis.

"Excellent." She nodded as they continued along. "In the aftermath of the war, we may call upon your services." Win or lose, the Empire would be dealing with a string of difficulties that would need to be addressed. Having an experienced and loyal group to preform this task would be immensely valuable.

"I will give you the contact you need at Czerka to ensure your unit is well taken care of, make sure to request anything you need." A perk of knowing the incoming CEO. It was abundantly clear that they'd likely be getting more than their money's worth from Lt Winter's company, perhaps sooner than she realised. "Deliver the results we need, and you will be taken care of. Understood?"

@TheDudeMike

 

[Vallyrie Winters]

For the first time since they had begun to walk, she turned a hard gaze to the Overseer. The only thing the shining in them was cold efficiency. Though Vallyrie would be remiss to not acknowledge that her heart beat a little a faster at the prospect of having Imperial Czerka backing. How much backing would be the real question. A single unit with the weight of Czerka behind it would be one powerful asset on a battlefield. To lead that unit would be career making.

"Yes, ma'am," Vallyrie said. "But just to double-tap, my company and I will have access to Czerka catalog, regardless of standard regulations?" The Empire was rule of law. Regulations were there to keep order, peace, and hierarchy. A unit able to go above and beyond such regulations would practically be unstoppable. Might as well have hired an entire family of Mandalorians. No, Imperial Armed Forces were better; more artillery to be called in.

"How long before our first call, ma'am?"

@Xorism

 

[Guinevere Delevigne]

Guin paused in her footsteps before turning to face Winters. "Baby steps, Lieutenant." She smiled.

"You will still have to justify your procurements, but in regard to COIN operations, perhaps it will cut some red tape." It wasn't so much as a golden pass, but more of a front of the queue type deal. There would be many units vying for new assets, both during the war and after, but maintaining stability and control was paramount.

"Perhaps we shall see each other again soon." She firmly stated, offering the Lieutenant the door.

The Empire required it.

@TheDudeMike

/end thread