Ask One Jump Ahead

[Nakoa Singh]

Apex had a reputation. For success, for efficiency, for planning that left echoes long after they'd left the task behind. A reputation whispered in rumor oft unconfirmed. Their sense of discretion was unmatched by other mercenary organizations and the vast majority of their advertisement was through word of mouth. Apex lacked the obsession of glory and direct bloodshot of many similar groups. A scalpel rather than a hammer.

One job done on behalf of Incom got Nakoa in contact with their executives. A series of holomail conversations got him into a meeting. As wary as Incom was to directly deal with any organization after the last century of warfare, Singh was well aware of both his own persuasiveness and ability to leverage the natural abilities of others.

That was why he'd brought on Aden Archer. A talented and proven starfighter pilot, Aden had nothing but success to his name in a variety of small attack craft. Personal obsession and practice brought this man to the point of Force-wielding pilots. So, naturally, he'd been brought along to solidify a long-term contract between Incom and Apex.

There was great confidence that Aden and Nakoa combined would persuade Incom into an exclusive deal to provide Apex with certain future designs as a form of free advertisement. At this point, Apex's reputation supported the idea they were perfectly willing to support an underdog so long as they were paid for it. Given Incom's long-standing support for the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic that followed, this worked in Apex's favor.

Nakoa waited for Aden in a large waiting area, cigarra smoking between their lips and a pair of tortoiseshell glasses perched on their nose while they reviewed reports on a datapad.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Ah yes, the Incom Corporation. The Fresia-based company who designed and manufactured many iconic starfighters through out the ages. From the ARC-170 from the Clone Wars, to the venerable X-Wing that destroyed two Death Stars. Their work still olds up over a hundred years later. To say that Aden was a big fan of their work was an understatement.

Aden would arrived in the the waiting area. Bravebird does not wear buisness suits or anything like that but he dressed nice and stylish in his own way. white button-up shirt, a nice space-leather jacket, khakis bottoms .etc

Bravebird would then meet up with the Apex Strategist. Aden was euthoized about the prospective of this task. It stands to benefit Apex and Incom themselves. Aden hopes his keen interest in starfighters and status as a very reputable pilot should lend some weight here.

"Good day Nakoa. Good to see you" he said to the Apex strategist in a friendly and casual manner, as he removed his aviator sunglasses. It didn't feel like it was too long after squaring away the job on Aeten II and brought in big mega-corp credits. After starting some more casual talk, checking his chrono, it wouldn't be too much longer until the meeting with the powers that be Incom.

"Anything we need to go over real quick?" Aden came prepared and he sure Nakoa is as well. He always is always never less than a couple steps head of everything else.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Nakoa Singh]

Nakoa, for his part, was dressed in his version of a suit. Which was to say, nontraditional but still nice and well-tailored. And no tie. He refused to wear them for any reason and no one could force him to. People had tried.

"Aden," he greeted breezily, never bothering much with formality unless it was required for business purposes. They knew each other, what was the point? "Likewise. Just this." Nakoa handed over a datapad containing some tactical map views of some of Apex's starfighter-centric jobs where Apex was overtly involved, such as Kashyyyk. "I can explain these from a tactics point of view. Pitch a business angle. But what'll sell them," they tapped the screen.

"Is a pilot's angle." Singh could provide logos to the debate, both men added ethos, but Aden's enthusiasm for Incom and starfighter piloting was pathos in spades. The difference between how an art critic or a passionate painter viewed their work and that of others. It'd been many years now since Nakoa semi-regularly flew Impetus interceptors or support gunships for the Empire and, frankly, he hadn't kept up or advanced those skills the way he had with others. In fact, he still remembered getting rammed out of the sky by a dartship over Korriban.

It just wasn't their forte. Aden, though? A rare starfighter ace of his time, downing corvettes and leading swift strikes, controlling the skies so well one might think he was Force-sensitive himself. His resume spoke for itself. By comparison, Nakoa just wasn't a 'pilot'. He was a strategist, a scholar, a master of esoteric magic.

Nakoa always preferred to let the experts handle the hands-on of their specialties. So long as they gave Aden and his Archers the right tools, they'd all be one jump ahead of the competition.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

Aden would look at the datapad and then skim over it's contents, reviewing the data. He then sees the details Apex's work on Kashyyyk, which as been a somewhat significant source of conflict and fighting over the years. Aden remembers many years ago he was at Kashyyyk.

After skimming the datapad, he would then look up at Nakoa "That I can definitely provide" he said smiling after a light chuckle. Aden would hand back Nakoa the datapad. Aden in addition to his skills in piloting, has over two decades of experience at this point in cockpit of a starfighter. His natural talent was carefully nurtured.

Nothing else comes to mind. "Well, I'm ready when you are, unless there is anything else we need to go over." he said, looking at the doors ahead. While Aden doesn't care for meetings with corporate people, he does have a confident, easy-going demeanor about this. Nakoa - befitting of his title as Apex Strategist - always as a sound plan. Always thinking many steps ahead.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Nakoa Singh]

The Wrean smirked. "Good," they replied after taking back the datapad. He lightly pulled his jacket lapels to smooth it out. Playful self-assurance shone behind his eyes, clear in his expression. Proven experienced and much practice gave him confidence in both charm, how to read others, and how to plan ahead. Combined with Aden's experienced and easy-going personality, it should all be sufficient leverage.

"No trouble. Let's go."

Both men were let through doors after only a few minutes more and led through a series of hallways. They were not so sterile as many other corporations. A long and storied history with the Rebel Alliance and New Republic left behind piles of pride at their work. Models and artwork of common Incom designs were freely displayed.

Unlike many such displays Incom had every right to do so. One of the only corporations to successfully stand up to Palpatine's Empire earned that pride. Not to mention their ships were still top-of-the-line to this day.

Eventually they reached an executive's office. It was well-furnished, with many more such designs and models lining the walls. Even a large display of a group of X-wings striking at the first Death Star. In a single breath Nakoa adopted a professionally charming expression and strode forward to meet the executive herself, a middle-aged woman with a hard-worn look about her handsome features.

The group would exchange greetings and introductions- Nakoa guessed the executive was an engineer or pilot herself from the calluses- and they all sat down around a wood-topped coffee table with a beverage of choice.

"So what's this proposal of yours?" Singh inclined their head. "Incom starships are well-known," they started, gesturing vaguely around the office and its many displays. "For being unrivaled use in strike squadrons for over a century. Apex specializes in strike squadrons and proposes a mutual contract. This man-"

Nakoa genially patted Aden on the shoulder. "-is undoubtedly the best pilot in the known galaxy. Once flew anX-wings to take down a corvette, if you check the news."

The executive seemed intrigued by that point in particular and turned to Aden.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

"Yes, that was me at Kowak. Bravebird. When we downed two Crusader-class corvettes." he looked into the air remiencing. It was a long time ago but feels like it was yesterday.. Anyone who knows about starships would know that Crusader class corvettes are known to be anti-starfighter corvettes. Downing them them using a starfighter requires expert piloting and tactics, or else it would end really badly. Looking down again "I have always admired Incom-made vessels. From the humble X-Wing trainer, to the the workhorse in the U-Wing, and beyond. I have used Incom ships very extensively in my decades of piloting and still do. Truly, the Incom produces the greatest vessels in the galaxy."

Onto the proposal itself. "Our proposal is this: An exclusivity contract with Apex for your newest - top of the line -designs. Apex has proven to be very successful, our newly starfighter wing has already seen large success and we are growing. In return, Apex would fly these new designs as free advertisement. Once word gets out about the success of your new craft, people will want to be all over them. The buzz would be considerable."

But there were other approaches Aden was thinking of, leveraging his own expertise into this. "And perhaps me and some of our other highly skilled pilots could test out prototypes for new starfighters, before they enter full-production. This would allow you to gain valuable feedback, work out any kinks, and further refine and hone your models to be even sharper." It would be really cool to be able to fly a prototype starfighter before. This would also help both Apex and Incom.

@Mr. Teatime

 

[Nakoa Singh]

The negotiation continued on. Between Aden's genuine enthusiasm for piloting, Nakoa's skill at reading people, and the success of Apex's strike squadrons, the Incom executive seemed fairly well swayed. Not only would Incom still be paid, their new designs would be flown by the demonstrably best military pilots in the galaxy. Only the Empire's top squadron could rival Aden's Archers.

Nakoa jumped right on to Aden's suggestion of test flights. "Included in the contract, of course. Full NDA." Not only would this refine the ships, but once Apex got hold of released models they'd already know how best to fly them and customize controls. "Apex would also extend a security enhancement package for your primary facilities. Galaxy's a dangerous place these days."

Previously Incom had been protected by the New Republic. But now that government had collapsed. All in all, a solid deal. They just had to work out the details. The executive looked thoughtful. "If there's something available, why don't we have Aden here test fly one now? Just for demonstration."

"You know what? Let's do that. Come with me." The two Apex men would be lead out of the meeting room and down several hallways. Eventually, they'd reach a locked door where they had to sign NDAs. Apex's reputation for discretion preceded them in this case. They wouldn't risk acting as spies here.

Here Aden would be introduced to several Incom engineers on the way to the prototype test hangar.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Aden Archer]

"Excellent" Aden muttered as he grinned. For he would have the first chance at flying a brand new model of Incom starfighter before it's out to the public. And if negotiations go well, Apex would have exclusivity of them.

As the Apex people went with the Incom executive, Aden would raise his hand and greet the Incom engineers that he will be working with for a few. The engineers weren't expecting this, but they were already looking forward to where this is headed. After being presented with the NDA contracts. Aden would take a few moments to read over his copy of the paperwork. After making sure nothing shady was in, he would give his autograph. "Signed on the doted line" he cockily smiled.

---

And now the engineers would then escort Aden to the hangar where the prototype was at. and he would reach his destination after taking a turbolift. "Behold our latest project in development. Codename: Shooting Quasar" the head engineer said. Just an elaborate codename as the name of the future model-line hasn't been set in stone. "Wow" Aden said, as he got closer to the starfighter. It's a small-sized starfighter. It looks like it's an interceptor. It's truly unlike any vessel he has seen. "It looks amazing" He looked at the engineer. The prototype already had an astromech droid imbedded inside.

"Alright, here you go" the engineer would pass off a code cylinder to him. "Not so much as a scratch" he firmed warned the fighter ace. Aden simply smiled. After opening the cockpit hatch he would now sit inside, he would insert the code cylinder, the ship's intruments would come to life, and he would immediately start getting the engines warmed up. Aden can tell this was meant to be a really advanced and sophisticated craft and it shows in the interior. The seats are made of sleek black space-leather and they are comfortable as hell.

Aden would find a helmet already inside and he would put it on, visor down. He would also get on the comms, linking himself with the hangar control and the engineers.

Weapons are operational, shields are operable. Now ready... Aden would take off and once fully off the hanger, he would accelerate. He would find his ship going very fast with the thrusters kicked into full gear. "Woohooo" he said. Bravebird always likes going fast. Veering around, he can also see the craft maneuvers very gracefully when moving at speed. "This thing feels great" he said on the comms.

Aden is liking this already.

@Mr. Teatime