Ask Quid Pro Quo

[Nathan Braxon]

BLACKWELL TECHNOLOGIES, BONADAN, CORPORATE SECTOR​

Nathan cracked his knuckles as he waited impatiently by the customs booth. It had been a long journey and every bit of him felt in need of wringing out. He would be sure diarise a full theraputic massage as soon as time allowed.

It was a bloody long way to the Corporate Sector. Perhaps Blackwell and the other conglomerates had it right, planting themselves out here on the very edge of the galaxy, as far as possible from everyone else's shit. Nathan could not agree in truth, he had always been too fond of getting involved in other people's shit.

Today, the Senator hoped to broker a mutually beneficial partnership with Blackwell Technologies, foremost titan of the galactic business scene. His plans for the betterment of the galaxy would need credits, resources and influence in the Senate. The Corporate Sector had all three to share - for a price of course - and Nathan was prepared to pay his way where it mattered.

"We're all cleared, Sir" Stamper informed him. The burly security chief was practically Nathan's shadow, though even he seemed a little hunched from the hours and hours sitting aboard ship.

"Good" the Senator replied, straightening his suave green suit. The colour of harmony and stability they said, qualities those in business would value. "Where are we to meet Senator Solaris?" he asked the attendant on the desk. Blackwell was close he recalled and he was keen to get to it.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Vetra]

To put it frankly, the job of 'Blackwell Technologies Liaison to the Galactic Senate' has become become very boring. It paid decently enough that that she has put up with it for this long. Still, profits were as strong as ever, especially now as Blackwell now has full access to the Stygium Crystals of Aeten II and has been selling them.

She did get a notification that her appointment has arrived on the planet. The Senator of Begamor. Vetra has never heard of Begamor before. Hmmmm. She would do some research on on the world and Nathan Braxon. Most likely, he is wanting to do business with Blackwell. Business that involves credits of course, which Blackwell always wants.

"Senator Braxon?" Vetra said to the young senator before the attendant could say anything. Vetra was expecting him and was keeping a lookout over customs, while waiting for the senator. For her part, the wrean was wearing her neat and pressed corporate uniform, her hair tied as well. She looked professional and ready to get down to business. "Welcome to Bonadan." she greeted him. Vetra was also flanked by a pair of Blackwell-model bodyguard droids.

@Alhon

 

[Nathan Braxon]

“Thank you, Senator”. Vetra Solaris made her appearance right on cue and Nathan reached out to shake her hand, intrigued by the other one; cybernetic if he remembered correctly.

Nathan had done his research on the woman, as was his way. She was a high-powered corporate type from what he could gather, from money but with ability too, enough to secure an internship that had carried up the ranks. There had been two candidates for her current position of Senator, yet one had disappeared in strange circumstances. Nathan had to wonder if they both had a talent for neutralising rivals.

”Glad to be here“ he continued, putting aside his travel fatigue. “By all means lead the way”. He was expecting a sleek boardoom or grand office designed to intimidate. “Smart droids” he remarked, looking the bodyguard models up and down “though at least Stamper laughs at my jokes”. He glanced back at his security man, a humorous look on his face.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Vetra]

Vetra would firmly shake his hand, with her cybernetic arm. It would be a firm professional handshake, although cold. And so she did, after nodding her heads. She lead the way, taking her entourage of bodyguard droids with her. Now in the Blackwell Tech office building, she lead the way to her office. Her office really wasn't grand, but it was simple, spacious, and easy on the eyes.

Placed prominently on one of the walls, was a portrait of two figures. One of them if is a portrait of Newton Arden, the current CEO of Blackwell Tech. The other was Tasha Blackwell, Pantorian female, the Founder and first CEO of then-Blackwell Independent Technologies, who is revered to this day and much of her wishes for the company and methodology are still carried on in the present.

Vetra would take her seat at her office desk, with chairs in front of the desk for the visitors. "Here we are". She stated. "After such a long journey, do you need a refreshment?" She would offer. "Or are we ready to get to business?" Either way, Vetra was ready to proceed.


@Alhon

 

[Nathan Braxon]

Nathan followed Vetra into her office, a neutral expression on his face. The space was a little bland and dull for his liking, even bordering on pokey. It did not quite rise to standards of her station, but Vetra appeared content enough as he took her seat at her desk. He wondered if any personality would escape her corporate exterior.

"Caf, black, if you will" he answered, accepting the hot drink that was swiftly prepared "and to business as you say".

Nathan had requested the meeting, so he began. "I'll come straight to it, Senator. Blackwell Technologies is a titan of our galaxy, a galaxy riven with conflicts and challenges. I am one Senator, but one who hopes to be a force for good in the coming months and years. I'd like to explore if we can help each other, now and in the future".

He sipped his caf, pleased it would not serve the Coporate Sector types to poison him. "Essentially, I'd like to know what Blackwell wants, Senator. Perhaps I can help you get it".

@The Good Doctor

 

[Vetra]

A force for good? Just what does that mean? Anyways, so the young senator inquired about what Blackwell wants. Obviously they are wanting something from Blackwell in return at some point, they almost said as much. Just what is it they are seeking.

As for the inquiry about what Blackwell wants, Vetra had to think for a moment. What does Blackwell want, aside from the abstract goals of continued dominance of the markets Blackwell does business in, for the credits to continue pouring in, good PR? That is a good question. Vetra would lean back in her chair. Vetra would take a coffee as well and take a sip of hers.

"I'll be frank. Aside from having record profits by the end of the fiscal year and more and more customers to be purchasing our fine goods, I am not aware of any other specific goals or wants for Blackwell at this time." It is really hard to list what Blackwell doesn't have at this point. It really is the galaxy's premier mega-corporation in the galaxy. It's mega-rich, has access many common and rare material resources, galaxy-spanning and galactic-wide influence that system senators would kill to have, obscene amounts of production infrastructure, fleets, droid armies. innumerable loyal customers which include whole star-spanning governments as well as individuals. Blackwell owns a fair share of planets and star systems as well.

"Maybe something can be arranged though." she leaned forward again. "Lets start with this. What do you have? How do you think you can help Blackwell?" she would ask the junior senator. She had a stoic, unmoving expression.

@Alhon

 

[Nathan Braxon]

Vetra did not come up with any goods. Once again, Nathan was left wondering whether to accept her at face value. She either believed Blackwell had all it needed, or she was simply being coy.

"Well I can obviously help with customers and profits" he said. "I have influence not just on my own world, but among a growing fraternity of worlds. It is my intention to bolster that bloc further in the coming months, and I can ensure Blackwell remains its principal contractor for necessary tools".

He would not pretend Blackwell was not already among the market leaders, but she should also recognise he could actively work to undermine that if he chose.

"But I can also offer knowledge" he added "despite your success, like me, you have competitors". That, at least, was an objective market fact. "If I were to come by information as to the future plans of Czerka and others, one presumes that information would be a considerable commercial value?".

Her office was undoubtedly secure, unless she was much less capable than she looked, but they still had to be careful. Vetra did not need to know how Nathan could obtain company secrets, she only needed to believe that he could. Then they perhaps had the foundation of a potential deal.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Vetra]

Vetra nodded along as he spoke. But before she agrees to anything, she needs to find out more before agreeing to anything, she needs to find out more. This nigh-unknown senator and it's nigh-unknown world with it's 'growing fraternity of worlds'. Hmmm. "Interesting" she said. "Tell me more about this bloc of worlds. Who all is apart of it?" she would then ask.

Senator Braxon is right that Blackwell does have competitors and rivals, ones that envy the success of Blackwell. Are jealous of it even. The thought of having insider information into Czerka could give Blackwell an edge. But, one does not 'accidentally' stumble their way into Czerka proprietary insider information. Maybe this senator does have some solid connections "Oh, you have access to insider Czerka infomation as well?" she asked in a quietened tone, but one that indicated a good of interest from her

@Alhon

 

[Nathan Braxon]

Vetra rightly asked for the detail. Smart. “Begamor“ he answered “and Gatalenta in particular”. Their treaty was the foundation of the new union. “But I am in talks with more, Kuat, Ord Mantell and others”. They were prominent worlds, worlds she would hopefully not turn down the opportunity to keep in with.

”I intend for us to become quite a force” he added, giving her a serious look “and I tend to make my intentions a reality“. She may not believe him, but more fool her. Nathan was single-minded and a better investment for Blackwell than satisfying themselves with the status quo.

”It may be that I can bring you what you seek from Czerka” he replied “though such information would be difficult to acquire, even more so to pass on. If I hold up my end, Senator, what does your end look like?”. It was time to see if she was a player in all this, or merely messing around.

@The Good Doctor