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Julia Hipori · May 22, 2023

It was night on Raxus as Julia's speeder darted across the skyline of the planet's capital. Escorted by four probe droids, the luxury speeder car cut a clear line toward their meeting place, a park and restaurant in the city's upper levels. Stepping out of the speeder, she was accompanied by an HK-87 droid which functioned as her ever-vigilant bodyguard. Dressed in her trademark armoured suit with a skirt, she looked around and ended a phone call she had been on before walking into the venue itself.

"Ms. Hipori, a pleasure to have you with us again this evening."

She nodded, ignoring the greeter as she was shown to their table.

A private room had been set out for them. It featured a door on either end and, a single table with two chairs, a floor-to-ceiling window offering a commanding view of the city. She took her seat and waited for her guest to arrive, her droid taking a position by the door through which they had come. Unsure what to expect, Julia drummed her fingers on the tabletop and waited impatiently.

Ceris Odrosess · May 22, 2023

In the back of a rented luxury-speeder, Ceris tapped her finger impatiently. She was running late because of the press conference she had to conduct. That Voren managed to find a way to waste even more of her time.

Upon reaching their destination Ceris waited for her maid to open her door before stepping out. She wore a beautiful fitted white dress with a large jewel centered on the chest. It was rather snug on her breasts and waist, she wasn't as slim as she use to be in her younger day. Ceris scurried along into the venue, nodding her head towards the greeter as she was led toward her table.

Ceris stepped into the private room and her eyes immediately met Julia's. She didn't know the intentions behind the meeting, but it was a big deal regardless. Hipori was a renown name in the corporate world, and Ceris needed to impress.

"I am so terribly sorry," Ceris said while approaching Julia. "I was caught up having to deal with a pest, please accept this gift as an apology." Ceris snapped her fingers signaling her made to walk over and hand over an engraved wooden box. As the maid stepped away, Ceris opened the box. She had prepared a rather expensive gift for her own standards to offer. "It's a necklace imbued with gemstones from Alderaan. Yes, the Alderaan. These are not able to be mined anymore, and a very limited supply exists within the the hands of the wealthy on New Alderaan." She would place the box on the table before taking her seat.

@Nor'baal

Julia Hipori · May 23, 2023

She didn't look up as her contact came and sat down, only doing so when the 'gift' was offered. Gently, Julia shook her head "My apologies, I cannot take 'gifts', no matter how well intended, from foreign politicians." she was reasonably curt but tried to keep a polite tone to her manner "As the CEO of an Imperial Corporation, it would be improper." she offered by way of explanation.

Julia was keen to avoid irritating the ISB, after all.

"I've heard quite a fair amount regarding your business and your colourful past. So tell me, what do you envisage the next steps to be for you?" she asked politely, keen to get the measure of the woman with whom she spoke, before delving into further business.

Ceris Odrosess · May 23, 2023

"Very well." She simply responded, shutting the case and snapping her fingers for her maid to collect it. Ceris crossed her legs at the ankle and rested her hands in her lap. She kept an inviting smile on her face while fixating her eyes on Julia.

"My next steps? she paused for a moment to sprout an answer "Simply getting as far into this game that we play. To what extent? For that I'm unsure, but from birth I was raised with the mindset to continue moving up." Ceris leaned backwards slightly with her shoulder blades gently pressed against the backing of her seat; with a raised brow she questioned "I'm sure I wasn't invited to speak about my career goals though?"

A meeting with a figure such as Julia Hipori wasn't for 'shits and giggles'. Ceris didn't even have to meet her in person in order to tell that Julia was meticulous individual who acted with purpose.

@Nor'baal

Julia Hipori · May 24, 2023

She was keen to get to the point of their discussion, and Julia was concerned already that the heiress would try and obfuscate if pushed too quickly. In her experience, the Corporate world was all-to-often cluttered with those who had fallen into money and now sought to spend it. People like her, self-made, were few and far between. Yet, she had to run with the hand she was dealt, and as ever, that is what she did.

”I would not see the business of selling weapons, as a ‘game’, but it is interesting to hear your perspective.” the Corporate tycoon replied cooly ”I see you’re also running for President, are you not?” she asked, before pressing ahead with her main question.

”Do you wish to do business in Imperial space, and to scale your production up with haste?” she left it unspoken, for the moment, that this would require a relationship with the firm she represented.

Ceris Odrosess · May 27, 2023

Ceris didn't respond to the rhetorical but simply maintained her smile until Julia brought out the main entree. "The politician in me would have to respectfully decline. However," she paused and motioned her right hand to tap on the table "The business side within me is interested."

As well as she tried to hide it from her investors, Ceris was keenly aware of the difficulties Azura experiences keeping up with production. While successful in developing and receiving orders, they were behind in production. A partnership with the Empire and their resources would relieve all of her worries, but there was one thing she had to worry about. She had to be weary of the Hipori, assuming the corpo wouldn't offer a deal unless it heavily favored herself. Ceris certainly wasn't a chump at playing this corporation game but she was currently faced against the queen of it. The equivalent of an up-coming holochess pro facing against a grandmaster.

"Before we go over the details of a deal, I must unfortunately set at least 1 boundary beforehand just so we're both in an understatement of my current position. I cannot ensure that our business will remain monogamous. If the Independent Systems were to offer a favorable deal, I would very much be opened to hearing them out. My policy is to maintain neutral grounds with all."

Ceris leaned back into her chair with her arms crossed this time "If you hold no qualms about my circumstance, than I'll be glad to hear what you wish to gain alongside any specific details."

@Nor'baal

Julia Hipori · May 29, 2023

Julia shook her head.

"No." She remained impassive as she explained her reasoning for turning down the deal as it stood and proposed her alternative "I can give you access to the largest and fastest growing contiguous market in the known galaxy." she confirmed, unwilling to compromise on her proposal.

"The Empire is the largest market for weapons, and you cannot manufacture arms and remain 'neutral' when what you sell is something that - by its very nature - can only thrive when neutrality fails." she added, not willing to sell out a possible imperial supplier if a conflict arose.

"Let me reframe the deal. Imperial Czerka is offering to purchase a controlling interest in your firm, purchase it outright, and in doing so, add your product line as a subsidiary of our operations. You will become a billionaire overnight and be retained as the CEO of a subsidiary of Imperial Czerka." Julia stopped and allowed her acquaintance to consider the deal.

Ceris Odrosess · Jun 1, 2023

The new proposal sat within her mind. Ceris tapped her arm lightly and rhythmically. Each slight connection of her nail and forearm feeling audible in the quiet room. Giving up Azura completely would bring complications, specifically of her promise to not align herself with either the Empire or I.S.C. in her announcement for the election. Could she explain her way out of these problems? Possibly.

"I'd disagree that this line of business thrives when neutrality fails. It thrives when peace fails, and it remains in neutrality. Two sides buying from the same source brings endless profits." Ceris stopped her tapping and uncrossed her arms.

"With that being said, I'm interested in your proposal. I must return your question from earlier, what do you envisage your next steps to be if you acquire my company?" One of the most wealthiest individuals in the galaxy wanted to buy a company outright. As Julia seemed to imply, the Empire would be more than capable of manufacturing their own weapons. Ceris had an itch that they had a further goal. Perhaps it had something to do with the upcoming election. If that were the case, she could use this tie with the Empire to help her.

@Nor'baal

Julia Hipori · Jun 1, 2023

”Grow production and integrate it with our current distribution channels.” Julia replied flatly. She was getting the impression that Ceris was not overly committed to the idea of selling, despite Julia's own belief that it would be to the New Alderaanian's benefit to do so. The opportunity to cash out of the company, and also retain a small stake in Imperial Czerka was not to be passed up - but it was Ceris’ prerogative to do so if she wished.

She addressed the matter head-on ”I will not alter this offer any further. Either commit to the sale or don’t, I just need an answer. The benefits of selling are clear - credits and minor shareholding in the largest supplier of the fastest-growing Government in the Galaxy. Plus support from that company, and its contacts, for your campaign.” she hinted at the possibility of broader Imperial support for her Governor race ”Or we can call the deal off, and treat you as a competitor.”

Julia left what that would involve to the other parties imagination.

”Which will it be?” she asked, placing a degree of urgency to the decision, and she sought to push Ceris into making one.

Ceris Odrosess · Jun 1, 2023

Ceris put her right hand up signaling to slow down "No need to worry Mrs. Hipori, I intend to take your deal. Surely even you could understand my reasons for wanting some extra information. It isn't every day one of the most influential individuals in the galaxy asks to meet, it would make many weary."

After she finished she put her hand down. Ceris wasn't completely satisfied with the initial answer given but there didn't seem to be any ill-intent behind the corporate aficionado. "Now, where shall we begin?"

@Nor'baal

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