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[Garr Antilles]

Garr Antilles had been a busy man of late. He zoomed across Coronet City in a J-Type speeder; he called through on the intercom to Clovis, his driver. "You know much about this one?" Clovis shook his head. He'd been working for the Mayor since he took office, having come with him from the army they had both served. Garr trusted the man implicitly, and he was of the few people that fell into his 'inner circle'.

"Could it be a boost ahead of my announcement tomorrow? If they're genuine and can expand the shipbuilding operations here, that's billions in growth and thousands of jobs." it was a rhetorical question. Garr was absolutely sure he could use this deal if it went through.

Slowly, the shuttle dropped into land at the meeting point, and Clovis opened the door for him. Garr stepped out, a smile plastered across his face as he walked up toward the person with whom he was set to meet and extended his hand. "Mayor Antilles, you can call me Garr. A pleasure to meet you."

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tia waited quietly, holopad tucked under her arm as she watched for the Mayor's shuttle. She had only heard of the guy, hadn't really looked too much into his work other than concluding he was looking to be a career politician. His policies, the way he carried himself, it was all obvious. Regardless, having Asteria Industries now in Coronet City, she thought it would be important to know the local leaders. She had already locked in funding for research and development from the ISC government, which meant work can expand under AI, however, what made her nervous was the cries for secession. There was certainly an understanding for such direction, as Corellia had seen too much destruction recently. Even she was tired of it.

The mayor's shuttle landed on the private dock connected to Asteria Industries; an attendant behind her tapped her shoulder, signaling for the redheaded woman to begin walking to meet the mayor when he exited.

Tia took his hand, giving a gentle squeeze and a small smile, "Welcome Garr, I am Anat Asteria, chief engineer and founder of Asteria Industries." she introduced herself, "You'll have to excuse some of the unfinished spaces, we are still repairing and reconstructing the labs." she explained as they entered the building, her heels clicking along the immaculate white flooring; walls were more ornate with gold geometric trimming and doors on either side. She would stop in front of a glass plane that overlooked some of the lab space.

"So what do you know about Asteria Industries?" she asked him, gauging where to start their conversations.

@Nor'baal

 

[Garr Antilles]

Garr kept his well-practised politicians smile and demeanour about him as he was shown into the business space. He feigned looks of keen interest, making affirming grunts and nods as he did so. He had only been briefed about the company on his way over, and now it was over to him to pretend to be an expert. Fortunately, bullshitting was his speciality. "I think what you guys are doing here is something special. You're bringing back innovation, empowering young Corellians to step up and be the best they can be." he said, a distinctive Coronet drall to his tone just in case anyone doubted his authenticity.

He often exaggerated his accent when out on the campaign trail.

"The jobs you can create are amazing. Real opportunities for real Corellians. Now tell me something, what can my administration do to turbocharge that job creation?" he widened his smile as he turned to face her, making for an excellent shot from the media snappers following them as he stood side by side with her, in conversation, overlooking the lab space below. If this didn't bump him up a point in the polls, Garr didn't know what would.

Jobs, Opportunity, Innovation!

Damn fine buzzwords.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Like a typical politician, he avoided answering anything specific from her; she had gathered warning about this but for now, Tiamat played along as he gave surface compliments on her work. He seemed to be focus on jobs, and the woman grinned, certainly Asteria Industries would bring jobs, and the opportunity for what they had to offer revolutionized how the greater galaxy traveled as well as how it will change the scoop of war for any system or greater government entity.

The holos were rolling as Garr asked how his administration could help and the woman's eyebrows rose in surprise, but also curiosity. He would have to be careful how he would answer her given the current political unheaval seen recently with systems wanted to pull out of the ISC.

"Your administration could help by ensuring Corellia stays united along with the other systems in the ISC. We are concerned here given we have just secured a contract with the ISC government to begin refits for the Navies in multiple systems." Tia explained, the holocams were snapping loudly, not expecting one of Corellia's daughters to speak of opposition of the succession.

"Unless your administration has the billions in crowns and jobs to match what the ISC has supported us with, and Corellia fails to remain a member of the ISC, I'm afraid Anat Industries will have to move elsewhere. I would hate to see our other clients such as Corellia Engineering have to lay off many because of failed contracts." Tia was uncertain if he would realize the repercussions of such a move; the ship upgrades would no longer be accessible outside of the ISC if Corellia left, leaving them to struggle further.

@Nor'baal

 

[Garr Antilles]

Pausing for one final photograph from the assembled media, Garr grinned from ear to ear and grasped his visitors hand a little tighter – the better to signal to those watching that they truly were, the very best of allies. Waiting for a few moments as the media was shown out, Garr and Tiamat where soon alone; her opposition to the succession of her homeworld documented. Now safely out of sight of the worlds press, Garr allowed an aspect of his façade to drop, and focus on the real politics at hand.

Tia was entirely correct. Succession from the ISC would cause significant economic hardship for all but the hardiest of corporations and elites. Yet it was a populist cause, one that was gathering traction across Coronet and around the system of five planets that made up Corellias hegemony of influence. Garr had to balance the need for popular support with the pragmatic demands of the day – plus he had his donors and business interests to sustain as well.

He hoped Tia would see the need for compromise. ”Everything on Corellia these days is about balance. We need to secure the need for popular support, and the demand for economic sureity.” his tone hardened as he spoke to Tia, recognising her for a shrewd operator, and one with whom he should be open with ”I’ve no interest in seeing an potential administration I may or may not lead, haemorrhage capital to support succession. My backers want stability, a stable foundation upon which to restore this system as the industrial and commercial engine it always has been.”

Garr looked at Tia, a stern look on his face ”I intend to become President, and thereafter move the system back into growth. A developmental state is what we need, one where a strong but limited central government backs economic growth – like the Diktats of old did. I can promise you that my administration will work with the ISC, from within the ISC..” he raised his hand to punctuate his next word ”- but, I will need to engage in some degree of populist rhetoric to sure up electoral support for the time-being, until I am in and we can reform the system to make this no longer needed. If I can promise a few commercial reforms to unshackle business districts from regulation, for example, this could be something I can chuck to the nationalist voting blocks and keep them on side.”

”Is this something you can get behind? Rhetoric, but loyalty to the ISC remains.”[color] he asked, hoping beyond hope her answer would be a firm yes. He knew that with the commercial backers on side, Garr could turn the system into an industrial powerhouse once more, he just needed the regulatory space to do it. Plus, Diktat Antilles had more of a ring to it that President.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Was he really that detached from current galactic affairs? She questioned who was lining his pockets with such nonsense as he continued on his plan with the use of buzzwords that would easily sway the non-thinker and please his stakeholders as they picked up the code.

Tiamat said nothing though as she listened, her blue eyes studying the man intensely as he explained his plan, but didn't explain his plan at the same time. He had an idea for his own political dreamscape and nothing that reflected the true values of the Corellian people. She thought about the killik attack and if it were to happen again, especially after the succession from the ISC, then there was no hope for the people here. Not to mentioned in their already weakened state, if the Empire decided for another strike, there would be no saving them.

The woman gave the man a small smile, "Sir, as a Corellian, I don't get behind anyone." she stated, "And I don't take risks that I know will harm my own corporation." the woman warned, "The ISC has been providing additional relief aid for the attacks from the killiks and the sith. The people are still hurting and recovering here, everyone wants stability again, but building your ship upon a rocky sea is a fool's decision and it will sink before its finished."

@Nor'baal