Diverted Interest

[Sikris Tettra]

Sikris Tettra looked around uncomfortably as he climbed the steps of the imposing-looking office building, reaching up to adjust the collar of the suit he wore with a barely suppressed scowl. His new boss had managed to impress upon the young Ranat the importance of a professional appearance in the situation he was headed into, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

Sikris turned to the being his employer had sent with him, giving a sigh.

"I just feel like I'm not cut out for this sort of thing, y'know? Bad enough that you can't cut loose on the roads around here..."

The world of corporate respectability was decidedly new to Sikris' experience, as were a great many other things he had encountered since leaving Hemelder Aurek. Having grown up in the underbelly of the starport world, he had been rescued from a bad situation by Tasha Blackwell, who had encountered him at perhaps his most pathetic moment and nevertheless hired him as muscle for her fledgling corporation. Apparently, the young Ranat had impressed her somehow, as she had given him what seemed a very important mission.

Sikris and the other Blackwell employee walked through an automatic door into a richly appointed reception area. Steeling himself, the Ranat walked toward a reception desk in the center of the room, behind which sat a pretty Twi'lek female who looked up at him as he approached.

"May I help you, sirs?"

Sikris was somewhat impressed. Normally, members of other species turned up their noses at Ranats, but the receptionist was either species-blind or exceptionally professional. The young swoop rider smiled and nodded the way he had practiced.

"We have an appointment with the CEO of Starburn Combat Systems."

The Twi'lek turned to a terminal on her desk, tapping a few buttons before nodding. She beamed at Sikris, nodding toward a bank of turbolifts, one of which opened.

"I shall let them know you've arrived, sir. The Starburn offices are located on the top 3 levels. The turbolift will take you to their reception area."

Sikris gave a polite nod and a "thank you" before moving toward the open turbolift. Getting inside, he waited for the other being who had come with him.

"Well, here we go..."

@Wit

 

[Gillian Rel]

Gil wasn't supposed to attend this meeting, but someone dropped out at the last minute and he had a fair bit of business experience so he attended as well. Sure, the business wasn't always on the up and up from a legal point of view, but when was it ever?

He wore a suit, it was something he had grown quite used to though he would always prefer street clothes to this. He met his new associate outside. "Name's Gil. I'll be tagging along today if that's alright," he said as the climbed the stairs. "You'll do fine." he said, slapping the kid on the back. Some people didn't like Ranats for whatever reason. Gil had spent his last years on Nar Shaddaa. He had seen just about everything and never underestimated anyone..well for the most part.

He didn't know if Ranat's statement was true or not, he had seen some people who were pretty bad at this sort of thing, but if he had been sent he must have had some type of experience. "And who said you can't cut loose on the roads around here..." he said turning and raising an eyebrow.

Gil hadn't paid attention to a speed limit sign in his life, well unless he was carrying something he didn't want the police to fine.

They walked inside and he let Sikris talk. They were ushered to a lift and stepped inside. The doors closed slowly. He noticed his partner was still a little nervous. Gil pulled out a flask from his jacket. "A little liquid courage to kick things off?" he asked offering the flask to him.

 

[Sikris Tettra]

Sikris couldn't help but Flinch slightly when Gil slapped him on the back, looking over at the pointy-eared near-human that Blackwell had sent with him. He rolled his shoulders a little before giving a shrug.

"Says the three or four speed traps we passed on the way here. You get to notice these things in my line of work."

When they boarded the turbolift and Gillian offered Sikris a swig of whatever was in his flask, the Ranat waved it off.

"I'd rather face this guy sober... at least at first." He brightened slightly. "After all, I hear these CEO types tend to keep bars in their offices. If things go well, we might get offered some of the good stuff."

The turbolift whisked to a stop, opening on a vast cubicle farm. An attractive-looking Pantoran female in a secretarial uniform was standing there when the doors opened, and she smiled at the pair, gesturing with her hand to a pair of double doors at the other end of the room.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Just this way."

Sikris, conscious of the Ranat stereotype, gave as polite a nod as he could before following the secretary through an avenue between the cubicles. After a few moments, they arrived at the double doors, which looked much more imposing up close. The secretary pressed a button on an intercom.

"The Blackwell representatives to see you, sir."

Rather than a reply, there was a buzz, and the huge doors creaked open. Sikris looked over at Gillian, raising his eyebrows, before turning to thank the secretary and walking into the office...

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

He quietly scoffed at the comment of speed traps. "If you are going slow enough that they think they can catch up, you are doing something wrong." he said as the elevator continued to climb. His new friend waved off the alcohol, although it was pretty apparent it would benefit him. Gil shrugged and took another drink for himself.

"Let's hope so." he said at the mention of further drinking. Gil did his best work when he was a bit tipsy. The doors opened and they stepped into another foyer. They approached a desk with the attractive secretary, GIl returning the smile she gave. The two followed her, Gil not above appreciating the view before they arrived at their destination.

The doors opened as they were announced and the secretary motioned them inside. Gil winked at the woman and straightened his jacket before entering. The office was lavish, a glass door led to a balcony overlooking the city below to one side of the room. "Mr. Tores, Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. My name is Gillian. he said reaching a hand out to shake the CEO's. He would allow Sikris to introduce himself before the trio would sit down.

Sikris had been preparing for this meeting long before Gillian had been asked to tag along as backup, so Gil would let him speak first.

 

[Sikris Tettra]

Sikris shrank in on himself slightly, looking around at the cavernous office as he entered. The space was as large as anywhere Sikris had lived, larger in fact than most; the thick carpeting absorbed the sounds of his footfalls, and otherwise, the Ranat was certain they would have echoed.

Behind an enormous desk at the far end of the office sat a man, a silver-haired human, who peered dubiously at the two beings making their way toward him. When they reached him at last, and Gillian reached out to shake hands, the man looked at the appendage as one might an unexpected dead animal for half a moment, before reaching out to shake with visible reluctance.

Sikris, stifling a gulp, extended his own hand afterward. The CEO of Starburn Combat Systems regarded the Ranat's appendage with an even more dubious look, and an even longer pause, before shaking it as well. As he retracted it afterward, Sikris saw him wave his hand under a small dispenser on his desk, which deposited a blob of clear antiseptic gel into his palm. The human's hands then retracted under the desk, but Sikris noted the way his shoulders moved, as if rubbing them together.

"And I'm Sikris. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, sir."

The human made a dismissive gesture, and pressed a button on his desk. Behind Sikris and Gillian, two panels in the floor opened, and up rose a pair of padded chairs.

"Have a seat, gentlemen."

Sikris, carefully, sat down in the chair that was plainly offered. The material was soft leather stuffed with something that made for a comfortable seat, and the Tintinna suppressed a sigh of pleasure as he settled. As he did, the CEO turned his attention fully to Gillian.

"So I am given to understand you come to me with an offer from your employer." The human said, addressing his words plainly to the more familiar-looking of the two beings in his office. "I'm not one to beat around the bush, so, let's hear it."

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

They were ushered into the office and Gil took a seat when it was offered to him. He smiled to CEO but remained silent. This was Sikris' meeting, he was just there to support and offer aid if need be.

Gil raised an eyebrow as the CEO turned to him asking for him to present their deal to him. Gil gave the man an easy smile. "I'll let my associate, Sikris, explain the deal we have but I assure you I think you will be very happy with our offer." he said glancing over at Sikris.

The CEO slowly turned towards the Ranat, surprised that this creature would be in charge. The Core's xenophobia had never made much sense to Gil but he rarely experienced the full brunt of it due to his mostly human appearance. The CEO looked t Sikris a bit expectantly, with a healthy dose of patronization. "Well, let's be out with it." the man said impatiently.

 

[Sikris Tettra]

Sikris did his best not to shrink under the gaze of the CEO, folding his hands and nodding slightly at Gil's words.

"Well... as you know, my associate and I represent the Blackwell corporation. Recently, we have been in the process of... expanding our operations, and have formed arrangements with a number of firms which bring new skills and expertise to the whole. We are coming up in the Galaxy, and we would like to extend an offer to Starburn, a well-respected firm with an excellent line of products, to join us in our ascendancy."

The speech was something Sikris had practiced in front of a mirror countless times back in the hotel room; even so, he was surprised it rolled off the tongue so smoothly now. Before the CEO could reply, though, he continued.

"To put it more plainly, my employers are impressed by your company, and we would like to discuss a merger, which would combine the best aspects of both of us and expand our respective market shares. I am empowered to negotiate on their behalf."

Reaching into a pocket of his suit, Sikris removed a datacard, which he handed across the desk. The CEO hesitated, before taking the card gingerly, inspecting it.

"That is our current portfolio." Sikris explained. "Including our production facilities and distribution networks, as I imagined they would be of particular interest."

The CEO made a noncommittal sound, and slotted the datacard into a reader built into the desk. A projection appeared, and the human studied it. After only a few moments, he turned back to Sikris and Gil.

"Your employers make an... interesting proposal." He said. "Your little firm has been busy, I can tell. However..."

He folded his hands.

"Starburn values its independence. We worked hard for what we have." The CEO continued. "We have seen many other firms come and go, some much larger than your own. What assurances do we have that this is not some... mayfly operation, gone with the changing seasons?"

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

Gil already knew where this conversation was going before the man even spoke. The bored, patronizing look he gave as Sikris spoke, the way he rolled his eyes ever so slightly whenever Sikris went for the data card in his pocket.

"This xenophobic..." Gil thought to himself angrily, mouth slowly turning into a scowl.

Gil shifted his seat, crossing one leg over the other and listened as the CEO spoke. They were about a minute a way from being told he would consider their offer or some other bullshit excuse. "The answer to your question is on that data card, Mr Tores. he said gesturing to the card in his hand. "The market landscape is changing. You have an opportunity to be ahead of that change, other independent companies won't have that opportunity. he said folding his hands together and placing them in his lap.

"Let us make you a wealthy man, Mr Tores." Gil said, locking eyes with the CEO.

 

[Sikris Tettra]

Sikris raised his eyebrows at the CEO's response, glancing over at Gil. When Gil gave his reply, the Ranat couldn't help but smile; he was used to not being taken seriously, it came with being his species, but surely this human couldn't write the two of them off so easily.

Could he?

"Yes. Well..."

Sikris swallowed nervously.

The CEO swiveled his seat around, looking out of the enormous plate transparisteel window that formed the back wall of his office. He remained silent for a moment, before continuing.

"The markets have shifted before. You will notice, we're still here." Said the old human. "Starburn may be small, but we are agile enough to weather most storms because of it. Our products are also... dependable. One finds there is always a market for a good blaster."

He turned around, regarding Sikris and Gil levelly.

"Your firm does you credit, gentlemen, but I'm afraid one short meeting will not be enough to convince me outright to hitch my company's fortunes to your star." He pressed a button on his desk, and the huge office doors creaked open. "I will review the information you have left me, rest assured, and I will consider your offer. I will contact you if and when I make up my mind."

He folded his hands.

"And so I will not take up any more of your valuable time. Good day, gentlemen."

Sikris, his ears drooping in disappointment, stifled a sigh and rose to his feet. He nodded respectfully to the human.

"I see. Well... thank you for your time, Mr. Tores."

He turned, and headed for the door...

@Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

As he expected, they were being blown off. If they had been humans, this prick would have likely listened to what they had to say. Their deal was solid, the man was a fool for not at least very seriously entertaining it.

He scowled remaining seated for several seconds after Sikris stood. He then stood and buttoned his jacket before leaving. They exited the door and made their way to the lift. "What an asshole." he commented quietly so only his companion could hear.

As he hit the button to call the lift, a balding man walked up beside them holding a briefcase. "Meeting not go so well?" he asked as Gil scowled at the man. "Well, I may have something to brighten your day. I am sure we can work something out." he said as the lift doors opened.

 

[Sikris Tettra]

Sikris gave a sigh as Gil came up beside him, nodding at the near-human's comment. As they reached the lift, the Ranat adjusted his suit, which felt even more ill-fitting now than when he had arrived. The CEO was a xenophobic kark, plainly, but it didn't make Sikris feel any better have his proposals shot down so quickly.

It was then that they were joined by a balding human with a briefcase, one who seemed to have something very interesting to say. Sikris raised his eyebrows, turning to them man as the lift dinged and the doors swished open.

"Oh yeah?" He commented, stepping into the lift. "Well, you have the traditional turbolift pitch to convince us. Go ahead."

@Raydo