[Hive]Gathering the Hive

[Dóiteán]

Qurag stood up to head into the private meeting room. Looking towards Darmas he paused in his steps.

"My apologies Mr. Thane. Due to the emergence of this new business, I must attend to it first. Please look around the ship."

Dipping his head, he walked over to the private room. Leaving his droids outside the room, he dipped his head again.

"Mr. Tamblyn."

Sitting in a chair, he crossed his hands over his staff once more. He looked over towards Tamblyn.

 

[Nor'baal]

Mule Kinray followed his new boss into the room, and stood behind him, so as to advise him on the matters at hand.

 

[Cassanova]

Jack eyed the geonosian suspiciously, and then noted the Nemodian in the room. Merely raising one finger and pointing at Mule, he demanded, "Before I talk business, the Nemodian leaves. What I've got to discuss is highly sensitive information, and I don't trust this man as far as I could throw this ship."

In truth, organisation went down from the top - he had no intention of disclosing 'family' secrets with folk who he didn't trust. Least of all, to folk who weren't in a position to actually assist him in any way; Jack worked with the top of the food chains, not their number twos. It was simple facts.

 

[Dóiteán]

Motioning for Mule to leave, Qurag waited for the human to speak. The elderly Geonosian watched him closely. He was curious about what the man's organization was and why they wanted his company.

"Mule, leave us. Go check on the production."

The Geonosian was not entirely worried. He was more curious than anything. The human was not like any other that he's met before.

 

[Nor'baal]

Mule Kinray​

Having heard Qurag's response he bowed before saying ''As you wish Arch-Duke.'' With that, Mule turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. He walked back to the table, and sat down before opening up the data-pad and running a few basic checks on the Hives current output.

 

[Cassanova]

Jack patiently awaited the the final closing of the doors, as he spun around to face Qurag, his face no longer blasé - instead very serious. "What i'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room. If it does the consequences will travel beyond the forfeit of your life."

Not even waiting for Qurag to confirm, as there had already been enough threats for the day, "I represent an organisation called the Ona'bak Retrade. If you've heard of us, or remember the name you can have five credits and a pat on the back. If you haven't, i'm not really surprised - we've worked very hard to keep it like that. Our holdings span far beyond that of Estarra Mapping. We've casinos, Arenas, Shipbuilding yards, manufacturing centres, markets, apartment blocks, retail chains. Then you can take a moment and catalogue our other assets which number quite highly." Jack, of course, was referring to the criminal element to the Retrade. Without divulging too much information the Retrade had spy networks, mercenary armies, assassins, smugglers, slave traders, slicers, racers, chop shops, and god only knows what else.

"What we're going to do is sign over Hive Manufacturing to a subsidiary of Praxus Pondervan Enterprises, which is one of the companies which we own. You will remain in control of the Hive, you will direct its company as you see fit, with occasional input from the Retrade management. As we will be investing a huge amount of money into this floating rust-bucket, your profits will be forfeit to the Retrade in their entirety for twelve months. After which point time you will get 40 percent of the profit profit, thirty percent will go to Retrade management, and the other thirty percent will go to Praxus Pondervan."

"Now is your turn for a rebuttal, agreement, or the ill-advised refusal." Jack shrugged and leaned back in his seat. He knew his input into this tiny floating manufacturing plant would easily return double, if not triple on what Qurag had put into it. The Retrade opened many doors, new customers, new supplies, new technology.

 

[Dóiteán]

Qurag listened to the man until he finished speaking. The Ona'bak Retrade, he had never heard of them but there was a rumor running around in the Criminal underground about a secret organization. He didn't listen to rumors but it seems they were true. He thought about what the man said. Twelve months was not that long, though. The idea of a larger company owning his was not thrilling but he figured that his company could grow bigger than them.

"We will accept though we wish to keep 10% of each droid production for our army."

The elderly Geonosian figured the man and his organization may be profitable for The Hive. They could design better and strong B1 battle droids.

 

[Cassanova]

"You keep five percent. The other five percent goes into Retrade store-houses. In the event they're needed, you gain access to them through me. Otherwise I can use and distribute them as needed." Jack's counter offer was brutal, but played to two sides of the coin.

"Or i can take ten percent. Your choice, of course," Jack shrugged, and continued, "That being said of course, when I mentioned that i wanted to buy some droids, I did mean it. I'll be needing around.. mmhm... let's say five hundred droideka's. I'll even pay full price."

 

[Dóiteán]

The man was good, thought Qurag. The Venerable Archduke liked that. He never met a human quite like this man. He was immensely interested.

"Five percent will be good. And how soon do you need the Droidekas? Will you need some C-9979 landing crafts?"

Five hundred Droidekas was a large order but Qurag knew they could supply that order. A powerful droid in it's own rights. Awaiting to hear what the man would said, Qurag began thinking of the number of droids The Hive could produce once it's ship's factories were completed.

 

[Cassanova]

"Whenever they're ready. And no, I'll supply my own transports, thank you." Jack nodded to the door. "Go. Do business. No mention of our arrangement, Qurag. The last thing I want to do is eliminate one of my assets especially once they know about us."

Jack took a moment to slide a small datapad across the table to Qurag. "Everything you'll need to know about our organisation. Enclaves. Members. Resources. Access codes. Do not lose it. Do not share the information on it. It is for your eyes only. You'll note that Darmas Thane, one of your clients outside is on that list. He knows everything about us. You'll also note that the Hutt is a contractor. He works for us, but has no idea who we are. Keep him in the dark, but keep him interested. I've plans for him."

Standing up, Jack adjusted his suit, "I'll leave you to it. You've much money to make me, Qurag. Do yourself a favour and remain Venerable. I'd hate to see you become Qurag the Vunerable" With the unspoken threat, the CEO merely walked out of the meeting room and gave a knowing nod to Darmas as he brushed past headed for his own ship.

Within a few minutes, Jack was en route to his next meeting.

 

[Dóiteán]

Qurag nodded as he left. Standing up, he left the room and looked towards Darmas.

"An unusual human, that one is"

Turning towards Mule, Qurag moved towards him.

"We need 500 Droidekas produced."

Turning back to Darmas, he walked back over to him.

"My apologies for making you wait. Now back to our business."

The elderly Geonosian walked over to his chair and sat down upon it, hands once again crossed on top of his staff. His droids walked over to their spots behind him.

 

[Nor'baal]

Mule Kinray​

Director Kinray nodded at Qurag and turned to the gathered investors in the main room. He knew that perhaps his boss would want too talk to this ''jack'' alone, so said to the other investors ''Gentlemen, if you would follow me, I shall show you the day-to-day workings of this plant, and of your investment.''

 

[Dokan]

Dovkan Noe, A Kel-dor, guided his ship towards the Ko Picador.
"Z, I need you to open a communication channel with the Ko Picador"
He leaned back, sighing. "I hope this job won't turn out like the last one.."

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Darmas nodded to Jack and Qurag as they left the meeting room. "You don't know the half of it." He stated, before getting back to business. Taking a seat in one of the conference room chairs, Darmas pulled a small datapad from his belt and slid it across the table to the Geonosian. "The particulars of our arrangement. As you know, I've purchased significant stock in Hive Manufacturing, making me a majority shareholder. As was already pre-arranged, if you supply me with discounted prices on Hive products, I will keep funelling money into the Hive. Also, I would like to talk with you on another matter, about establishing a Hive Manufacturing Plant within the Tion Cluster." Darmas waited to see how he would respond to his earlier statement before elaborating on setting up shop in Tion Space.

 

[Nor'baal]

Nor'baal Vesajil Diori​

Nor'baal looked as the room appeared to disperse before saying <I will conclude my business here, and come to the plant in person.> before turning of the projection unit.

Mule Kinray​

Mule nodded as Darmas spoke. Due to Qurag having to attend to Jack, Mule decided it was prudent for him to do his job, and take over this avenue of negotiation. He motioned for Darmas to join him on his tour of the plant and said ''The plant can arrange to sell you droid the the value of your investments, at a 5% above production cost price. Hopefully this would suit your requirements?''

Mule paused as they went to leave the room on the first leg of his ''investors tour'' and then addressed the issue of the tion cluster ''As for establishing a factory, that would be a case of Government Grants in order to set up without damaging our current operation. If your government could promise a grant, I am sure we could expand into the Tion Cluster.''

 

[Dóiteán]

Qurag nodded. He did not mind a discount for Darmas and establishing a factory in the cluster would greatly increase The Hive's production.

"Discounts are no issue. And let's talk about establishing a new factory."

Qurag waited to hear what Darmas had to say about establishing a factory in the Tion Cluster. He had received a message about a ship and gave the all clear for it to land.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Darmas shook his head to the Neimoidian. "No thanks, I'll take this up with the Archduke." He retorted before shifting his attention back to the Geonosian. "Anyways, as you know the Tion Coalition is no friend of the Sith Imperium, so we ourselves can't sponser anything publicly. However, I know our mutual friend may be able to procure the needed permits and holos to set up in the Tion Cluster. If so, I can place a Tionese Cell nearby, to act as additional support in the case your plant needs it. If you can set up in the Cluster, I can offer you many future purchases from the Coalition, and protection if needed." He explained.

Getting a Hive Manufacturing Plant into Imperial Space wouldn't be to hard. Knowing Jack and his eye for business, Darmas knew he'd be happy to get the Hive expanded, which would mean more customers and more credits. The hard part would be the potiental market in the Tion Cluster. Of course, their primary customer would more than likely be the Tion Coalition, but they would need more prospects than just the rebellion. Darmas knew Qurag was not sympathetic to the Imperials or Sith, and they themselves didn't like using non-OMS products, so a civilian market would be a large source of income if anything.

 

[Dokan]

Dovkan landed his ship, opening the door.
He walked out, his fellow Droid Z by his side.
"Well Z, it looks like its time to see what my first assignment will be."
He sighed, walking towards what he presumed was a meeting hall of sorts.

 

[Dóiteán]

Qurag chuckled. He liked this human. Nodding, he liked the idea. He wasn't a fan of the Imperium and putting a plant in the cluster amused him. A plant there would be unexpected and would provide more.

"I like the idea. A factory there will greatly increase our production. It is a pleading idea."

Eyeing the man, he waited to see what more he had to say.

 

[The Kyzer]

The speaker on the holocomm came to life again.

"I agree, though keeping the facility safe from the Sith will be difficult at best," the secretive voice interjected, "Security regarding such a facility would have to be very tight. Minimal direct contact with the outside. I'd also recommend pursuing contracts with ex-GA officers. Already trained and many already harbor personal hatred for the Sith."