Ask Raxus Imperial Czerk II

[Davik Drast]

Imperial Czerk II
​

"Originally founded as "Czerka Mining and Industrial," this centuries-old, galaxy-spanning corporation has diversified into businesses ranging from consumer food products to military weapons. It is one of the wealthiest and most successful economic enterprises in operation, conducting commerce on virtually every civilized planet and–as owner of multiple star systems and employer of several billion individuals–has representation in the Republic Senate."​

As the former Grand Moff of the Imperial Diplomatic Corps, Emperor Emer-Drast had a tendency for back-room deals and informal meetings with formal counterparts. Outside of the actual Galactic Senate, where one cast predetermined votes on carefully deliberated topics, most of his work had been done sitting in a lounge chair and sipping from a glass of cognac. Now that he was Emperor he didn't plan to really change that habit and thus had invited a former Governor and a known titan of corporate industry to Raxus. Julia Hipori was a boardmember of both Blackwell Technologies and Systech Corporation.

Pursuant his meeting with Czerka, Davik needed to solidify his hold on what would be the defining partnership of his rule. He hoped that Julia would be interested in seeing things his way.

So, the Blackwell boardmember was invited to the Imperial Palace on Raxus. A luxury staryacht would pick her up from a location of her choosing and transport her directly to the palace where a lavish guestroom provided with a grand view of a planet that was in rapid development. She would always have an Imperial attendant nearby that escorted her to the informal lounge -the Emperor's private library- where he had chosen to host the titan of industry after a separate lunch.

When she entered the library, which was richly furnished with floors of Bakuran yew and furniture reminescent of High Republic Alderaan, she would find the Emperor by the window reading from one of the many datapads that held the vast collection of Galactic Literary works. "Ah, Mrs. Hipori-" he smiled as soon as he noticed her entering the room and while he didn't walk over to greet her, something to do with decorum, he instead gestured towards the view of the capital world in his Empire. "-welcome to Imperial Raxus."

@Nor'baal

 

[Julia Hipori]

She’d never actually been to Raxus.

In her many years, even back when she had served in the Government of the Consortium, Julia had never stepped foot on the Imperial Capital.

But things were different then. Trade with the Empire was considered taboo. Now, however, the mood seemed to be changing.

Emperor Drast was on the charm offensive. From the private yacht to the penthouse to the imperial attache at her beck and call, the trademarks of a Government opening itself up to the Galaxy where plain to see.

And Julia was lapping it up.

She’d dressed the part as well. Her usual suit, with a dash of armour weaves just in case, was black, with the silver emblem of her investment firm picked out on the right lapel. She’d opted for a ‘neo military’ style as if to try and fit in with the aesthetic of the ‘New Empire’.

”And very welcoming it has been, your Majesty.” she approached the Emperor when he spoke to her, staying a respectful distance. Emperor Drast was something of a marvel to her, the first non-force-sensitive to hold the position. He was, quite evidently, a powerful man, and one who was not to be underestimated.

But then again, neither was she.

”It’s a pleasure to be here.” she added ”How can we do bu-” she corrected herself ”How can I be of service?” she swallowed her pride for oncem aware she was on his turf.

She had to fight back a sneer.

Julia hated those whose authority was ‘vested’ not earned.

The tycoon hoped beyond hope that the Emperor would prove her wrong, and show her how he had eared his authority. She had doubts about this new empire, and about this emperor.

It was a time of great distress for the Empire, economic woes, political turmoil - and more. Julia was interested to hear exactly why the man had summoned her here, and more importantly, what was in it for her.

 

[Davik Drast]

The Emperor motioned for Julia to take a seat in the central lounge. While the library did have a desk -for the Emperor's convenience- Julia would find that central in the room the floor was lowered to feature two U-shaped couches opposite each other and a subtle collection of fine liquors in the middle. "I've been reading an old biography," Davik began as he walked over to the lowered central lounge and began to descend the two steps, "About Voren Makr. Former Czerka CEO, former senator of Anaxes and even a war hero," he held out the datapad so Julia could see the cover. There was reason he brought up Voren Mark, after all. "For some reason the biographer titled it "Cheating a Princess" Davik chuckled and then put the datapad down on the small table with the liquor bottles.

It was only now that he extended a hand to Julia, "Perhaps it is redundant, but I am Emperor Davik Emer-Drast," he shook her hand if she gave it to him and then poured them both a drink, Raxus Cognac. A new brand, specifically aged in barrels to augment its flavors to accomodate the Emperor's pallet. It was one of the many perks of his new station.

He handed her a glass before taking an appreciative sip of his own and then reclining on one side of the right U-shaped couch. "My Empire," it was the first time he called it that. His Empire. "is ramping up its industrial efforts across its territory and beyond." he paused, allowing Julia a moment to consider those words, "but I am wary to trust the corporation I'm using for this industrialization and would like to get a professional opinion from one of the Galaxy's leading corporate titans." that was more praise than an Emperor should ever give to someone below their station. "So I thought of you, Mrs Hipori. Your perspective in the Galactic Senate has always impressed me." and it didn't hurt that she had ties to the Independent Systems Consortium (ISC) and Blackwell Technologies both. Inside information was never bad information.

As if on cue a holo-projector lowered itself slightly from the ceiling and started casting an overview of the Imperial sectors surrounding and including the Imperial capital. Some of the planets in these sectors had been given a Czerka Mining Logo, others that of Czerka Arms or Czerka Star. Its arms and starship affiliates, respectively. It all but outlayed a plan to make the Empire completely self-sufficient and give it all it needed to build and maintain a frightening imperial war machine.


@Nor'baal

 

[Julia Hipori]

She’d heard a fair amount about Voren Makr.

Everyone in her world had. The man was something of a legend - a fast climber who went from working for Czerka to owning the corporation, expanding it from a failing mining firm to one of the largest economic powerhouses in the galaxy.

It was telling that the Emperor had chosen to read about him before they met.

She took his hand politely, before sitting down and listening to the Emperor laying out part of his vision.

Truth be told, Julia viewed the Empire as an untapped mine. Rich with natural resources, and a morass of sectors and systems in which labour was cheap and plentiful - its stratified society was a Corporate overlords dream. To hear the Emperor speak of plans to industrialize parts of the Empire once again, was very interesting.

The fact he wanted her views, even more so.

Julia was already doing business with some of Czerkas' executives and could foresee a position where she could greatly exploit those connections. Mining, weapons, starships and more - Czerka commanded a considerable presence within Imperial space, but had long lacked a friendly and stable government to make use of that presence to the fullest.

If it was up to her she would seek a favourable deal with the Empire, one in with a ‘spin-off’ of the main Czerka Corporation - which handled business conducted in Imperial Space - was granted a greater degree of autonomy, and handed systems under the structure of a ‘Corporate Authority’.

Such a structure was already somewhat doable.

After the sanctions imposed on the Empire, Czerka operations in Imperial Space had been forced to become considerably less reliant on the pan-galactic operations of the wider firm. It had been asked to adapt and overcome the sanctions. Her research showed that a lot of the recruitment and supply chain within Imperial Space was consolidated to try and lessen the impact of the sanctions.

All that was needed was for a little more ‘sway’ over the planets it operated on.

Julia would, had she been in charge, have pushed for a deal with the Empire, in which numerous systems where handed over to Czerka, allowing complete autonomy within those systems - the ‘Imperial Czerka Corporate Authority’ would thrive.

”Centralise.” she began curtly, not wanting to give to much away until she was sure there was an angle for her to profit. ”Czerka has considerable scope already within Imperial Space. If I was looking to industrialise I would give the operations within Imperial Space a little more freedom, and then I would centralise them.”

She continued, studying the Emperors reaction ”Require them to move their Imperial HQ to Raxus, and pay taxes there, and then zone off systems or sectors they have sizable manufacturing and resource operations on, as a ‘Corporate Authority’. Allowing them to regulate within their own supply chain, shoring up a company that pays taxes to the Empire, with reduced costs, and stronger dependency on Imperial patronage.”

Pausing, she ventured further, to insert herself into the concept ”Of course, such a move would require capital, lots of it, and leadership from a group with considerable understanding of such Corporate structures.”

Julia sat back, keen to see if the Emperor was interested in exploring the idea further.

 

[Davik Drast]

The Emperor was silent for a moment as he pondered over Julia's words, but then smiled suddenly and took a sip of his drink. "You're suggesting," he nodded, seemingly glad that the industrial titan was operating in the same wavelength, "An Imperial Czerka."

Centralizing control over industrial efforts. Building mines for resources, stripping planets bare, and establishing the factories and shipyards right here in Imperial space to use these resources would solve all the Empire's problems of depending on outside factions. Their own ships, their own arms, their own fuel and their own adrenals and medicines. All of it centralized and run from a headquarters right here on Raxus. The Emperor's mind drifted over to the window and the view of his Imperial capital. A deal like this would cement his rule and would stabilize the Empire, strenghtening it for generations upons generations to come.

"Run under the Czerka umbrella, but owned by me." After all, whatever was owned by the Empire was essentially owned by the Emperor itself. "but it cannot be overseen by the board of its Czerka parent corporation," Davik continued, not wanting Imperial Czerka to be sensitive to the tempers of rich shareholders that might not be able to realize the potential of a partnership with the authoritarian Empire, "It must have it's own executive council."

Emperor Emer-Drast wasn't a fool. He had invited Julia Hipori to Raxus for a reason. It simply seemed that she -like him- valued the importance of time not spend at work and had come to point in a rather straightforward manner. He would indulge it, for he, too, understood that time equals credits. "One I was hoping you'd preside, Mrs Hipori." He took another sip of his cognac and put the empty glass down next to him on the couch, "As its Chief Executive Officer."

@Nor'baal

 

[Julia Hipori]

"If that is your wish, your Majesty." she replied cooly as the Emperor responded to her directly. She had not, truth be told, expected such a swift acceptance of the recommendation by the Emperor, but it was refreshing to see that her words carried weight even here.

But, the plan she had outlined was good. If it went ahead, with Imperial backing, the Empire would have an engine for its industrial growth, which it held sway over. Moreover, securing ships, weapons, munitions, fuel and other resources from within Imperial Space was a powerful thing that was sure to get the blood racing for any Imperial regime.

"There are methods to obtain what you seek. Structuring the firm around existing Czerka holdings in Imperial Space, but broadening it to place the planets those assets are on, or the sectors they are within, inside individual 'Corporate Authorities' would be the best method." she began, showing a map of such proposed authorities.

"Charters, issued by the Empire, would enable the Authorities to lease the planets and sectors directly from the Empire -" she added, stipulating how the Empire could keep de-facto control over the resources, whilst subcontracting their management out to a corporation "With each Authority being government by 'Imperial Czerka', which would have its own board, and its own shareholders - all vetted, and approved, by the Empire." Julia confirmed a method of ensuring a hostile takeover was impossible.

"And the Empire could approve, or decline, all movements in shares, which would be transacted through the Imperial Exchange." she added, tying up her proposal.

"There's room for this envisaged corporation to bring together all Czerka business in this space, and with the proposed Corporate Authorities, which naturally, the number and contents of which would be down to the Empire to decide, space for immense growth, and quickly - moving this group to be a key engine in the Imperial economy. One, if feel I would be well suited to lead, and - to invest in myself"

 

[Davik Drast]

If that is your wish, Davik was somehow a bit triggered by those words. He knew that making Julia the head of Imperial Czerka would put her name right up there with Newton Arden and Emryc Thorne. Over time she could even surpass them. Yet she chose to appear indifferent to the whole thing. Her plan was solid and exactly what the Emperor had been considering. Securing a big name like hers to lead it would immediately attract investors and solidify Imperial Czerka as a reliable business partner all across the galaxy.

Her pooling her own money into it made him wary of the influence she was looking to gain on the day-to-day operations, but Davik knew that as Emperor he shouldn't try and involve himself too much and retain oversight from a distance. He would have the Imperial Security Bureau closely watch the corporations and order Control personally to vet Julia.

In the end, his role in all of this was simply to kickstart it. If Julia failed to make Imperial Czerka everything he envisioned it would be, then it was her head on the chopping block. Not his. "You'll be granted the opportunity to invest in Imperial Czerka, Julia-" he began, switching to first name basis, "-but the Empire-" meaning him personally, and then his offspring, then their offspring and so on, "-will always remain majority shareholder."

Again, as if on cue, a protocol droid appeared holding a datapad. "Sign this document and you'll be the next Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Czerka," he smiled his pleasant smile despite both of them knowing that the second Julia signed that document, her contract, then the Empire would own her.

@Nor'baal

 

[Julia Hipori]

The made by the Empire offer was a generous one - a chance to head up her own Corporation, and out of the shadow of Blackwell. Of course, she had concerns about the Emperor holding such a large amount of sway over the firm itself, but was that really any different to her current arrangement?

Blackwell was under the thrall of a political leader itself, one who wielded vast swathes of power.

The difference here was that she would be joining a firm as its founding CEO, during a time when there was titanic room for growth, as a result of the Empire's considerable recent struggles. To get in now, would enable her to lead that growth, and make herself indispensable to the Empire in the process.

Power. Money. Influence.

She could have it all. Naturally, it wouldn’t be easy - but that suited Julia fine, she had no interest in ‘easy’.

She took the datapad ”I think we can certainly enjoy a fruitful business relationship.” she smiled, reading the contract so as to avoid signing any particular ‘hiccups’ down the line. With the resources of Imperial Czerka at her disposal, and its close connection to the Empire, Julia could assure her own safety and position, and advance it considerably.

Once the contract was read, she signed the document and handed the datapad back to the droid.

Sure, the Empire owned her.

But in her life, everyone was owned by someone - she’d just been given the opportunity to chose who that was.

 

[Davik Drast]

Julia had signed the contract and Davik knew he had just made sure one of the galaxy's finest corporate executives ran his pet-project. Prosperity ensured within the authoritarian framework of an Empire and finally a fitting reply to the ISC sanctions. Czerka had received a bump and a steady partner in their corporate war against Blackwell and while not everyone withing the Empire was completely convinced -General Dramm had voiced a preference for Czerka's main competitor- there was only one person's opinion that truly mattered.

The Emperor's will.

It sure was a strange feeling to stand at the top of an authoritarian Empire devoid of the Sith Order. Rank and hierarchy ruled, and not the so-called "Rule of the Strong". Soon, thanks to Imperial Czerka, he would be the richest individual in the Empire and perhaps even the entire galaxy and that alone would secure his and his descendent's position as Emperors.

/ end thread

@Nor'baal