Keldabe Shake

[Diocletian Solus]

Keldabe Shake​

Keldabe Shake ✦ Ask ✦ DM or Dice Opposition​

2-3 Participants (@Diocletian Solus , @Burkhart )​

“Keldabe was the capital city of the planet Mandalore, the cultural homeworld of the Mandalorian people, located in the galaxy's Outer Rim Territories. Situated atop a flat granite hill forty-five degrees north of the planetary equator, the urban fort-town of Keldabe was almost completely surrounded by a bend in the Kelita River and the forests of Mandalore's north. Packed with an eclectic array of buildings of all shapes and material, ranging from durasteel to wood, Keldabe was a hub for life on Mandalore, and boasted landmarks such as the hundred-meter-tall tower of the Mandal Motors company, along with the Oyu'baat, the oldest cantina on the planet.”



It was also where Diocletian had grown up and where his family still lived today. He stepped down the gang plank of his Mynock-Series Freighter and into two tangles of giggling arms and legs. He smiled as he looked down and saw his children, Milo and Andra where they had attached themselves to his legs like two lampreys. This was their ritual greeting and it meant that Dio was supposed to try and walk with them attached to his legs and giggling incessantly.

Looking up he saw his wife, Alexandra standing silhouetted against the morning light as the dawn peeked over the high hill of the city. Growling to excite the children he made his way stiff legged across the hangar bay to embrace his wife. He reached up and touched her face, cupping her chin in his hand before leaning in and kissing her gently on the forehead in -their- ritual greeting. Running a thumb across her cheek he matched her smile and said, “Its wonderful to see you love but where are the children?” This brought a whole chorus of giggles from the two leg weights and he feigned amazement at finding them attached to his legs. “Oh THERE you are!”

That had been hours ago, to Dio it seemed an eternity. His wife was a Mandalorian, so she understood his duty to their clan and would not stand in the way of that, no matter how much she missed him. Dio stood outside the entrance to Keldabe Spacial Dynamics and waited for his second on this mission, Burkhart. He had worked with the Morling before and knew of his strengths and weaknesses. Dio was sure that Burk’s work as a bartender in his family’s bar would be an asset in the negotiations as he was used to talking to people and negotiating prices.

They had come to try and convince their board of directors to sell ships to Clan Solus and their allies to fight the Sith head on. The deal would include a provision for constant production as well as readily available parts. The details of the deal were on the data pad he held in a pocket under his chest armor. It was almost the agreed upon time and Dio started to get antsy, he did not want to be late for this appointment.

@Darasuum

 

[Burkhart Kelborn]

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Theme​

Burkhart was accompanying Dio again. The two had met and seemed to be on decent terms with one another. The rest of clan Solus still seemed to tolerate Burkhart to a degree. The operations on Kashyyyk and a few other missions and interactions here and there were helping him move along.

Dio arrived after Burhart. The Morling stood near the door with his pointy eared helmet underneath one arm. A leather jacket hung over his broad shoulders hiding his armor to a degree. "There you are! wuz wonderin if ya'd make it." He clapped Dio on the back without trying to make it painful for the man. "Let's seel this deal and noh waste a loveleh afternoon" His grin showed his canine teeth before turning and heading into the meeting room.

They entered just as the board of directors were sitting down. It seemed that the two representatives were right on time and not wasting time. Smiles from the directors and nods toward Burkhart gave him the impression they were off to a good start. "Thank yoo for takin tha time tadae to meet with ous. We're sure yer schedules are busy. I'm Burkhart Kelborn. This is Diocletian Solus." He waved to his side towards Dio.

@Critas ​

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Wyatt sat in the board room, across from the panel of 'judges' as he saw them. A board of directors was generally nothing more than a bottom line committee that assured their own pockets were being lined well after they removed themselves from the company on a daily basis to sit and offer guidance and gripe.

But now was the time to represent the clan well, they had sent a diverse trio to deal with the negotiations and it showed. A fence who worked as a manifest inspector on Medriaas, a bar owner and a career soldier who was from this city but to the board it would be nothing more than a trio of true Mandalorians. Wyatt took the time to read up on a few of the board members during the trip here and they weren't all as career business oriented as they looked, two of them had been warriors of prominent families and were afforded positions at this company due to it. So there was a bargaining chip and a talking point, plus no one really enjoyed either Sith side of the conflict at this point so the odds of getting ships was high, but the price could be just as.

Wyatt sat making small talk with the assistant for a time before heading in, he had been a bit early due to the serious nature of this task, and planned to shine brightly in the eyes of his Alor seeing as they were the only clan he knew of making a dent in the Sith war efforts. He watched his wrist crono as the time ticked on and he looked up out of the large wall of windows, they sat on the 98th floor and as he had been told 99 and 100 were the offices of C-suite executives and the board. The building was simplistic yet regal as was Mandalorian fashion the blues and greys in the board room had a golden inlay and the large meeting table sported the company logo over which Wyatt ran a hand as the door opened and in walked the directors all of which he shook hands with and introduced himself.

"Wyatt Solus, pleasure to meet you"

He said half a dozen times before taking a seat only for the doors to open behind him from where he had come, and in walked Dio a man he considered a friend at this point seeing as they had been paired for tasks in combat and out. And Burkhart, the very personable humanoid with a heavy tone and a heavy pour which made him alright in Wyatt's book seeing as he had not been raised as militantly xenophobic as those native to Mandalore.

"-I'm Burkhart Kelborn. This is Diocletian Solus."

Wyatt stood once more as the two entered before returning to his seat and awaiting the discussion.

@Darasuum @Critas ​

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[Diocletian Solus]

"There you are! wuz wonderin if ya'd make it." He clapped Dio on the back without trying to make it painful for the man. "Let's seel this deal and noh waste a loveleh afternoon" said Burkhart.

Smiling up at the Morling, Dio took the clap on the back in stride and nodded a welcome. “Greetings Burk” he replied, patting his chest armor where the data pad lay hidden. “I have the outline of the deal right here, with any luck this should go well.” Turning he led the way to the board room, entering just as the board arrived made a good first impression with the board. It appeared they were starting with lady luck on their side, at least for now.

"Thank yoo for takin tha time tadae to meet with ous. We're sure yer schedules are busy. I'm Burkhart Kelborn. This is Diocletian Solus." He waved to his side towards Dio.

Dio noticed Wyatt had arrived before they had and moved to join him. These sorts of meetings usually had the feel of a stand off between two posturing males vying for the same female. This one was no different as the two factions took opposite sides of the room. Taking a moment to shake the hand of each of the board, Dio smiled and exchanged pleasantries with each of them. Some of these men he knew and so he was careful to insert polite questions about their families as was proper.

The pleasantries exchanged, Dio took a seat on the Clan side of the table and pulled out the data pad from its space under his chest armor. Laying it on the table in front of him he tapped the power toggle and watched the screen glow to neon green life. Ensuring that it was on the correct file, he looked up and steepled his fingers on the table between he and the data pad.

@Darasuum
@Rimrald

 

[Burkhart Kelborn]

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"Yah prolly have an idea of why we're here. I'm sure you lot remember vividlay the terribleness of the Imperial presence round here. They've gone and buggered off back their space but they have hurt Mandalorians a bit. I say enough with lickin our wounds. We need to not only be strong but look strong. Ya don't go messin with a group of wolves showin their teeth now do ya?" He spoke with passion and a fist. He was using hand gestures to emphasize his points and showed his zeal. This was more important than a deal for smuggling or negotiating the price of a bounty or case of rare spirits. This was for the future of the mandalorian people. His efforts seemed to have a positive affect. Nods and murmurs of agreement from the board seemed to appreciate the enthusiasm and truth of his words.

The Morling continued. "We want ta make the mandalorians strong again, a force to be reckoned with. Not just the Imperial forces but the entire galaxay ta think twice about takin advantage of us. To do that we are here to try and make a contract with you. We know that it won't happen over night but with your help we can pull it off." The board of directors looked between each other and across at the three mandalorians. Burkhart knew that he was good at making deals and sealing them but he was expecting a little more skepticism at first. But it would seem that they were open to complying perfectly with the request. "We like your enthusiasm Burkhart. Tell us the specifics and we can for certain work something out." To the Morling's ears that was a yes in terms of deals. Now they just had to see if they could get more than just a dropship out of it. Mandalmotors also made other ships and the various clans could use a few military grade starfighters. Nothing on the same level as the dropships but it could add to the young mandalorian fleet.

@Critas@Rimrald ​

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Listening to the Morling twist passion with truth like a candy canes colors made Wyatt smile as he finished his remarks and the board responded with a positive question. Wyatt then stood, with fresh colors on his armor he spoke to the board addressing the group with a sweeping glance giving them all a smile as he spoke with his hands placed in his chest plate between the actual armor and bodysuit pressed against his chest his fingers drummed with nerves.

"We cannot let the Sith on either side do what they did to Medriaas, here on Mandalore. We have shaken their hold and pushed them away but we would be naive to believe they will let us be 'unsupervised' for long."

Wyatt said with a heavy bit of sarcasm at the end, giving a smile and chuckle to the board who returned with light laughter before Wyatt continued.

"While the majority of the clans here on Mandalore are continuing to provide planetary and sector security, Solus has begun taking the fight to the OE and IR respectively and it is only a matter of time before they retaliate. We need fighters gentlemen."

Wyatt said abruptly turning and removing his hands from his armor to rest them on the table as one of the board spoke up.

"We produce fighters as well as our drop ships yes, and with Clan Solus on the offensive we can surely negotiate a monthly production for your efforts; if it means keeping the Sith off of Mandalore."

With that remark Wyatt smiled and rose from the hunched stance on the table, placing his hands between his plates and body suit once more before turning to Dio who had turned his data-pad on to give him the floor. Making for his seat again Wyatt motioned for Dio and took his seat, giving the Morling a fistbump under the table and out of sight. (@Critas @Darasuum)

 

[Diocletian Solus]

"Yah prolly have an idea of why we're here. I'm sure you lot remember vividlay the terribleness of the Imperial presence round here. They've gone and buggered off back their space but they have hurt Mandalorians a bit. I say enough with lickin our wounds. We need to not only be strong but look strong. Ya don't go messin with a group of wolves showin their teeth now do ya?" said Burkhart, leading off the negotiations.

The Morling continued to make his point emphatically to the board. Diocletian and Wyatt allowed the Morling to lead off the conversation, getting as caught up in his fervor as the board obviously was. They seemed open to his suggestions and agreeable to the points he made.

“We like your enthusiasm Burkhart. Tell us the specifics and we can for certain work something out.” replied their chief negotiator.

After a moment of respite for the room to gather their emotions back into check after the impassioned speech from Burk, Wyatt stood and started his pitch. Dio started to get a little nervous at this point. He had never liked social situations and really preferred to avoid them at all costs. But his clan needed him, and this was an excellent chance to work through that limitation and get something positive done for the clan.

Wyatt started to speak, he hit the Medriaas button, that would certainly get a rise out of the board. They were well aware he was a survivor, Dio having let that tibbit slip on purpose in the pre-game leading up to the meeting. If they could tap into that famous Mandalorian nationalism, it might be just the straw to push this deal into the win column.

“We cannot let the Sith on either side do what they did to Medriaas, here on Mandalore. We have shaken their hold and pushed them away, but we would be naive to believe they will let us be 'unsupervised' for long. While the majority of the clans here on Mandalore are continuing to provide planetary and sector security, Solus has begun taking the fight to the OE and IR respectively and it is only a matter of time before they retaliate. We need fighters’ gentlemen.”

The board remarked to Wyatt’s speech, “We produce fighters as well as our drop ships yes, and with Clan Solus on the offensive we can surely negotiate a monthly production for your efforts; if it means keeping the Sith off of Mandalore.”

Allowing the board to recover from another impassioned plea for support, Dio tried to gauge their reactions to all they had heard thus far. They were extremely hard to read, their fervor could be nationalism, disgust or even, as he hoped, excitement at the prospects in the deal. It was time for Dio to bring this deal home and he hoped he could do it without throwing up on the table.

Rising from his seat, Dio started his pitch, “Gentlemen, you have heard our appeal for your services. We Mandalorians are famed for our Nationalism but you are all businessmen. I hope that we have both captured your attention at the prospect of a strong Mandalor as well as a protected one. Clan Solus is at the forefront of that effort at this time.”

After a pause for dramatic effect he took the next step, “With your help, we can prove the adage that a strong defense is a good offense. We have operations underway on several worlds that will not only secure Mandalor but will expand the influence of Mandalor. Once we have established a presence on these worlds, their bounty will be sent back to Mandalor to fuel its people and culture. For that we will need ships, both to transport and protect supplies and materials that will enable Mandalorian culture and businessmen, to profit and thrive in a way unseen to this point.”

Again, Dio paused before sitting down and took a breath before driving the final nail home in this effort. He tapped a few buttons on his data pad and then gestured to the data pads in front of the board. “Here are the projections for the first quarter alone. Note that they have taken into effect the ‘honeymoon’ period that is inherent to any business venture. The second quarter, I believe you will find, is a time of growth that should make you all very happy.”

Resting back in his chair, Dio wiped his now sweaty palms on his thighs, not wanting the board to see his nerves at play. As he watched the board tap through numbers and discuss in whispered tones he turned to look at Burk and Wyatt, hope in his eyes.

@Darasuum
@Rimrald

 

[Burkhart Kelborn]

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Having settled down and allowing his comrades to speak Burkhart was no less pleased with their efforts than his own. They each had their talking points and the board seemed happy to help the cause. After they were each done speaking it would be Dio who had the specifics of the deal and their end of the 'paper work' for the deal. They would each conduct a portion of it either as the lead signer or representative or witness.

At the end Burkhart stood up and shook each of their arms. The trio had successfully not only ordered the ships, parts and maintenance capabilities for the future dropships but a few additional fighters and shuttles. It was not a fleet or even a wing yet but in time it would multiply. A consistent growth of ships would help fund MandalMotors and their end as well as the mandalorian's need for star ships.

Afterwards Burkhart would leave the meeting, a smile on his face all the way to the door. Once outside he would clap the back of both Wyatt and Dio. "Good on ya lads. Now let's goh get us a drrank! Furst rounds on meh." He threw a thumb into his own chest. It was time to celebrate a good deal sealed and he knew where the best booze on Mandalore were.

// exiting thread

@Critas@Rimrald​

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Wyatt tuned in for Dio's portion of the presentation, now that the pitch was out of the way and the topic cemented in place it was time for the case to be stated. Wyatt nodded with a smile on his face during Dio's segment of time with the board, he was playing the local boy zealous freedom fighter well and Wyatt was sure the board was ready to sign as he handed over the data-pad with specifics. As Brukhart stepped in to put a bow on things Wyatt stood to shake hands with the board members and then his presenting partners as they shared departing remarks before heading for the door and out of the meeting with deal in hand.

"Well done gentlemen, the Alor will be pleased we're adding on more ships to the Contruum manufacturing efforts. We'll have the fleet supported with fighters and transports in no time!"

He had a genuine air of optimism in his voice as Clan Solus was taking active steps in putting a squeeze around the lead both Sith empires had on the fledgling system, but it was no joke the size of the lead and this was just scratching the frost on the top of the iceberg. Wyatt took the clasp on the back and the invitation to a drink in stride and turned to Burkhart with a smile and helmet under arm.

"Well then I'll just have to get the second round."
@Critas @Darasuum

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian’s smile was huge as the board ended their deliberations and decided to go with the deal presented to them by the trio. After collecting the signatures and thumb prints from each of the signatories Dio went out of his way to shake each of the board members hands and to thank them for their service. This was a great day for both parties and he was sure both sides would benefit from their deal in the future.

Dio left the meeting on cloud nine. Perhaps he was not as bad at this whole social thing as he thought. No that was not it, he had almost thrown up on the board after his speech. However, he was getting better and the fact that he had been able to control himself and get through the situation was definitely a win.

He nodded and patted Burk on the back when the Morling said “"Good on ya lads. Now let's goh get us a drrank! Furst rounds on meh." He was happy that the mission was successful and to be drinking with comrades in arms, to spite the fact that the battlefield was a board room and not a true battlefield.

Dio had just opened his mouth to offer the second round when Wyatt claimed it as his own. Looking sheepishly at his two vod he laughed. “Well if you two aren’t passed out after two, Ill get the third.” With that, the three Clan Solus warriors waded off into the mass of humanity on Mandalor to test the night life of Keldabe.

//Exit Thread​

@Rimrald
@Darasuum