Ask Little Shocks

[Xiann]

Xiann raised her head slightly and bobbed it side to side, emulating how she did outside when she was thinking about the strategy going forward. Though this time she was only pretending to do the rough estimations in her head before lowering her gaze back to the Neimoidians as Rishe finished speaking, “I agree. A corvette on top of the fighter should provide ample deterrent to raids and has the firepower to hold it’s own should someone decide to test it.”

Her words seemed to be addressed to the room at large, informing both sides of the ships rough abilities, though when she next spoke it was definitely aimed directly to the Viceroy, “While I’m sure you would like a larger fleet I believe this size is acceptable for both sides. As even with only a single corvette a competent commander will be able to outwit even the most aggressive of pirates, and I’m sure someone of your stature would have such competence at his command.”

The Twi’lek took the datapad with the contract on it and made some edits. Changing the percentages to be taken from the wages to a flat rate of 35% across the 10 years and breaking down the expenses to 30% for general upkeep and 5% for security costs before handing it back to Rishe to look over. Xiann spoke to the room once again, “I’m proposing a 35% costs across the full 10 years. This will lower the governmental income from the original but will allow the Refugees to purchase creature comforts, allowing them to rest better and work harder, stimulating your economy more. The cost for security is lowered, due to the smaller fleet size, however will begin at the start of the contract allowing immediate purchase and upkeep of one corvette and the eight starfighters as pirate-deterrent. The higher income at the later half of the contract will also accelerate you economic income as not only is the percentage higher than your proposal but by then it’s possible several of the refugees will have higher incomes and be paying more anyway.”

She took a deep breath and tried to relax her shoulders as they had tensed up while she spoke. She turned to look at Brakkan with a smile, “While we wait for my fellows to assess these changes, what are your thoughts on the terms I have laid out in front of you?”

@Nefieslab @Stick

 

[Maxims Tionson]

Eight fighters and a corvette – that was a strong little force. In a true navy it would be little more than a small detachment but the Galaxy had long since moved away from the age of massive standing navies and other armed forces. The Galaxy that they found themselves operating in made corvettes something that could punch well above their weight in many ways and be the lynchpin of several operations at once.

A corvette with a fighter detachment accompanying it could do an awful lot and against pirate and slaver attacks of opportunity? The little task force would utterly shred most attackers before they could truly get close. Among the Neimoidians, the daughter leaned in to whisper into the viceroy’s ear while the son focused more on what Xiann was saying.

Poor bugger was truly smitten it seemed.

“A-ah… I think that such a task force might be enough to see off even some of the more determined pirate and slaver bands.” He agreed with her with an eager nod of his head, his race’s equivalent of a grin since their mouths were much smaller than humans and most other species, “Plus the corvette… well… it is a symbol as well. Something for the refugees to see when they look out their viewports and take comfort in.”

Max could agree to that last point at least – to people not well versed in naval combat, a large ship was the be all and end all of defence. The sheer size difference between a corvette and a fighter made civilians feel much more comfortable. After a few more moments, the viceroy straightened up in his seat.

“Jedi… the people of Cato Neimoidia find these terms to be acceptable. We shall reach out to clan Syndulla of Ryloth and the agreement shall be struck publically.” He declared before giving a small nod, “On a personal notes – we thank you for taking no credit. Let this be about the Neimoidians and the Twi’leks helping those in need and nothing else.”

Max bowed his head once.

“Indeed, Viceroy.” He agreed as he straightened up, “I look forward to seeing the progress. Good day.”

With that, Max would turn and sweep out of the room with Rishe and Xiann to follow. The son would attempt to give Xiann his com-number but it would be up to the Padawan if he managed it or not. Once they were all outside, the doors closed behind them and they were free to breathe, which Max did so with a short huff of air.

“How do you feel like that went?” he asked the two Padawans as he took out a cigara and lit it as they made their way back to the ship, “Questions? Queries? Improvements you would have made with hindsight?”

@Xian @Stick

 

[Rishe Vakren]

Rishe wasn't surprised by her tiredness after all was said and done. She was often able to tell her father's weariness on the days he... no, she wasn't going to dwell on them. But just as labor took physical strength, politics and diplomacy took a mental toll.

Even if the Jedi had gotten their satisfactory deal, it was clear Rishe was irked by the Neimoidians still. She was thankful that Tionson left so swiftly, she wasn't quite happy with bowing to them.

“How do you feel like that went?”

"They were first happy to sacrifice the refugees for their own gain, and then they speak of providing comfort to them with a symbol." Rishe says, her tone starting cold. "But, I am sure they are just as disappointed about the lack of a fleet as I am with giving them one. Maybe that's a core tenet of diplomacy: Everyone's a little let down, and the least amount of lives are ruined. Perhaps I could have handled it more diplomatically, but I do not regret holding them to account for their worst nature, Master Tionson."

But then she looks at Xiann. "I'm surprised that they took your alterations so quickly. It was a smart move, and a good deal. The good kind of deal that the refugees deserve, and it's simpler on everyone on top of that. I was thinking only of the Neimoidians threatening their neighbors, and admittedly less about the costs."

@Nefieslab @Xian

 

[Xiann]

Xiann smiled widely as the Viceroy agreed to the terms she had laid out much quicker than she had hoped and without discussion with his daughter, who she had a feeling was the real brains behind the trio. “We thank you for your quick decision.” She bowed and turned to leave with the others until Brakkan offered his contact details to her, which she quickly accepted and blew him a kiss as she left the room.

As the doors closed behind them she folded and tucked the contact details into her pocket before pondering on Master Tionson’s questions. “Perhaps I should have switch tactics and supported Rishe sooner after it became apparent young Brakkan would not be as helpful as I first thought.” She patted her pocket, “Though I can’t say it was entirely pointless.” She smirked.

She smiled at Rishe’s comments, “We had already mentioned that the refugee would work harder if they were happier and they seemed to agree with that, so it seemed the best route to push the negotiations forward. Neimoidian’s are known for their greed, as you pointed out, so constantly dropping hints about their economy here and there enticed them further. Though I'm a little surprised at how quickly they took my terms too.” She shrugged, all’s well, that ends well.

Xiann tilted her head slightly at Rishe as she considered her self criticism, “Don’t be too harsh on yourself. That sort of aggressive tactic can be useful with certain parties, such as my flirting is. The trick is figuring out when a certain tactic isn’t working and switch to another. I, myself, am not used to these interplanetary level of talks, so the usual tactics of overloading their senses with flirtations were less than effective. Much as the aggressive tone you had could win you a lot of respect and favour on a smaller scale too.” She turned back to look at Master Tionson as he lead the way back to the ship, “What about you Master? Any observations you wish to impart?”

@Nefieslab @Stick

 

[Maxims Tionson]

He enjoyed the taste of the cigara after not having had one in so long. It was seen as a bad thing for a Jedi Master of his caliber to start smoking but, well, he hadn't ever stopped smoking since he was about Xiann's age. The damn things might end up killing him... if the Sith, the syndicates, the politicians and the bigots of the Galaxy didn't manage to kill him first. He, personally, laid good credits on dying against the Sith so he wasn't exactly too bothered by the side effects of cigara-smoking.

Max tapped some ash off the end of the cigara after listening to the two of them talk about their perceived shortcomings. They were equally quick to compliment each other and he appreciated that as well. The ship opened itself up and Buddy beeped from atop the edge of the ramp.

"Yeah yeah... I'll stub it out before I get on." he assured his fussy astromech before turning back to the two Padawans, "Alright. My assessment has kind of already been given - the two of you are rather good at picking holes in your own performances."

He patted them both on the shoulder with a hand each.

"But you both need to learn something as well; it's alright for things to not go perfectly." he assured them with a smile around his cigara, "The Galaxy isn't and neither are we - just keep trying to improve and you'll get there. We'll mark this up as a successful diplomatic missions for you both. Now head on up to the ship..."

Max smirked and took another, deep, pull of his cigara.

"Gotta finish this up or Buddy will shock me."

/End Thread

@Stick @Xian