Ask Location, Location

[Nahri Nalju]

Rothana — 151 ABY

Rothana was a bit colder than the worlds Nahri was used to living on. Even Belsavis, a world mostly covered in glacial ice, was warmer, mostly because the settlements there were build on sites of heavy volcanic activity. But Rothana was closer to Hoth than Belsavis. So, Nahri dressed warmly in a coat of artificial white furs adorned with her family emblem. Her move today was a strategic one, and one long planned.

Ever since her father founded Nalju Technologies, it was a Serenno-based company. But now, any company operating out of the Sith Empire was viewed with increased scrutiny by the public. The Empire itself had its hiccups in public relations, especially lately, and Nahri couldn't risk that impacted her business. If she wanted her cover as the Sith Master Vex to remain intact and without impeachment, Nahri needed to make a move that made her look to be distancing herself from the Sith. Rothana was the perfect candidate for such a move.

A neutral world in the far Outer Rim, the ice planet had been a source of shipyards and raw materials for Kuat Drive Yards for centuries. Only, now, Kuat's integrity was in question thanks to the actions of its Senator. So, Nahri was going to make a move. If all went well, NalTech's corporate headquarters would move from Sith space to neutral space. If all went better, she might be able to leach some of Kuat's material and shipyard deals for her own, vastly improving what Nalju Technologies was capable of producing.

Upon exiting her ship, she walked to the edge of the landing platform and waited for Rothana's representatives to arrive. She was fifteen minutes early. But better early than late. @The Good Doctor (DM)

 

[The Storyteller]

As it approaching time. A lone near-human woman would make her way to the landing pad wearing a thick fur jacket accompanied by two droid guards flanking her. She doubted she would need them, but they are there as standard. Suffice it to say, she would appear face-to-face with the NalTech CEO exactly on time on the dot. The lady had a neutral, stoic expression on her face. "Good afternoon Miss Nalju. Charmed to meet you, I'm Nadya Orah" she made first contact with the NalTech CEO.

She left a bit of time for introductions, but not a whole bunch, she would turn around and then her guards would do the same. "Come this way" she said, she would then lead the way into the building close by. Sure, they could spend a whole bunch of time outside with pleasantries, how you does, and other formalities outside in the frigid world. But Nadya would rather not and figured Nalju wouldn't either.

Nadya would then escort Nalju to a conference room. Round metal table, some projectors, holoscreens, seats .etc. "Need anything before we begin? Caf, hot chocolate?" Or maybe something else warm, Nadya was at least courteous to offer to her. Miss Nalju did arrive early for the appointment, she might have been freezing while waiting.

@Mockingjay

 

[Nahri Nalju]

The Rothanan representative was an impressive specimen. Nahri did like to see women in power throughout the galaxy. There was a certain levelheadedness they brought to leadership that men simply could not reproduce. Maybe it was because they didn't spend their time fretting over lost lovers or flexing against other leaders of their sex. But they could also be ruthless, and this woman's charm could easily be hiding a darker side. Which was fine. Nahri was too.

"Caf, thank you," she replied after following the woman into the conference room. Then added at the last minute, "With milk, please."

She took a long moment to look around the room before taking her seat. This was the perfect time to make small talk. To leave a good impression. Once the negotiations began, she would need to bring all of her steel to get her way. Or, at least, most of it. Now was the only opportunity she would have to show off any personality. "You have a lovely city," Nahri said. A tad cliche, but not a lie. Nahri liked the cold. "I love my home back on Serenno; but I must confess that there is something hauntingly beautiful about a world encased in ice. I've visited Hoth once. It is a little less appealing, but I did find myself oddly enjoying my time there." She would wait until her drink was served. Then she would add, "Shall we?" @The Good Doctor

 

[The Storyteller]

Nadya would then clap her hands, and then one of the droids would go to fetch her some caf, with white milk. She didn't really seem be any lesser for standing about fifteen minutes in the freezing weather of Rothana. Most people would be shivering like crazy, yet she does not seem to be. Interesting. After that, Nadya would sit down as well, oppsoite of the Serenno businesswoman.

Yes, this is the time for small talk. The Rothanian lady kept her stoic expression as she responded. "Yes, Rothana does have a certain charm we and few others appreciate. Hoth is just some wasteland, but we have worked hard to make Rothana as it is, to make something much better, and it was no easy task." considering the location and the the climate of the planet of course.

Now the droid would deliver Miss. Nalju her caf. She would find it just as she ordered, fresh and of good quality. Anyways, the question was Shall we. It's now time to get started. "Yes. Miss Nalju, you had a proposal?" she then got to business, she leaned back in her seat and but didn't change her expression. Nadya was quick to skip the rest of the small talk. She has been in this business for decades, after this appointment there will be another one, then more after that. The wheels are always in motion, moving.

@Mockingjay

 

[Nahri Nalju]

"I did," Nahri replied, shifting into business-mode. She had practiced this speech a dozen times. But, as with most business meetings, she usually threw out her prepared argument and made the one she thought of in the moment. She took a long sip of her caf, allowing the caffeine within to energize her. Then, she began.

"My company, Nalju Technologies, is seeking a new headquarters," she explained. "My homeworld of Serenno is near and dear to me; but the war has complicated matters. NalTech is a company that sells to all paying parties. But our basis in Sith territory makes it hard to solicit buyers from places like the Republic. " Begin with the truth, she was told. There was rarely anything wrong with that. Then, sweet talk. "Rothana is a neutral world. More importantly, it is home to some of the most productive mines in the galaxy. In addition to moving our headquarters here and becoming a Rothanan business — not a Sith business on Rothana — we would of course seek to purchase raw materials from your mines to produce new product. That is money and taxes directly into the Rothanan economy."

Now, for her offer. Nahri was well-aware NalTech was still growing. It wasn't the powerhouse that Kuat was; but Kuat had recently fucked up. Selling Republic warships to the Zann Consortium would make any planet supplying them with raw materials think twice before doing it again. She hoped Kuat's weakness and the Republic's decline, which would cheapen Fondor's value, would make her look like a profitable company to invest attention and resources in. "In exchange," Nahri continued. "NalTech will use these resources in part to produce ships and technology to defend Rothana should it ever enter the crosshairs of one of the warring factions. At a greatly discounted price, of course. Rothana would no longer need to export its defense to the Republic, the Consortium, or any other government. It would be self-sustaining. The business my company would be able to do with our new location and Rothana's resources would more than make up the revenue we would need to cover this expense." @The Good Doctor

 

[The Storyteller]

"I understand your situation" she said. Nadya understood it. "Although I'm curious, do you or has NalTech any dealings with the Sith in recent memory?" It is hard for a Serenno company like NalTech not have some sort of business with the Sith in recent times. If they are trying to escape that perception of being a Sith business then simply changing location may not sway some who care about that sort of thing nowadays. Her intent is known, but if it will do the trick is another question. But anyways, were some considerations that needed to be talked out.

"Your proposal does sounds intriguing" said without a hint of emotion. "What warships does NalTech offer, and other tech that could be of use for defense?" NalTech has great smart dataphones, droids, and a really nice yachts, but Nadya couldn't recall any warships from that manufacturer.

Nadya was probably inclined to let the business benefit the people of Rothana, but since she offered protection in the form of ships and stuff at a discount, it's still worth exploring what it entails before agreeing to anything. Nadya will circle back to the economics piece of the proposal as well once this is clarified.

@Mockingjay

 

[Nahri Nalju]

Nahri was pleased not to meet a wall of immediate resistance. This signaled to her that her negotiations were not going to be in vain, even if she didn't get everything she wanted out of them in the end. "To my knowledge," she began, adopting a pensive expression, "we've had no dealings with the Sith. Seinar eats up much of that business, leaving NalTech mostly to lend our services at the local level, usually to neutral or unaligned planets."

This was, of course, a lie, but a cleverly disguised one. There were a few secret projects NalTech had undertaken for the Empire. Small, off the radar, virtually unnoticeable to all by the few Imperial officers they affected. And as their existences were 'sealed', she was contractually obligated not to remember their existence. So, she said nothing of them.

"As to your second question," she continued, "Our catalogue is currently small, thanks to our localized business, but we do offer modernized and automated droid starfighters for planetary defense. Security droids and droid walkers make up our planetary defense products." She brought out a datapad and tapped the screen thrice, bringing up a recent HoloNet announcement. "We've also recently made arrangements with Fondor that would allow us to expand our range of products to capitol ships. The deal we penned comes with no stipulations to side with the Republic on any venture, and, in fact, we have no extant contracts with the Republic Senate." A range of ship schematics replaced the announcement. "With your raw resources, we could design any sort of warship Rothana needed to defend itself."

Finished with her demonstration, Nahri ended the hologram and looked up at the representative expectantly. She knew more questions were coming, likely about this Fondor arrangement, but she was prepared with answers should they come. @The Good Doctor