Open Mergers and acquisitions

[Julia Hipori]

Zygerria dominated much of the galactic underbelly for centuries through its domination of the intergalactic slavery trade. Now, however, its lustre had wained, replaced instead by a cantankerous Imperial family, clutching onto what little generational wealth and influence it could muster. Fortunately, for Zygerria at least, it shared a border with the Corporate Sector Authority - and there were keen on expansion.

For that reason, Julia Hipori, a Senator for the CSA, had been sent to Zygerria to meet with the Empress and make her an offer she sincerely hoped she would not refuse. She had been planetside for a few days already, taking in the sights and undergoing a more comprehensive briefing from CSA agents already embedded in the world. Julia arrived by speeder, stepping out of the high-end transport in her trademark suit, a set of cufflinks affixed to her shirt sleeves, and a communicator at her side. A small probe droid projected itself from the speeder, and headed skyward to start scanning the areas.

She'd come armed, but discreetly so, with a pistol at her hip. Behind her walked two large human security guards under her employ, clad in standard enforcement armour, clutching a rifle each, with a blaster pistol in a hip-mounted holster. A further two stepped out of the speeder and took up positions on either side.

Julia smiled as she was greeted by the Empress of Zygerria, a slight woman of her species with ornate clothing that announced her station for her. Stepping forward, she nodded - the closest to a bow she would get - and introduced herself. "Representative Julia Hipori, Corporate Sector Authority. Thank you for receiving us, Empress."

OOC - Open with a 48-hour posting window, to 1 - 2 opposition.

 

[The Storyteller]

The “Empress” waited patiently while her guards confirmed Julia’s identity. In a tried and true way of keeping monarchs safe, the royally-dressed woman was nothing more than a decoy; meant to take the fall if the visiting diplomat had nefarious intentions. If she was nervous, she didn’t show it.

Julia’s probe droid would show a single ship not far from where the Zygerrians- the 'Empress' and her six guards, each of whom were armed with a whip and a blaster- had approached from. Additionally, her intel from CSA agents painted a murky picture of the current state of Zygerria's throne; perhaps the very thing that had brought Julia here today, but a tricky dynamic to navigate nonetheless. Several members of the royal family were still unaccounted for in the years following the Mandalorians’ attack, with the current Empress having a weaker claim to the throne than some of those still unaccounted for. The planet’s slaving operations were diminished but still potent, as Julia would no doubt be aware of.

“Welcome to Zygerria, Senator” said the ‘Empress’, her carefully-measured movements and speech the result of months of study of the woman she was pretending to be. “Please, come” she prompted, a single graceful hand beckoning Julia to follow her in the direction of the ship. “Allow us to receive you in a location more suited to your status.”

@Nor'baal (Hai, it's Slag! Will switch to a PC account here eventually)

 

[Julia Hipori]

There was no doubting in Julia's mind that Zygerria and its ruling family had fallen on increasingly challenging times. But, desperation led people to make alliances they never before would have considered. That suited the CSA down to the ground.

"Thank you, Empress," Julia replied cooly. She was pining for a stim, but, unaware of the local custom of such matters; she resisted - for now at least. She was unsettled at having to refer to this two-bit regional monarch as an 'Empress', but etiquette and tradition dictated it. After all, she was here for a reason.

Despite her best efforts to portray an aura of confidence, there was something off. Having spent years in the backstabbing world of Corporate politics, Julia could almost sense it. She was pretending to be something she was not.

Julia dismissed the concern. If anything went south, she could look after herself. "Tell me, Empress, there is no secret to be made of the fortunes of Zygerria of late. How do you see them being improved?"

 

[The Storyteller]

The procession would continue towards the freighter, walking in silence until Julia brought forth her question. The Empress smiled coyly, like a predator toying with its prey. When she spoke, she didn't immediately address the criticism of Zygerria present in Julia's query. "Our future is brightened through our connections" she said, favoring Julia with a sly glance. Nobody met with the Zygerrians for a casual chat, and the interest of the Corporate Sector offered opportunities for new revenue streams.

"As for our current fortunes, I think that you will find that Zygerria is still quite capable" she purred as the pair arrived at the bottom of the landing ramp to the freighter. The inside of the freighter would be testament to that, with cages lining the walls; each with an occupant or two. Julia would be able to see among the captives a female orcolan, several humans, a bothan, two Bith, and a pair of Togruta twins not more than six years old, clinging to each other while staring up at their surroundings with large, frightened eyes.

The display of power was as much a litmus test as it was a reminder of exactly what Julia was getting involved in by coming here. Completely comfortable in this environment, the Empress gestured with a hand and prompted a pair of servants forward; a male and a female. Both were human, both were attractive, and neither wore much besides their shock collars.

The Empress' eyes found Julia again; judging, searching, plumbing her reaction and her commitment. "Can I interest you in some entertainment during our journey to the palace?" she asked, waving a hand in the direction of the slaves, who waited patiently for Julia to make a decision.


@Nor'baal

 

[Julia Hipori]

Julia appeared unphased by the presence of the Empress's slaves, resting quietly, assured that she could plead ignorance as to their true nature if question. That was until the Empress made her offer a little more direct. Then, quite impassively, she shooked her head and raised her right hand to signify that the Empress should stop. "I am not here to indulge any habits you presume I may have."

Not impressed with the breach of protocol, Julia felt it essential to remind the Empress precisely who she was here on behalf of. "The Corporate Sector Authority adheres to all galactic treaties regarding Personal Autonomy. On a personal note, Empress, as a board member of various CSA members and signatories, I cannot be a party to your invitations. Such practices would need to be concluded permanently should any deal with the CSA carry through." she was not pleased, at all, with the Empress's conduct.

Behind her, Julia's guards tensed as they picked up on the change of tone in the meeting. Keen to get back on track, Julia spoke again.

"Look, let's get back on to the topic at hand. Zygerria could do with additional allies in the broader galaxy, and there are numerous perks to the CSA being that ally. Member of the CSA is something I would be keen to discuss with you in further detail, especially with a focus on how that membership can shore up your position, and fortunes, for centuries to come."

 

[The Storyteller]

The Empress' cool gaze answered Julia's outburst; the woman completely unfazed by the Senator's reaction. The same gentle hand that had summoned the slaves dismissed them- they had already served their purpose in obtaining useful information.

After Julia spoke, silence hung in the air for a few moments as the 'Empress' cocked her head slightly, almost as if she was listening. "We did not mean to offend, of course" she purred, blinking slowly. "Zygerria is simply unique in this galaxy, I suppose" she sighed, her eyes wandering around before fixing her gaze once more upon Julia.

"You've spoken about the benefits that CSA membership can do for Zygerria, but what does the CSA gain from Zygerria's membership?" she asked. "Most of the galaxy wants nothing to do with us." Although the Empress' tone was light and pleasant, Julia's sharp rebuke had not gone unnoticed.

In the distance, a royal palace loomed; presumably, the freighter's destination.

@Nor'baal

 

[Julia Hipori]

At last! Now they were getting somewhere. Julia smiled as the Empress returned their discussion to the matter at hand; membership of the CSA. Whilst the benefits of joining the faction were considerable, she focused only on the ones she felt would appeal most of all to the Imperial Family of Zygerria as she went on to say: "The issues shrouding your planet's rich history can be overcome, in part, through membership with the CSA, and its unique pattern of laws." she began, referring, as subtly as she could, do the indenture contacts some Corporations offered their employees.

"However, membership benefits are much more apparent on a longer-term scale. Simply put, we have a unique form of Government that 'Incorporates' planetary resources into a profit-motivated organisation owned by a market-driven shareholding group." Julia did her best to dress up the idea of turning a planet's resources over to an oligarchic commercial interest as noble as she could.

"Whilst Zygerria, as a member of the CSA, would become a Corporate Authority, the key strategic resources of ths world, and its affiliated moons and territories, would remain under the Imperial Families control - but through a Corporate Structure, enabling a more..." she paused to find the right word "- fluid fiscal structure."

 

[The Storyteller]

The Empress listened intently as Julia gave her sales pitch, her even demeanor giving no hint of what she thought of the Senator's words. When Julia was finished, the Empress blinked once; slowly, regally, thoughtfully...

"You have not answered my question" she chided, studying the woman standing before her like an insect. It was clear that Julia was a practiced diplomat; she'd recovered from the Empress' little stunt to turn a question about the CSA's motives into an argument for joining the Corporate Sector. In fact, Julia had answered her question, in a roundabout way, but there was something gratifying about watching a politician forced to speak the truth. This was all about profit, and all about control.

Control of Zygerria's profits.

"Tell me more about this fluid fiscal structure?" the Empress asked, her face a mask of polite attention focused on the Senator in front of her. "Zygerria and its slave empires have existed for millennia without outside help; why should We buy into this... oversight?"

@Nor'baal