Smile for the Shipyard

[Diocletian Solus]

DM OPPOSITION​

They say that to combat your weaknesses, you must first understand them. Social situations had never been Diocletian’s strong point. He would much rather shoot first and let someone else ask the questions later. When the word came down from the clan that he had to help facilitate a negotiation, he was less than amused. Now in a glass half full mindset, the only way he would get better in and therefor more comfortable in, social situations, was to work at them.

Dio made his way out into the snowy night on Contruum Six. He was not wearing his helmet with T-Visor and had his armor concealed under a layered wrapping of cloth that covered enough of the important areas as to not draw immediate attention to him. He pulled out his data pad and brought up the information on the planet as this was his first time here.

A small, icy world with only two notable cities, Contruum 6 was basically an outpost of the major Mid Rim center of Contruum, with which it shared the same star system. Relative remoteness within the system was combined with excellent hyperspace links, however—the Perlemian Trade Route lay just a micro-jump away, and two micro-jumps brought you to the Hydian Way.

This planet was a gold mine for the Solus and their plans of revenge against the Sith. Sparsely populated and mineral rich, it was the perfect place to make a deal to supply their war effort with ships. Dio had come to the largest of the planets two cities to make a deal and he would not leave the planet without one.

A quick tap and the screen on the data pad darkened and was put away where it came from. Dio looked up into the night sky and closed his eyes, allowing the snow to slowly land on his face. Coming from a mostly desert world such as Mandalor, snow was a bit of a novelty and one that he decided to take a moment and enjoy. After several heartbeats he lowered his head and wiped his face with one gauntleted hand. Taking a look around he spotted a bar where he could wait for his clan mate to make his appearance.

@Rimrald
@Braden Drake

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Contruum Six was the last place Wyatt thought he would be visiting to lobby a company for warships in the service of Mandalore but he was not the one making the calls on strategy; so on the task he went. Standing idly once departing the ship Wyatt stood a shoulders width apart from Dio who was taking a moment to enjoy the snow, which admittedly was much more pleasant than back on Medriaas. This was a warmer winter day and the snow was just floating and melting when it landed due to its size and the temperature, this was a good day of snow compared to how it was on Medriaas.

But for the time being the duo was present to negotiate trade on behalf of clan Solus, ships for money was the offer but the deal could always come to blows especially if these people did not see the war effort from the side of the Mandalorians. So he dressed respectfully, putting a dressed up poncho that opens in the front with loops and hooks of silver to keep them together. The garb was black with a silver mosaic border but beyond that piece that covered his entire torso he was clad in his beskar'gam and he traveled with only his blaster pistols. He was leading the duo up to the business negotiations and a quasi political interest air to the dealings was present due to the nature of several recent mandalorian visits.

"I suppose they know we are in need of ships, that is no secret but i'm curious to see if they get nasty or they sympathize with us. Because everyone knows that a business whose profit is war, always has a favorite but plays for both teams."

Wyatt had enough interest in historical galactic conflict to delve in to the civilian dealings during some of his favorite time periods and they told just that tale. But he was eager to finally meet one that didn't play the fence supplying to both sides and was hopeful this would be the one. @Critas

 

[The Storyteller]

Maniclus, was cold and annoyed. You would think spending half your working life on an Ice Planet would somehow adjust you to the climate but for Maniclus that just wasn't the case. He paced is private rooms, wondering what godforsaken plea he was going to hear today. How many groups, planets, struggling governments had come to his office asking for his shipyards, a dozen, two dozen it was easy to lose track, which each one came with the same simple offering for his hard work.

Maniclus was an old man, past his sixties with greying hair and dull eyes, but behind the aged appearance was a man full of metal. He had forged these shipyards with his own hands, they were once just a foundry for parts, now they supplied some of the major players in their sector. He had even done some work for a few Drast's in the last two decades. "Are they late yet?" He shouted to the droid attendant who waited by the door. "No Sir, it is still another thirty minutes until the meeting." The Doird replied. Maniclus huffed turning on his heels again and continued pacing up and down.

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Contruum Six’s bars were warm inside, and the alcohol was plentiful as one would expect on an ice world. Ambiance was not on the high side however and after a drink to settle his nerves, Dio decided to take his money elsewhere. It was a little warmer outside than usual, so he stepped out of the bar and decided to wait outside.

As his garb was almost a mirror of Wyatts, the only real way to tell them apart was through their helmets. Or as is the case right now, by their faces. As Wyatt arrived, Dio nodded to his Vod and mounted his 88-V Ranger, it was a short ride to the shipyard and they had better get on the road.

Putting on his helmet, Dio drove off, leading his partner on a merry chase through the snow-covered countryside. The ride was exhilarating, and it was just what Dio needed to release some tension before the meeting with the owner of the shipyard. Dio really did not enjoy social encounters, they tended towards things such as small talk and pleasantries that were not really his forte.

As they arrived at the meeting, Dio checked the chrono on his armored vambrace and saw they were fifteen minutes early for the meeting. “Like Raz Alor always says, you are either fifteen minutes early or you are late.” he remarked to Wyatt with a wink, taking his helmet off and hooking it to a loop on his belt. He kept the smile intact as he sighted the older man pacing at the entrance to the yards. To spite Dio’s distaste for social situations, he was excited for this meeting.

“Good afternoon sir!” started Diocletian, crossing towards the man with his hand extended. “I am Diocletian Solus, and this is my clan mate Wyatt Solus.” The smile he offered the older man was genuine, he knew from his homework that this was a man who had come from nothing and built his business. It was a man to be admired and Dio did just that. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

@Rimrald
@Braden Drake

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Wyatt tailed on behind his clan mate, taking in the surroundings during the short ride to the shipyards 'ground production phase' yard where they assembled pieces before bringing them for connection in orbit at the shipyard's dry dock. Surprisingly the man in which he assumed they would be meeting with was present with a protocol droid on his flank, and from what Dio had told Wyatt this man was a self made business man. Something Wyatt and he had in common if you could Wyatt's side business as a fence before the events on Medriaas as a business, but now he was in the stages of rebuilding himself as a person and was reminded constantly of the growing pains associated with this; ones he was sure Mr. Maniclus remembered.

Parking next to Dio and following him on his left flank Wyatt had left his helmet in his speeders saddle bag and only had his blaster pistols which he had been sure to polish before the meeting. He turned as he situated his things to Dio's remark and said back.

"Fifteen minutes early is on time, and if you're late don't even bother showing up"

Offering a cordial smile and a shake of the hand while introducing himself he echoed Dio's introduction and nodded adding in a small compliment before the negotiations and potentially a tour? Began.

"The ground facilities look like you run things here at peak efficiency Sir, good on you we would want nothing less in a business partner." @Critas @Braden Drake

 

[The Storyteller]

Maniclus sniffed the air as the two Mandalorian's introduced themselves after being shown in by his assistant. "Mandalorian's." He muttered to himself as he turned away from the pair, he wasn't sure what was worse these Stim High, walking buckets or the pomp and circumstance Sith. "Thank you, these shipyards were nothing before I came to this planet. Contruum hadn't seen civilized trade in a century. All down to my work, know half the planet works for me building ships, big and small, military and civilian." He said his voice thick with pride.

He took a few paces away from the two, inviting them to move further into his office as he did so. It was at the top of the old foundry, it was wide and narrow, a massive window opposite the door showed the view of the icy planet fifty stories below them. Beyond the immediate snow was the ground element of Maniclus's shipyards, vast hangers, small fighter craft and pleasure barges were built here. The larger ships built in the orbital shipyards. "But I guess you are not here for a yacht are you?" He said turning back to them grasping his fingers behind his back as he spoke.

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian followed Maniclus as he bid, following the gentleman into his office. He looked over the facilities and the office with an appraising eye. You could discover a lot about a man from his work place and his office. What he had determined this far was that this was a man of no nonsense. He was proud of his work and the people that he had working for him. Dio would have to use that in this negotiation to be successful.

"Thank you, these shipyards were nothing before I came to this planet. Contruum hadn't seen civilized trade in a century. All down to my work, know half the planet works for me building ships, big and small, military and civilian." said Manicus.

Diocletian complimented the man without sucking up, “This is good work sir, I know the people appreciate your presence here. With half the planet on payroll you could almost be reclassified as a humanitarian organization.”

Once they had settled into the office, as expected the owner of the shipyard got down to business. "But I guess you are not here for a yacht, are you?" he asked the duo.

Diocletian smiled warmly and tried to slow his heartbeat, he was getting more used to social situations, but they were still something of an issue for him. Resting his hands on his belt to have a place to put them without being awkward, Dio stopped and shook his head in response to the query.

“No sir, we are hoping to make a deal for military grade ships as I am sure you could guess. With two Empires to fight and the Sith still in control of much of the galaxy, we need those ships to better be able to protect fine hard-working worlds such as Contruum.”

Dio gestured towards Wyatt, “My clan brother here has all the details on a data pad for your perusal. I will try and summarize it as best I can to help in the process as I know you are very busy sir. We are hoping for a long-term deal with your facility to provide military grade ships to our cause. Payment and schedules are all lain out in the data pad.”

@Braden Drake
@Rimrald

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

[justift]

Wyatt listened on to Maniclus talk of the self made man story and how he has done so much for the people here. Dio's respective compliments for his accomplishments and being champion of so many peoples favor to which Wyatt added his own compliments and comments when appropriate.

"Yes we saw some of the construction in the orbital dry-dock as we came in, your designs are as elegant as we've heard your ships are effective war machines."

Wyatt still stood with hands behind his back looking out the window, data-pad in his left hand and his right hand holding the left. As Dio closed his remarks and turned it over to Wyatt to talk turkey Wyatt spoke up a second time but in this effort he turned to meet Maniclus's attention.

"We have schematics for what we are already producing with MandalMotors and Spacial Dynamics. We would happily take ships of your design to bolster our fleet in addition to our design being manufactured on your site, simply starfighters no need to tie up your orbital docks."

Wyatt said turning and activating the datapad as he walked towards Maniclus, opening the documentation and pulling up the schematics to a fighter design that projected and was intractable. Wyatt knew this had to be done and done well if they were going to gain the support of this system for a peaceful annexation and get ship production in order as soon as humanly possible.

"With your work force and facilities we can bolster the fleet of Clan Solus and the Mandalorian peoples to protect all of our interests. Personally I am always weary of these deals, but from what I saw it does not look like you also produce ships for the Sith which would surely be a deal breaker. I think you're a man who respects being able to keep the things that someone builds with their own hands, and so do Mandalorians which is why we took our planet back from the Sith and why we're so hot under the collar about the fact they've done just that to so many other worlds Sir."

Wyatt said while sliding the schematic and paperwork forward on his desk, allowing for him to review and ask any questions before he made any decision. Wyatt then moved back to the window to gaze on the sparks and the droids as production raged in the middle of the day. (@Critas @Braden Drake)

 

[The Storyteller]

Maniclus ignored the tablet pushed towards him, the sums were of a secondary nature, there were other issues that needed to be ironed out first. "Mandalmotors. They couldn't make a ship sink, let alone one fly." He said spitting on the floor. "I won't produce that crud in my shipyards. An artist does not paint walls." He said turning away from the pair back towards the large open windows which faced out over his Empire.

"But Mr Solus, these ships would not be being built by your hands, but the hands of Contruum. So why can we not sell them to who we wish? Hmm." He continued his hands still clasped behind his back. "If I stop selling to the Sith, half the planet will be starving in six months. You say you only want my starfighter yards. But then tell me I cannot use the others to sell to anyone but those your Clan decides are good. I thought you were buying ships, not slaves." His voice rose as he spoke, a small amount of spittle ejecting from his mouth with the last word.

@Rimrald @Critas

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian did not like the direction this entire situation was going. Maniclus was acting very defensive for no apparent reason and that gave Dio the willies. A hard-working man he might be but at this point he seemed more a prim donna than a blue-collar manager. Of course, he was just trying to make a buck and the Sith’s credits spent just as well as the Mandalorian credits did. The negotiation was starting to go in the wrong direction and Dio needed to get it back on track.

“You are quite right, and I apologize, we are buying ships and not slaves. Who you sell to is your business and none of ours.” Looking to Wyatt he flashed him a warning look when Maniclus was not looking and then continued “My clan brother can be a bit nationalistic in his mannerisms and talk. He meant nothing by it.” Dio spoke quietly yet firmly, trying to diffuse the situation with his voice and manner. He could see that the gentleman was angered by the thought of someone telling him how to run his business.

Straightening his back and squaring his shoulders, Dio took a moment to take a deep breath and allow the almost altercation to hopefully fade out. After giving the other two men in the room a moment to cool he returned to the deal and issue at hand.

“I agree with your assessment of Mandalmotors, their work is subpar and as a result we have come to the best. As you stated, it is well known that your ships are more art than work and we intend to pay their full worth sir.” He illustrated the last point by pointing to the tablet, trying to get him to focus back on the profits and less on the politics.

@Rimrald
@Braden Drake

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Taking a moment at the window to let Dio speak his peace, turning to make eye contact with the headed warning, Wyatt nodded and let him finish before opening his mouth again.
"Yes, war is a business after all and who you supply is not our business, the imperials in the east and west are the ones fighting."
Wyatt said, trying to reign the disdain in the tone of his words to a normal level as the man admitted to supplying the enemy of the mandalorian people with ships of war. Technically war was not declared on the mandalorian system by either sith empire and this was simply an effort to protect the system better from outside forces be they sith or otherwise.
"Your ships are indeed art as I said earlier Mr. Maniclus and I was not sure if you were more comfortable creating or producing but I know exactly where you stand now."

Wyatt gritted his teeth as the man turned his back to the window speaking of the hands of the people of Contruum, unaware that they would be hands under mandalorian rule before he knew it. Balling a fist and cracking his neck Wyatt continued.
"You're very right, what the people who labor for you create is you and your peoples to do with. I never said you would be restricted to simply produce starships we don't give a flying fark if you create luxury yatchs or orbital weapons in the large yards in atmosphere... We're here to negotiate the use of your yards for the production of fighters for our fleet and the defense of our systems, Mr. Maniclus."
Wyatt finished practically sneering at the incompetence or inability to hear of this executive who should've stayed on the ground welding by the sound of his air filled heads words. He made mental note this would be the first person he'd recommend having assets seized for supporting the enemy and make sure he put in a word for the MandalMotors board to convene and replace him.

@Critas @Braden Drake ​

 

[The Storyteller]

Maniclus sensed, heard and saw the disgust in Wyatt's eyes. The boy was not a diplomat, only a soldier who got the short straw it seemed. The other one had a little more sense about him, as much as these two held weapons, Maniclus held the cards. If they wanted his help, they needed to ask nicely. Half-veiled threats didn't work on the many who had seen seventy winters, his life was coming to an end naturally anyway. "Diocletian." He turned to face the Mandalorian, shunning the boy. "At least one of you has a little sense." He paused for a moment before turning to face Wyatt. "You can leave now. I have no need for rudeness in my presence."

Turning towards the door he raised his voice to be heard by the droid outside. "Droid, escort My Wyatt here outside and bring some drinks in for myself and Diocletian." He said before turning back to his favoured Solus, a thick smile on his lips.

@Critas @Rimrald

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian looked at Wyatt, a slight frown on his face. He understood fully where his vod was coming from. He did not understand why Wyatt seemed determined to anger the man they had come to make a business deal with. To be honest he was a little put out by the fact that his clan brother had thrown gasoline on the fire that he had worked so hard to attempt to put out. Threats are not the currency which long term deals are build upon.

"Diocletian." He turned to face the Mandalorian, shunning the boy. "At least one of you has a little sense." He paused for a moment before turning to face Wyatt. "You can leave now. I have no need for rudeness in my presence."

Dio deflated a little as Wyatt was asked to leave the negotiations. I suppose it was the best he could hope for but that left Dio in the room alone to handle the talks. Dio really was not a fan of social situations but on second thought, with just the two of them it wouldn’t be as social after all.

Turning towards the door he raised his voice to be heard by the droid outside. "Droid, escort My Wyatt here outside and bring some drinks in for myself and Diocletian." He said before turning back to his favoured Solus, a thick smile on his lips.

When their host turned towards the door, Dio raised both his hands in a gesture of surrender towards Wyatt and shook his head. It would do them no good to fight with this man, better to just do as he asked and hope they might be able to salvage something. They needed every deal they could get as shipyards were bombed all the time, his own clan had proven that.

Quickly while Maniclus still had his head turned, Dio tapped a finger to his ear and pointed to Wyatt’s helmet to signal him to listen to the conversation over the comm. Sliding a hand down into his helmet, he activated the comm signal to allow Wyatt to listen from the other room or where ever he ended up.

@Braden Drake
@Rimrald

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

"-Droid, escort Mr. Wyatt here outside and bring some drinks in for myself and Diocletian."

So that was how it was going to be? Couldn't take being accused of aiding the enemy and being a war profiteer who was too greedy to play for one side, typical. But what made Wyatt laugh as he walked out, interrupting his statement to the droid was the fact he was so insulted by his someone speaking the truth that he could not bare his presence. But as the criminal executive officer turned to call for the droid and he began laughing he was still facing Dio who motioned for Wyatt to activate the helmet communicator so he could still listen in, and with a nod Wyatt made for the door as it opened with the droid.

Sliding his bucket on he kept on a straight path so that the droid had to move out of his way, and as they crossed paths it began to speak in the all to familiar binary tone.

"-Sir if you would, excuse me Sir... Mr-"

The words were cut off as the door closed behind the duo and they were now out of the room and ear shot, with the lobby area before the turbolift in front of him Wyatt simply leaned on the wall and stared at the droid as it began moving to fetch drinks and a platter. If it spoke again he would inform it he was not leaving without his business associate and would continue to listen to the conversation through his communicator.

@Critas @Braden Drake ​

 

[The Storyteller]

"Now, with that taken care of, we can actually discuss business." Maniclus said to the younger man. "You see, business must be carried out politely between equals. Otherwise there is no trust and without trust you cannot expect to have good dealings." He continued as the droid returned to the room. He carried a bronze metal platter, with two large crystal glasses and three bottles. As the droid reached the pair Maniclus turned to the young man. "Whiskey, Gin or Brandy?" He asked offering the man his glass before taking his own and filling it with his preferred brand of Brandy.

He took a long swig from the glass whilst the Mandalorian arranged his own drink. "I will accept your offer on two conditions. One, I become the sole supplier of your fighter craft, for all future operations. We can arrange contracts for larger ships sperate. And two, he needs to apologize to me for being rude." He said the last bit with a sick smile, gesturing out to Wyatt who was waiting in the lobby.

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian nodded to the statement by Maniclus about equals and trust. “I could not agree more sir.” Dio watched the droid with the drink tray as it circled the room towards them with a definite thirsty look on his face, he could use a drink after all of this. It had been a while since he had drunk any good whiskey and from the look of the bottle, this might actually do the trick.

In response to Maniclus he replied, “Whiskey please and thank you.” He took the offered glass and then the bottle, pouring himself two fingers of the auburn liquid. He swirled the whiskey around for a moment in the glass, watching the liquid do its dance and then smelled the contents, a look of joy crossing his face. This was indeed good whiskey, the man to spite whatever his other faults might be, had good taste in liquor.

“My compliments to your bar,” said Dio, raising his glass and then taking a slow sip of the liquid. It was fiery to the taste and he allowed it to sit in his mouth for an extra moment, savoring the liquid before swallowing it down with a satisfied smile. His mood would remain in tact to spite the naming of conditions.

“I see no problems with either of those conditions,” replied Dio. He paused long enough to repeat the earlier drinking process and then added, “I think we can do good things together sir.”

Hearing footsteps approaching from outside the room he turned to look, expecting Wyatt to enter the room. He hoped his clan mate understood the consequences at stake and would swallow his own pride for the good of the mission. He knew he would, he had faith in Wyatt.

@Rimrald
@Braden Drake

 

[Wyatt Kebiin-Solus]

Wyatt listened from the lobby through his helmet at the pompous business owner flaunt his proposal which Dio thankfully agreed to, and hearing the part of the man seeking an apology made Wyatt laugh in the lobby. This was the second time the buffoon had been funnier than he expected when getting assigned this task, and with a moment to swallow the very harsh words in the back of his throat Wyatt opened the doors and entered the room to Dio and Maniclus drinking, the droid near the door and a very annoying task at hand.

Looking to Maniclus and the tray first noticing only two glasses he frowned beneath his helmet, Wyatt was a fan of a good dry gin but perhaps another time. Now was time for the final bit of this negotation as Wyatt cleared his throat he turned his helmeted head to the executive.

"Bik gar ekur bat tin gar purir... May fortune smile on us all, please excuse my intensity earlier, with the circumstances."

Wyatt said with a pause between the two statements, a broad smile under his helmet as he turned to Dio who was finishing his last swill of whisky. Motioning for the door before turning and heading out with his companion at his flank and the droid leading, pushing open the door and seeing them to the turbolift. Looking to his partner once they were inside the lift, Wyatt let out a heavy sigh as he fantasized about getting off this rock and never thinking about it again.

//END THREAD. @Braden Drake @Critas