Strike to Break

[Louis Daele]

Louis Daele had enjoyed a vacation away from the the company, having some nice thrills bounty hunting as well, capturing Uly Noll for the Intergalactic Banking Clan .etc Now his vacation is over and he's ready to get back into the technology sector once more.

Having taken a nice Nubian shuttle to a shipping company bulding, he and the BIT Chief Engineer are tasked to resolve a strike with the workers who are supposed to be delivering materials for the Telgorn Corporation. BIT is seeking to expand it's interests even with the rest of the galaxy is getting shitter and shitter. He can dig that.

Looking professional wearing a nice black suit, it's a change from wearing armor like he normally does. He would have a DH-7 Blaster Pistol set to stun inside his jacket pocket, just in case. It would look better for BIT if this dispute was resolved diplomatically and professionally instead of by force, but that will be a last resort if anything.

On top of the building there is a clear landing pad that the ship was flying towards. Elsewhere on top of the building are a crowd of strikers, holding signs, being rowdy, their union leader would be at the front leading them.

Looking towards the Chief Engineer "We ready Ms. Stark?" This is his first time being with and meeting the BIT higher-up, who he knows about.

The shuttle is close to touching down and Louis is reading himself to head out, then the show begins after that. This should be interesting.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She had to admit, this was a new experience for her.

Skuld Stark was a fighter at heart, and preferred violence to diplomatic talk. But this chance meant meeting some of those that worked with her husband, people in the heart of Blackwell beyond her own team that would only build a stronger rapport later on. He seemed a decent young man with a good head on his shoulders.

The fact that he wasn't stepping in unarmed spoke all the more for her. She herself was dressed simply in civilian clothes, a pilot's flight suit and belt, her own blaster strapped to one thigh, and one vibroblade stashed up a sleeve and a synthleather jacket. She would have brought her axes, but even that was called overkill. Nei, better to just look like one of the local rabble than stick out too much... but her height and mass nixed that straight away. To say they would attract stares was an understatement.

Nor was wearing the Vikingr armor. A shame, it was a beautiful set. But first to break a strike.. and get to the heart of the true issue. To gun them down, or to talk them down.

Now. He spoke, and she tilted her head towards him, giving the younger man a half-smile.

"Ja. Let's crack some heads."

She checked over her pistol one last time, patted the placement of her knife, and nodded absently to herself. If there was need for a fight, she'd bring it. But for once, she wanted to just talk them down and get out of here. As they drew closer, she eyed the crowd from one of the viewports, humming to herself.

"Showtime. Let's give them a breakup party worth remembering." The grin turned slightly wicked, and she turned away from Louis, unbuckling from the seat harness and giving her uniform one last perfunctory tug. This was only business, after all.
​

@Louis Daele

 

[Louis Daele]

He smiled and nodded in approval of Skuld's words. It's showtime indeed. She looks like she is prepared with her armor. Hopefully this goes without a hitch because he doesn't want this reflecting on the company.

With the shuttle landed and the pilot opening the exit ramp, the BIT envoys can depart. The strikers on the ground, although still on strike, they would quiet down a tad as a third party has made it's way on the scene. The union leader would step forward and make his way over to the BIT party, meeting with them.

"We are employees who are on strike who are sick and tired of the kark that goes around here, we demand better treatment" he declared and shouted and then the disgruntled employees started getting loud again in fury. "Who are you supposed to be?" he rudely asked

Louis can already tell this might be a hassle, but if there is a will, there is a way. "We are with Blackwell Independent Technologies. I'm Louis Daele, this is our Chief Engineer Skuld Stark, he'd gesture to her. We understand that you have workplace grievances and we are here to help. Tell us, what exactly is wrong? Perhaps we can have a rational discussion and see what can change and come up with a solution." he offered toward the man. The man's rude scowl dropped and so did the strikers loudness again, they stand open to discussion. Things are going good (rousing success) right now with negotiations off to a good start.

Louis is lucky, he could have just been blown off and or inadvertently set them off if he said the wrong thing. These kind of things are a mindfield to tread carefully. But they are doing good so far. Louis would look around the area, taking a wide few, seeing scores of strikers, taking in more of the environment as well.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She had a feeling most of the people here expected a fight to go down right there on the landing pad. And honestly, she'd expected having to bring one. Such strikes were common to ramp up to violence; such was the danger of mob mentality. She had to think of something fast. But seeing her companion's good work to cut straight through to the heart of the matter and begin calming the mob.

She nodded briefly in introduction to her name being spoken, but there was a small twitch to her lips. "Actually, it's Eva Stark now... but ja. Pleasure to meet."

She was certain it really wasn't. but they were here to break things up, not have a discussion of names.

It seemed the area was a bit of an industrial one; beyond here there were a few buildings, a factory or two, but it was not necessarily an urban area outfitted with much. They had to strike hard and fast, and get this situation under control quickly. She met eyes with one human female, who looked away.

"You, miss."

Her voice was gentle, but her gaze piercing as the crowd shuffled to look. "Tell us why you're here, so that we may help you, so that we can find a good solution." After all, it was far easier for the crowd to be individualized than addressed as a whole; their needs and demands far more streamlined if certain members were brought to the fore. And indeed, tension and restrained fury seemed to melt into surprise as their supposed enforcers seemed willing to listen and negotiate(rousing success).

The woman colored, arms crossing tightly beneath her bust over a dingy work uniform; what would have been beautiful dark hair hung limply over her shoulders, but her eyes met the Deucalian's head on. "We 'aven't been paid our right wages," she muttered at first, and a few scattered mutters confirmed. "My kids are hungry. We've not got enough rations, and our water is being rationed out as well. It's filthy living conditions, too."

She scowled, then exhaled. "We've no rights 'ere; without no Empire, nobody's gonna regulate them," she jerked her chin towards the building, "so who's gonna protect us from abuse?" More muttered agreements, but more people shuffled, watching the two.

Waiting to see what they would say in the face of corporate abuse. Eva shifted briefly, eyes meeting the woman's before meeting others, pose kept deliberately nonhostile.

You just never knew with crowds... but perhaps, by beginning to ask the right questions and cutting to the heart of the matter would help resolve this issue without violence. Which would be a total first for her... and perhaps just a good beginning into her first real steps in the corporate world.

Eva nodded once, finger and thumb pinching her chin slightly in thought. "So you need policing against abuse, and wage regulation. Proper care and proper handing of resources to all staff and employees... what about signing a contract of agreed regulations, and joint compliancy?" she suggested, watching their leader, a slightly shorter Mirialan male, shift.

"That depends," he responded, arms crossing with a scowl. "Who will police our management to stop neglecting employees?"

@Faster Than Light

 

[Louis Daele]

It's Eva Stark? Ooops. That's embarrassing. Well, not that embarrassing but still.

Back to the task at hand. Eva singled out one person and got them to list their complaints. He'd nod his head as he listened and paid attention. With the feedback given they are making steps towards finding out a solution so they are on the right track. As for the woman's story, that reminds him of his own background as a poor kid with a poor family on Nar Shaddaa, the nights of going hungry, the criminals being criminals and the former Imperial Hutta doing being able to do nothing about it. Not quite the same, but he sympathizes nonetheless. If this mission succeeds, then this will be a nice public relations boost for Blackwell.

The negotiations are still on going the man asked a good question. Who will police management with no body to regulate them. Not an easy answer, but something came to him. "We will." he said, then he would pause. "If these deplorable continue, then we will apply pressure on them and expose to the holonet the powers that be thatcontinue exploiting you. " If that happens, then that would affect the reputation of those very people, souring it, making people not want to do business with wealthy and more reputable companies and bigger markets. It affects their pockets directly and stains their reputation even if they leave.

This is the stuff the people want to hear and the strikers continue to be placated. This is going rather well as they crowd riles in excitement. Once they quieten down, there is still more to be discussed.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She caught his expression, and minutely shook her head. Not many knew of the name change; indeed, most of her own shift managers still called her Ms. Stark, a title which highly amused the former raider immensely. She had never been a "Miss" anything, but it seemed some traditions went through the corporate world and stayed.

"If ve draft up a contract, stating your complaints and willing to comply with Blackwell for this enterprise, vill you work with us to end this strike, and end this abuse? And if necessary, record your living and working conditions if there is a need to bring up a case of corporate abuse?"

Silence reigned. Shock seemed to pin their leader, and several of the multitude, in place. It seemed their enforcers were not only willing to listen... but to bring to their bosses the very message they were trying to convey for perhaps weeks, months. But it almost seemed too good to be true.

There had to be a caveat.

"And if the abuse worsens because of your intervention?" The man queried, eyebrows raised.

"Ve will have to make the information public, then," she answered simply, shrugging. "if it is truly this terrible on so many levels. It is a corporation's business to take care of its' people; clients and workers alike," she stated simply, hands on her hips. "Vould you be willing for this contract, and agree to disperse peacefully, if we bring this to your offices?"

The man paused; it seemed, however, the murmurs and lightening atmosphere meant that the majority seemed to agree. Already some members began nodding, while others watched on. The man huffed a breath.

"Let's talk some more; after this deal, we would like your corporation's help to allow us specific rights as workers. These folk are like family to me, I want to make sure they're protected and well-covered, and not just given empty promises." Eva nodded, then glanced to her companion. "But otherwise... it sounds fair so far," he reluctantly agreed, arms uncrossing. She quirked her lips in a brighter smile, glancing at Louis. His time to shine now.

"Any suggestions, before we move forward?"

@Faster Than Light

Dice Roll

 

[Louis Daele]

Louis was glancing about while Eva and the chief engineer were having talks. The BIT is normally cautious he just wanted to make sure that this peaceful demonstration stayed peaceful as a deal is being worked out to disperse the strike, as it was still possible that someone could ruin this for everyone. Unfortunately when Louis was asked any suggestions by Eva, it was clear Louis was paying attention to other things, being on alert for possible threats instead of the strikers problems. When the BIT slicer looked at Eva and then the man, he was stroke his chin as he thinks of something.

"Lets see here... " he would be thinking, trying to find something. "Maybe we could establish an integrity hotline, straight to us?". It would been clear Louis wasn't paying full attention to the conversation and the answer was pretty half-assed as well. This didn't really do anything to advance the talks, but at least didn't set them back much. They were still able to make this deal happen.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

.

Some of the people began to leave, muttering amongst themselves. It seemed like things were beginning to settle.. and then Skuld drew a blank.

This was not her strongest suit.

And it was clear by the contract she drew up; the man seemed to be angry at some of her caveats, and the crowd began to mutter in unrest.

"Do you think we're a joke?" he finally hissed, striking a finger through one underlined clause. She sighed in frustration, earning more glares. The tension in the air made her itch for her axes, or a blaster at least, but things seemed even more fragile. At least they got to negotiations... but she had to fix this fast.

"Nei. But, ve need to find a way to get vhat you want. And some of these things... they may be beyond our power, but ve will work with you."

She just had no idea how, and it was beginning to show for both sides.

She glanced at her partner. If he really wanted to impress the upper brass, now would have been a good time to do it. Otherwise, she wasn't certain. And if the tension were any indication, those that left seemed to come back tenfold.

Kark.

Why did diplomacy seem so impossible? The muttering grew to a few angry voices; if negotiations went much further, Skuld would have had to do the distasteful alternative. To break the strike with violence. And it would not reflect well on Blackwell.

@Faster Than Light

 

[Louis Daele]

Well, this isn't going anywhere fast. Louis might not have helped with his suggestion, but things are going to sour now. And the BIT slicer can't think of any words to turn this around. And then from someone in the crowd, he had water thrown on him. On his nice suit... Not happy and thinking quick on his feet, seeing the crowd get increasingly angry and rowdy as well, he would do it, he would pull his blaster pistol from his jacket pocket and point it towards the union leader.

Immediately the union leader would put his hands up in the air and the rest of the crowd would silence as well, maybe exclaims of panic, but now the crowd is under control.

"Have you ever thought that maybe you all do is just want, want, want and want?" he asked the crowd, clearly agitated himself. "Nothing is good enough for you?" he posed his question.

"Now sign the contract" he demanded held the union leader at gunpoint. "Our terms are generous and you are not entitled anything more." The union leader, scared would now sign the contract. Louis would nod along as he did so. Now the deal has been reached and as far as this matter is concerned it's taken care of, but just some last words of reassurance. "And if the contract is not honored on your end and if anyone speaks to the media about this, we will be back" he threatened again. "Now, back to work" he would dismiss the strikers, now reluctantly leaving.

With that, he would place his holster back in his jacket pocket. "Sorry about that Mrs. Stark." he said, cooling off. If Louis is to be reprimanded for not sticking with the plan, not acting professional with his antics, he's fine with it. But the job is done, and the brief didn't require that BIT had to come out looking like angels like they'd hope, as force was an option.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Honestly, she considered shooting them all down herself.

She was even beginning to bring her non-dominant hand down to her weapon, when the young blood beat her to it, threatening the strike leader and making a good number of them back off. She quickly signed the document herself, and tucked away the datapad, saying nothing until they reached their ship once more.

Then she patted her hand on his shoulder... and the biggest grin ever was perched on her lips.

"Not bad, Mr. Daele," she chuckled, one brow arching. Perhaps she was getting old, and her reflexes a bit rusty. But at least her partner had good business sense. "I have the feeling you'll go far with Blackwell; if they'd have dallied any longer, I'd have just shot the lot myself. I'll put in a good word... and get you a decent dry cleaner."

She padded over to the controls and buckling in, quickly tapping in a note to Tagal with two simple words.

Mission accomplished.

/End Thread