Thinking Outside of the Box

[Raif]

Royston Spektor tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the luxury space yacht he was traveling on to drop from hyperspace. He wasn't usually one to grow impatient from space travel, but there were a few mitigating factors.

First of all, his destination was in the middle of nowhere, clear on the other side of the galactic disk from his typical haunts in Imperial Space. That meant, of course, a painfully long travel time.

Secondly, all of this time in hyperspace - and thus cut off from the rest of the galaxy - was stressful for a man in his position. Things were heating up again, and Roy didn't like being out of the loop.

It was worth it, though, for the mission he was currently on. If all went according to plan, not only would it benefit the Imperium but it would also add a few more zeroes to Royston's bank accounts; that's what is called a win-win situation for a man in Roy's line of work.

The spymaster looked around, appreciating that at least he wasn't alone. Not that his company , if it could be called that, was made up of stirring conversationalists. Roy was undercover for this assignment as...himself: a ludicrously wealthy businessman. In keeping with that illusion, and to help later stages of the operation he was embarking upon, it had been agreed that he should be accompanied by "private security." In this case, that meant a small but deadly group of plain-clothed storm troopers.

A sort chime sounded through the lounge of the yacht, signaling their imminent exit from hyperspace. Roy quickly made for the bridge, getting there just as the whirl of light solidified into solid points of light, and a rather ugly looking planet.

Without being prompted - Roy nodded his head in satisfaction at that - the pilot immediately opened a hailing frequency with the Orbital Traffic Control station.

"Verkuyl Control, this is the private yacht Dividends requesting landing clearance. Additionally, please advise a hailing channel where we may contact BactaCo HQ directly."

Roy clapped the pilot on the shoulder to show he was satisfied, then headed back for the lounge to make sure the men were ready.

It was time for Royston Spektor to show off what he could do. He may not be the strongest or scariest Sith out there, but that didn't matter in a boardroom. In that environment, Roy was the top of the food chain. And he was particularly hungry today.

 

[Silverface]

The security detail were running last minute checks over their personal weapons. Holdout blaster pistols, discreet carbines, smoke grenades and other tools of their trade. There were ten of them, a squad of hard faced, elite Storm Commandos wearing suits. For all intents and purposes, they looked like any other private security team that protected the businessmen and politicians of the galaxy, although hand picked Storm Commandos were a luxury few VIP's could get.

The secrecy and the suddenness of the briefing was unusual, but they were used to the tempo of operations they undertook, although plain-clothes work wasn't their usual forté. But it was their duty and like all Stormtroopers, they were zealous in that task. The Sergeant gave his squad one last look over, making sure concealed weapons were hidden properly, that the subtle armourweave underlays were disguised beneath the hand-tailored, high-collared suits. The entire disguise worn by each team member was designed to emulate that of Anaxes's upper class, suits that they would likely never be able to afford.

There was some light discussion between the men that stopped the moment their VIP came back to them. Ten pairs of eyes were locked on Roy the moment he came back into the cabin.

"Sir, the team is ready for inspection" the squad's sergeant said, the team standing on either side of the compartment, five men on the left, four on the right. They didn't snap to attention like line Stormtroopers, instead keeping their posture to the guarded, confident style used by personal protection details that didn't have the training the Storm Commandos really had. It was a carefully crafted 'grey' stance that was subtly aimed to just appear to be normal security and not the zealous, single minded applied brutality of the Storm Commandos.

"As a reminder sir, if shots are fired you'll have to follow my troopers instructions until you're clear of the firefight. You're our VIP, sir" the sergeant added with an edge of hesitation in his voice. He knew enough about Roy from the briefing to know that asking this was thin ice, but the brief had been succinct and detailed. The entire protection detail's lives were secondary to the survival of the VIP and if that meant crossing a Sith's pride, if Roy had any like those of more belligerent Sith the Storm Commando had encountered before, whom were often insulted by the very notion of a protection detail.

 

[Raif]

Roy looked over his "troops" as they presented themselves for an impromptu inspection. He nodded his head in satisfaction, pleased with what he saw. And he wasn't just giving them a cursory glance, either; despite what these men - and countless others - believed, Royston Spektor was no stuffed suit; the Jon Viggo side of him analyzed everything he could glean from these undercover commandos, making sure they were up to snuff.

Which, of course, they were. These were Stormtrooper Commandos after all, not some rag-tag civilian resistance.

"Everything looks very good, Sergeant...or should I say...Murph? Yeah, I think that will do better than me calling you by rank once we're on the ground. Hope you like it."

Royston grinned, then found his expression growing into a mirthful smile as the Sergeant - Murph, from this point on - advised him of the protocol should things not go as planned. Roy clapped the man on the shoulder and nodded in agreement, the smile still on his face.

"The likelihood of violence is pretty small, Murph, but if something does go wrong, you have my assurances - I won't make your job any harder than it already is. That being said, don't let the suit fool you...I can be, uh, pretty helpful in a firefight, I do believe.

"Let's hope we don't have to test that theory, though, shall we?"

Royston took his hand from the man's shoulder, double checking one last time that everything was ready to. All they were waiting on now was a response from the folks at BactaCo, whom Royston was prepared to make an offer they wouldn't refuse...if they were smart.

 

[TweedPawn]

BactaCo was disarming in many ways. Visiting parties would be thoroughly, and lazily, inspected by underpaid security guards. After Roy and his company were approved for entry, they would be ushered into an airy lobby. There was something pleasantly tacky about the affair. The walls were paneled with polished wooden planks. It was open and airy, with many hard architectural lines made by stairways, elevators, and balconies.

There was also a garishly warm color scheme. Oranges, yellows, and browns could be counted as common here. The furniture was overly plush and given an obnoxious pattern. To lift the moods of the employees, the most bland and wordless music was played over the intercoms. To say that this place was dated would be an understatement. It wasn't clear if management had bad taste, or were suckers of nostalgia.

Of course, all this was a distraction from the massive factory that was now producing the equivalent of instant gold. The factory was thankfully spared of the poor tastes of its owner.

A secretary would be the next one to greet Roy and his companions. He was the prissy type. He did not seem to have much of a talent in critical thinking, but he was quite organized and efficient. Very worthwhile traits to have.

"Oh, I see. Miss Vejovis will see you in a moment. She had an emergency appointment." the secretary said.

There would be a moment of awkward silence as the bland music continued to play in the background.

Another young man suddenly stepped from behind closed door. He looked pale and troubled. He stood and then started sobbing as he rushed to an exit.

" Miss Vejovis will see you now." the secretary said without missing a beat as he made a tally-mark somewhere.

Miss Vejovis would be seen, sitting on her desk. Her face was iron-clad. Her expression more sharp than the suit she was wearing.

"Welcome gentlemen. I have been looking forward to your arrival most of all today." She said with a cold smile.

 

[Raif]

Roy was wearing a well-tailored but not over-the-top navy blue suit, and both the hair on his head and his face grown out and darkened: the former was tied loosely at the nape of his neck, while the latter was trimmed close to the jawline in a well-manicured beard. All in all, the Spymaster looked exactly like what he wanted to look like: a high-priced, powerful corporate attorney who handled these sorts of mergers and acquisitions on a daily basis. He didn't overdo it, though; the suit wasn't obscenely expensive, and he left the gaudy jewelry and other accessories at home for this.

He wasn't here to impress anyone. He was here for business. And that was the impression he gave off: pure business.

As they waited in the lobby, Royston trusted that "Murph" would make sure the rest of the security team were scarce; they didn't need to walk into this woman's office like an invading military force, after all. Roy made sure he was the picture of polite patience, not even raising an eyebrow at the tacky decor. He held a modest leather-and-hold briefcase in one hand, his other idly stroking his facial hair.

Finally, it was time to get the show on the road.

Roy walked briskly into the office, trusting Murph to follow behind like a well-trained Kath Hound - not to say that the Spymaster viewed him in such a lowly stature, it was just that for this little song-and-dance they were beginning, the stormtrooper needed to know what part to play. And right now, he would be guest starring as "The Guy Who Stays Out of the Way."

Extending his hand toward the woman whose office they were entering, Roy made sure to greet her iciness with an abundance of warmth.

"Miss Vejovis, thank you so much for meeting with us today on such relatively short notice. As you've no doubt already been made aware, my name is Cuthbert Rayth with MantiCorp. This handsome devil here with me is Murph, my assistant and personal guard."

Roy was all easy smiles and friendly gestures. He even - subtly, so as not to be alarming or overpowering - made the conscious effort to exude calming, friendly feelings out through the Force as best he could. This was a skill he's originally learned naturally, as a gutter-rat on Coruscant, charming his way into the hearts and wallets of the megalopolis' wealthy elite.

Hopefully today it would gain him something exponentially more valuable and worthwhile.

"Let me just say, ma'am, that from what little I've seen so far of your facilities here, I am impressed. You all seem to run a very tight operation."

Roy didn't jump right into anything, as he didn't want to put the CEO any more on the defensive. After all, it was no secret why Roy was here. Well, the true nature of his visit was a secret, of course, but the fact that he was trying to purchase BactaCo was something by which the woman he was speaking with was well aware. If the fellow who had been in this office just before had been visiting with the same intention, well, Roy was in for a rough ride.

Of course, nothing was impossible. Not for Royston Spektor. Plus, they'd already gotten in the door, and that was often times the hardest part of these types of things.

 

[TweedPawn]

Her smile remained as firm as her handshake. It often shocked people that she could grasp a hand so firmly and confidently. She rarely found the time to muse over it. What else would they expect? The thought that her gender was the source of their confusion would anger Vejovis, if she would allow it to. She was too busy with other matters.

"Exceptionally tight. It is survival. Out of the companies that once thrived before the war, I am one of the very few that remain. Not everyone have been as enchanted my buyouts as you, Rayth. But those are the ones who do not understand the merits of capitalism." Vejovis seemed to glide to a cabinet and set out some glasses. She then brought out water and a fine looking bottle of scotch. She poured Rayth his glass, and then served herself before offering the rest to her guest's company.

"With every company, there was fat. Fat, when marbled properly, can enhance the meat. But not everyone understands that. Some either leave on the fat, uncultured enough to shave the excess. Others tear it all out, reducing the meat to a flavorless brick. But you are not here to listen to me boast about layoff strategies. " She knew. She was not foolish.

"So, Mr. Rayth. Impress me. Why should I sell my company?"

 

[Raif]

Royston liked this woman: she was a beast of the board room, the dominant predator for as far as the eye could see. And she knew it.

This would be fun.

With a polite word of thanks, Roy accepted the offered glass of Scotch, sipping it after assuring himself there were no toxins - at least, other than the intoxicating kind. He murmured a few words of appreciation for the spirit then set the glass down as he settled himself in for the battle that was to ensue.

He clasped his hands loosely in front of him, eschewing the oh-so-sterotypical "steepling of the fingers" that had been so overplayed on the holo dramas. He held his face in a look of brief thought as he chewed over the question. He then grinned as he spoke, making sure it was an expression of warmth that she saw on his features, and not one of predation or fake sincerity.

"Well, Ms. Vejovis, I could always go with the easy answer - 'We will pay very handsomely' - but I will spare you such glibness."

Roy leaned forward slightly as he continued speaking, allowing his body language to convey the fact that he was impassioned by what he was saying.

"The better answer, Ms. Vejovis, is that we understand what this company has been - and more importantly, what it can be. I know how difficult a position yours is: on the one hand, this company is yours. You've put countless hours of your life into it, sacrificed to get it to the point it's at now. On the other hand, you want to see it succeed and reach its potential. I think...no, I'm certain that with the way the galaxy is moving right now, right this instant, your company is at a crossroads."

Royston stared at his opponent for a moment, his features earnest and his senses probing gently for anything he could discern that would help him.

"One of the paths presented leads to a place...not that different from where you're at now. It's not bad, certainly - as I've already stated, you and your company have been doing very well for yourself. But the other path leads to a level of prosperity and success...that is unmatched in the history of not only this company, but this entire planet. What we want to do, Ms. Vejovis, is help move BactaCorp down that second path so as to not only benefit the people of the company but the people of the planet as whole. When we get invested in a project, we don't do half-measures; we want not only the business to succeed, but everything around the business. There's no sort of advertising that comes close to the efficacy of happy people, after all."

Royston smiled again, breathing slightly heavily by the end of his speech. As he'd spoken, he'd allowed himself to get caught up in the image he was painting for her, his belief and positivity pulsing outward toward her. She wouldn't just be hearing his words, as a result, she would be feeling his belief in those words, and almost seeing the new level of wealth and prosperity that would focus on the company and trickle outward to the residents of Verkuyl as a whole.

"Plus, you know, we can make you all really, really rich, and I haven't met too many people in this galaxy that don't like the idea of being wealthy."

 

[TweedPawn]

She remained poised. Oh, this was a passionate one all right. He had the charisma. He had charms to him. If he was trying to pick her up at a bar, she would have fallen for him. And he certainly dressed the part, as well. She took time to look over his appearance. He was dressed with some finery, and the proper fit behind it.

But her strategy was already in play. Oh, so many have tried to woo her with promises of riches and success, and she had found those to be lacking. They fell apart like dry, withered plants once she really pressed them. They had no long term goals, no real success stories. If they were shown to have past prosperity, they often lacked vision for the future. They had stale, out dated CEOs and fruitless new hires.

She knew exactly what she wanted. She would get it. Shame on this fool if he thought he could swindle her.

"Adorable." She said, her lips kept their icy smile.

"Prove it."

 

[Raif]

Royston sat back in his seat, nodding his head with a look of understanding on his face.

"Of course, my words are so much wind..."

He waved one hand through the air like a bird fluttering on the breeze as he spoke.

"...you want to see results. That is completely understandable. It just so happens that I can provide you with two companies that we have gotten involved with in the past. Their successes should serve to show that my words have substance. The first company is Rolls Royston Luxury Speeders, and the other is UnderArmourweave. You may already know of these companies, but if not..."

Roy tapped a few keys on his data pad, then handed it over to his opponent to peruse.

"...take a look. Both of those companies were in a position similar to yours before we came along: not doing poorly by any stretch of the imagination, but not doing as well as they could have been. With our assistance, though, both of those entities are now witnessing record-breaking quarterly earnings and access to markets they otherwise would have never been able to reach."

Roy leaned in a bit as he continued speaking, looking the woman intently in the eyes as he did so.

"I know you think I'm just like every other suit that's walked into this office: all flash, no substance, just looking for any way to screw you."

Royston grinned.

"I assure you though, Ms. Vejovis, you have never dealt with someone quite like me before. Through me, and the people I work for, this company can ascend to levels that you've never before dreamed of reaching."

 

[TweedPawn]

Indeed, I've had many suits try to screw me. she mused silently to herself. Her eyes merely sparkled at the joke she would keep to herself. Such crass humor was not needed outloud.

She sipped her scotch. Her eyes went over the information in the datapad. She was silent for quite some time. Her eyes picked over the information. She was looking for something in particular. This man delivered results. Many of these companies were able to keep afloat in a time of war and heavy competition for fewer buyers.

But Bacta was something special. It was now nearly provided by a sole supplier. It was needed by civilian and military. It was used by the poor and rich. It was being heavily watched by anyone hoping to regulate its scarcity. There had been at least one anti-monoply suit since Vejovis took over. She had to fire the ass hole in the legal department who allowed it to escalate to the point where court papers were almost served.

That firing had only been seconds before Rayth walked in. That lawyer was never going to work on this planet again.

Her troubles weren't just if the company could reach full potential, but how to also dodge competitors who were trying to use the law to surpress BatcaCo.

"And what would your future plans be for this company? How would you guarantee growth? You certainly know we are at the top. You know that growth will only get more difficult. We need to expand, and I will be honest, I blame certain individuals with causing my product to be inflated beyond where we can easily market."

she was referring to the hutts. The bastards caused the worst inflation for Bacta that had not been seen even when the war was at its worst. It could make a girl want to take out a hit contract just to kill them off. But that would have been a horrible scandal had word gotten out.

 

[Raif]

Roy took a sip of his own drink as Ms. Vejovis did the same. She asked her questions, and Roy grinned slightly, nodding his head along with her as if he had been anticipating these very questions - which he had been, of course.

The tricky part was in how exactly to go about answering them. The whole point of all of this subterfuge was to hide the Imperium's involvement with this deal, so he couldn't very well answer her questions in a way that insinuated that Mr. Rayth of MantiCorp. was an Imperial toady.

Roy ran one hand smoothly over his facial hair and down to his chin, giving another friendly smile as he did so.

"Ms. Vejovis, I'm not going to insult you by looking you in the eye and lying to you: obviously, I can't guarantee anything. In this business, no one can. And you're smart enough to know that. What I can do, however, is point toward what is the most likely outcome given a variety of factors. I hope you'll forgive me for being slightly vague, but I have to navigate a minefield of Non-Disclosure Agreements and Secrecy Clauses..."

Roy took another sip of the scotch, making a mental note to get the name of the label from her when this was all done. It was quite good, and he was a man who appreciated his spirits. His whistle suitably whetted, he continued.

"What I can say, to address your concerns, is this: my associates and I are uniquely positioned in the market to be able to take your product to markets that were...hostile, previously. MantiCorp. is a very large, multifaceted organization with friends in high and low places all over this galaxy. Not only can we open doors that may have previously been locked to you and your fellows, but we can show you doors you didn't know even existed.

Ultimately, what it boils down to is this: we have a proven track record of success in the midst of what you well know has been a rough economic climate. We have the financial means to motivate those who need motivation, and grease any wheels that need be greased to get where we want to go. And finally, we're motivated. At the end of the day, a big part of this business is about making money. We want to make money, and we want to do it with your company."

Roy paused for a moment, weighing what he was about to say next. He trusted his instincts, though, so he rolled the dice.

"The other part of this business, of course, is helping people. By expanding the market, we can help more people...and more importantly, we can help them more cheaply, since we won't be keeping a stranglehold on the product like the slugs are. We lower the selling price by, let's just say a third. That might sound like a recipe for fewer profits...but when you're moving ten, even twenty times more of the product per month, well, it's basic economics, and it's that oh-so-rare "win-win" situation."

Roy set his glass down, looking the woman straight in the eye, a measured level of confidence in his gaze.

"What else can I do to ease your concerns? Ask me anything you want, I've got nothing to hide."

It was a good thing Vica wasn't here to see this. She would probably have a thing or two to say at the skill and ease with which he lied.

 

[TweedPawn]

She nodded. Her expressions would not betray her thoughts. She had no evidence to paint this man as contrary, she understood too well about company secrets. She was still a bit hesitant. After all, this was offering to share her success with another who may, or may not run it into the ground and then revive it as a new venture without her at the helm. She would have to be certain her lawyers could prevent that.

"Very well, I am interested in your official offer then." she said. She would seriously consider it. This was the part where even a pleasant sounding proposal could turn sour. It was when the real teeth came out. She braced herself for warfare, it would going to come. There was probably a reason this guy carried a legion of men with him.

 

[Raif]

Very well, I am interested in your official offer then.

Royston allowed himself a very small smile of satisfaction at these words, though he wanted to jump up and dance with joy. This woman had proven to be more of a challenge than he had faced in quite some time, and while a small part of him was sad it was almost over, the rest was happy to see the finish line in sight.

Not that he was getting ahead of himself, of course. He knew that this final hurdle was often the most difficult, and so he kept himself from celebrating prematurely.

"I am very happy to hear that, Ms. Vejovis."

He reached into his jacket pocket, retrieving a few folded pages of flimsi covered in line after line of legal jargon. Of course there would be a monetary offer first and foremost - a number which was quite respectable, right around 20% over the company's current share value.

What would inevitably attract Ms. Vejovis' attention, though, was a clause regarding the status of the current management. The offer that Royston was presenting outlined that Ms. Vejovis and the other company officers would have to relinquish their positions. They would be granted an extraordinarily generous severance package, of course, and the option to remain on the board of directors in an advisory capacity.

But they would no longer have any direct control over the running of BactaCorp.

If Royston had brought a helmet with him, he would have strapped it on at that moment. Things could very well get a little heated when the woman processed exactly what those words meant, and he wondered idly for a second if Grif would be needed to pull her back when she launched herself across the desk.

Or maybe she's realize that it was, in fact, a completely understandable and more-than-generous offer. These sorts of things could go either way.

 

[TweedPawn]

She read over it. Her body shifted. What was he asking for? Was he honestly serious? She wasn't sure to laugh at him or throw him out of the board room. Her entire form looked as if it would suddenly split open and reveal a Krayt Dragon. Her eyes were suddenly like torches that could melt Royston if the woman was Force Sensitive. If there was ever proof that a mundane human could be a terrifying as the Empress herself, this was it.

"I believe you made an error here." She pointed at the part where she was expected to relinquish ownership of the company.

 

[Raif]

"No error, I'm afraid."

Royston looked at her steadily, his features calm. Not in the same way as hers, though. It was obvious that her calmness was a barely-secured hatchway, just managing to hold back the fire of her fury. In contrast, he had subtly shifted from magnanimous charmer to coolly confident negotiator.

"I understand your desire to maintain control here. As has already been mentioned, you've sacrificed for this company. But you can't honestly expect us to invest this sort of capital into a project and not want to have control of said project. We're not kicking you to the curb or stealing your life's work or anything like that, so please don't think that."

Roy looked at her for a moment, again deciding on a whim to go with his gut instincts and change course slightly.

"That being said, perhaps those terms were a bit...severe to begin with. I apologize for coming across as heavy-handed, and would love to discuss an alternative proposal if you have one in mind."

This one would break before she bent if he applied too much pressure too quickly. This was going to have to be done with subtlety.

 

[TweedPawn]

She seemed to calm down. Her eyes narrowed. Her mind settled. If he wanted to deal hard, she would as well. She seemed to readjust herself silently.

"And why wouldn't you want me to have some form of direct control? Afraid of my own potential? I have proven my skill set. Keep me on the board as an official. Or else prepare to have the terms negotiated to 45% of current share value, along with a severance package, and the consolatory position as an advisor." She said coldly. She took another sip of her drink. She was high balling. It was part of the game. No way she was going to sell herself for only 20%.

There was something in her thoughts. It was curious to know why the other members of this negotiating team were so silent and still. She needed to not be tense. These weren't sith she was dealing with. They were businessmen.

 

[Raif]

Royston made a face as if he'd bitten into something unpleasant-tasting, though in reality he wanted to crack his trademark smile. He ran a hand over his mouth and down through the hair of his beard before he responded, acting as if he was buying for time as he came up with a response.

"It's not fear, Ms. Vejovis, as you well know. If anything, it's respect..."

Roy looked at her, hesitancy in his eyes, before he continued.

"How about 32.5%, and a 50% increase on the severance?"

Roy looked expectant, as if he was eager to hear Ms. Vejovis' response to his amended offer. While that was partly true - he really was enjoying this back-and-forth, after all - in actuality he knew he'd already won. It was just a matter of getting to the finish line at this point.

 

[TweedPawn]

"Respect?" She raised an eyebrow. What kind of respect saw her out of the decision making? What respect saw her forever removed from this company? She was angry. She would find a way to keep making money. She knew this company would grow, and to she expected to make bank off of it.

"40%" She said. Coldly.

She sometimes wondered if she should have gone into politics.

 

[Raif]

Royston stared at the woman for a long moment, weighing the options available to him. His pride had been stoked, and that part of him wanted to beat this woman into submission.

But he held those impulses under control. He was here for a reason that far outstripped his own selfish ego.

He nodded his head once in finality, his mouth a horizontal slash across his face; not a smile, but not a frown either.

"40% it is."

Roy stood, bowing his head slightly to Ms. Vejovis as he did.

"I would offer you my hand, Ms. Vejovis, but I think you may rip it off and beat me with it. So instead I will offer you simply this: you are a woman of immense skill and ability, and I have enjoyed by time here with you today immensely."

Royston tapped rapidly on his data pad as he spoke, making the necessary changes to the contract. Once the changes had been made, he softly - and with as much respect as could be mustered in this situation - slid the pad across the desk for Ms. Vejovis to look over and eventually sign.

 

[TweedPawn]

She read over everything. 40% with a severance package and the position to offer advice. She thought for a moment. This was capitalism, wasn't it? The room was silent. Yes, it was. She removed her own emotions from the decision, as she had always done in the past. She did not allow Royston's compliments to soothe her.

She managed to do what was best in her own interest. This would provide her with the platform she needed to launch another investment. After what seemed like eternity, she signed.

"I have also enjoyed my time with you. Perhaps in the future we may meet under more casual circumstances. Best of luck to you."