Vector Hyllus
Vector remained with Frenka when Huttsbane left, and the Agent with him, unable to look away from his friend's bleeding form. The two Jedi were working furiously to ebb the flow, the woman encouraging the young man to keep working. He could feel her heart struggling for each beat, which pained him all the more for his being unable to assist.
The Agent's song reappeared on the edge of his senses and he looked down the the dark tunnel in her direction. Her eyes were the first to appear, but soon enough several shapes made themselves apparent. Evocii bearing large sacks, pulling hastily-built wagons filled with even more hastily saved belongings. The Agent herself had a Evocii toddler on her hip and a large burlap sack over her shoulder, walking easily despite the load, with complete confidence that she and the child were utterly safe.
Her expression was unreadable, even as she met his eyes, then moved them to stare forward at the cave's opening. She was focused on moving the Evocii to Theron's vessel...no, he realized, that wasn't quite right. The Agent was focused on moving Frenka's people to said ship. Where he was overwrought and unable to move, the same pressure that held him propelled her forward. He recognized it as her way of telling Frenka that she held her in esteem.
Corporate Affairs
Re: Corporate Affairs
Neva Xolte and Akaavi Spar
Her craft had been loaded for bear when it left Rishi for the skies of Odessen. Neva hadn't been to this planet before - likely because it wasn't a large spacefaring hub. It seemed alright as far as planets went, not that she had any opinion on the matter. She never intended to settle on a planet. Ever. It went against every fibre of her being to even contemplate having a house on a planet, even if she never planned on being there. The idea of owning a stationary property bothered her.
Still, the relief and joy she felt coming from everyone at the small landing pad put a smile on her face. Clearly having a stationary place to call home meant a lot to her friends - so she could be happy for them. Gina had disappeared from beside her and she spotted her halfway across the hangar embracing...herself. Neva supposed it wasn't that different from having a twin. The two women just needed to have different names it would be a lot easier to navigate...
"I would have a word."
Akaavi's voice rumbled from behind her and up on her left. She sounded...off. Neva turned her head to look up at her Mando girlfriend, squinting at her as though that alone would reveal the thoughts in the other zabrak's head, before turning her whole body toward Akaavi. She really did look upset and Neva was a loss as to why.
"I thought we were in an...exclusive...relationship." The stony-faced zabrak's voice betrayed her, the hurt tumbling from her lips as freely as the words.
Neva stared at her, uncomprehending. What brought this on? As much as she felt like this question came out of nowhere, she also knew that Akaavi would never have spoken out if it wasn't something she was absolutely certain of. Neva almost asked her if she had seen someone she fancied and wanted to play the field, but the pain she felt coming from the other woman pressed her to be plain in her reply. She sensed that now was not a time to be glib.
"I intend to be in an exclusive relationship with you, yes. I have never entertained a thought otherwise." She watched the other woman's jaw unclench as she spoke and she gave her a bit of space before adding, "Why do you ask?"
Akaavi shifted her weight a few times before answering, not meeting Neva's eyes for a full minute before replying. "I...You were very protective of Gina. And kind. I just...I thought you might have been flirting with her. I wanted to be sure that your heart wanted what mine wanted. And...I could not tell." Akaavi looked at Neva, befuddled. "You always treat people as though they are a good friend, even when you do not know them. I do not understand how you can behave this way and have things go well for you."
While Neva had blushed with Akaavi's accusation, she ended up laughing and reaching for the other woman's hands, who offered them gladly. "You are right, I do tend to treat people with an overabundance of trust and friendliness. It works for me. Do you really think if I tried to handle things the way you do that it would work out for tiny ol' me?" Their height difference was accentuated by the mandalorian's rocket boots, putting Neva's head just shy of the middle of Akaavi's chest. She hugged her anyway.
"I'm sorry I made you worry that I would stray, though. I don't know how to change so that..."
"Don't." Akaavi's voice came so suddenly, that Neva moved away enough to look up into her face.
"Don't what?"
"Change. I will learn...to trust. I think you should keep being Neva Xolte, the pilot who is friends with the galaxy."
Her craft had been loaded for bear when it left Rishi for the skies of Odessen. Neva hadn't been to this planet before - likely because it wasn't a large spacefaring hub. It seemed alright as far as planets went, not that she had any opinion on the matter. She never intended to settle on a planet. Ever. It went against every fibre of her being to even contemplate having a house on a planet, even if she never planned on being there. The idea of owning a stationary property bothered her.
Still, the relief and joy she felt coming from everyone at the small landing pad put a smile on her face. Clearly having a stationary place to call home meant a lot to her friends - so she could be happy for them. Gina had disappeared from beside her and she spotted her halfway across the hangar embracing...herself. Neva supposed it wasn't that different from having a twin. The two women just needed to have different names it would be a lot easier to navigate...
"I would have a word."
Akaavi's voice rumbled from behind her and up on her left. She sounded...off. Neva turned her head to look up at her Mando girlfriend, squinting at her as though that alone would reveal the thoughts in the other zabrak's head, before turning her whole body toward Akaavi. She really did look upset and Neva was a loss as to why.
"I thought we were in an...exclusive...relationship." The stony-faced zabrak's voice betrayed her, the hurt tumbling from her lips as freely as the words.
Neva stared at her, uncomprehending. What brought this on? As much as she felt like this question came out of nowhere, she also knew that Akaavi would never have spoken out if it wasn't something she was absolutely certain of. Neva almost asked her if she had seen someone she fancied and wanted to play the field, but the pain she felt coming from the other woman pressed her to be plain in her reply. She sensed that now was not a time to be glib.
"I intend to be in an exclusive relationship with you, yes. I have never entertained a thought otherwise." She watched the other woman's jaw unclench as she spoke and she gave her a bit of space before adding, "Why do you ask?"
Akaavi shifted her weight a few times before answering, not meeting Neva's eyes for a full minute before replying. "I...You were very protective of Gina. And kind. I just...I thought you might have been flirting with her. I wanted to be sure that your heart wanted what mine wanted. And...I could not tell." Akaavi looked at Neva, befuddled. "You always treat people as though they are a good friend, even when you do not know them. I do not understand how you can behave this way and have things go well for you."
While Neva had blushed with Akaavi's accusation, she ended up laughing and reaching for the other woman's hands, who offered them gladly. "You are right, I do tend to treat people with an overabundance of trust and friendliness. It works for me. Do you really think if I tried to handle things the way you do that it would work out for tiny ol' me?" Their height difference was accentuated by the mandalorian's rocket boots, putting Neva's head just shy of the middle of Akaavi's chest. She hugged her anyway.
"I'm sorry I made you worry that I would stray, though. I don't know how to change so that..."
"Don't." Akaavi's voice came so suddenly, that Neva moved away enough to look up into her face.
"Don't what?"
"Change. I will learn...to trust. I think you should keep being Neva Xolte, the pilot who is friends with the galaxy."
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Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 847
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Corporate Affairs
Theron Shan, Visper Averrod-Iresso, and Huttsbane
Theron was relieved to see that the Evocii were efficient in their evacuation preparations - but he wasn't really surprised. They were probably even more ready to put this planet behind them than he currently was.
"Only bring the necessities," Theron told them as they streamed toward their ship, and second one Susanna had volunteered the use of for the journey. "Anything that's replaceable, we can replace."
Naturally, he wanted to make sure that room for people was the priority. That instruction proved as needless as telling them to hurry, though. The tribe had lost almost everything material in the fires that had consumed the market; wisely, they had abandoned their possessions in favor of preserving lives. There was little enough to pack.
"I think we can move her," Visper finally said. "Carefully. But she's stable enough to get her to the ship. The faster we can get her into a bacta tank, the better."
"Good," Theron said with a brisk nod.
Huttsbane said nothing. He didn't trust himself to speak. But he gave a tight nod of his own. There would be time for thanks to their rescuers when - not if, but when, he assured himself - Frenka was out of danger.
Focused as he was on the task at hand, Theron was mildly startled when a hand lightly brushed his jacket sleeve. He glanced over to see what the person needed from him, and was surprised to see an Evocii boy of about ten staring at him. When they made eye contact, the boy smiled at him, then hastily ducked away.
Theron got the message. You're welcome, he mentally replied.
Out loud, he said, "Alright. Let's load up. Then straight to Odessen. We'll sort everything else out there."
The Evocii were packed tightly onto the ships. Fortunately it was a short trip, Theron thought. No one complained, in any case. Not when this was their ticket to survival. When they landed planetside, he saw that preparations were already underway for their new guests. You couldn't help but appreciate this group, he thought. Theron threw himself into the process of getting the Evocii refugees settled in their new home.
Theron was relieved to see that the Evocii were efficient in their evacuation preparations - but he wasn't really surprised. They were probably even more ready to put this planet behind them than he currently was.
"Only bring the necessities," Theron told them as they streamed toward their ship, and second one Susanna had volunteered the use of for the journey. "Anything that's replaceable, we can replace."
Naturally, he wanted to make sure that room for people was the priority. That instruction proved as needless as telling them to hurry, though. The tribe had lost almost everything material in the fires that had consumed the market; wisely, they had abandoned their possessions in favor of preserving lives. There was little enough to pack.
"I think we can move her," Visper finally said. "Carefully. But she's stable enough to get her to the ship. The faster we can get her into a bacta tank, the better."
"Good," Theron said with a brisk nod.
Huttsbane said nothing. He didn't trust himself to speak. But he gave a tight nod of his own. There would be time for thanks to their rescuers when - not if, but when, he assured himself - Frenka was out of danger.
Focused as he was on the task at hand, Theron was mildly startled when a hand lightly brushed his jacket sleeve. He glanced over to see what the person needed from him, and was surprised to see an Evocii boy of about ten staring at him. When they made eye contact, the boy smiled at him, then hastily ducked away.
Theron got the message. You're welcome, he mentally replied.
Out loud, he said, "Alright. Let's load up. Then straight to Odessen. We'll sort everything else out there."
The Evocii were packed tightly onto the ships. Fortunately it was a short trip, Theron thought. No one complained, in any case. Not when this was their ticket to survival. When they landed planetside, he saw that preparations were already underway for their new guests. You couldn't help but appreciate this group, he thought. Theron threw himself into the process of getting the Evocii refugees settled in their new home.
Re: Corporate Affairs
Teizi Lin
She'd removed her outer robes and stood in the shade of a stack of crates, wiping the sweat from her face as she watched the goings on in the hangar. The arrival of the crew from Rishi had stimulated the local economy. If it were merely the few belongings that the Mahrs had brought with them, there would not have been need for exertion. It seemed that the arrival of a large family, some Mandolorians and more than a few Sith and Jedi working together had caused the region to become more attractive. Maybe the locals did not fear the planet turning into something similar to Rishi, a hive of pirates and criminal activity, if there were Jedi and Mandolorians around to keep the peace and had started inviting relatives and friends to join them?
At least it meant that there were more materials available for building and no shortage of food. Teizi was much more comfortable with the physicality of the tasks on Odessen than the delicate politics of Tython. She was turning toward the crates to get back to work, but a cry drew her attention. Teizi spotted Neva and Akaavi first, then her focus followed Neva's gaze to...Gina and...Gina.
Of course she knew they were exact copies of each other. And she knew that the Gina they rescued wanted to meet the second Gina to arrive on Rishi. But the joy on their faces. Teizi was arrested in place, staring at the two women tearfully embracing. A sudden pang caused her to reach up her hand and gently press it against her heart.
Why did she feel so strangely? Teizi leaned against the crates, unable to stop staring, even as she searched herself for an answer. This feeling...this emotion...
Loneliness.
She'd removed her outer robes and stood in the shade of a stack of crates, wiping the sweat from her face as she watched the goings on in the hangar. The arrival of the crew from Rishi had stimulated the local economy. If it were merely the few belongings that the Mahrs had brought with them, there would not have been need for exertion. It seemed that the arrival of a large family, some Mandolorians and more than a few Sith and Jedi working together had caused the region to become more attractive. Maybe the locals did not fear the planet turning into something similar to Rishi, a hive of pirates and criminal activity, if there were Jedi and Mandolorians around to keep the peace and had started inviting relatives and friends to join them?
At least it meant that there were more materials available for building and no shortage of food. Teizi was much more comfortable with the physicality of the tasks on Odessen than the delicate politics of Tython. She was turning toward the crates to get back to work, but a cry drew her attention. Teizi spotted Neva and Akaavi first, then her focus followed Neva's gaze to...Gina and...Gina.
Of course she knew they were exact copies of each other. And she knew that the Gina they rescued wanted to meet the second Gina to arrive on Rishi. But the joy on their faces. Teizi was arrested in place, staring at the two women tearfully embracing. A sudden pang caused her to reach up her hand and gently press it against her heart.
Why did she feel so strangely? Teizi leaned against the crates, unable to stop staring, even as she searched herself for an answer. This feeling...this emotion...
Loneliness.
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Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 847
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Corporate Affairs
Siralai Mahr
It made Siralai smile to see the two Ginas getting along so well. They had been deep in conversation for awhile, but she briefly interrupted to invite them both to have dinner with the Mahr family that night. The two seemed surprised but accepted.
The second Gina considered that this could lead to a confusing dinner conversation, and voiced the thought she'd been turning over in her mind for awhile. "I'd like to have my own name," she said. Glancing over at her counterpart, she added, "So we can have our own identities. We're family, but we aren't the same person. And I don't want to keep the name they gave me."
The first Gina and Siralai both nodded.
"Finding your own identity is important," Siralai agreed. "Let us know what you decide." She glanced at the other. "And you...?"
"I'm used to being Gina. I'll keep it. They gave it to me - but I'll make it my own."
Siralai nodded acceptance of that too. She left the two women to return to their conversation. As she was headed back, she noticed Teizi standing alone. Perhaps the Jedi was at loose ends, with her padawan gone. "Would you like to join our family for dinner?" she asked Teizi also. "The Ginas... I mean... Gina and the person with a new name pending will be coming. You're welcome to come too."
It made Siralai smile to see the two Ginas getting along so well. They had been deep in conversation for awhile, but she briefly interrupted to invite them both to have dinner with the Mahr family that night. The two seemed surprised but accepted.
The second Gina considered that this could lead to a confusing dinner conversation, and voiced the thought she'd been turning over in her mind for awhile. "I'd like to have my own name," she said. Glancing over at her counterpart, she added, "So we can have our own identities. We're family, but we aren't the same person. And I don't want to keep the name they gave me."
The first Gina and Siralai both nodded.
"Finding your own identity is important," Siralai agreed. "Let us know what you decide." She glanced at the other. "And you...?"
"I'm used to being Gina. I'll keep it. They gave it to me - but I'll make it my own."
Siralai nodded acceptance of that too. She left the two women to return to their conversation. As she was headed back, she noticed Teizi standing alone. Perhaps the Jedi was at loose ends, with her padawan gone. "Would you like to join our family for dinner?" she asked Teizi also. "The Ginas... I mean... Gina and the person with a new name pending will be coming. You're welcome to come too."
Re: Corporate Affairs
Teizi Lin
She started lightly when Siralai addressed her, flushing as she realized she hadn't even noticed the woman's approach so caught up was she in her self-diagnosis. Teizi bowed her head politely, deciding that momentary embarrassment was best treated as such - momentary.
"I would be pleased to join you and your family for a meal. Thank-you for the invitation."
As Siralai moved away, Teizi turned back toward her work, hoping busy hands would help counteract her suddenly busy mind. She was glad for the invitation, though it reminded her that she had not had a sit down meal with more than one other person since...well, since Dantooine. The farm hands all used to eat together at long plank tables. They grabbed the food they wanted with their hands and drank out of wooden or horn cups they'd made themselves. The cups were the one thing that wasn't shared by the crew - when someone made their own, it was blessed with fresh wine and the rim never touched the mouth of anyone but the maker's. A simple religion for a simple people.
How far she'd come since then. In many ways, her life had improved. She had an education. She had a ship. She had the means to protect herself and others.
And yet, she couldn't help but notice the loss as well. Namely, in camaraderie. That feeling of pulling together to achieve a common goal. Certainly the Jedi did have overarching goals, and supposedly followed one path to achieve them, but it just wasn't the same somehow. In times like these, when she dwelt too long on the past, Teizi felt like the Force was her only friend.
She started lightly when Siralai addressed her, flushing as she realized she hadn't even noticed the woman's approach so caught up was she in her self-diagnosis. Teizi bowed her head politely, deciding that momentary embarrassment was best treated as such - momentary.
"I would be pleased to join you and your family for a meal. Thank-you for the invitation."
As Siralai moved away, Teizi turned back toward her work, hoping busy hands would help counteract her suddenly busy mind. She was glad for the invitation, though it reminded her that she had not had a sit down meal with more than one other person since...well, since Dantooine. The farm hands all used to eat together at long plank tables. They grabbed the food they wanted with their hands and drank out of wooden or horn cups they'd made themselves. The cups were the one thing that wasn't shared by the crew - when someone made their own, it was blessed with fresh wine and the rim never touched the mouth of anyone but the maker's. A simple religion for a simple people.
How far she'd come since then. In many ways, her life had improved. She had an education. She had a ship. She had the means to protect herself and others.
And yet, she couldn't help but notice the loss as well. Namely, in camaraderie. That feeling of pulling together to achieve a common goal. Certainly the Jedi did have overarching goals, and supposedly followed one path to achieve them, but it just wasn't the same somehow. In times like these, when she dwelt too long on the past, Teizi felt like the Force was her only friend.
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Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 847
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Corporate Affairs
The Ginas
The two Ginas arrived first for dinner - together, since they'd spent the intervening time talking and comparing Volent experiences. The first Gina had much more in the way of experiences in general, with six months of life under her belt, and the second was only newly activated, so there was much to discuss and much to learn.
One thing neither of them was accustomed to was the hustle and bustle of the Mahr household, with all its many family members and its coming and goings. The Ginas enjoyed it, but were a bit bemused, and perhaps a trifle awkward.
"Do you want me to read you a story?" Maialin asked - doing her best to be a gracious young hostess. The two Ginas nodded, and Maialin carefully selected something to read.
The tale she picked was one of adventure, and she read it with enthusiasm. As she described the beautiful of a faraway water planet, the second Gina felt a strange ache in her heart - a pleasant ache that felt almost like familiarity. She imagined that expanse of greenish blue, what it would be like to submerge herself completely in that water.
"Teal," she said.
The other Gina and Maialin looked at her.
"Teal," she repeated. "That's my name."
"I like it!" Maialin said. She grinned, and continued the story.
The two Ginas arrived first for dinner - together, since they'd spent the intervening time talking and comparing Volent experiences. The first Gina had much more in the way of experiences in general, with six months of life under her belt, and the second was only newly activated, so there was much to discuss and much to learn.
One thing neither of them was accustomed to was the hustle and bustle of the Mahr household, with all its many family members and its coming and goings. The Ginas enjoyed it, but were a bit bemused, and perhaps a trifle awkward.
"Do you want me to read you a story?" Maialin asked - doing her best to be a gracious young hostess. The two Ginas nodded, and Maialin carefully selected something to read.
The tale she picked was one of adventure, and she read it with enthusiasm. As she described the beautiful of a faraway water planet, the second Gina felt a strange ache in her heart - a pleasant ache that felt almost like familiarity. She imagined that expanse of greenish blue, what it would be like to submerge herself completely in that water.
"Teal," she said.
The other Gina and Maialin looked at her.
"Teal," she repeated. "That's my name."
"I like it!" Maialin said. She grinned, and continued the story.
Re: Corporate Affairs
Teizi Lin
Strangely enough, immediately outside of the Mahr's residence, Teizi was overcome with a bout of sudden anxiety. Something stirred in her memory. When invited somewhere for a meal, wasn't one supposed to bring something? Her hands were conspicuously empty as she looked down at them. It occurred to her that Dallyn never would have had this crisis of conscience, raised in the Temple as he was. In many ways he had the upper hand in his education in the Order. A familial history of Force sensitivity, an early start at the Temple, a life surrounded by nothing but the best influences. He had everything going for him to be an exceptional Jedi.
Everything except inclination, it seemed.
Teizi listened to the chatter inside the house. The high-pitched voice of a child reading aloud. Dishes clinking as they were set on a table. In many ways, familiar sounds, but she found they didn't bring about wistful nostalgia. In many ways, when these sounds were more familiar, she had still be an outsider.
One thing she could accept was that it was very nice to be invited in. As she was. Nothing more.
Strangely enough, immediately outside of the Mahr's residence, Teizi was overcome with a bout of sudden anxiety. Something stirred in her memory. When invited somewhere for a meal, wasn't one supposed to bring something? Her hands were conspicuously empty as she looked down at them. It occurred to her that Dallyn never would have had this crisis of conscience, raised in the Temple as he was. In many ways he had the upper hand in his education in the Order. A familial history of Force sensitivity, an early start at the Temple, a life surrounded by nothing but the best influences. He had everything going for him to be an exceptional Jedi.
Everything except inclination, it seemed.
Teizi listened to the chatter inside the house. The high-pitched voice of a child reading aloud. Dishes clinking as they were set on a table. In many ways, familiar sounds, but she found they didn't bring about wistful nostalgia. In many ways, when these sounds were more familiar, she had still be an outsider.
One thing she could accept was that it was very nice to be invited in. As she was. Nothing more.
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Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 847
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Corporate Affairs
Volent Corporate Headquarters
Linc Valli - the slightly less famed son of famed corporate scientist Lars Valli - was tinkering in the Prototype Lab.
He loved working in the Prototype Lab. It was quiet. Silent, even, other than the sound of his tools. You got used to all the eyes of the various prototypes staring at you. At some point, the stares even became a pleasant part of the sterile ambiance, as though he had an appreciative audience to perform for.
Today he was tinkering with the genetic code of the organic parts used in the G.I.N.A. project. The G.I.N.A. prototypes were perfect... almost. There was still one flaw that had to be corrected before they could be put on the market, though, and that was that they all looked identical. Constructs that were to be used for industrial espionage (or, for the ambitious, perhaps even actual espionage) wouldn't be of much use if they could instantly be identified because they all wore the same face. Before production could be ramped up, he needed to find a way to randomize the appearance of the organic components, while still producing a viable commercial product . And that particular challenge was proving vexing.
Someone had entered the lab, and Linc looked up - he wasn't supposed to be disturbed here, but the security stationed at either side of the door had stood aside, so this had to be someone with authorization. Clearance higher than his own, even. So, his father.
"We have a problem," Lars Valli said without preamble.
"I'm working on it. Just impress the buyers with the ones we have, and by the time we start getting purchase orders, we'll be ready to begin production."
"I refer to a different problem," the elder Valli replied. "We do not currently have a working prototype to show to buyers. And that is our true problem. I can put off our sales demonstrations - technology this complicated takes time to perfect, and our buyers want perfect, so they'll understand - but the bigger problem is we have two G.I.N.A.s currently in the wind."
"One was destroyed by SIS..."
"No. It was very much not destroyed. And the Republic is attempting to prosecute the SIS agents for what they did to it. How do you think that's going to go at trial? If the lawyers get the slightest hint the prototype wasn't human, they'll immediately raise a hue and cry that it was merely destruction of property rather than the crimes of which they are accused. Everyone will hear about it. Everyone."
Linc's hands clenched, and his jaw tightened. This wasn't good.
"And the second one disappeared completely on Rishi. No one seems to know where it is."
"Then we do indeed have a problem," Linc understated. A problem that Volent was going to have to continue to go on the offensive to solve.
Linc Valli - the slightly less famed son of famed corporate scientist Lars Valli - was tinkering in the Prototype Lab.
He loved working in the Prototype Lab. It was quiet. Silent, even, other than the sound of his tools. You got used to all the eyes of the various prototypes staring at you. At some point, the stares even became a pleasant part of the sterile ambiance, as though he had an appreciative audience to perform for.
Today he was tinkering with the genetic code of the organic parts used in the G.I.N.A. project. The G.I.N.A. prototypes were perfect... almost. There was still one flaw that had to be corrected before they could be put on the market, though, and that was that they all looked identical. Constructs that were to be used for industrial espionage (or, for the ambitious, perhaps even actual espionage) wouldn't be of much use if they could instantly be identified because they all wore the same face. Before production could be ramped up, he needed to find a way to randomize the appearance of the organic components, while still producing a viable commercial product . And that particular challenge was proving vexing.
Someone had entered the lab, and Linc looked up - he wasn't supposed to be disturbed here, but the security stationed at either side of the door had stood aside, so this had to be someone with authorization. Clearance higher than his own, even. So, his father.
"We have a problem," Lars Valli said without preamble.
"I'm working on it. Just impress the buyers with the ones we have, and by the time we start getting purchase orders, we'll be ready to begin production."
"I refer to a different problem," the elder Valli replied. "We do not currently have a working prototype to show to buyers. And that is our true problem. I can put off our sales demonstrations - technology this complicated takes time to perfect, and our buyers want perfect, so they'll understand - but the bigger problem is we have two G.I.N.A.s currently in the wind."
"One was destroyed by SIS..."
"No. It was very much not destroyed. And the Republic is attempting to prosecute the SIS agents for what they did to it. How do you think that's going to go at trial? If the lawyers get the slightest hint the prototype wasn't human, they'll immediately raise a hue and cry that it was merely destruction of property rather than the crimes of which they are accused. Everyone will hear about it. Everyone."
Linc's hands clenched, and his jaw tightened. This wasn't good.
"And the second one disappeared completely on Rishi. No one seems to know where it is."
"Then we do indeed have a problem," Linc understated. A problem that Volent was going to have to continue to go on the offensive to solve.
Re: Corporate Affairs
Volent headquarters
A Fury class ship fell out of hyperspace near the massive structure, slowly making its approach. Turrets targeted the vessel, even as it flew to a docking area and connected to one of the many airlocks. More weapons awaited inside as the airlock's doors opened on a glaring white hallway, lit so well the air almost seemed blue.
Lokin considered the white-jacketed security people and their matching blasters with a small smile.
"Ah, yes. This is how one knows they are meeting with fellow greatness - nothing says superiority quite like colour-coordinated staff."
The doctor himself was dressed in his best suit - one he generally reserved for attending the theatre and other important events. He hadn't had need to drag it out for quite some time.
"This way, please, Doctor. Doctor Valli is waiting for you in his office."
As the airlock doors closed behind him and he started shuffling down the hallway with his entourage, Lokin heard one of the men securing the door with a heavy latch and a punch code.
They were considerably further down the hall before he heard the tell-tale sound of a code being punched into a key pad. He heard it, but there was no way this security detail would have noticed the door being hacked. Lokin smiled at nothing and mentally prepared himself to have an in-depth discussion with a peer for once. How refreshing.
A Fury class ship fell out of hyperspace near the massive structure, slowly making its approach. Turrets targeted the vessel, even as it flew to a docking area and connected to one of the many airlocks. More weapons awaited inside as the airlock's doors opened on a glaring white hallway, lit so well the air almost seemed blue.
Lokin considered the white-jacketed security people and their matching blasters with a small smile.
"Ah, yes. This is how one knows they are meeting with fellow greatness - nothing says superiority quite like colour-coordinated staff."
The doctor himself was dressed in his best suit - one he generally reserved for attending the theatre and other important events. He hadn't had need to drag it out for quite some time.
"This way, please, Doctor. Doctor Valli is waiting for you in his office."
As the airlock doors closed behind him and he started shuffling down the hallway with his entourage, Lokin heard one of the men securing the door with a heavy latch and a punch code.
They were considerably further down the hall before he heard the tell-tale sound of a code being punched into a key pad. He heard it, but there was no way this security detail would have noticed the door being hacked. Lokin smiled at nothing and mentally prepared himself to have an in-depth discussion with a peer for once. How refreshing.