The first thing Rico Belgardi said when his transport popped out of hyperspace in Vinda Corp space was:

"Wow."

The second thing he said was:

"Why couldn't the blasted thing land in my space."

The view fron the viewport of the fifty-meter long ambassador class shuttle was quite entrancing. He had been told that it would be, but Rico Belgardi knew from first-hand experience that stories of major tourist attractions could often be overblown (he had in fact helped to spread propaganda about several attractions on Pavo Prime before). Still it was easy to see why Bonadan's tourism had spiked since the arrival of the massive station.

Massive.

That was the understatement of the century. Rico had the unique perspective of watching one of VC's ISD's manuever across the face of the huge station, presumable lining up for a hyperjump. The station dwarfed the ISD in a way few objects in this galaxy could.

"Leave it to Seth Vinda to gain a windfall by sheer luck."

Rico had met the "man" of the business community once. He had tried to open a mutually benefiting relationship with the VC, a move that failed miserably. Looking back at the incident, Rico couldunderstand Vinda's response, but that didn't make up for the air of "superority" Vinda had exuded during their conversation. It irked Rico; irked him because he knew that Vinda deserved to act that way- and did. Belgardi Ltd was the fastest growing company in the galaxy, but only a raving lunatic would say that Rico's comapny could stand on the same plane as Seth Vinda's.

Whatever his personal feelings toward Seth Vinda, Rico couldn't fault his business sense. The VC CEO had established a casino on the Astral Astoria, and was no doubt raking in the credits for his investment. Belgardi Ltd was however, had one of the galaxies largest entertainment divisions, and they knew a thing or two about running casinos.

Rico spoke into an intercomm to the pilot of the shuttle.

"Open a channel with the Astoria. Ask for landing clearance, and ask for a meeting with whomever runs the business section of the station."

OOC: Apologies for the wait Rico, just a quick post to let you know this has been noticed and not ignored, I'll Be with you soon.

(wanted to catch the new guys first).

OOC- Thanks I alot. I can wait. Whenever you get to me will be fine.

*Cough Cough*

Celestial Gardens



Surrounded by trees, flowers and the pleasant sound of birdsong. The Caretaker Prime, Ayan, sat upon a bench in silent contemplation and meditation.

It was a rare moment of spare time, which Ayan had been looking forward to for quite a while.

After all the stress and the initial excitment of the Jump, things had calmed down considerably, and this moment of time was her moment to reflect on current events.

With her eyes closed she considered the prospects of settling in this part of the galaxy. It seemed fate had led them here, and (at least for the time being) they were here to stay.

who was she to argue with the fates?...

Ayan breathed in deeply and relaxed her whole body, clearing her mind of all her thoughts and worries.

She was going to enjoy this...



"Mistress Ayan..."


The familiar voice registered, and Ayan opened her eyes slowly (half hoping she had day dreamed it)...

Realising this wasn't the case, Ayan, smiled faintly as she looked up to see Nessus nervously twitching in front of her...


"Yes Nessus, what is it?" She asked wearily, but politely...

"I am sorry to disturb you Mistress, I know you wished to be left alone, but there is someone requesting to meet with you, and they wouldn't take no for an answer..."

"who?.."

" A Mr Belgardo...of Belgardo Ltd"

"Belgardo?..." She repeated the name, then looked up at her Concierge blankly...

" I do not know of this person..." (she said), then closed her eyes again, and returned to her thoughts. Realising Nessus was still standing in front of her, she sighed and then looked around her at the beautiful gardens...

"Very well Nessus, bring him here..." she replied and smiled ruefully to herself...

(evidently her rare quiet moment had just ended...)






OOC: Apologies for the inhuman wait.

The inside of the station did the outside no justice.

With the exception of the cavernous hangar, the sense of enormity that an outside view of the station gave you seemed to suddenly die as you entered the Astral Astoria's interior. Rico Belgardi had trouble understanding why for a few moments, though when the answer eventually came to him, it seemed so obvious.

The station was so huge, so enormous, that it seemed like Rico had touched down in a planetside city. He had assumed the space station would be more like an oversized space cruiser, or a jumbo version of one of Belgardi's Redoubt stations, on which the enormity of the object was evident in the high ceilings, huge rooms and such. The Astoria however, had the feel of a city to it. And while you knew that a city was huge, it didn't create the same aura that say, a Super Star Destroyer did.

But it created an aura all right. An aura that got Rico Belgardi excited with possibilities.





A little bit of insistence had gotten Rico the audience he wanted. He had spoke with someone named Nessus, who after trying to dissuade him from seeking an audience with the "Caretaker" had stepped into a nearby both, and as far as Rico could tell disappeared.

The disappearing act had confused Rico, but seeing no alternative he waited for Nessus to return. His high-class dress got him a few unusual looks, but Rico felt perfectly safe, with one of his deadly droideka situated only feet from him, rolled up into its ball form. Though Rico had thought keeping the destroyer in its transportation mode might hide its identity, the gazes of the Astorians who looked at him quickly became focused on the droid at his side. Most hurried away promptly afterwards.

Suddenly Nessus reappeared.

"The Caretaker will see you."

She motioned for Rico to follow her, and he did, stepping into what he thought was a turbolift shaft. The droideka rolled dutifully to his side. He would never have expected what happened next.

After collecting her thoughts, Ayan walked over to meet the new guest at the Celestial Gardens Booth.

Resting her hands inside each of her sleeves she waited , until first Nessus, then Mr Belgardi appeared, Ayan smiled warmly as her eyes settled on the visitor.

...ah...a businessman...

She certainly did not recognise him, so it was clear they had not met before.

She noted he looked somewhat puzzled, and could not help but smile to herself, she had seen that expression on many a stranger's face, many times before...

First time he has used a shifter...

As the visitor rather gingerly stepped out of the booth and into the gardens , Ayan bowed her head and welcomed him.


"Welcome to the Astral Astoria, my name is Ayan, I am the Caretaker Prime. What is it I can do for you?..."

Her eyes sidled over to the droideka that had appeared beside him, and frowned slightly...

It seemed a little strange to her that someone would go out of their way to meet her and yet feel so threatened that they would need to bring along a heavily armed military level destroyer droid.

It wasn't exactly, sutble.

Either this person had upset a lot of people or he was a little paranoid.

Nonetheless, it was not needed, there would be no danger here, unless Mr Belgardi brought it himself.


"You will not need that. It can stay on your ship. It would not help you anyway."

She said, bemused.

Her eyes met his and she smiled once more.

The sensation of teleportation took Rico by surprise. One moment.. the docking bay... and then in the blink of an eye he was gone. Peering out, Rico found himself surrounded by beautiful flora.

"Welcome to the Astral Astoria, my name is Ayan, I am the Caretaker Prime. What is it I can do for you?..."

Rico followed the woman's eyes as she trailed off. He traced here line of sight to the droideka. She seemed somewhat apprehensive about Rico's protection.

"You will not need that. It can stay on your ship. It would not help you anyway."

The Caretaker's voice had changed, and the change prompted Rico to glance up and meet her gaze. As he did, she smiled.

Rico looked back toward the droid, still curled up in its transport mode. Just knowing it was there, watching over him provided him with a measure of comfort. He had been targeted for assassination or abduction at least twice. While both attempts had been foiled, it was still two times too many.

Still, his business on the Astral Astoria required that he make a good impression with the station's management. From what he could gather, this Caretaker person was one of the station's higher ups.

He decided to comply. He spoke a code word quickly, and the droid rolled back through the shifter.

"I apologize, ma'am, if I cause you some offense. The droid was purely for my personal security... I've had some incidents."

He left it at that.

"Anyway."

He extended his hand.

"Rico Belgardi, CEO, Belgardi Ltd."

Ayan watched as the Droideka rolled off to where ever it was told to go, and turned her attention back to Rico as he began to speak, her unease put at rest...



"I apologize, ma'am, if I cause you some offense. The droid was purely for my personal security... I've had some incidents."

Ayan's expression seemed to hint at a sutble trace of concern as Rico apologised, and offered a kind of cryptic explanation.

Whatever the incidents had been, it was clear they must have been very serious to warrant the kind of protection he had brought along with him.



"Anyway."

"Rico Belgardi, CEO, Belgardi Ltd."



Ayan took his hand in greeting, and smiled once again...Whilst making a point of correcting Nessus the next time she saw him.

...Nessus! Belgardi! not Belgardo!...


"A pleasure, welcome aboard the Astoria. There is no need to apologise, its just we can't really have everybody wandering around with destroyer droids. Trust me Mr Belgardi my Police force are more than capable of looking after you, there is nothing to threaten you here in my presence..." She smiled reassuringly, then added "Thank you for following my wish..."

Ayan withdrew her hands into her long sleeves and gestured for Rico to walk with her...

A slight frown appeared upon her face as she started to speak..

"Belgardi Ltd?...forgive me if I do not know of your company, but we are quite new to this area, what do you do? and what brings you here to the Astoria?..."

"Belgardi Ltd?...forgive me if I do not know of your company, but we are quite new to this area, what do you do? and what brings you here to the Astoria?..."

Rico was not surprised to hear that the Caretaker had never heard of his company. In fact, Rico would have been very surprised if the Caretaker knew that any company outside of Vinda Corp existed.

Noting the frown on Ayan's face, a thought flickered across Rico's brain- would the Caretaker enter a business relationship with a third party? Sitting over the de facto capital of the veritable corporate empire that was Vinda Corp, it was unlikely that the station's management would do anything to anger its "hosts".

"My company is quite a diverse enterprise, ma'am, much in the style of Vinda Corp. We work with everything from medicine to mining, energy weapons to entertainment. In fact the latter is our specialty."

Rico reached into his suit jacket and removed a datapad.

"This datapad contains a proposal to build a five star resort-casino and hotel. The Astoria is the hottest thing in galactic tourism, outside of Pavo Prime of course, and Belgardi is not going to be left behind."

Rico smiled, then thrust the datapad toward Ayan.

"If you need some time to think it over then I'd be delighted to take a tour of your remarkable station."