The modified freighter had traveled almost across the whole galaxy before coming out of hyperspace. Onboard the craft, Rob was happy to finally have the journey over after a week's time. He was a happy man now with his company being accepted and growing all over the galaxy.

With the signing of the agreement with the Galactic Coalition, Stellar Enterprises would be able to tap into new resources and contruct more factories. They would also be able to purchase ship hulls for low prices and quickly refit them for service with planetary defense forces and make a large profit. The fact that the galaxy was getting more dangerous each day was also helping to fuel his business.

His company's large profit was getting passed on to its employies and soon to people on other planets. Rob had always felt that he should respect his workers as they respected him for giving them jobs to support their family with. He knew how hard it was to grow up without money and wanted to make sure that his employies were well taken care of. This was actually the reason why he had been forced into retirement.

Now with his own company he was doing what he loved. He was taking something small and turning it into something bigger than he had ever expected. So much of own money had been spent on this company that he had almost gone broke. The bad times were now over, though, and he once again making money. With this money he was able to expand and open factories and mines on other planets. These employed people which in turn were helped by Stellar Enterprises. It was a cycle that made Rob feel like he was doing something important, something that contributed to the wellbeing of the galaxy.

If this lastest mission succeeded his corporation would have another market and resource base to move into. He hoped it went well since the New Order was the largest group in the galaxy and could be a large base for the purchase of his goods. Now that he had arrived in the Muunillist system he wondered if the New Order's representatives would even agree to see him.

"Muunillist control, this is the freighter Nebular of Stellar Enterprises. We request a meeting to discuss possible business between Stellar Enterprises and The New Order." Came the transmission from the freighter as it closed on the planet slowly. It's surface slowly rotating before the craft.

Seamus looked over at his daughter, Jenice, CEO of Arliss Towers and smirked as he watched her slowly turn the page of the latest project of their two mutually intertwined companies.

While Arliss Towers handled most Coruscant, Muunillist and internal trade within the Empire, Arliss Industries was the more expansive, negotiating with outside sources and foreign powers.

The companies operated on the principle that ideology was not enough to stop the power of money.

"Ms. Arliss, Mr. Arliss, Muunillist Control is receiving a general transmission from an orbiting freighter."

"And Military Command did not simply blow it out of space?" Seamus asked surprised. Typically, if any company did not log a flight plan or itinerary with Port Control, the offender was usually thought of as a spy or smuggler. To have a smuggler simply broadcast over an open channel their presence begged destruction.

And they would deserve it for being so stupid, thought the older Arliss.

"Let's hear the transmission," Jenice ordered coldly.

"Muunillist control, this is the freighter Nebular of Stellar Enterprises. We request a meeting to discuss possible business between Stellar Enterprises and The New Order."

"Evidently, they are inexperienced." Jenice remarked and her father raised an eyebrow. Jenice hardly ever mentioned the obvious unless she mean't to tell Port Control to blow the offending craft from orbit.

"Port Control--" Jenice started when Seamus suddenly waved her silent.

"Port Control," he started, "give the freighter a temporary IFF-C registration code. Arliss Industries will be the sponsor. Send the craft down to our private docking facilities and I'll have a vehicle and security meet the person."

"Arliss Towers, this is Port Control. Acknowledged." came the automated sounding reply.

"I swear, they sound more and more like droids every day." Jenice murmured. Then, with eyes narrowing, "What is your interest in this Stellar Enterprises? I've never heard of them?"

"They showed up on the economist grid a month or two ago." Seamus answered. "Supposed to have landed some deal with the Coalition."

"If the Coalition is buying from them, you know they are selling crap at cheap prices." Jenice murmured going back to her project report.

"It's not their products that I am interested in. They have some sound ideas, from what I've seen. They only need infrastructure."

"The New Order doesn't look kindly on Coalition suppliers setting up shop within the Empire, you know."

"Who said anything about a Coalition supplier setting up shop within the Empire?" Seamus asked innocently.

Jenice narrowed her eyes as the father exited the office whistling.

Rob was relieved to have been admitted landing and stood at the command deck as the ship descended slowly through the atmosphere. As the clouds cleared he could see the city sprawl out before them, stretching for kilometers in all directions. Large builds towered below and reached towards the heavens.

The freighter banked to port and proceeded to the landing spot that was designated by Port Control. They flew towards a massive tower that stretched up from the ground into the sky. Rob knew someone powerful owned this building and that someone was the Arliss family. The Arliss's were the most well know and wealthiest family inside the Empire. They handled business all over the New Order and controled most of the new ventures. Rob would have to impress them somehow for them to allow him expansion rights.

"Almost there sir." The pilot said out as they turned towards the massive structure before them and start to fly towards it.

One the side of the building a large opened could be see and Rob decided that was probably the private landing pad they were going too. There were airspeeders all around the building moving in tight lanes through the city blocks. His craft navigated through this mass of speeders and finally flew into the large landing bay, slowly setting down on the freighters large struts.

There was slight shudder and hiss as the heavy freighter lowered a little. Before Rob could move towards the hatch, he watched the door on the other side of the bay over and a group of men come out towards his ship. Turning, he went towards the table to pick up his datapad. He stuffed it into his pocket and heard the hatch open and the ramp move down. His bodyguards were already beside him and his guard droids had desended the ramp already to secure the outside of the ship.

Once the okay was given both the guards nodded towrds Rob and he went out of the ship with them trailing close behind. Rob fixed his jacket a little and moved towards the reception.

Arliss Towers - Reception Level


Mr. Conrad, CFO of Arliss Industries, scowled as the transport circled one of the minor towers and proceeded to land.

"Where is.." he started until he heard the familiar whine of the Cloud Cars zipping past his vantage point to circle the landed freighter.

The landing pad began to retract within the smaller tower completely enclosing the landed craft.

Mr. Conrad shook his head knowing his boss was playing on a gut feeling with these newcomers. Seamus Arliss had already transferred to the hanger tower to greet this Rob Stellar, a waste of time as far as he was concerned. Still, more often than not, Arliss' strange ideas bore fruit of the strangest and yet most profitable nature.



Hanger Tower Four


The rather large freighter was being moved inside the hanger facility as the pad retracted. Large magnetic grippers extended from the ground and clamped onto the landing struts to keep the craft immobile as the pad moved.

When the retraction stopped, the visitors were greeted by a very pretty woman wearing an Arliss Towers insignia pin above her left breast.

"Mr. Stellar?" she inquired. When he acknowledged the inquiry, she proceeded to explain the MagGrip and the power absorption indicators, "Mr. Arliss takes the safety of all his elite visitors very seriously. As a precaution, your craft if being syphoned of excess power. In simplistic terms, it acts like a harmless retraining bolt for your ship. In this way, accidents and misunderstandings are minimized.

You are a guest of Arliss Towers and you will be accorded every respect as long as you recognize your roll as a guest. As such, your droid guards will not be able to enter the Towers Proper. They may however remain aboard your ship or outside your ship with a restraining bolt.

Some of our clients prefer mechanized guards. If this is your desire, Arliss Towers will provide you with four from stores to facilitate your need during your visit within the Towers.

Your human body guards are welcome to accompany you but will not be invited into the meeting between you and Mr. Arliss.

It is Towers Policy to keep negotiations of respective CEOs between those CEO's.

As a guest of Arliss Towers, you are to be provided with everything and anything that may make your visit most enjoyable.

You will be assigned a Business Suite at the top of the Towers. Should you wish to eat, food of just about any type can be provided. Should you desire to relax, any and every matter will be attended too. Should you desire a girl, one or two may be provided. Should you desire a man, one or two may be provided. Should your tastes be of a delicate nature, proper discretion shall be accorded as you are taken care of.

As soon as you sign this pad showing that I have given you your proper orientation, we may proceed toward the Towers.

Please, feel free to ask me any question you like.

Mr. Stellar, welcome to Arliss Towers and Arliss Industries.

We hope you will enjoy your stay on Muunillist."


She waited expectantly.

Rob greeted the woman a smile and stood next to her as she started everything that was happening adn all the rules of the Towers. He found it very cliche that they would have a beautiful woman as a greeter. It wasn't the first time a company hired pretty girls to attent to their guests. Rob didn't say anything but just stood there and watched at the clamps tried to attach to his shuttle, holding back a smile.

The clamps, while closing over the struts did not lock magnetically since the top of the hull was made from a carbon matrix that was non-metallic. It was a diamond like properly black colored hull that dispered any energy that hit it. To this effect it didn't conduct any power through it and therefore made it impossible for the clamps to syphon off power from the ships systems. All power conducting systems were deep inside the ship and didn't radiate out, specially to struts which didn't need to have them running in that area.

When the woman finished Robbed looked over to the droids. "Why don't you wait inside the ship? It doesn't look like they want you around."

It was a secret code for the droids to move inside, but he ready to recieve orders at any moment should they be needed. Rob didn't think anything would happen here, but he was always trying to be carefully with people he didn't know. He watched the droids move up the ramp as his bodyguards took up positions at his sides.

Taking the pad into his hand, Rob looked over everything and nodded slowly before signing on it. Handing it back to the lady he smiled and looked around the hanger slowly. "If I may... when greeting someone you don't know, it always good to introduce yourself before starting with the rules and all that."

Rob nodded slowly and hoped he didn't sound too mean. He moved towards the hanger exit with his hands behind his back, leaving the woman a little behind. Her job could be done by a robot and with much less pay, Rob thought and laughed to himself. She didn't seem to have any personality to herself and had just been stating facts like a droid would. When he hired people to greet and meet others he hard always wanted them to be cordial and hospitable with his guests. Perhaps she was just an android and couldn't do better. That didn't really matter now.

He moved towards the exit slowly and glanced around slowly. "Maybe you could tell me about Mr. Arliss?"

Hanger Tower Four


An alarm sounded right after the woman's speech as the maglocks could not engage. They began to retract and the side of the hanger tower began to open. Obviously, if a ship was unable to undergo a simple procedure as being secured by the hanger that houses it, then the vessel was obviously built for smuggling and a threat of impounding would be pending. The owner either didn't know or didn't care.

"Maybe you could tell me about Mr. Arliss?"

The woman sighed as Mr. Stellar left her behind taking liberties. Apparently here was yet another person who thought the rules did not apply to them.

"If you had listened to my speech, you would know that Mr. Arliss treats his guests well. It is when his guests do not act like guests that problems arise.

Apparently, your spaceship is incompatible with our security measures. Since you feel that you shouldn't follow the minimal instructions Mr. Arliss has laid out, perhaps you should leave.

The Empire takes the following of their protocols very seriously. If Mr. Arliss or any associate he attaches his name too does not follow their protocols, the Imperial government comes down hard. The fact that you feel in one-upping Mr. Arliss indicates that you are already in contempt of his hospitality.

The quality of your craft is immaterial. It is the quality of the businessman behind the technology that Mr. Arliss looks at.

You invalidated the very document you signed."


The pad began to extend putting the craft that was unable to be secured out into the open.

As Mr. Stellar looked over at his retreating vessel, the woman spoke, "Now we have to inform the Imperial Government that there is a freighter that is unable to be secured. They require all civilian craft docked planetside be secured. It is standard procedure for most civilized worlds as I am sure you are aware. This is not a backwater planet like Tatooine where smugglers have the right of way. This is the Empire Proper!

If your ship is unable to be secured, your freighter will be impounded as a smuggler vessel by the Empire."

She shook her head at the very simple test Mr. Stellar was apparently unable to pass.

"Mr. Arliss thanks you for your time."

Rob looked around the as the sirens sounded. He guessed it was the security proceedures, but his guards took no chances and moved closer towards him. He turned the woman and listened to her explain everything. Rob felt a little guilty for causing them this kind of trouble but they didn't ask him any question before trying to lock his ship. Their security was quick to react, however, that would be prove as a nice fact to know.

"I'm terribly sorry about that." Rob said humbly as he look towards her. "Please understand, I did not mean anything with that. I'm a businessman, why would I need to smuggle anything."

He paused and looked towards the ship as he start to get reacted. Reaching back Rob touch one of the men beside him and slowly shook his head once, this would indicate for the pilots to stay calm and not do anything. With that done he turned toward the woman once more calmly and slowly.

"I'm sorry this had to happen. You see my ship is made from a new hull design, it is none metallic. I know I should have informed you earlier, but I completely forgot. My focus on his meeting so was great that when you mentioned your clamps were magnetic it slipped my mind completely. They seemed to have held my ship though."

Rob looked towards the ship, "Had I known there would be a test ahead of time I would have studied and prepared for it, or would have at least brought a different ship. I was not informed before hand that these procedured would be taken. I'm sure if you contact Mr. Arliss we could calmly sort this mess out."

He thought for a little as I kept looking towards the ship. His body turned to face the woman completely before he started to speak again. "What if I were to tell my ship to fly out towards an open field somewhere on the planet or even into space where you could monitor it. From there it would be of no threat to anyone. Just let me keep my droids inside the hanger. I have had many close calls before and I like feeling a little secure.

"What say you? I'm appoligize completely. Why don't we just talk to Mr. Alriss and find a suitible sollution to this problem." Rob stated calmly and stood there looking down at the female before him.

Hanger Tower Four


The woman of Arliss Towers stared dispassionately at the tirade of emotions that paraded before her.

There was the swaggering, almost carelessly confident Rob Stellar:

"If I may... when greeting someone you don't know, it always good to introduce yourself before starting with the rules and all that." His speech, coupled with the posturing of leaving her behind as if he would show her the way to Mr. Arliss' office filled out the picture.

Then came the fear that comes with biting off more than one could chew and an attempt at PR rebuilding by using leading questions:

"Please understand, I did not mean anything with that. I'm a businessman, why would I need to smuggle anything?"

Why indeed?


Then came the attempt to assuage blame by offering weak reasoning as a manner of defense:

It's the hull of my ship... I forgot.... Why don't we let the ship fly free...



And her personal favorite:

If I had known it was a test...

Then your failure would have looked that much more foolish.


The man was at once humble, apologetic and now appealing to a higher power...

"Why don't we just talk to Mr. Alriss and find a suitable sollution to this problem."


What problem? her mind quipped even though she knew he was referring to his being thrown out on his backside.


It was not that the man crossed some life-endangering line and was now public enemy number one. In fact, the only real crime this Rob Stellar committed was trying to fluff Mr. Arliss with his body guards, with his droids, with his special design of a spaceship and had assumed that because he had money he was something.

Was that necessarily wrong?

The woman didn't think so but that was not what burned her from within. It was the glean in his eye that instantly labeled her. The man was probably used to all sorts of pretty floozies hanging on his every huckleberry word as if he was some grand orator or philosopher extraordinaire. And, naturally, because she was pretty she was immaterial.

The casual inference being that she was only good for bedding Mr. Arliss and not much more. Perhaps he thought her job could be done better by a droid?

As a manner of practice, Mr. Arliss refused to include droids or HRDs in any type of negotiations. It was like asking your toaster to greet a prospective client or potential business partner. No, Mr. Arliss would never disrespect a guest by sending a robot or alien to speak for him.

No, he would send his best. And he had.

Perhaps this Rob Stellar employed office sluts to answer his phones?

And he wanted my name?


He doesn't deserve my name!


A man who gets a little money and wants more. A man who thinks his money will get him everything he wants... and when his money fails, is lost like a ship being blown about by cosmic ion storms.


If it was up to her, she would have sent him and his non-metallic ship packing with a quick note to the Imperial Navy and a call to the Towers cancelling his room.

"Your ship stays." she finally said in that same dispassionate voice. Feeling that the man did deserve some sort of explanation, if nothing else, to settle his fear, "If your ship suddenly left the Hanger Tower so soon after docking, those corporate spies watching and the Imperial Navy monitoring shipwide traffic would become suspicious and investigate. An investigation takes time and time is money."

She turned and began to walk a different direction than where Mr. Stellar was headed. "Follow me."


They moved to another part of the hanger where several repulser trains were docked, their smooth aerodynamic lines gleaming against the outside sun.

Upon entry, the doors closed and the computer controlled train began to move out of the hanger towards the Towers proper.

Noting that his guards were behind their employer she began to speak in a louder voice so all could hear.

"Once this train passes the Towers Grounds, this craft will be scanned. In fact, you will undergo several scans before docking. At the entrance port, your weapons will be confiscated and will be returned upon your leaving, whever that will be. I am sure, if your guards are worth their weight in credits, will know some sort of martial art or hand to hand combat so you will not be totally helpless.

It would be best if you do not attempt to bring any hidden weapons inside. You will be gunned down without remorse for violating the trust and hospitality of Mr. or Ms. Arliss.

Your guards will not be permitted into the office of Mr. Arliss. They may wait in a predesignated waiting area until your meeting is over."

As the train continued through the metropolis that was Muunillist, the woman turned one final time, "I must ask, do you wish to meet Mr. Arliss immediately or do you wish to relax from your interstellar journey first?"

Rob was glad that the matter was somewhat settled although he could see that this woman hated him now. He didn't understand why, but perhaps it was his comment to her earlier. That fact did not matter in the least, however. She had felt cold from the beinning, but he still felt a little bad for saying what he did. It had just come out and he couldn't take it back. What was done was done and it was now in past. What he needed to do was concentrate on the meeting and not let things get to him.

As they continued to walk down towards the repulsor train Rob listened to her talk and at the same time looked around to take in their surroundings. Their train was there and awaiting them with doors open. Along with his guards Rob stepped inside and sat down behind their greeter.

When she mented the scans Rob did not look the least surprised. He knew it would happen and the only thing on him was a datapad, his ring, and an old necklace that his parents had given him many years ago. Turning back towards the guards he gave a slight nod. The returned an understanding gesture instanly and indicated that they would submit to any scans and be disarmed as per the rules.

"We have nothing to hide as I have said before. Whatever your rules maybe, we shall try and follow them to tee. I do, however, carry some person belongings such as a ring and necklace. Will those be allowed? They are somewhat dear to me." Rob paused looked towards the woman as he moved his fingers over the ring on his ring finger, but only on this right hand instead of his left.

He looked down towards the ground a little as memories of his late wife passed through his mind. Her face was still always crystal clean inside him even after all these years. They had shared so many wonderful years that it was hard to think about her passing away. It had taken a large part out him when he lost her. A part he though could never be replaced again.

Her death and the things she had told him just before she passed away were the only reasons he could go on and do what he did. Rob remembered that day well, it filled his dreams constantly. He also remembered how strong she had been. Not once had she cried or feared death. Her only request was that he go on and do what he loved. To live his life to the fullest and never forget about the good times they had shared.

He would never and could never forget those times. She had fallin in love with him when he was nothing and had never once complained about their life together. She had taught him to look on the bright side and that if one tried hard nothing could stop them. With her beside him he had passed those challenges before him and had risen to where he was now. Without her he would have probably still been nothing, just some guy trying to early a living from day to day.

Rob slowly rotated the ring around his finger and smiled slowly as the happy memories filled him once again. Memories of their wedding and of them spending all their time together. Them being happy even when things didn't go well, living in a tiny apartment in the bad part of town. It was part of his life and would never go away. He would never let it.

With that soft smile Rob looked up towards the woman before him. "I..I also have a person datapad with all my files. Would I be able to take that inside?"

As the train started to move the woman asked if he wanted to rest or arrange a meeting right away. Rob looked out the front windshield and spoke softly, but so that she could hear. "I'd appreciate if we could set the meeting as early as possible. I don't really wish to rest. If Mr.Arliss agrees I'm willing to meet him right away."

Rob looked on as they passed through the spanning city. It looked beautiful from this height as it did from orbit.

The woman did not look at Mr. Stellar when she responded, "Your personal effects may remain on you. We only scan for weapons or possible weapons."

The fact that Mr. Stellar was complying with the rules made things go much smoother as she entered onto her personal comm the visiting CEO's desire to meet with Mr. Arliss right away.

Once the answer had been transmitted, she glanced up, "Mr. Arliss will be able to meet with you."


And so, she led the CEO through the maze of corridors after docking with the Towers on the Executive Levels. After dropping off Mr. Stellar's guards a waiting station, she walked the visitor up to a pair of double doors. Made of a very old, yet very heavy wood the pair could make out tiny circuitry within the clear almost acrylic-like coating preserving the base of the door's construction.

"Mr. Arliss is inside."

And with that, the woman left Mr. Stellar.

The double doors opened automatically slow enough so as to not strike a guest. From the door an expansive office was seen in the subdued lighting. An entire wall behind a simple desk displayed the skyline of Muunillist and standing apart from the skyline was a shadow that was none other than Mr. Seamus Arliss.

"Welcome to Arliss Towers, Mr. Stellar. I understand from your initial transmission that you desired to do business with the New Order? May I ask what sort of business you had in mind?"