Rob moved towards the table with the Vice Commodore in the lead. He was glad to have this matter over and done with, but could also tell that it had hurt the man greatly. It would have hurt him as well had it been the other way around. Rob knew that he would have to excercise restraint next time and build trust before doing something as risky as what had been done.

With the glass in his hand, Rob sat down at the beautiful table. He rested the Charde on the table and looked over towards the man he was here to meet. The Vice Commodore looked to be a great man of much understanding and knowledge. He was a man that realized some oppertunities couldn't be wasted, but must be embraced. Their hopeful partnership would be this oppertunity for both of them.

Adjusting his suit and after taking a small drink of Charde, Rob set about to answer Shipwright's question. "Vice Commodore Shipwright, Stellar Enterprises has much to offer the Gestalt Colonies, I believe. We can offer you state of the art planetary defense systems as well as Defense Stations capable of staving off whole fleets of ships. Stellar Enterprises has also advanced greatly in the field Artificial Intelligence systems for the control of weapons and ships. With these we have developed purely automated defense systems for both planet and space defense.

"My company has also hired numerous experts in mining fields and can quickly set up mining operations anywhere in the galaxy. These operations can be fully sustained and the raw goods can be refined onsite before getting shipped out. We can mine and exteract minerals from anywhere you need and deliver them on time." Rob sad as he watched Lance.

"We also have numerous new ship designs and technologies for interfacing the human mind with machines. Our scientists might be able to work together for the advancement of both our technologies and with less cost."

Rob took a drink and slowly swallowed it, letting it refresh his body. "Does any this interest your needs? Perhaps you can tell me what your looking for in a partner and I might tell you if we can do that job or not?"

“Well,” started Lance in a non-committal tone of voice. “As you have no doubt deduced for yourself Gestalt is a nearly self sufficient, self sustaining entity. Whatever we need, we are capable of producing… more or less. However I fear that such an introverted technological environment is not conducive to the creation of new and innovative manifestations…”

“Granted, the Colonies are in no such danger.” He went on to add that, “indeed the Colonies have enjoyed something of a Golden Age in that regard; due in large part to contributions made by the Coalition and Kashan Province alike.”

Lance leaned forwards in his chair and propped his elbows at the tables’ edge. His fingers pressed against one another forming a steeple through and over which he regarded Rob Stellar at length. For a moment the Vice Commodore was silent as though debating whether or not to go on. Clearly he still possessed some reservations at Rob’s improvidence. His better nature won out.

“What I am looking for, from Stellar Enterprises for the Gestalt Colonies, is to expand that relationship to include a new, diverse company such as yours.”

Pausing once again, though with far less drama, Lance closed his fingers around the wine-flute and reclined in his seat taking a far more neutral and less hostile posture. What he was about to do would, could put Rob Stellar and Stellar Enterprises in a unique position to exploit the prosperity of the Colonies. Current trade systems were highly regulated and directly supervised by the Provisional Government and their management boards who in turn exercised considerable authority when dealing with illegal elements. Very strict authoritarian rules were in place, mandates which stated that all business contracts had to come from within the Colonies. Kashan and Gestalt traded openly; but this was only because the Kashans were every bit as upright as the Colonials in their approach to legislation. Even Coalition companies had to operate through the Provisional Government and were barred from engaging in any unauthorized trade above a certain value. This trend towards almost xenophobic intergalactic relations had been moving towards an ever more isolated state since the Foerost incident. The Vice Commodore was about to put Rob Stellar in a very singular position to open up shop in the Colonies; an exchange that would be of great profit to both.

“I would like to offer Stellar Enterprises the very unique opportunity to be the first and only trade entity authorized to conduct services within the Gestalt star system…” Staid eyes narrowed slightly. “But this offer comes with a heavy burden of responsibility, one that I am hesitant to bridge even under the best of circumstances. You have to understand …”

Of those companies operating in the Colonies one rose above all others in scope and scale and Colonial Technologies, the most significant trading force in the Gestalt Colonies, was directly linked to the government and military alike. Stellar Enterprises rivaled CT on all fronts and putting a man like Rob Stellar in a position to expand that base within the Colonies seemed a questionable bet at best. Appearances, however, tended to be deceptive.

“At first and to establish a relationship these opportunities would be limited to military and government contracts. Once a trust is formalized… the sky is the limit, so to speak.”

Rob listened to the man beside him talk about what he wanted from Stellar Enterprises. At first the man seemed tense and this in turned prevented Rob from loosening up a little. So little was known about the Gestalt Colonies that he had not been informed on their customs and ways of negotiating. This was a very important first meeting and Rob didn't want anything else to go wrong after the whole Drone incident. It was because of this that Rob Stellar sat up straight during the beginning of the Vice Commodores statement.

It was only when Lance himself relaxed and sat back in the chair to continue that Rob let himself breath a sigh of relief. He took the grass he had been handed delicately and slowly drank from it. After setting it back down on the table, Rob leaned back as well and looked over at the Commodore. He listened to the man carefully and went over everything inside his mind.

He understood what Lance ment about creative stagnation when a group of begins let themselves become isolated for so long. Isolation was a delicate thing and Rob knew it all to well himself. His company had been isolated for quite a while before coming out into the open and as now, their main Headquarters was isolated as well to keep safe. However, unlike in the Gestalt Colonies, his company hired many different types of being to conduct a variaty of different jobs. The more diversity there was in the company the more new and innovative ideas had a chance to arise.

Rob felt privaledged to have been chosen out of all the different companies in the galaxy. It would be his goal to further expand and nourish this now fragile relationship they were building.

"I assure you whole heartedly that you will find Stellar Enterprises and myself to be most trustworthy. I understand that it might take time for us to build the steady, unwaivering trust we are looking for, but I have no doubt it can be done." Rob paused and sat up a little in his seat.

"Whatever you require my company can produce for you. You only need to make the orders and I will personally make sure everything you ask for will be built and delivered to your specifications and on time. I would also like to thank you for concidering my company and giving use the oppertunity to conduct business with the great Gestalt Colonies. You will not be disappointed Vice Commodore."

Lance, struck by a moment of unusual good natured ambition, chuckled and stuck his hand out at the CEO while saying, “This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Naturally the Vice Commodore had his reservations about the man and his burgeoning enterprise but weighed against the possible gains of a open business relationship with one another he had to admit that the latter was of greater benefit to him and his people. Stellar Enterprises represented a new breed of financial underdog that was quickly gaining momentum and, if the future played out well for the new company, could be looking at potentially overcoming the old status quo imposed by the mega corporations such as Vinda Corp. In that fashion Stellar Enterprises and the Gestalt Colonies were not unlike one another, they were both new to the galactic climate and were both making amazing headway in the development of their own operational paradigms. Working in tandem, the two young entities could expect to enjoy the graces of one another’s success and it was to this point that the Vice Commodore wished to speak.

Retaking his hand from the grip of Rob Stellar, Lance settled again into his chair and gestured for one of his aides to come forward. The aide, a Delta unit human replica android, held in its hands a holographic projector and a series of data cards, all of which he began to set up atop the table between Stellar and Shipwright.

“Doubtless you are wondering what the Gestalt Colonies can off your party in return for your dedicated services, in this region at the least.” He waved a hand at the aide who, in turn, slipped a data card into the projector. A series of financial diagrams leapt into the air separating them. They displayed a series of fairly detailed statistical data based on the early and projected growth of the Gestalt Colonies and the information presented within was impressive. Even to the uninitiated, among whom Rob Stellar was not, the dioramas were self explanatory and followed the considerable financial growth of the Colonies. “As you can see the Colonies have enjoyed an unparalleled level of success since the formation of our charter and declaration of solidarity. The marketplace which I am about to make available to Stellar Enterprises is considerable and offers significant room for a company like yours to operate within. Naturally I will request certain accommodations be made on your end; I cannot have an unmonitored entity such as yours maneuvering within our territory without some oversight.”

At this point Lance paused while his aide switched cards. He used this moment to study Stellar, to try and discern which if any of his physical gestures were potentially indicative of his state of mind. Still new to the political arena and struggling to find his feet in the world of high finance, Lance had begun trying to develop within himself the innate ability to read people around him. This had proven more difficult then he had expected and for a variety of reasons such as his tendency to surround himself with androids. Indeed within the Colonies most everyone regarded him as something of a prodigy which tended to effect how people looked at him and acted in his company. Others, such as those members of the scientific and technological communities, were too concerned with their own affairs in general that they saw him as a peer, or employer, at best. Certainly there were notable exceptions, Paula Ramos and Ruben Mar-Veil to name two, who matched Lance at every turn and step but they had become too few and far between. Here, meeting with Rob Stellar in such close quarters, he was presented with a genuine opportunity to test what he had learned so far.

What he had learned, he decided, was that Rob Stellar was a guarded man.

Just then another image leapt into view.

A planetoid, displayed in real time, rotated in the space between them at roughly two meters in diameter.

“This,” said Lance Shipwright with an open palm, “is astral body CX-1001b and I would like to offer it, quite simply, to you.”

CX-1001b had been discovered on the perimeter of the Gestalt solar system deep within the cloud of celestial debris that swarmed around its outer edge. The area was rife with developing bodies rich in mineral assets that were simply too unstable to be mined but CX-1001b had proven to be an exception. At roughly five thousand kilometers and ovoid in shape it possessed a stable orbit and static surface state that, tests indicated, were perfect for mining. Like the rest of the Gestalt system and the planetary bodies there-in, CX-1001b was, by all indications, a virtual fountain of forming mineral assets.

Slowly, as the planetoid continued to rotate, the perspective shifted minimizing the planetoid and bringing to the forefront a series of survey analysis which spoke to the rich composition of the rock. Watching Rob Stellar study the information Lance was almost positive he noticed a slight change in the mans facial expression; as though the corners of his lips were being tugged upwards by some invisible force.

“The needs of the Gestalt Colonies are considerable Mr. Stellar and the rewards we are prepared to offer for your compliance in these matters are equally considerable. We require assets of he military sort and I have been informed that your company has, in its brochure, a wide variety of military goods to offer. Specifically, I require a large number of your orbital and stationary defense platforms to further secure the Gestalt system. I require vessels of the military variety for both merchant and naval operations; I require systems to operate these assets.”

"Both data sets will, of course, be made available."

Lance propped his elbows on the table.

“The Gestalt Colonies, since the outset, have been investing our resources in assuring ourselves the ability to declare our solidarity as a fully functional political, economical and military power within the galaxy. Our space may seem limited but it is unbelievably rich and we fully intend to see that our presence here is not tampered with. What I would require of your company is assistance in the latter two, economy and military and would require that your company put priority attention to all Gestalt transactions. And I do mean the forefront of your attention.”

“What do you say?”

Rob smiled gently as relief washed over him slowly. He took the Commodore's hand and shook it slowly while looking at this man seated before him. It could be seen that his man cared greatly about his people and wished all the best for them. Lance was a military man, but at the moment he was trying to act the role of diplomat and politician and from Rob could see was doing a fine job of it. Rob respected this man for letting him into his guard and trusting him enough with this business preposition and friendship between their two groups.

The Vice Commodore had been so hospitable that Rob still felt bad inside about the misunderstanding with the whole drone thing. He wished he would have ordered that canceled, but knew nothing could change what had happened. Next time he would have to be more thoughtful and restrained. Being a man of business Rob was still learning the ways of diplomacy and in that sense both he and Lance were similar.

As he released the man's hand and sat back to watch both Lance and the android that approached, Rob listened carefully to all that was being said. When the charts were projected, Rob leaned back in his seat and studied them slowly. While he was not an economist, it was not difficult to see the great growth sustained by the Colonies over the years. The graphs also indicated that this grow was not projected to ease. The information, Rob knew, was being shown to impress upon him to the economic capabilities of the Gestalt Colonies and to also make him see that business with the Colonies would be a great business investment.

The image displayed actually surprised Rob and caused him to lean towards it. He slowly studied this rotating body and read the reports that were presented around it as Lance spoke. It was impressive, to say the least, that something like this was being offered to him. The body was a whole seemed to be a single massive compressed mineral deposit with a variety of resources, all of which were badly needed by Stellar Enterprises in order to continue their corporate extension. What amazed Rob even more was that Lance was offering this body to Stellar Enterprises.

Rob took a short drink and smiled slightly at the Vice Commodore, looking him it in the eyes. "What can one say when presented with such opportunities? I say you have yourself a deal and I thank you for trusting me enough to allow my company to conduct business inside the great Gestalt Colonies. I give you my word that Stellar Enterprises will accommodate all your requests and regulations. Within the Gestalt territories all Stellar Enterprises vessels will have active beacons if you so require so that all their movement could more easily be monitored. Also if you require it, only ship without weapons will conduct business with the Gestalt Colonies."

He paused and sat up a little. "Commodore Shipwright I personally assure you that the Gestalt Colonies will be the priority of Stellar Enterprises. Your orders, military or otherwise, will be completed before all others and delivered to the Colonies as soon as possible. All data on our military and civilian technologies is available on this datapad."

Rob reached into his other pocket and produced a datapad. He pushed his palm against the rear part of the unit and had it quickly scan his vein pattern to identify him as the owner of this said pad. With that done and the files inside unlocked, Rob slowly handed the datapad to Lance so that the man could browse through it when he saw fit.

"A secure private line will be set up specially for you to connect Stellar Enterprises. All calls will have priority and this line will allow you to place any orders you need to under secure channels. If you need any modifications done to some of our system, that would be possible as well." Once more Rob paused and looked towards the rotating stellar body that was still on display. "What percentage of the mined product would be turned over to the Gestalt Colonies?"

“My good man,” began Lance with a smile. “The profits would be yours to dispense with as you please. Our gestalt Colonial effort is not currently well placed to begin a new mining expansion and to that end, we are fully prepared and willing to offer you exclusive mining rights to the aforementioned celestial body. As you have been made aware, the planets of our star system are incredibly rich in mineral deposits and the further consideration of our extra-system deposit cloud, the Oort…”

“The Gestalt Colonies are offering you this astral position as a token of good will and future forbearance. All we ask in return, as I have indicated, is priority service due our region and percentage status. The profits of the planet in question are yours to do with as you wish, but our orders and demands will be high and extensive. Much of what you produce, in the form of refined product, will be required by the Colonies and we will pay accordingly to compensate your expenses while suitably icing the payments to make you a rich, pardon me… richer man.”

The Vice Commodore studied his guest for a moment before continuing. For his part, the CEO of Stellar Enterprises, his guest, Rob seemed very cool and collected given the massive strides they had made between them in their discussions. From the point of anger and aggravation they had moved to amicable and impressed with one another.

“Very soon the Gestalt Colonies will cease their expansion. We will have claimed this entire star system as our own and once that has been completed our goal will be, quite simply, to civilize the entire length and breadth of our territory. To that end we will be in need of extensive supply; constructed, refined, and raw.”

“Understand me, Mr. Stellar, the requirements of the Gestalt Colonies are not insignificant and will put a significant strain on your resources as I judge them, at least, in this region of the Galaxy.”

With only a momentary pause the Vice Commodore rose from his chair, “And I need you to be perfectly clear on the fact that trade conducted with the Colonies must be internalized, which is to say that your staff must be stationed within our space and overseen by our authorities. I do not mean to alarm you with this almost… police-state trade referendum, I truly do not but you have to appreciate that the people of the Colonies, the colonists themselves, have come together out of a unified desire for peace, security and prosperity. To some our stance on galactic affairs may seem isolationist or insular, but I beg that you see the truth in our position.”

“The people of Gestalt are, by and large, human. We are men and women who have grown tired of the persecution due us simply because of our species as a result of actions not our own. We are men and women who have come together in defiance of rampant expansion and inquisition. You have to appreciate that humans within the Galaxy are often regarded with suspicion or disdain simply because some, granted a majority, chose to side with the Empire and abandon the multi-cultural ways of the Republic that stood before it. Within the Colonies are those same humans who wish to associate with their own, but have no desire to force their wishes upon others… we have no dreams of subjugation, Mr. Stellar.”

“We are a quiet and passionate people who wish to preserve our way of life here, in our quiet corner of the Galaxy.”

By now, in his ramblings, Lance had covered the length of the floor and paced round the table to stand beside his guest, the CEO of Stellar Enterprises.

“Mr. Stellar, if you can accept these facts and if you can appreciate their weight thusly; then I dare say, we have a deal.”

Rob listened to the man talk and could not help but like what he was told. Prosperity between the Gestalt Colonies and his own Stellar Enterprises would spread quickly, as would their strengthening relationship. Both could become almost like partners together and Rob knew Stellar Enterprises could use all the friends it could get in this uncertain galaxy.

He understand all of what Lance explained to him and agreed without a second though. While the man stood and walked around, Rob casually followed him with his eyes and sipped at this drink slowly. Stellar Enterprises worked with every race and tried to integrate workers of all races to work together, but that did not mean that other places in the galaxy shared different beliefs. These beliefs were always respected Rob would make certain that Stellar Enterprises worked inside the Colonies in such a way that the people of Gestalt would feel most comfortable.

When Lance paused beside him, Rob looked up at the man and smiled. "I understand completely and can assure that I would never try to go against your peoples culture."

Rob paused for a moment and slowly rose to his feet, turning towards the man as he extended his hand out with a smile. "We have a deal then. I accept all that you have stated. Stellar Enterprises will follow your rules to the letter. I thank you for giving us the opportunity to work together and establish a relationship.

He did not mention, however, that internally he had already planned to ask for permission to build factories within the Gestalt Colonies and hire Gestalt citizens to work them. Rob had already estimated it would be much cheaper to process everything as close to the resource source as possible. That meant establishing mineral processing and sorting bases within the Colonies. Stellar Enterprises would also want to build factories that could turn these raw ores into actual products.

Many, many months later…


Beautiful, he thought. It is just beautiful.


Lance Shipwright studied the diagrams with an appreciative eye.


To him this was a water-color sunset painted across a windswept plain rife with tall grass and the singing of birds. To him this was the finest poetry, the birth of a new star. To his eye this was bliss.


Some men found beauty in the depths of space while others told stories of great adventures and lived memories shared by generations, but he, this student of the sciences, found beauty in the perfect equations, the symmetrically rounded angle of energy distribution, and the design perfection that made starships like this go.


He ran his fingers over the foam-rendered maquet model. It sat upon the surface of his desk a long, sleek monument to the technical achievement of man. The action was to him like the appreciation of strength in the flank of a mount.


“Bring me the rest of the catalogue,” he said aloud.


A delta-unit human replicant android, lurking patiently at the edge of the Vice Commodores desk, stepped forward. “There is nothing further.”


“Fine,” Lance spoke from behind his child-like smile. “Bring me the designer then.”


The Delta nodded…


Hours later, after a series of communications between ‘his people’ and ‘their people’ a meeting was set. The timing, as it occurred was fortuitous for both, each party having planned to attend the semi-annual meeting of an investment in which the both shared stock.


This was in turn relayed to Lance Shipwright. Word reached him, ironically enough, while attending to a personal oversight investigation in to the development of a new Colonial starship project. The humor of it was not lost on him.


Despite the activity below, looking down on the keel of the new vessel from a high catwalk overlooking the construction yard, he remembered their last meeting. Rob Stellar, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Enterprises had been something of an enigma to the Vice Commodore and while he was inclined to regard him as a peer, and respect him thusly, something held him back. Even now, these many long months after their initial meeting, having had the time to examine their meeting in detail, he could not identify what about the man had put him ill at ease. Since their initial deals, contracted and all, both had enjoyed the success of the other and Stellar Enterprises continued to be a blooming resource for the Colonies and vise versa. He could not fault the numbers and the numbers told a fanciful tale of fiscal firmament.


“Ah well,” he said aloud to no one in particular (though those in attendance, a small cadre of technical experts, paused to regard the Vice Commodore curiously). “There is always tomorrow.”

The Chief Executive Officer and President of Stellar Enterprises, Rob Stellar, strode rather lazily through the corridors of the EmmExx Mining Headquarters. The mining base and its attached headquarters had been established in only a few short months. Even after so little time, results could already be seen as every week more and more materials were mined from within the planetoid and in turned shipped to processing centers all over the Gestalt Colonies. This, however, would soon not be necessary, after those very facilities were constructed on MX-101C2.

Rob noted, as he walked, that there were less people now then the last time he had been here. That was months ago, though, while the facility was still under construction. What was the same, was the fact that all those inside were humans, as per the agreement with the Colonies, and that all wore similar blue and gray coveralls. These had been Rob's idea after some thought.

With Stellar Enterprises given almost complete control of the mining operations on MX-101C2, it was Stellar Enterprises responsibility to keep everyone working efficiently and in high spirits. Even though all were humans, they still came from many different places with different backgrounds and ways of doing things. In the relative close confines of the mining facility those differences could at times be magnified and caused many problems.

In order to try and prevent problems from arising, all had to be considered the same. The coveralls were one of those tools. All were blue and gray, the colors given to the operation, and all contained insignias of Stellar Enterprises and the Gestalt Colonies, one on each shoulder. This told everyone that they were the same personal. They all worked from Stellar Enterprises and the Colonies and here it mattered not where they came from.

So far all the reports had been positive. Arguments among the workers had been rare and violence towards each other unheard of. It was only the first few months, of course, but it things seemed to be promising. Rob's thinking was interrupted by his ear implant going off.

"Sir, we just received a priority message from the Gestalt Colonies Government. Vice Commodore Shipwright would like to set up a meeting with you."

The Vice Commodore studied the Chief Executive officer of Stellar Enterprises, Rob Stellar. Lance Shipwright had come to respect the man for his valuable contributions to the Colonies of Gestalt, such that he had been awarded estates on David Colony and Gestalt itself, such that his name was known well to the power elite of the Colonies, such that he could not escape his responsibilities to the Colonies.

Lance Shipwright did not approve of placing any one man, aside from himself, in a position of such considerable importance but he had come to realize that, despite his best efforts, he was only human and thus only capable of so much. There were duties that needed attending that, simply put, were too consuming for him to pay personal attention. Even so he would not be made a fool of and so even Rob Stellar, paragon of economic triumph that he was, had to deal with constant oversight from authorized Colonial authorities the likes of which often reported directly to the Vice Commodore.

Beyond the Colonies however; Rob Stellar and his company represented the Colonies only external trading partner save for the planet Kashan and the Confederation to which it was attached, Outside of those two restricted yet significant bodies the Colonies maintained an almost totally insular posture in relation to trade and economy. An admitted need existed for men like Rob Stellar to facilitate the continued growth of the Colonies from an external perspective and from that admitted need he and his Enterprises had benefited largely. In turn, and in thanks for that unparalleled level of fiduciary supplementation, Rob Stellar had become a friend of the Colonies not unlike Corise Lucerne of Kashan had become to Gestalt, and Lance Shipwright personally.

He wanted to dispise the man, to mistrust him. He wanted a cause, a catalyst for his ongoing paranoid beliefe that, at his core, Rob Stellar just wanted to take advantage of the back-water Colonial, to exploit them for his own ends. But so far he had demonstrated no propensity for betrayal nor any desire to diminish what the people of Gestalt had created. In fact, and though Shipwright was hard pressed to acknowledge it, Rob Stellar seemed to have a genuine interest in seeing the Colonies become everything they could be, wanted to be.

Trained in the Imperial fashion, Lance Shipwright found it difficult in the extreme to relate to people honestly, without reservations. Rob Stellar, it seemed, was a much more open and willing man then he...

The two were seated on one of the open air balcony's that overlooked the cities below. Their meeting had been kept informal, scheduled to meet with one another at La Chateau Amour, one of the Colonies premiere haute cuisine establishments, the sort of restaurant, the sort of establishment, that catered to the rich elite.

Lance Shipwright was dressed in his usual hybrid finery, a navy-blue suit that seemed to incorporate military and civilian fashions. He had reserved one of the most highly prized tables in the restaurant and ordered a bottle of the finest Kashan wine to start things off.

Neither man had touched his drink. After exchanging pleasantries, greeting one another in kind, an uncomfortable silence had fallen upon them. This was not the venue to which they were suited, these were men who brokered their deals in dusty boardrooms, made their choices in quiet, secluded offices. But the Vice Commodore would have none of that for this meeting. As Stellar became an increasingly Colonial name, Shipwright was interested to see how he was living in these, his Colonies.

After a few moments of prolonged silence, Lance Shipwright spoke.

"Welcome, Mr. Stellar. It has been too long. How have you been?"

And then he leaned in, elbows on the table and propped his chin in his palms then added, "And more importantly, how are we doing?"