The city below them was truly a beautiful place, filled with distinct structures and bustling with speeders flowing in all directions. It was all mechanical, yet ever so artistic if one chose to see it as such. Cut off from the rest of the galaxy, the Gestalt Colonies had managed to form a very distinct culture and architecture all of its own. A culture that was as unique as it was somewhat stagnant in certain aspects.

One of these aspects was the Gestalt Colonies unwillingness to accept other races, but humans, into their planets. Living a galaxy full of different beings, Rob found this somewhat strange. Of course the people were not Xenophobic, but they would also not think twice about not working with other races.

Some might have found this disconcerting, while others could have agree wholeheartedly with their ways, Rob, however, chose to understood where those feeling came from. He would love to see the day where the Colonies dealt with other races, but until that time comes he would accept their customs and do as they wished.

The Gestaltians were great people, though. They were hard workers and learned new things rapidly without having to be told twice. Rob was amazed at what they had been able to accomplish in their small corner of the galaxy. It was also amazing that out of all companies in the galaxy, they would pick his Stellar Enterprises to trade with. He was proud that his once little company was almost an exclusive trading partner with the Gestalt Colonies.

What he did not understand, however, was their small infatuation with him. Over the last months he had been mentioned in all the newspapers and interviewed on all the major news networks. He had slowly grown acustom to the Colonies and had even invested in the building of newer apartment structures and renovations of older ones. Rob had never wanted much recognition, but that was not under his control. He would do what was best for this company and the people that worked for it.

He looked out and ran his eyes slowly over the skyline of the massive, sprawling city below them. In the distance was a tall lone building covered in a massive scaffold structure. That building would be the newly renovated Colonial Ambassador Hotel and Condominium. What used to be an old shell of an office skyrise, would be a new place for people to travel to and live in. With that thought in mind, Rob slowly turned towards the Vice Commodore that sat beside him.

Lance Shipwright was a curious man to Rob. He was great leader, but also very reserved within himself. The man had first not trusted Rob, something Rob was well aware of. Their first meeting had not gone off as planed, but things had seemed to change between them. They both needed each other and that need had turned into a friendship of some sorts. In many ways they were the same person, both wanting what was best for their respective peoples.

"We are doing very well, Vice Commodore." Rob smiled as he responded to the questions. "We are ahead of schedule for the mining operations and I'm sure you know that the first shipments of raw ore have been delivered already. I am most pleased with the way everything had been running. I wish to thank you for providing those personnel for the project."

He paused and looked out at the city. "The Colonies have been most good to Stellar Enterprises, I do hope that my company has reciprocated in kind? Are there any other things Stellar Enterprises can provide for the good people of the Gestalt Colonies?"

“Well,” countered the Colonial smugly, “it is fortunate that you should ask just such a question. You see, the Colonies are poised to institute some considerable changes not the least of which would cause a sizable shift in our economical practices.”

In the distance, in the city far below, the sound of a siren could be heard. Such intrusions were rare, very rare, among the citizenry of the Gestalt Colonies. Theirs was a stable, secure lifestyle dependant upon the state and the individual alike. Infrequent were these sort of developments. So uncommon were these deviations in fact that it was often joked at that the local police constabularies would be better turned in to parks for the children. This was of course an extreme statement; in truth the authorities were vital to the continued peace. Still, Lance Shipwright understood the attempted levity.

True to form the wailing cry of sirens died off in short order signifying the return to normality. To Lance Shipwright this seemed a perfect punctuation to his point, so he continued unabated.

“The Galaxy is a forever unstable place, down to its most insignificant aspect. Indeed, we humans exemplify this simple truth; though limited our perceptions we look upon the galaxy with ambitious eyes.”

This sudden break seemed to confuse Rob Stellar, though his confusion was brief. The Vice Commodore was beginning to suspect that the eager CEO was ever becoming accustomed to the Colonials eccentricities. He smiled at that inward thought and fixed Stellar with a penetrating stare.

“You are of course familiar with the legal complications of insider trading? Naturally, the Chief Executive of such a sizable, successful enterprise as your own would have to be. But then, negotiating the labyrinthine corridors of intra-galactic commerce can be tricky at the best of times such that, one can often explain away such inconsistencies.”

Lance paused here, sipping at his beverage with an appreciative smile at Stellar over the rim of his crystal vessel. Somewhere in the restaurant a party was unfolding, those in attendance reviling aloud in chorus while singing a fond, happy birthday to one of them. Through the sliding glass doors, the billowing drapery, the sound of their jubilation was subdued. All the same it brought to Shipwright a sense of pride, that simple display – that here they, the people of the Colonies, had come so far.

It was a simple thing, like so many, but in it they found a common ground.

“Robert,” Lance resumed. He had placed his elbows upon the table and leaned closer to the Stellar executive. “The Colonies are going to leave the Coalition.”

He allowed but a moment for Stellar to absorb those words before pressing on.

“I cannot go in to great detail here and now as to the why and the how of these things, but I want you to be a part of the when and the what. That is to say, Mr. Stellar, that I am putting you in the unique trading position to take advantage of this development.”

“The announcement will not be public for some time, but when it comes you can be assured that investment in our Colonially traded stock will sky rocket while assets tied up with the remnants of the Coalition will convexly plummet. Those with knowledge of this immanent change will have the ability to shift their holdings accordingly and come away from it, personally, much the richer. Which is to say nothing of your sizable corporate investments in the same…”

A cool breeze blew across the balcony.

“I want to put Stellar Enterprises in a choice place to maximize their returns. However, do not change your Kashan and Confederate investment plans – the Rear Admiral and I will doubtless forge a continuing, strong relationship between our peoples. That said, any person in a proper position to take advantage of that friendship…”

“All I ask, Mr. Stellar, is that in return for this prized information you, as a representative of Stellar Enterprises, can assure me, assure the people of the Gestalt Colonies that this change in political power will not jeopardize our need, indeed our vital necessity to retain commercial contacts abroad, such as yourself. And in exchange you, and your company, will stand to make a considerable profit.”

“So you see, as always my only concern is for the people of Gestalt and the societal element we represent. Surely you cannot begrudge me that – even where the conventions of intergalactic commerce would seem morally complicit.”

Again, Lance Shipwright smiled. He was really coming to appreciate Stellar, and his Enterprises.