Seamus Arliss typically did not travel to other companies nor did he usually negotiate personally. This was the stuff left to his legal departments and other functionaries to carry out his wishes.
This, however, was different. Arliss Industries was to be making a major announcement that would have a direct impact on a variety of independent worlds and while any company the size of Stellar Enterprises would do, he wanted to see for himself what this Rob Stellar was made of. The man seemed ambitious and capable enough but, if rumor was to be believed, he had sold his balls to a backwater union of worlds.
However, rumors were rumors and so here he was.
The oppulant office he was shown into was nothing new. In fact, most wealthy people would simply ignore the extravagance since they were immersed in it all the time. No, such displays of wealth only served to inspire envious awe from those without the means to achieve them.
Rob Stellar was just as the documentaries portrayed him, if not the holovids. The man had a firm handshake which was to be expected for a man in his position and Seamus appreciated the brisk formalities. Sometimes, such things grew tedious and only resulted in wasted time and money.
"Mr. Stellar, I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. We are all busy men and so I would like to go straight to the heart of the matter. My company would like to purchase 100 warships of various classifications. They need not be all ships of the line but I will need them quickly. I am not asking for you to begin manufacturing them as I am presuming that you have quite a few in stock. If you do not have such an inventory, I imagine we can fill the balance with repossessions, incomplete models or ships just coming off the production line. If you have more, I would be interested in them as well."
Rob Stellar was busy with reconstruction effects on Taanab and Lantilles when Seamus Arliss himself called and requested a meeting. It was something Rob had never expected since the companies were different in most respects and operated with different forms of clients. As soon as the call was completed and meeting was set, Rob began to wonder what it was all about. With Arliss it was hard to guess.
When the man himself showed up at Denon for the meeting, Rob knew something serious was about to take place between them. The head of Arliss Industries wanted something or he had a very serious issue he wanted to discuss personally without simply sending representatives.
Their greeting was short and sweet, for which Rob was very greatfull. For some reason Rob could feel himself being studied or more likely sized up. That was to be expected of course. Rob tried to study his opponents and competitors as well, it was necessary part of the business.
"Please, call me Rob. I must say, I'm a little surprised to see you personally come to the meeting, but I am greatly pleased to have you here."
He sat and listened to the man's request, his mind racing through different possibilities of why Alriss Industries was something to him for ships. They had many other resources they could use and other larger shipyards that were still part of the TNO. Why did they need all those ships that soon? What were they planning? Was there an ulterior motive at play here? Arliss was a wise man and always had reasons for doing something.
"That order would be very hard to fill, but I'm sure we can scrap together most of that number. We can convert some large freighters into gunships for you if that is alright as well." He paused and sat up in his chair, looking over at Arliss with a small smile. "I have to ask, however, what will these ships be used for? It is something we ask of all our customers before we sign any agreements."
He stood up slowly and walked towards the bar slowly along the office wall. Rob made himself a drink and made what his people had told him was the drink of choice for Seamus. He hoped his people were right in their research as he move towards the man.
Perhaps the rumors were correct. Someone did have the master of Stellar Enterprises by the balls.
He accepted the drink as if it was his due. Anyone worth their weight in credits would have done their research to pander to a high profile visitor and Rob Stellar was no exception. He must have sold a small moon to obtain the drink but Arliss tossed it back like local rot-gut.
"The Alderraneans knew how to make good swag," he commented enjoying the smooth glide of the liquor. He held up his empty glass and, as expected, it was quickly refilled.
"I do not plan to use the ships, myself, Rob. As you know, for our own personal uses, we tend to trust the abilities of our own respective manufacturing divisions. No, what I mean to do with this purchase is simple resale."
He tossed back the second drink and was instantly enveloped with a warm feeling.
"Converted Freighters, you say?" He thought about it for a few seconds before coming to a conclusion as a result of the spreadsheets in his mind.
"I believe that will work. I would not be able to charge as much as an actual warship but as long as the number of those conversions remain low overall, the cost reduction can be offset."
He smiled in satisfaction. "I believe we do have a deal, Rob."
His glass was filled a third time and he took the time to cast curious glance to the master of Stellar Enterprises. "Tell me, Rob. What did you think I was going to do with warships?"
As they talked, Rob leaned back against the edge of the rather large office desk and looked at Seamus. Beside him he held the very expensive bottle of Alderanian liquor, making sure to keep the other man's glass always full.
"You should know that our resale contacts have changed a bit. We want to make sure the ships do not go into the hands of pirates or murderers. It's as much for our protection as others." He could almost feel the man in charge of Arliss Industries testing him for some reason. Could it be that the man had heard about his discussion with the RDI? What was discussed was not common knowledge. IF this was a test, Rob was not worried in the least.
He smiled at Seamus a bit and move around to sit back down at his desk. "We simply like to keep track of our ships once they are out there, it's part of our business."
"If you agree to allow us to review the persons to whom these ships are resold to, I'm sure there will be very minimal inconvenience to you." He paused and leaned back, crossing this fingers. "As for what I thought you were going to do with them, truthfully, I wasn't quite sure. I know that you probably wouldn't procure them for your own use since you have other yards for that. I had a thought that maybe you needed them for some operation your company is planning and are in need of more ships in a short amount of time."
It did not take a rocket scientist to know that Stellar Enterprises had changed their selling criteria. Every potential buyer was put through the same experience and after a few, word got around.
Seamus Arliss frowned at the last minute conditions. He looked up at Mr. Stellar and shook his head.
"You do know that murders do not have the funds to purchase warships? And pirates typically steal their ships, they do not buy them."
He chuckled, "And I assure you that I am not selling these vessels to such murdering pirates as Inferno Fleet or the mass murderer Jarvis Ragnar.
In any event, I do not think you realize just what it is I am about to do.
You do realize that a galactic war is on the verge of boiling over, yes? I do not own the nationalized shipyards of the New Order. With the Cree Ar declaration, the Empire has obviously bumped all the berth time my company held on account so I am forced to seek alternate means of conducting business.
You see, tomorrow I plan on announcing to every planetary government warships for sale. The warships I am purchasing from you. With the Cree'Ar attacking from the Core, who knows just where they will go and what world will be the next battleground.
I intend to ensure that whatever world lies within the path of the Cree'Ar, they will meet that world armed and ready to defend themselves. And since the Cree Ar attack could come really any day, time is of the essence.
So, if you want to come behind me and deny warships to prospective defenders of their world, that is your business. Personally, I always ensure my business dealings remain neutral between whatever forces are vying for power. But these Cree'Ar are different.
They seem to only be interested in killing or enslaving people to their cause and I can tell you that the various peoples of this galaxy will fight that. I intend to ensure that they be armed."
He held out his hand, "And I am asking that you take up the honor of being one of my suppliers."
Rob listened to Seamus and smiled slightly. "Mr.Alriss, murders and pirates come in different forms. It is true that most don't have the money, but a minority of them are something very rich and can afford top of the line ships for their dirty work. Tyrants come in all forms, poor as well as very well off. It seems to the way of galaxy at the moment."
He nodded and smiled back slightly at the man as he mentioned Inferno Fleet and Jarvis. While he admired their actions in trying to free the oppressed, he did not fully approve of their actions on Sullust. Rob had heard the reports from Mosses of the fleet fleeing during signs of trouble and leaving their comrades to take up the slack in supporting and protecting the ground forces from TNO counter attacks. Rob shook the thoughts from his mind for the moment, however, not letting it reflect in his facial expression as he listened to Seasum talk.
"I am fully aware of the state of the galaxy and it is truly a tragedy that more planets are not protected from attack. It is a hard time for a lot of peoples and all governments." He paused and shook the hand of the man sitting across from him. "Stellar Enterprises would be happy to supply ships for the defense of worlds that stand on the verge of assault from the Cree Ar and any other oppressive or murderous groups. We will be your supplier so long as the ships are used to protect civilians and not harm them."
At the last he squeezed the other man's hand and smiled as he looked into Seamus's eyes, trying see the truth within them. After a moment he released the others hand and reached over to pour some more of the liquor into both of their glasses and rose his up.
Seamus Arliss snorted, "True enough. However, we ..you and I.. are not in the business of changing the nature of humans, bothans or any other species. We are in the business of making money. It seems crass on the outside but really, nothing worthwhile that you and I could do would be possible without the credits earned by our business saavy. Sometimes, I think that is what the bleeding hearts of the galaxy do not seem to understand.
You are correct that tyrants come in all flavors but it is not the way of the galaxy at the moment. It is the way of the galaxy in every era. Even the vaunted Old Republic was full of it's own tyrants, crime lords and whatnot. The bleeding hearts that came to you, I imagine it was some bleeding heart that came to you because no self-respecting businessman would shoot his own company in the foot...anyway, these bleeding hearts came to you with shocking news that there are evil people in the galaxy and guess what? Some of the evils in this galaxy were done with a commodity you manufacture and/or sell?
I am sorry but we as leaders of industry do not bury our heads in the sand like some others. Well we did not become successful by wishing the galaxy was peace and flowers. We became successful because we recognize the sort of galaxy we live in and, let's be frank here, we build warships. Warships, like blasters are used to kill people.
We can wish they would always be bad people but that is just not how the galaxy works.
And anyone who tells you differently is a fool!"
"If you want a 100% guarantee, I cannot give it to you. Your ships will be sent to a holding location where our distribution companies will conduct the transactions with those worlds in the way of this alien invasion fleet. Perhaps the more these systems can whittle away at the fleet that took Coruscant, the less soldiers of the Empire, Coalition and others will be killed? In any event, I will have our distributors send you lists of the worlds that your ships are sold too. If your company officers wishes to investigate and they determine a planet is not worthy of your product and that they must look to other means of protection, we will repossess and retain possession of the product."
After shaking hands, the corporate mogul smiled. "I could use the drink. I would also like to view a portfolio of your products for sale."
Rob listened carefully as the man talked about evil in the galaxy and of course he was correct in that it had always excited. From the beginning of time beings have been fighting the battle between good and evil as well as between those that have and those that have not.
He nodded slowly as he leaned on his elbows towards Seamus. "Nothing is ever 100% guaranteed. You compromise seems sufficient enough for me."
Rob smiled as he lifted up the bottle again and slowly poured most of the liquor into Seamus's glass. "Would you care to stay for some dinner? There is a very fine restaurant at the top floor of this building. The surrounding view of the city is actually quite splendid."
He set the bottle back down and tapped along the top of this desk, punching in commands that caused a small door to open in the middle of office desk. Within seconds a full color holographic display appeared to float in midair. Rob reach out and gestured at the display causing it to swing around so that Mr. Arliss could see from his angle. It showed a comprehensive list of all the products Stellar Enterprises had for sale, from synthetic fabrics/materials to weapons, landspeeders, freighters, and warships. Each was its own category, with a page that held different images, specifications and even some basic schematics..
"We have an extensive collection of both military as well as civilian products for sale. Stellar Enterprises is also starting to expand its planetary Revival program to help devastated planets rebuild their own ecosystems."
With that he stood up and moved back towards the bar, pouring two glasses of newly imported Elysian Brandi and a bowl of fresh Gonda Fruit. He took both to Seamus and set the bowl down on the table.
"Please try of this and tell me what you think? We have just imported these. The Gonda fruit goes very well with the Brandi." He smiled and lifted up his glass.
Arliss nodded absently at the invitation to dinner. "That would be fine," he murmured as his focus was on the portfolio of Stellar Enterprises. He frowned as he went from hologram to hologram, part of his mind on listening to Rob Stellar and the other on the possibilities of what he was seeing.
At Mr. Stellar's latest comment about the planetary Rivival program drew an appreciative chuckle from Seamus. "Now that is crafty. The weapons bring worlds down and your rivival program builds them back up. A virtual self-perpetual cycle of objective selling right there!"
When Mr. Stellar brought over the fruit and drink, Seamus took out a scanning device. "I have to be careful with certain fruits and drinks. At my age, with my expensive tastes, I have found that I can be allergic to certain foods."
The scanner bleeped and he put it away. "These seem fine."
After a few minutes, he nodded. "While not my usual fare, I must commend your taste, Rob. These are quite good."
As he continued to drink, he asked, "Tell me, Rob. Do you do any business with the Empire?"
Rob saw Seamus frown as he looked at the collection offered by his company. "It something wrong Mr. Arliss?" He watched the man flipping through the Hellfire, Starstreak, and Binder Frigates as well as the Steadfast gunships, new Nova Corvettes, Griffen and Stellar Class Cruisers.
"Be it with our weapons or others, we feel that we should do what we can to try and make planets once ravaged habitable and flourish once more. Many peoples have been displayed over the years because their homes have been soiled by war or even simple overpollution. If we can help alleviate those problems and get the residents back to their homes, it is all worth it." He smiled and watched the man scan the fruit and drink before enjoying both, nodding softly.
"I'm glad everything is to your liking. I will have a case delivered to your ship so you may take some back to Muunilinst with you."
At the question about business with the Empire, Rob sat back in seat slowly and looked over at Seamus. "No Mr. Arliss, the New Order and Stellar Enterprises has not yet had any business together. We might cross through Imperial space when moving goods or such, but no real business. The New Order has it's own list of suppliers and we are not on that list."
