(All Endgame threads [with the exception of Empire Forever] to run concurrent with each other)





Prelude…. From Endgame: Laying the Foundation….


“The reports are not good, Mr. Tenloss. As you are no doubt aware, when we brokered your account as a viable entity to bring economic commerce into Coruscant, our unfamiliarity with the planetary city’s geography posed many problems. And while the Empire has been gracious enough to uncensor some archives during their “tenor”, they did not disclose everything.

We also did not realize the full extent of the decay of the city. Appearances are very deceiving in this case.

Construction of the main factory complexes are nearly half done. The fourth complex is finished with the outer structure but interior refinements have come slowly. Much of this is due to the chaos that seems to shadow over every on planet business entity. The shipping companies are disorganized, the on planet transporters are on strike, and these…riots.”



*

“It has been determined that we cannot complete these jobs while relying on planetary authorities and civil police. Even they are on strike, many leaving for Corellia and greater opportunities it brings.

I spoke with ">pub33.ezboard.com/fswalli...82.topic"> Senator Balledan briefly and we both realize that Coruscant has neither the resources nor quality of command with which to combat this situation that is getting worse.

Arliss Industries has offered to help his situation as well as protect our assets by pushing forward the activation date of our own corporate security divisions.”


*

“..You see, Mr. Tenloss, we are not only protecting our facilites, offices and future projects… we are also protecting the neighborhoods, the levels, frell.. even the districts they are located in.”


*


“I already have men there that simply need to be placed. However, what is to prevent further attacks at our sites? I don’t think we can prevent it but we can act to decrease the chances of more.”

Tenloss leaned forward and asked simply, “How?”


The smile broke as her lips parted, “By raising the moral of the people. By …distracting them from their sorry plights. Quite simply, by bringing to Coruscant the largest, most successful entertainment corporation in the galaxy.”

Tenloss’ lips curled slightly and Jenice couldn’t read if it was amusement or disgust.

He answered his own question with his next word, “Vinda..”


*

“….Arliss Towers has been spending money.. Massive amounts of money. Without some kind of return, with the amounts we are talking about, the Towers will be bankrupt in two months.”







Six Months Ago…



Bonadan



“Ms. Arliss, to see Mr. Vinda, please.” Came the nervous voice of Jenice Arliss. She wasn’t used to being off Muunilist and being in the company of so many strange men…People! did not sit too well with her demeanor.

The attendant nodded in acknowledgement and had Jenice sit in the expansive lobby area. The mysterious Seth Vinda was an enigma within an enigma. Jenice hated enigmas. She hated mysteries and nothing less than the cold, hard facts would satisfy her.

There were rumors that the man was part Jedi but then again, there were rumors that he ate babies.

In any case, her mental exercises continued which seemed to have a calming effect as she waited…

"...Send her in..."



*As Vinda informed Achinta that he was ready to see Ms Arliss, he was already making his way to the lobby, where the well known business woman was waiting.

Striding in , the noise of the bodyguard's long black leather coat, and the thud of his boots, seemed to enhance his rather intimidating presence. To those who not used to it, at least...

He stretched his hand out in greeting, all the while, noting the woman's calmness as she shook it.
Ms Arliss was obviously someone who looked deeper than first impressions...

Although not visible from the outside, this had already impressed Achinta.
His eyes focused on the woman in front of him as he smiled slightly*

"...Good afternoon Ms Arliss, I trust your journey was good. I am Achinta Vega, Mr Vinda's assistant. I apologise for the wait, he is ready to see you now...."

*He shifted quickly and adeptly to one side, gesturing for Ms Arliss to lead through the doors, almost as if he'd done the same thing a hundred times before.*

"...this way please..."

She might as well have been walking into a Rancor's lair. Sure Mr. Vinda was well known with many people claiming popularity in the fact of simply getting to meet the man but few...very few ever questioned their "good" fortune.

Did business meetings and congenial banter make a man approachable and open?

And, in any case, did that make a man trustworthy?


Jenice held her breath and purposefully crushed any sense of awe that was unconsciously bubbling up.

Here was the seat of power to the strongest, most powerful corporate entity in teh galaxy!

Her eyes briefly scanned the office almost as if she were trying to avoid contact with its inhabitant...almost as if she were struggling with the idea of even confronting the man...

...and then, with resignation born of futility, she mentally sighed and forced herself to gaze upon her counterpart.



Flash....

Kaine's words whispering in her ear the night before she left Muunilist...


"Vinda has won the economic war... Tenloss has finally made the mistake that will finish him...

the mistake of pride..."

Kaine smiled faintly. "Criminals should never go legitimate. Adalric was right about that...They lose their focus.."

Jenice turned to him.."Tenloss is still powerful.." and Kaine laughed softly.

"Entropy is overtaking him at a fast rate. Unwittingly he has given control of the galactic economy over to Vinda Corp. Even Mr. Vinda does not realize it yet... But he will.."

Simon turned to the woman beside him.

"Wet his appetite Jenice. But hold him.... hold him back for a few months. I don't care how much it costs and how much is sacrificed... no matter what it takes..

Cryonics provided the foundation..but Vinda..


Vinda is what will carry us into a new era."




Jenice took a deep breath and started.

"Mr. Vinda. My name is Jenice Arliss" she started shaking his hand, ignoring consciously but remaining aware of his assistant's presence.

"On behalf of Arliss Towers, Muunilist, I would liek to be the first to congratulate you for your shattering of the Corporate Sector Authority's back.

Our analysts have confirmed that the CSA is broken."


Her lips smiled but her eyes took on a harder quality.

"What I am about to inform you is considered inside information that you may or may not be aware of.

The last strongholds of the CSA are reporting bankable capital assets, even despite their losses in their fight against you.. According to their reports, within the year they will be in a position to launch another strike against Bonadan should they desire too."


She paused to glance at Achinta before continuing...giving Vinda a cue that there would be more..and, if he wished it private, well... he'd take measures..


"On paper, Vinda Corp simply moved CSA assets around doing little in way of destroying them. However, I stress..on paper.

The reality of it is, quite simply, the CSA is bleeding to death, their worlds (what remain of them) are in chaos, their infrastructure blown away with their ill conceived attack upon you."


Jenice bit her lip slightly.


"With the reports...with the misinformation that the CSA holdings are leaking..with their papers projecting this "everything is ok" environment,

CSA based stocks will remain very high..
CSA financial institutions solid..
and the value of their credit will remain.

Naturally the realities of their plight will soon become evident thus destroying their..." she waved her hand, "false sense of security."

She stared hard at Vinda.

"Unless..

Unless investors come to CSA's rescue to keep that "false security" alive long enough to become a reality. Perhaps, long enough for the CSA to regain what it lost.."


Her heart beat a little faster as she let out..

"Arliss Industries is investing heavily into the CSA..."


She held a hand up..

"Before you speak, let me continue...


Arliss Industries has no designs against you.

But it is vital that the CSA remain strong economically, dependent on our investments, for a time...

The Towers have already forwarded billions of Imperial credits into their coffers to keep them solvent.

In this "time", during this sense of security, they may grow bold...they may lash out in small ways..

harassing your shipping, harassing your people, looking for ways to hurt.. perhaps even kill you.


This cannot be helped."


Her hand trembled slightly.


"I am instructed to tell you that should Vinda Corp wish to puncture the CSA's "false sense of security"..or decide to unilaterally strike and finish them off,

The full weight of the Empire will be brought to bear against you."

Jenice's blood chilled slightly at the sound of her own voice, realizing the weight her words carried.

"Mr. Vinda,

This is not said with intent to threaten. This is said to underline the necessity of what my company is doing on behalf of the Empire.

However, it will not totally be one sided.

If you agree to endure the CSA for a time, I am instructed to inform you that your company will be rewarded handsomely.

Very, very handsomely."



Mentally, she let out a sigh of relief...

...endure...



Vinda remained silent as Jenice Arliss spoke, his calm exterior not betraying his inner thoughts, as inwardly his mind analysed, and read between the lines...

His eyes narrowed slightly as he picked up on her carefully chosen wording , which seemed to be enhanced as her voice reverbed around the chamber of Vinda's private study...


...and what, pray tell, does she mean by....endure?....


As Jenice continued , Achinta seemed to melt seamlessly into one dimly lit corner of the room. Quickly becoming obscured by the swirls of Cigarra smoke that eminated and drifted from Vinda as he sat behind his black marble desk....listening quietly to the woman in front of him...


....looking for ways to hurt.. perhaps even kill you....


Vinda was already contemplating this particularly unpleasant thought, when he heard the next one....


....."The full weight of the Empire will be brought to bear against you"...


His face darkened a little as he envisioned exactly what that would entail, but softened somewhat as the mention of a handsome award escaped Jenice's lips....

...evidently there is much more to this than meets the eye...

Vinda chewed on the end of his Cigarra as Jenice's last words echoed through his mind....


....Very, very handsomely....


Once Jenice finished, Vinda, still silent, looked down at his cigarra that he held in his left hand, examining it closely. Then, placing it back into his mouth, he took a long slow drag and as he exhaled deeply, the smoke danced around his face....almost as if he was savouring its taste...or

...was it perhaps the moment?....

He fixed his gaze back onto Jenice, as he spoke....his eyes seemed to narrow more, as if reading hers....

"....I assume you have something in mind Ms Arliss?, since I take it you didn't travel all this way, just to threaten me..."

Maybe she had, maybe thats all she and her...."benefactors" wanted from him, but he didn't buy it, there was more here than what met the eye....

...he wanted to know more...

...and he was waiting for her to tell him....

Simon, the man is nobody's fool. Offering him all the gold in the galaxy is not going to hinder a smart man from asking, "why?" or at the very least question the motive!"


Kaine smiled at Jenice, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at a photo of the enigmatic Mr. Vinda. A rare photo... Even Imperial Intelligence was hardpressed to obtain one.



"Sometimes a strong opening will blindside people, Jenice. Sometimes. If the inevitable question comes, then trust needs to be established."

"What kind of trust?"

"The kind that is the only bankable currency with ruthless people.."




Jenice's eyes narrowed in response as the smoke from Mr. Vinda lifted in graceful silence, as if savoring every minute of the flight.


"....I assume you have something in mind Ms Arliss?, since I take it you didn't travel all this way, just to threaten me..."


I could stand here all day glaring or...


An eyebrow perked up slightly as she began to move into territory she was familiar with.


"Perhaps I should have waited until offered a seat before hitting you with the heavy handed speech."

She continued to stand.

"I didn't want to come across as dishonest with you, Mr. Vinda. If your corporate operatives are half as good as your competitors let out, then you already know of our actions with the Corporate Sector Authority.

I just didn't want you to think that Arliss Industries was attempting to gain a foothold in what has been "your territory" ever since the disasterous CSA attack on your company."


She folded her arms.


"I do indeed have something in mind. I want Vinda Corp to do ..nothing to the CSA's remaining assets for the next few months.

Our operatives have suggested that there is a high probability that your corporate officers may be pushing for further action to finish the CSA off for good. Especially in light of their not too distant attempt on your life.

We would like to have a controlling influence on said action, hence the negative/positive incentives.


I am sure you've done similiar."


Just how deep is this man going to probe?


Her mind mentally shuddered off a memory that sparked up.

"...I am sure you've done similiar."


A slight creak sounded as Vinda relaxed into his chair a little...the trace of a wry smile starting to appear across his lips....

...she's done her research...

He shifted slightly, reaching over to flick his ash into a recently aquired ashtray, and gestured for Ms Arliss to take a seat...

"...please........I don't bite......

....at least, not unless I'm hungry..."

He grinned a little...and breathed in deeply before he continued...

"...Ms Arliss, as much as I would like to take full responsibility for the current state of the CSA, I'm afraid, they only have themselves to blame.....after all its not just Vinda-Corp they have wronged , there are many who have had their toes trodden on by the CSA..
...The Rogue Jedi to name but one...."

He kept his gaze firmly set upon her as he talked more, his face darkening...

"...I didn't start this...situation ....but I fully intend to resolve it..."

He cocked his head to one side, as he took a moment to pause, akin to an artist taking a step back to examine his canvas...

His eyes narrowed as he reached out with the force...he could feel , sense, this was the real her talking...but there was something else, something...underlying...

...elusive....

"...I admire your honesty Ms Arliss, its refreshing, and since we are being so candid, lets cut to the real question here...

...why?...or more specifically...why Vinda-Corp?...


...you must rate our chances very highly...."


...Just how much does she know about us?...

Jenice settled herself into the rather plush chair opposite Mr. Vinda's desk, her eyes returning the slightly unsettling gaze the owner of Vinda Corp was throwing her way.


As if he were trying to read my mind...


Her lips pursed together in a rather rueful smile, a predator-like smile as she mulled over his words.


"You are indeed hungry, Mr. Vinda. You have to be to stay alive in this business and remain one step ahead of your competitors.

And when one competitor gets too close for comfort, you will, no doubt, bite."


She crossed her legs and sat a little straighter.


"Of course the state of the CSA is their own doing. Of course they have had altercations with other factions...the Rogue Jedi Order being an example you mentioned."


Her eyes narrowed and she leveled them at Mr. Vinda.

"However, everyone who is anyone knows the importance you place on the Corporate Sector. Nothing happens in this area of space without either your knowledge or your consent."

She leaned forward slightly, straightening her business suite.

"In the land of companies, you remain the king, Mr. Vinda."


"What other organization threatens the very existence of the CSA more than the Vinda Corporation?


The Rogue Jedi?"


Jenice laughed.

"They are still putting the pieces back together after Thrawn's return. I wonder if they still remember they have a tiny presence in this area of space.

Mr. Vinda, you know and I know religionist make very bad businessmen...or women. They do not have the objectivity necessary, or the.." Jenice smiled slightly, "..scruples to deal with certain questionable elements that come our way in our respective dealings and associations.


Did you really think the CSA would fear anything from them?


No, you are different. The CSA underestimated you as you knew they would. They attacked, which while the timing was perhaps a surprise, the fact in itself was not.

And when your employees responded, they responded with business-like efficiency as one might do on a speedy hostile takeover.


A credit to Vinda Standards or perhaps Vinda Corp's Standard Operating Procedures.

Your men knew how to respond and knew how to respond with speed."


Jenice brushed her blonde hair back around her right ear as she leaned back and continued, never breaking eye contact.

"We know that you intend on resolving this situation. We know that you have already taken great strides to do so, notably in your Corporate Sector aquisitions. Very recent, very profitable..and taken directly away from the CSA.


Why come to you, Mr. Vinda? Because, you are the puppet master behind the Corporate Sector."


"I am not saying to kill your intent in resolving the CSA question once and for all... I am saying... I am asking... I am hoping that you will, at the very least, put it on hold for a few months."


Her eyes dropped to her lap.

"Your chances are indeed high and we feel that your chances will not diminish in any noticeable way that would interfere with your "intent"."


"So what do you say, Mr. Vinda? Can you reign your resolve and that of your employees?"

"In the land of companies, you remain the king, Mr. Vinda."


Vinda smiled inwardly at this remark, she certainly knew how to feed the ego....


...smooth...


As Jenice finished saying her piece. Vinda slowly rose from his chair , and took another long drag as he peered out from his office window overlooking Bonadan's spaceport...

The Skyway's traffic seemed to be a neverending procession, it was like this 24 hours a day, every day. A reminder, in a way, of the inevitable march of time itself... his mind glanced upon this subject briefly, as he considered Ms Arliss's "proposal"...

...I wonder...shall I live to regret this?...

Turning around to face Jenice, Vinda's eyes once more locked themselves onto hers...

"...Very well Ms Arliss.... you have your window of opportunity...


....make it golden..."


As Jenice nodded in acknowledgement, and moved as if to leave, Vinda spoke once more, causing her to pause mid-action...

"....just one more thing...."

A wry smile crept across his face...



"....just how handsomely?..."

Hook, Line, and Sinker…


But then the man does have everything to gain, Jenice..


The byplay in her mind stopped utterly when Vinda’s last question registered.

"....just how handsomely?..."


Jenice laughed.


Men!


She stopped and walked over to the master of Vinda Corporation, sidestepping his desk. In a flurry of presumption and courage, a finger flickered out and traced the man’s face (almost endearingly).


“My dear Mr. Vinda. You need not worry about your reward.”

Her eyes gleamed.

“For if money is all that you love… then that is all that you will always see…”


She began to walk to the door of his office, purpose now in her stride. Before she could open the door, her face turned slightly.

“You will see how handsomely at my next visit, Mr. Vinda. If you do not like what you see,” she entire face turned toward him and she said (with surprising sincerely), “then you can kill me.”

Kaine’s words running through her head, ”..The kind that is the only bankable currency with ruthless people.."




Now…..6 months later..



Leaving Korriban, Cryonics Industries… enroute to Bonadan..



Utter pandemonium!


Tenloss had just shown her the sites of his massive projects, and was impressed by the grand scale the man seemed to dwell in.

It was sad really, for the man’s fate had been sealed months ago… A mistake noticed and acted upon by a certain TNO General.



She glanced at her chronometer and sighed.


It was time.


Once her corporate craft had entered hyperspace, she logged in her company encryption code and reached the Towers.


The Arliss Corporate Seal appeared and then disappeared as her Chief Financial Officer came online.

“Ms. Arliss. In two hours, the company will no longer be solvent. I’ve tried to hold on but we’ve spent and spent and spent. I cannot work miracles without a return.”


Jenice smiled at the worrisome man. Accountants always worried.

Except the cold Mr. Conrad. She buried a shiver at the thought of her father’s personal accountant.



“You will get your returns.” She replied calmly.


The CFO of the Towers leaned forward a bit (as portrayed by the holographic projection) and asked, “How?”


“Stop all monies going to the Corporate Sector authority. Sell off all investment stocks, assets and capital ventures.”

The CFO eyes carried surprise. “That will start a cash flow but we are already in red. We will be working in a deficit.”


Jenice waved that aside. “It cannot be helped. It will keep the cash coming in long enough for a return on another investment.”

“Something lucrative?”

“Something very lucrative. Our sacrifices are about to be paid up in full with extra to spare.”

The CFO’s eyes lit up. “Reeeaaally?”

“I just need Mr. Vinda’s signature on the dotted line and all will be set.” Jenice looked at the holographic projection closely. “But I will need to have all our interests pulled out of the Corporate Sector by the time I reach Bonadan.”

“How long?”

“3 Days.”

“That abrupt and the CSA will want reasons.”

“Give them none. No more pretense. It’s time for those idiots to pay for their mistakes.”

“Vinda?”

“Vinda..” confirmed Jenice.

“The interests will be pulled.”

“Thank you.”



***



In the following three days, Arliss Industries credits stopped abruptly causing economic turmoil within the CSA held worlds.

Schedules were put aside in light of this crisis for the CSA was heavily invested in Arliss plans and interests. The corporate attaches had done their work well as the CSA credit value became heavily dependent on Arliss banking.


Jenice glanced out the window as Bonadan became visible.


Another crisis point.


First, Coruscant. Second, the Corporate Sector, Third: Cryonics, and Fourth?…. What would be the fourth?”


The CSA is in panic as she watched the coverage, ironically being presented by Victor Berial of the Vinda News Network.


The man even finds a way to profit from the disasters of his enemies…


Jenice closed her eyes to the reports of instability, economic ruin and panic that lit up CSA’s local markets.


”..inflation has reached staggering levels as the value of the CSA credit continues to drop. CSA financial institutions have shut their doors leaving outer galactic investors penniless. The region is being destabilized as trade is now at an all time low. Natural resource commodities are being made available at the lowest possible prices as the locals try to survive.”


Her ears would hear no more as the voice of Tenloss raked across her mind…


If the man knew what I had done, he would kill me without hesitation… But such is the way with criminals.


Tenloss of the former Tenloss Crime Syndicate… now Cryonics Industries ....is finished..


His own actions damning his company…


Tenloss’ words passing through her mind like a hammer…

”We’ve recently been able to dump over fifteen billion CSA credits into our public administration business account. They’ve gone quite a long ways into financing construction for our general public.”

“We’ve been mainly investing in residential and public educational facilities planet wide. If you’d ever take a visit to Charr or Onderon, you’d see such projects rampant through the planets likewise.”

Four planets. Thyferra, Bespin, Mechis III, and Telti. From those four systems, we draw in all our profits.”



Jenice opened her eyes.


I have the method of operation. Simon was right. You were a fool Tenloss. What do you do when your public project funding disappears? What do you do with the gaping hole in your accounts and the near abrupt poverty that will strike your ‘technologically advanced planets”? What happens when the cost of running such planets outweigh the return? What happens when you find out that your foundation is shaky?



The corporate transport transmitted the landing signatures and Jenice prepared herself to face Mr. Vinda once more.


“Vinda will want his returns… It’s time to give them to him..”

Bonadan

Mr Vinda's private Study



...ouch...


Vinda's eyes seemed to wince in reaction to the various figures and sums that scrolled before him on the datapad he was studying. A painful list of Cryonics Industries profit warnings, deficets, projections, forecasts, all pointing to the only one inevitable course of action left for the company to take...

....bankruptcy...

Placing the pad into the table Vinda sat for a moment, deep in thought...

....Why would Tenloss have taken such a risk?....

Vinda-Corp , and indeed Mr Vinda himself had developed a stong bond with Cryonics Industries, and Tenloss himself. A healthy respect for each others resourcefulness...

Call it mutual respect , or call it trust, despite being competitors , Vinda couldn't help but feel a twinge of empathy go out to CI.

...a miscalculated risk?..

He couldn't shake off the feeling that there had been more at work here, he cast his mind back to his meeting with Ms Arliss six months ago and her surprising request ...

...why had Arliss industries invested so heavily in the CSA?...

...what had they to gain?...

He breathed out deeply as he contemplated this thought, the timing of it all seemed to be a....

.. coincidence

He frowned slightly...

...I think not...


A sharp comms alert interrupted him, which was replaced by his assistant's voice informing him Ms Arliss had landed and was on her way up. Vinda had been looking forward to seeing her again, she had a cold calculating quality that he found...

..attractive...

The Vinda-Corp CEO smirked a little as this thought flashed through his mind, and he reclined into his chair as he waited for her to arrive.


"..send her in..."