Naboo


Stellar Enterprises Representative Abram Holf sat in the lavishly adorned waiting room that belonged to the Minister of Trade of the planet Naboo. This beautiful planet was part of a larger plan that had been crafted together by Rob Stellar himself. It was a bold plan that would require much work and investment, but was hoped to pay off in an extremly profitable way in the near future. The proposed venture required the full support of numerous planetary systems and their governing bodies in order to full flurish into fruition. It was for this reason Abram Holf sat here now.

As he looked around the spacious room he admired the gorgious view out of the open window. In the distance Abram could see a large waterfall with mist around it as it cascaded down a cliff. Large green trees rose up from the fertile ground and surrounded the whole area. They spanned on into the horizon for as far as the eye could see.

Closer to the large cliff, however, man made structures arose. These were beautiful in their typical Naboo born architecture and seemed to mesh together as they tried to occupy the limited land that was availiable. Abram had always been a fan of this style and enjoyed the great contrast this planet offered compared to Mustafar where he had previously been. While this planet was completely alive and beautiful, Mustafar had been mostly devoid of life and primitive in all ways.

"Representative Holf?" Came the question from his left as he stared out the grand window before him.

Abram smiled and slowly turned towards the man's voice. He found the Minister of Trade standing beside him with an offered hand. Reaching over Abram took the hand and shook it once while at the same time bending at the waist just slightly towards the offical. The man in front of him hadn't changed much since the last time he had seen him, although he now held a much higher position within the government of Naboo and his flowing garbs seemed to be of a much finer material.

"Minister Eromia, it is a pleasure to meet you... once again." Abram replied with a bigger smile and a slight grin before both of the men hugged in friendship.

Minister Eromia laughed and looked at his old friend while holding Abram's shoulders. He had known Abram Holf from many years ago when they had both been assistants to senators of their respective planets. This had been back when the New Republic had been arround. They had both meet on Coruscant and became quick friends. Eromia remembered the sad day when Abram had left the service of his planet and went to work for private firms. Both had tried hard to still stay in touch whenever possible.

"Abram, how have you been been my friend? It has been much too long since you have come to see me." Brenald Eromia stated with a smile as he moved back a little and gazed upon Abram.

"That is has friend. It has been a very busy time for me in my new job."

Eromia nodded slighted and motioned his hand towards the office as they both started slowly walking towards it for more privacy. "Is that so? This is the Stellar Enterprises company am I correct?"

Abram walked beside his old friend as their feet sounded against the stone floor. "Yes, Stellar Enterprises. They are rapidly expanding throughout the galaxy and have gathered much support. As you know, the company already has an office branch established on Naboo."

"Of course, it is not too far from where we are now. I am quiet impressed with the speed of their expansion and their rate of success throughout the outer and mid rim territories. For a company to come out of no where and be where they are now is nothing short of miraculous. Naboo is actually increasing the amount of business conducted Stellar Enterprises. They deliver first rate goods on budget and always on schedule, we like that." Eromia remarked as they finally moved into the office and the large doors closed behind them.

"That is the reason I choose to remain in the company's employment. Mr. Stellar has great goals and ideas on the company's expansion. I feel though, these goals are not motivated by just the desire for profit. I truely believe he wishs to help the galaxy and help as many planets as he may to become productive. I believe he wants planets to be able to support their citizens and provide them with jobs so they could care for their families." Abram watched Eromia walked around a large desk and sit down slowly while motioning him to do the same.

Abram sat down into one of the plush chairs in front of Eromia's desk and meshed his fingers together before him. "I am here on behalf of Stellar Enterprises with a business proposition for this planet and its citizens."

Eromia smile and leaned onto the table towards his friend. "I knew this wasn't just Abram coming to see an old friend of his and shoot the breeze as they say." He laughed a little and looked into Abram's eyes. "What is this proposition then?"

"Stellar Enterprises wishes to create a new trade route that would link three or four others together. When and if it is implimented, ships would be able to bypass whole regions of the galaxy and move from one trade route to another in record time. Cargos would be able to be delivered and stored at different points on the different trade routes and taken to their destinations when need be.

"Naboo lies between the Hydian Way and the Corellian Run which puts it in the strategic position to become a halfway point. A hub for cargo transfer if you will. Stellar Enteprises wishes to contruct a massive trading station over Naboo to serve as this hub and provide your planet with thousands of jobs and most importantly a precentage of the profits that it generats. We wish for Naboo to become a part of the new TransGal Trade Route."

Eromia listened carefully to the words being spoken by his long time friend. He went over them slowly in his mind and leaned back in his chair with his mind in thought. Being a man responsible for much of the planet's trade, Minister Eromia knew that many business propositions seemed to look perfect on paper, but then had a tendency of back firing. Most often, ones on the other end, the ones that accepted proposal, were left in a bad way while the other party profited heavily. Many a peoples have signed away their rights of freedom for the chance of earning a living and advance in the galaxy.

If this had been someone other than Abram, someone that Eromia had not know for many years, he might have been skepticle. He had known Abram to be a very honest human being and knew that if this man sitted across from him was making this offer it would be in the best interests of both parties involved. The plan presented to him was bold, but also with great rewards for all if succeeded. A trade route that could bypass so much space and still join three heavily traveled trade ways was something special. It would be something many corporation would use to cut down the time of shipping goods and would also have access to many systems they haven't before. Systems that were not located close to or directly on the main routes. Naboo would be able to find many other trading partners and be able to increase their treasure so that all citizens on the planet might benefit.

"Mr. Stellar would also wish to inform the Government of Naboo that he is willing to purchase your produced plasma as a power source for this new space station as well as the projective shield complex. If Naboo agrees to this deal before you, Stellar Enterprises will purchase your mined plasma for the life of the station. It would be quiet a bit of income coming into Naboo." Abram stated as he finished his talk and paused to let the Minister answer.

"That is something I haven't even concidered. I must tell you, this proposition sounds most intriguing. To tell you the truth, friend to friend, Naboo has been having a somewhat economic slow down. There is not much demand for our goods in the galaxy. Ever since the war, people seemed to have forgot about Naboo. They only know that we are the home of the Jedi Temple, but that is about it. Only a limited few purchase our trade products and it has gotten difficult to support this planet's population. Something must be done to alleviate the problems we face." He paused in thought and looked his friend in the eyes.

"Unemployment is on the rise my friend and there is no work for some at all. I have urged expension and the bringing of foriegn business to the planet, however, I also have no wise to see our culture suffer as a result these new corporations. Many company only wish to bring in the highest profits possible and could care less about the populations with which they conduct their business. I have feared that while expansion is neccessary, it should not be done at the cost of ones culture and freedom. A symbiotic relationship much be reached and understood by all parties. I follow the news and witness different corporations exploiting whole planets and leaving them broken and their populations in ruines. As long as I live, this will not be allowed to happen on Naboo."

Abram listened and nodded slowly. He had witnessed these things as well and it made his blood boil at what individuals were capable of for the sake of earning money. The reason he was still working for Stellar Enterprises was because the corporation, while hungry for expansion, would not do so if it ment the suffering of others. The company strived to help the planets on which it was in partnership with. Rob Stellar had always said that helping a planet thrive was always better for long term business than watching it fall while you exploit it. Everyone that worked for the man could tell, however, that it was not all about the business. He cared about the people employed by him and would do whatever it took to make sure they were cared for properly.

"I can assure you that Mr.Stellar would never try to undo or harm Naboo in any way. You know that I would not be here if I had even the slightest hint of this being dishonest. This proposition was created for the purpose of helping both Stellar Enterprises and Naboo together. What is good for one will be good for the other. We will be able to exist in harmony together."

THe minister nodded and smiled finally. "You do know I can't make this deal on my own. I must consult with the Queen and she will have the final word after it is discussed with her advisors." He paused and sat up slightly. "However, I will endorse this plan completely. If I know the Queen she will as well. She want to help her people as much as I want to help Naboo. I do not know when her decission will be reached, but why don't you stay on Naboo until it is. Come over for dinner like old times."

He stood and moved around slowly with his hand extended. Abram got up and gripped it in a hand shake and smile. "Only if Daria doesn't mind cooking for three."

Eromia laughed and looked at his friend. "I'm sure she will get over it. She will be very happy to see you again. As I said, it has been too long."

As Abram dove into the clear water of the pool he admired the beauty of Naboo. The air was fresh and clean all around and everything nearby smelled of fresh flowers. He knew the smell was coming from the large garden that was planted around the pool area. It was this multi-colored array of bushes and flowers that had first caught Abram's eyes when he entered Eromia's estate. The garden could have been seen directly ahead of the entrance through a large glass window that covered the whole wall.

Abram smiled as he started his swim, thinking about the time he spent with Eromia and the man's wife. He hadn't seen the both of them in years and was glad to finally be able to sit and talk with them for longer than a few moments. He genually felt happy inside, having spent time with them. They had all set around the dinner table and then the living room talking about how the years have passed and about what everyone was upto these days.

As he spun around in the water and reversed direction his mind began to think about how sad it would be to leave his friends again. He would probably not see them again for a long time. Hopefully soon Mr. Stellar could grant him some vacation time and he could come down and spend some weeks on this planet. The thought of this freedom time made him smile even more. He even started to hope that the Queen would take her time in the trade station decission so that he might stay on Naboo just a little longer.

Today, however, his wishes were not to come true. As he made his way back towards the other edge of this long pool a figure could be seen standing there. This figure turned out to be Minister Eromia with a smile across his face. The smile told Abram everything he needed to know and while he was happy to have completed his job for Stellar Enterprises, inside he was still saddened that now he would probably be sent on another assignment.

Abram smiled back slightly at his friend and pulled himself out of the water. He took the soft towel that Eromia handed him and wrapped it around his body.

"Are you enjoying your stay on Naboo?"

Abram nodded as he slowly started to dry himself off. "Of course I am my friend. Two days is hardly enough, though."

"I know what you mean. This planet is so beautiful that I hate leaving it as well sometimes." He looked around the gardens with a bright smile and turned to walk after Abram as the other moved towards a pitcher of water on one of the glass outdoor tables. "I have word from the Queen."

"I guessed as much." Abram laughed gently and sipped at his water glass.

"Perseptive as always, aren't you Abram." Eromia smiled before going on. "The Queen and her advisors have agreed to the deal we discussed earlier. As long as your company promises to not touch the natural beauty of this planet and agrees to give hiring priorities to citizens of Naboo, there are no objections to your proposed trade station."

Abram smiled, knowing this would be case and nodded his head gently. "I am very happy they accepted it. I can assure you that your planet will stay as beautiful as it as always been. Its prosperity will flurish as well my friend."

The minister smiled back and took his friend by the shoulder. He pushed him towards the house slowly and started walking with Abram at his side.

"I think this called for a toast don't you?"

Space above Naboo opened up and in seconds a group of ships emerged into real space. Attached to the rear of these ships and held by massive durasteel cables was a multi kilometer framework. Slowly the space tugs powered up their sublight engines and eased towards the planet directly in front of them. As they moved, so did the framework behind them.

This bare section of durasteel construction would soon be the first portion of a massive trade station. In order to complete construction faster than normal the station would be put together from preconstructed segments. These would be brought into the system and assembled on site. All these sections would be build with all wiring and systems preinstalled so that they could just be connected together later on.

The tugs slowly closed on the planet and moved around to position the station section in orbit around the planet. In this place it would stay for as long as needed. It didn't look like much at the moment, but soon after some months it would be able to recieve traffic from all over the galaxy. Engineers and workers would also soon arrive on the scene and start the construction project.

Once in position the tugs all released their cables and jumped out of the system. They would soon return with more sections of the trade station.

Ranssar Gellak was what some could call a typical Duro. He was average in height, although a little on the shorter side, technically savy, peaceful most of time, but most importantly, very adventurous. It was this adventurous side of him that had led him into the life he was living. A life that carried him from one end of the galaxy to the other. A life that had made him the Duro he was today.

He had grown up on one of the smallest cities that orbited his home planet of Duros and in one of the poorest climates within that said city. From the first day he could remember, he had promised to make his life worth something. He had promised himself that he would get away from the dull dead end life he was born into and travel the galaxy. Ranssar did not know what he would do, but knew that he wanted adventure and excitement in his life.

At sixteen he had finally taken the step towards freedom and a way out of his life in the orbiting city by stowing away on one of the transports that had docked in the city's spaceport. Just minutes after the freighter had lifted off, Ranssar began to rethink how wise his plan had really been. Should the captain of the freighter discover him stowing away, what would that man's reaction be? And discover him the captain did.

Lucky for Ranssar, the captain did not instantly jettison him into space. Instead they both sat down and discussed the situation before them. Being an older fellow, the captain decided that it would be good for him to have a helping hand on board the ship. A helping hand that would have to work hard at being accepted and trusted.

Ranssar had taken to the new job with pleasure and worked as hard as he could around the ship. Planetside he would go out and run errends for the captain when needed. In return the man taught Ranssar everything he knew about hauling cargo all around the galaxy and about running his own ship. The Duro quickly learned everything he was taught and also discovered his inate ability at technical knowhow while fixing the old freighter's systems. In this sense he was like other Duro in that technology was concidered his friend and he could work magic with the systems onboard.

For many years the two traveled together around the galaxy, hauling all different sorts of cargo and even getting into their share of trouble now and again. It was everything Ranssar had ever wanted. That is until his mentor and fatherlike figure fell ill on one of their travels. Ranssar had quickly plotted a jump to a world with a proper medical facility, but just before their arrival the Captain passed away. In those last moment, the captain had willed the freighter to Ranssar and told him to take over the business of hauling the cargo.

And so the many years since that day Ranssar Gellak has been doing just that. The whole galaxy had changed since then, but cargo hauling had pretty much stayed the same. There would always be cargos that needed transportation and because of that, there would always be a need for people with transporting skills.

Ranssar had worked for more companies than he could remember, but those were in the past and he had to satisfy the employer he worked for at the moment. That employer was Stellar Enterprises. A company that seemed to have materialized out of nowhere and taken the outer rim by storm. There goods and weapons systems could now be found on many outer rim planets and these sales had fueled their expansion into the rest of the galaxy. The company had kept him and his crew very busy for the past two months he had worked for them, but they always payed well and payed on time, so Ranssar did not mind the work load.

As he entered the small bridge of his transport Ranssar thought about the tasks he had undertaken by the company. Not even a week before he had visited a planet he never thought he would see, Mustafar. He had heard about the planet, of course, but had never needed to go there for business. To his surprise the primative world was now filled with activity, both on the planet's surface and in obrit.

While on the mission to pick up newly constructed modular sections for deliver to Naboo, he had witnessed the construction of many new large facilities around the planet. Facilities large enough to house ore processing plants as well as factories that could in turn utilize those newly processed metals. What's more is that in space just away from the planet itself and away from the massive gravity fields of the two gas giants, was a large and still growing shipyard. Ranssar couldn't believe his eyes the first time he had seen it. The yard had not yet been completed, but within some of the docks new ships were already taking shape.

"You're just on time Ran. We're about the come out of hyperspace." His friend and co-pilot smiled and said as he kept staring ahead at the hyperspace tunnel in front of them.

"I try my best Ernal, you know I don't trust you." Ranssar grinned slightly and slapped his long time friend's shoulder before sitting down in the seat beside him.

Ernal let out a laugh and shook his head just before the computer came on to warn them they were approaching their destination. Before Ernal could respond Ranssar reached out and pulled the handle back, watching the tunnel disipate into the blackness of space as the modified Mobquet Transport, Profiteer, dropped out of hyperspace. Behind it, in perfect formation came out four Hauler Class automated transports. These had been also picked up at Mustafar and has been slaved to the Profiteer's navigation system.

In front of them and a little to starboard rotated the beautiful green planet of Naboo. As they got closer they could see a large dark mass floating in space above it, the Commerce class Trading Station. That growing station was were all their supplies were headed. Both Ranssar and Ernal could see that the station was still not complete, but was getting closer and closer to that day when it would be open to the public.

All around the station droids and workers in g-suits set about doing their jobs to complete the massive trading station on schedule. Half of the outside hall was already complete and Ranssar was a little taken aback by the dark red color of this plating. It seemed like a rich royal color that made the station a little more beautiful to look at. The rounded looks of the whole Commerce class helped as well and in some ways matched the achitectural stylings found on Naboo itself.

Ranssar reached out and keyed the comm as well as sent the proper codes they had been given on Mustafar before speaking. "Commerce control, this is the Profiteer, requesting permission to land and drop off cargo."

"Profiteer, this is Commerce Control, you boys are a little early." Came back the controller.

Ranssar heard Ernal laugh a little and lean back in his seat. "Is that bad Control? Should we come back later and give you guys time to set up the dinner table for us?"

He could hear the man on the other end burst out in laugher before another voice told him to go back to work. "Negative Profiteer, that wont be necessary. Come on in, docking bay One One is ready for you. We'll take over the other transports from here."