The ship resembled a Star Destroyer, even though it was only half the length. Its arrowhead shape and rear-set bridge tower gave it away as a ship that had, at some point in time, served in the Galactic Empire. But those days were behind the Osprey, a brand-new Aegis Cruiser that flew its Galactic Defence Initiative banner with pride.

The Osprey entered the Thyferra system and immediatly set about contacting the leaders of Cryonics Industires, who controlled that world.

As the signal was sent off, the ship settled into high orbit, wary of the defensive fleets that stood in her path, and waited for a response.

The matter was of vital importance.

"Sir, we've recieved a priority transmission from our Thyferra Security District.", a young technician announced.

"Pinpoint, upload into my console."

Adalric Cronus set about fervently to examine the message coordinated to the Optelectronic Analysis Bureau. A small unidirectional holograph projector displayed a plumpy, well fitted character in the standard black and khaki dress code befitting an officer of Cryonics Industries.

"Lord Cronus, a Star Destroyer type vessel has just entered high orbit of Thyferra. Our analysts have concluded it's markings to render it as property of the Galactic Defense Initiative. They've been sending a coded transmission for authority to speak with my supervisors. Shall I patch you through to the transmission?"

Cronus nodded, as the figure faded into the background to be replaced by a stalwart fellow with a grim and studious countenance.

"This is Adalric Cronus, representing Cryonics Industries' Bureau of Diplomacy. State the nature of your visit please."

"Sir, we've recieved a response. One Aldalric Cronus, representing Cryonics Industries." Dxun smiled.

"Patch me through." He waited a moment for the transmission to be linked to his station, then began to speak.

"Mr. Cronus, Dxun Isstal. I wish to negoitaite a greater supply of Bacta and Tibanna gas to be delivered to the Galactic Defence Initiative.

"As you may know, we have rights to mine the Gallinore Rainbow gems, quite a valuable little piece of rock to say the least.

"I would like to talk to you about a trade alliance. You increase our supplies, and we'll trade you our Rainbow gems."

"Considering Mr. Istaal that you have already been granted shipments of Bacta and Tibanna Gas in exchanged for absolutely nothing, it would be extremely irrational and pompous of you to believe that you can request more, in exchange for something as useless as a Rainbow Gem."

"I understand that such merchandise could help to drawn in mass capitol for Cryonics Industries, but industrially, it's worthless to us."

A sadistic smile faded onto Adalric's features.

"I suggest that if you want to keep your current shipments of Bacta and Tibanna Gas, you should commence delivering Rainbow Gems to our Mechis III and Telti facilities immediately, less you'd prefer to recieve no more shipments in the future."

"Nothing personal Mr. Istaal, I'm just a crafty business man."

"The most valuable gem in this galaxy? Worthless?" A smile escaped the Supreme Commander. "Mr. Cronus, with all do respect I do not believe that you do know the value of these stones.

"Besides which, you tell me you don't want them and then tell me to start delivering them to you? I will give you two shipments, 250 of the gems, in exchange for a supply of Bacta and Tibanna gas in the ammount of 120 000 kg per shipment, deliverible by the first of each month. A market value of around eight trillion New Republic credits, which would, I think, purchase you quite a large starfleet.

"Or we will, I'm afraid, have to resort to more... unorthidox means to keep our supplies full."

Surprise and agitation creeped into Adalric's bemused smile. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Pompous son of a @#%$! Of all the nerve!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> He reared, broadenning his shoulders and giving the figurine a cold, malignant stare.

"You will deliver sum of 60,000 kilograms of Gallinore Rainbow Gems to our Mechis III and Telti facilities immediately, in exchange for the Tibanna Gas and Bacta shipments you already receive graciously from Cryonics Industries, or you shall leave Thyferra immediately, and recieve nothing in the future. I warn you Mr. Istaal, I don't take threats very likely, and I have a few friends who not take kindly your making such threats against the sanctity of Cryonics Industries. So you have a choice. Start delivering to pay up a debt you already owe us... or we'll cut you off, indefinetly."

"If you follow through to your threats, you count that every faction in the Galaxy who depend on Cryonics Industries for Tibanna Gas and Bacta will become quite hostile if there influx of cargo were suddenly bequeathed by your unfortunate actions. I believe they wold respond quite harshly to such actions against their supplier, wouldn't you agree?"

"I believe moreover, that even the Jutraalians would become quite idignant towards such an aggressive posture taken by GDI, provided that at any given time I have the power and jurisdiction to resume their normal flow of influx to our product."

Tapping his finger lightly on his chin, Cronus stared upwards at the bulkheads, pondering on sly thoughts.

"I wonder if Mr. Fearsons would be interested in a business deal...", he lamented, letting the words casually slide off his tounge.

"And try my patience again, and you can consider this meeting adjourned."

The man smiled.

"You will receive your gems. And if we do not recieve the shipments that we have so graciously requested and made payment for, then we will have a problem.

"Think, Mr Cronus. You have nothing to lose."

With that, he rose and left the building, muttering something about ignorant business men who thought themselves better than everyone else.

A small laugh resonated from a dark skinned individual sitting across from Adalric.

“He said what?”, came the bemused, rhetorical comment by Tenloss. The elder man brandished a genuine Vandyke beard, jet black against a smelted mat of wavy brown hair.

Cronus nodded, a wily grin spreading his lips apart as he replied. “It’s true. He jumped into high orbit over Thyferra, requesting an increased shipment of Bacta and Tibanna Gas. And when I justified his arrogant request by demanding that he begin delivering a shipment of, oh I don’t remember, some stone, from some planet that’s apparently property of the Defense Initiative. But back to the point, he actually euphemized a threat against Cryonics Industries, would you believe it?”

Tenloss shook his head, setting his glossy crystalline mug against an oak wood marble set tabletop.

“Well, he won’t be getting his increased shipments, that’s for damn sure. We'll keep his shipments at their current stock, no more; it's what's fair. Haughty @#%$, you should have had Davin light his ass out of our skies.”

It was Adalric’s turn to laugh, heartily and most annoyed by the day’s events. “So then, in the meantime while our non amiable friend discovers that he won’t be getting the increases he requested, Production & Distribution need to decide what to do about these damn gems.”

Tenloss brushed a finger against his masse of beard, letting a faint grin betray from his lips. “Well, considering that we hardly need the capita of which Mr. Istaal claimed these stones would lure into our funds, why don’t we donate them to our charity branch? I believe the gesture would make for a sound public relations maneuver, wouldn’t you agree?

Adalric couldn’t but help smile, musing in composed silence at the irony of it all. “Most ever do I agree sir, most ever.”