A Doldur Trip: Contract

[John Ash]

Doldur was a planet that had gone through a civil war. It seemed the leader of the planet had a rebellion rise up in response to his dictatorship and oppressive reign. The Rebels won the battle and saw what was left of his droid forces driven from the planet. This war was over years ago, yet the planet was still suffering from some issues. The nature of these issues were unknown, but this new council that ruled the planet had sent out a request to both John and [member="Rashae"] to see about signing a contract with both Ashhearth Industries and GenTech.

John had taken up the request because it could promise good salvage for him after. Droids, even using older designs, were a wealth of resources for a salvage crew. The amount of electronic components and scrap metal that was left behind following a war was considerable. His company could make a comfortable profit off of this, even though most would consider it inhumane to profit off of the suffering of others. Even if there was some truth in that, removing the debris from the planet would do some good for people's health. Both physical and mental conditions would improve. So there was no reason for him not to see about doing his job here.

They approached the planet in the Blueshift. John sat in the pilots seat wearing a more business friendly suit, as he would likely have gotten into trouble if he had worn his armor or casual clothes. The reason for this sat behind him likely dressed to impress in a sensible fashion. Rashae was a brilliant young doctor and lovely sight to behold, but she had taken it upon herself to civilize John enough to be presentable to the types you find on Alderaan. Only she could say how well that was going.

" We will be entering the atmosphere soon. Be ready for it to get bumpy." John said to the woman behind him as he slowed the craft down for landing on the planet. " We will be meeting with a council this time and the formal government of the planet. Why don't you take the lead? You know how much I hate this kind of stuff Snow."

 

[Rashae]

She researched Doldur as much as she possibly could. She knew very little about the system. The Doctor knew she was going to need to network and market her stuff but she thought she would have people do this. Rashae knew her products. They were solid and already well proven in the field. Unknown quantities made her nervous. The system seemed to be in the flux of Rehabilitation and establishing of the government at hand. There was no unrest at least and they were invited to talk business with the government.

At least they were in a better ship than the two seater she was in before. This two seater job had a lot more room. Rashae could get better prepared. Claude had provided her with an updated presentation aids and she had her samples. A council this time instead of an individual owner. This meant a bit of formality. Depends on the government. Rashae was dressed for business and stunning as usual.

“Alright, John. “ She knew formal situations like this was not John's strong suit. The pleasantries and fluff that usually was prior to the meat and potatoes of why there were there escaped John. He would get right down to the point. That was including a rather direct do you want it or not. Rashae at least knew how to stroke egos.

Once they landed she had a decent idea of what she would be doing and saying. That was till the Mandalorian style escort met them. It was a bit intimidating as heavily armored and armed they were. There was a greeting as she inclined her head and looked them in the visor. Which was another issue as doing business needed eye contact. Rashae would not speed up her walk, besides she was in heels. This forced their column to go at her pace. The Doctor didn't really care they had to keep at her pace either.

The more she observed of Doldur, the more it was similar to some of Alderaan's military. It being partially mandalorian at least. This was looking a bit similar. Her polite smile did not leave her face and her curves didn't stop moving. There was the occasional tilt of a visor now and again out of Rashae's sight. Once they got to the building and was greeted by head of security, military or whatever it was, Rashae extended her hand to be kissed and instead it was shaken.

She held her hand and shook it to the side. Owww.. the man was a bit too firm with the hand shake. They were ushered into a foyer where the council was milling around in before going in to be seated and start proceedings. It appeared to be a council of one. Who was armored as the rest of the escort. Rashae couldn't figure out the markings or rank but the bearing alone was the biggest thing.

“Pleasure to meet you, I am Doctor Rashae Lovous of Gentech. This is John Ash of Ashhearth Industries. I hope you gentlemen are well this day?” It was a starter pleasantries. The look of the man was more militant than political. Rashae would gauge how he answers before proceeding forward. The woman looked the councilman directly into the eyes with her icy blues.

[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

After landing at a building that could only be called an Imperial palace, John was greeted by the sight of men in armor. In particular it was armor in the style of Mandalorians. That was interesting. They even carried themselves with an attitude similar to that of the Mandalorian people. He followed along with [member="Rashae"] and noticed the occasional glances they gave towards her. He might have taken offense to that normally, but he understood why they were doing it. She had certainly made sure to be stunning in her dress, as usual. So he was letting them have their glances at her without worrying about causing a problem. The problem would come up if they made a move to touch her.

After they entered the council chamber, they had walked into a room with practical furniture with only a single armored individual at the head of a round table. The man, as his chestplate lacked the usual bump marking a female individual, had a color scheme of blue and gray. He knew there was some meaning behind it as all Mandalorians seemed to enjoy their color schemes, but the meanings of them escaped him. They were not important either. What was important was the marks over his heart and shoulder piece sticking out past his joint. He was a higher ranking official in the locals military, or perhaps militia was a better term for a single planet. No matter what, this man had influence over armed individuals.

Snow made her greetings and was met with a simple nod in response followed by a motion to sit down. John studied the man as he pulled a chair out for Rashae to sit in. He would push it in for her as well after she took her seat then take his own. After the two were sat down, the man took his helmet off and set it in front of him on the table. He just studied the pair of them over like John had studied him over before. After an awkward moment of silence his finally shifted his weight as he said, " Thank you for coming. GenTech sells medical supplies we are interested in buying. Ashhearth sells salvage walkers and salvage ships. The council of Doldur would like to purchase these items for rebuilding projects across the planet. Is there any issues with this?"

John raised a brow a bit at what was said. The man had not said anything too drastic, but the fact he didn't try to pander to them both with small talk was an odd choice. So far it had seemed the galaxy was filled with people in positions of authority trying to talk themselves and everyone else to death. But not this man. No, he was getting straight to the point and trying to get things done as soon as possible. John couldn't help but like that little detail about this meeting. He smiled a bit as he said, " Depends on what you are offering as pay."

 

[Rashae]

This heavily armored stoic and rather intimidating man addressed them. Usually a council infers three or more persons, not one singular person. Rashae acknowledged the nod she was provided with the greeting. It felt like dealing with John in the beginning all over again. The man was about as responsive as a durasteel beam. She took the seat offered as John assisted her into the seat as a gentleman should.

Once the helmet was off, the doctor got a good look at the man's eyes. The steel in his eyes, the rigidness of purpose and the take no prisoner type attitude. Military was a different matter all together to deal with but this singular clan like behavior was having the woman shift her line of thought. This was not hard for the analytical woman. Her mind was very agile and found his directness rather refreshing. There was a certain amount of respect that she didst have to deal with a dance with words. Rashae could perform the dance of words that these negotiations could turn into, but it was infinitely less complicated this way.

Her timetables were getting increasingly tight between Chancellor Thorne's meetings she attended with, Pii system medical to keep working on, the Republic medical teams and her business Gentech. The woman had no time for complicated and it often made her irritable. Maybe it was John's influence and how direct he was that made this comfortable. There was an appreciative smile that crossed her face as she relaxed a little. There was a soft long breath in and an even softer exhale. She entwined her fingers in front of her on the table as she looked the man right dead into the eyes with her startling icy blue orbs.

“I find your directness refreshing, Ser.” She didn't know the man's name, rank was obviously of something high in some way but she knew absolutely nothing of the mandalorian colors, ranks or honorifics. Rashae opted for the general honorific of Ser. It was an older traditional knight title.

“I can provide you a chip with our current pricing of our current products and scale for bulk pricing. Included will be other items currently in development that may suit your system's needs. “ Rashae got right to the point as well crisply. The chip was pulled from a wrist segment for holding small items. It was a woman's best friend. Her lip gloss and lip color was there, too. “ You will find these prices fair and the items performance in the field. “ This chip was put flat on the table and she sharply pushed it to the man for him to catch.

“Take a look and let me know if you have any questions about the products. “ She nodded to the man as she made some notations on a datapad. The datapad was connected to no network, which was annoying but at least she could keep notes. Rashae's memory was good but notes these days was crucial. She may need more assistants at this rate. Her head then inclined for John to make his pitch or words or however men did these things.


[member="John Ash"]

 

[John Ash]

The meeting was going well so far. The doldur councilor and [member="Rashae"] seemed to be having a peaceful enough chat, but something was bothering John. This meeting was going over too well. The directness made sense with the man being more military oriented and mandalorian like, but the lack of bartering over prices was missing. He thought this because the man took the chip offered by Snow when she slide it across to him. He put it into his holopad. As the man had shifted through it, no objections to pricing was mentioned. This was just suspicious to John. What sort of man didn't try to save on credits where ever he could? Credits were always important no matter if it was a man on the street, a company owner, or a government official. How could this man act as if it wasn't to him or his people? This thought caused John to frown slightly as he just watched the man continue to read the product list for GenTech.

After a few minutes the councilor said, " These products will do for these prices. Do you need an order immediately or can we send one in a few rotations?"

John heard what the man had to say to Snow. He agreed to the listed prices? Yes they were fair prices for quality products, but no show of trying for better ones? This seemed shady to John, and he had experienced that plenty back home on Nar Shaddaa. He said before Rashae could have time to respond, " What are you after? This is too smooth. You aren't telling us something. I can't agree to any sale or contract until I know what we are getting into."

The man looked at John with a slight look of confusion on his face. John just stared at the man with a serious look on his face. The two men began to exchange glares in silence as both put their hands up on the table.