Private Ah Yes! The Negoiator!

[Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor]

Melida/Daan it was once a planet plagued by seemingly endless civil war over an dispute about what to name the fracking planet. It lasted for generations with many people living all of their lives seeing war until two Jedi came in and put an end to it. For centuries the planet had known peace until the year 830 where Melida/Daan ran into money problems, the planet entered an economic depression the worst it experienced in years, there was a shortage of jobs. Just when it looked like the societal structure of Melida/Daan was about to collapse, a clan of Drekx landed and offered the planet food and more importantly jobs if the people of Melida/Daan allowed them to build their industries there. The government was reluctant due to the Drekx's nature but with intense pressure by the people they had no choice. Soon industries popped up within the manner of months, the Melida/Daan economy experienced an economic boom and all seemed to be going well.

Until the leader of the Drekx came asking for favors, It was first small favors and then another and then soon enough the Drekx had a stranglehold over the planet. It was hardly recognizable now and days. The culture wiped out and replaced by a more Drekxian culture which was profit above all else. Melida/Daan was one of many planets to become swallowed up by the industrial might of the Drekx. The planet once stained with blood from war was stained from casualties from industrial accidents, the sky has been blackened by the clouds of big business and the Drekx's excess has driven everything it consumes into extinction. There were many industries established but at the heart of the planet lay first one: New n Tasty: The largest corporation of them all with it's main product being sweets and candies. The Drekx who ran it: Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor stood in his office watching the machines place barrels into the freighters so the employees can deliver them across the galaxy particularly in the CIS territory.

The CIS loved the consumer goods that were produced by the Drekx especially ones from New n Tasty. Elkin made sure to keep up the supply that way he can gain more influence over them and have them do his bidding. The thing about the Drekx is that the best weapon isn't the gun, but the pocketbook, there's old saying: The business of the Drekx is business. And in a few short years Elkin had managed to consume the planet of Melida/Daan and transformed into a global enterprise. It was through this work that he was nicknamed: The Big Cheese. "Boss," there was quiet knock which caused Elkin to sigh not facing his employee. "What is it Ed?" he asked.

The door creaked open revealing Ed nervously scratching his tendrils. "The annual board meeting is about to begin," he said. "You need to be present."

Elkin still had his back turned observing his industry as though he was waiting for a loved one. "I'll be there," he said. The board meeting, he knew how it will go: Profits were awful over the last years and with low stocks meant panicked investors. In truth, it was tough to produce good food when the main ingredients were starting to become extinct. But Elkin was taught to be calm and collected. New n Tasty had gone under hard times before and survived. How will this be any different?

Mya Jesel

 

[Mya Jesel]

Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor

To say she was concerned by what she saw would be an understatement, and she could tell her other envoy members were as well. The League Resident Investment Committee had been looking at large companies with steady revenue whose shares could be counted on to reliably turn a dividend to pay out to the residents of their own world.

New n Tasty had been a possibility, with a relatively large market share in food stuffs in the CIS, and they had arranged to visit the stock-holder meeting, especially as the stocks had been very low, permitting a cheaper large investment.

But as they had traveled through the world to the meeting, the unease was clear in their postures and the glances they exchanged.

This was a world ruined by corporate exploitation. Its environment hopelessly polluted, its government controlled by the company, and its population in servitude for low wages.

Mya let out a small breath and smoothed her face. While it would be cost effective, it was an investment the Charter Council would not ratify at this point. It was emblematic of everything the League stood opposed to and why their forerunners in the days of the Galactic Republic had fled to Susefvi from.

But perhaps, with low stocks, they could pressure changes.

 

[Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor]

Elkin wasn't looking forward to the annual board meeting, it wasn't because he had to to explain the plummeting stocks. It's because he had to deal with panicking investors. Even though the Drekx were an ambitious species, they tend to overreact when the slightest thing goes wrong. There were accounts of Drekx committing suicide because their stocks were only decreased by a slight margin. Even Elkin was prone to panic when things went south but years of disciplining himself to calm down and come up with a solution had steeled him but still fear ran through his body like cold waters of Hoth. Still he had to endure hours of investors and board members lose their poodoo shaking in fear at the shrinking profit margins. The animals made to produce the treats were running thin, there had to be more out there.

"Boss," Ed said. "There is another matter."

"The escaped employee?"

Ed stood back in shock. "Well y-yes," he stammered. "H-how did you know?"

"Because all the credits in the galaxy cannot afford competent security guards," Elkin turned around walking towards a trembling Ed. "I didn't buy the latest tech just to have a scrawny employee slip through our cracks like he is a member of the Strategic Intelligence Agency."

"I'm sorry boss," Ed hastily replied bowing his head that tis tendrils hit the floor. "We'll make sure that we will find him and bring him back to you."

"I hope so for you sake," Elkin said in an icy tone. "That employee got away with valuable information that we are going to present to the board."

Elkin began to walk towards the door with Ed following him. "Let's get this meeting over with," he said. "I have calls to make later on."

Mya Jesel

 

[Mya Jesel]

Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor

One of her aide's comms chimed and he pressed a finger to his ear, pursing his lip in concern. He slipped through the others and whispered in Mya's ear.

"We may have a problem, Councillor," the man said softly. "A worker showed up at the ship and wanted to claim asylum."

Mya pursed her lips. The ship was one of the Rescue Service vessels, a light frigate, essentially, and capable of dealing with trouble. It took a moment of consideration before she nodded. If it ended the deal, there was no real loss to the League other than the time and fuel. Mya just gave a short, affirmative nod. The ship was well equipped and had a contingent from the Ranger Corps who could hold the ship if the sanctity of a diplomatic vessel's untouchability was breached.

That, and from their pre-meeting study, the Drekz did not have the same sort of likelihood of reacting with violence as say, the Hutts. She guided them into a turbolift and stepped to the back, hitting the button to send them upwards. She tapped out a message to her aides and showed it to them, shielding it from the possibility of cameras.

Ask the worker about conditions and the truth of what goes on here. This may be an expose rather than an investment.

That done, she waited for the turbolift to reach the destination and stepped out to the door. She cracked her knuckles and rolled her neck for a moment.

Time to show the galaxy that the League meant business.

 

[Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor]

The meeting didn't even start yet and already Elkin was annoyed by the loud rabble caused by the investors. They were yelling and frothing from the mouth as soon as Elkin and Edd entered the board room. "What are you going to do?!" One investor in a blue suit: Mulligan blubbered. "I need to pay my 5th house in Naboo!" "Has the Big Cheese lost his way?!" Another investor: Eldan shouted.

The board was hardly a room, there was large circular metal platform where Elkin and Edd stood on. They were surrounded by wealthy Drekx whom pledged their allegiance to Elkin through investing and buying stocks. Years ago they were singing Elkin's praises seeing like a deity of sorts. Now they're cursing his name, it was Drekx culture: Fickle and flimsy but a culture that demands results no matter what cost. "Gentlemen," Elkin said chewing on his large sweet cigar. "Welcome to Melida/Daan I trust that the trip wasn't tiring?"

"Save it Elkin!" Eldan growled blowing smoke towards Elkin's face. In Drekx tradition, blowing smoke to another person is equivalent of stringing a barrage of curse words. Elkin remained undeterred as Eldan continued his rant. "Do you understand that the Queen is pissed off at your incompetence!?" he continued. "New n Tasty has been on the downturn for four years! FOUR FRACKING YEARS! WHAT IS GOING ON?!"

"That's what I like to know!" Broan a fatter than usual Drexk said wearing a orange suit. "You could've risen to the status of a Wealth Star! The youngest ever!"

"There are setbacks gentlemen," Elkin said cooly. "But we must go through this years sales first and understand the context of our lagging profits." Elkin nodded at Ed. "Let's begin," he mumbled already wanting to get this over with.

"Well first on the agenda!" Ed said pointing his remote on the display. "We have ourselves a guest who wants negotiate with us! Her name is Mya Jesel : President of the Rimward Trade League!"

"Ah Mya," Elkin chewed on his cigar, he was already aware of Mya's arrival. She was looking to invest and Elkin was looking to use her for good publicity. Maybe they can come to a compromise but to Elkin's species compromise is one of the worst things you can do. It's either their way or the high way but Elkin doesn't work like that. If there's common ground to be found, Elkin would pounce on it, he'll just make sure that he stays in power.

 

[Mya Jesel]

Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor

Mya nodded in acknowledgment to Elkin as he greeted them, chewing on a cigar. It was hardly business appropriate, but then again, these species were not known for being consummate professionals or anything that resembled stable business practices. "Greetings, Elkin Magor, and representatives of Big 'N Tasty."

She paused for a moment, clasping her hands together as she strengthened her stance, matching gazes fearlessly and boldly. She was the one with the power in this situation. Elkin was perched in a precarious position, which put the rest of them in a dangerous place. Mya and her entourage had nothing to lose in this deal. They had no profits to make or investments to lose.

"The Rimward Trade League has begun establishing what we call the Inhabitant Reinvestment Fund, which serves as a form of universal basic income to the inhabitants of our member systems. As part of this, we are examining a wide variety of possible investments across the galaxy that can pay out regular dividends into the fund to grow the fund's return to keep up with the growing number of inhabitants."

She paused for a moment to let that sink in. It was a philosophy unknown to these aliens and their culture. "Big N' Tasty has the size necessary to make the returns on our investments worthwhile. We have budgeted a fairly sizable amount of credits for each investment, to ensure returns of the proper size. Our analysts can't help but have noticed that despite your size and all-or-nothing business practices, your profits have been declining and your stock prices dropping, with no evidence whatsoever of there being a possible turnaround. By all our projections, without external intervention and a drastic change in policy, Big N' Tasty will be too deep in debt to survive."

Mya paused to let that sink in to their minds, letting their psychology play against them. "We might be able to help turn things around and save Big N' Tasty."

 

[Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor]

The Investors immediately fell silent as Mya Jesel strode through the room, Elkin was impressed by the woman not many people could silence these squabbling fools with just a power walk towards the middle. Ed and Elkin looked at each other for a brief moment before the business man approached her. "Greetings Miss Jessel of the Rimward Trade League," Elkin responded courteously. "On behalf of myself and the rest of the Investors of New n Tasty. we welcome you. I trust your trip to Melinda/Daan went well?"

The room was thick of smoke from the expensive cigars that the investors were smoking. It was part of their culture though Elkin was aware enough that some species such as humans made not have the constitution to endure the stench. Though he had no doubt that Mya can tolerate, she seemed to be the type of human who had seen the fringes of the galaxy. "We have considered drastic measures," Elkin said regarding the nuclear option that he was planning in order to please the investor. "But with your help this business can get back on its feet. New n Tasty has fed the galaxy with tasty foods and addictive meats."

Turning to the screen showing the Line Graphic of declining profits, Elkin frowned. "Do you have something in mind Miss Jesel?" He asked.

 

[Mya Jesel]

Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor

Mya stood in silence, letting them consider as her words sank in. It was a dangerous game that she played, with these investments, and with those that many in the Rim thought should be cleared out. She sympathized with that, but wars were expensive, even against companies. And while commerce raiding could bring them wealth in the short term, it would not be stable enough for a universal basic income. She acknowledged their welcome politely and with appropriate answers before speaking.

"We do," Mya said, in answer to the question. "The simple truth is the fact that the company cannot survive in this way, on this world and it is not possible to transfer the assets to another world."

Another pause as she clasped her hands behind her. "The League will offer to purchase a sixty percent stake in the company, enough credits to keep its assets liquid and function to proceed on a corporate and production restructuring, beginning with removal from government affairs on the planet, an ecological restoration project, and reparations to the natives while changing the production process into one that is sustainable and profitable in the long-run. It will be hurt for the next multiple fiscal years, but there is no other way to save the company for a stable, profit-making turnaround."

 

[Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor]

"Woah! Woah!" Broan yelled dropping his Cigar in the process. "This lady is nuts Elkin! She wants to take over this company!" The entire boardroom began to bicker as well. Nervous chatter filled Elkin's ears as he remained stonefaced staring at Mya, a bold move and a power play as well. Mya was well aware of his desperation and took advantage of it. Foolish of Elkin to appear desperate to the woman, he should've handled the situation better. Elkin needed to be in a position of strength but by exposing the fact that the business was doing worse than what he was letting on, he has given up all leverage to her.

"You're not taking my share!" Eldan yelled at Mya spitting his cigar at her feet. "I'll be dead before a human tries to take over a company that belongs to us! What the frack are you doing Elkin! You're smart! You shouldn't be trying to let this human boss you around! Show them why you're the big cheese!"

The squabble continued as Elkin began to grow increasingly frustrated. Mya had him placed in an uncomfortable position and for his species, a business loss is equivalent to death but he learned over the years that sometimes you have to take the loss in order to rebound. Sometimes it was best to push the reset button. "SILENCE!" Elkin roared, it was one of the few times he yelled in his life but it was something that Elkin utilized to silence a crowd.

The room immediately went quiet listening to what Elkin had to say. "Everyone," Elkin said. "Do not panic in front of our guest."

He turned to Mya. "Now," Elkin began. "Yes Mya given our dire straits it is necessary for a new look and a new direction."

Mya Jesel

 

[Mya Jesel]

Elkin "Big Cheese" Magor

Mya leaned back in the chair and kept her hands professionally on the table, although on the inside she was beaming and pumping her fists. The barrage of demands had been successful, hitting home more effectively than a dreadnaught's turbolaser barrage. It had completely shattered any illusion of the board and the executive being united in a position of strength. With them fractured, they could divide and conquer, throwing their support behind Elkin and walking back to their actual desired outcome.

One spat a cigar at her claimed he would die before a human took over the company. Mya gave him half a smirk and shrugged. "We're willing to wait a few years until the current policies bankrupt the entire company and we can get the entire company for pennies."

That was a threat she let sit in the air, making eye contact for several long moments, a smile playing at the corner of her lips before she dismissed the defiant one as irrelevant, looking back to Elkin as he asserted his role to force the rest into silence.

Good, she thought. That pushed him further into the League's camp, even if he hadn't been there before.

"Naturally," Mya agreed to Elkin's statement, looking back towards him. "It's much the same as compound interest. A smaller amount of visible profit over a longer amount of time leads to a higher return than a lump sum or higher apparent profit in the short term. Now, we understand that you had a proposal of your own?" She gave a piercing look to Elkin before looking away. She'd put the ball in his court for the next round of negotiation. He would be the one to offer a compromise, secure his position as the one in charge of the company and the one who could save it.