Bit by Bit

[Ordo]

Ordo had been working on new ways to increase sales and expand MandalTech into more civilian markets. To this end he aimed for an area that was by far less developed ground in the galaxy at large, the virtual area. In ancient times stories of virtual tours and holo-tours existed, but sinde the plague Ordo had heard of none. Though the holonet survived most of the technology that was used for virtual tours, games and environments simply didn't seem to exist. He hoped to change that. The galaxy seemed open and accessible to people who had the good fortune of being tossed into it but most people didn't have the luxury of their own ship, nor did they have funds to simply run about the galaxy doing as they pleased.

Ordo sat in front of a series of schematics and readouts as he thought of how to approach this and just who would buy it and in what quantities. He would need many servers and equipment around the galaxy to reach a larger customer base and he would need to make it expensive enough to warrant the production and yet cheap enough for Joe homebody to buy it. He would need help...that part was evident. he blinked his comlink active inside his helmet and put a call in to some acquaintances from his past and they pointed him to a man who knew a thing or two about tech, [member="Marek Starchaser"].

Ordo looked at the options he had available and decided his VR kit would work well for nearly everyone. The trodes for those that wanted a deeper conection and soon his HeadJack idea would be processed but he needed to get the servers, systems and concepts for the games. He may have to dedicate half of R&D to the task, but he would have to wait and see.

 

[Corey's OOC]

There was a whole lot of work that Marek Starchaser was doing. And that included doing whatever he could to boost Bright Star Entertainment. Working with companies he knew, working with companies he didn’t know, even working a bit with people whom he wasn’t sure he completely trusted. Being on the Inner Circle of the Tion Hegemony and the Overseer of the Technate, he knew a few things about a lot of things.

When the call that the being known as [member="Ordo"] was looking into a few things, he figured he would at least go and listen. Taking the Flow the sometimes Sith decided to take initiatve and meet up with the Mando to see what was going on. Arriving at the system, he transmitted his IFF and awaited landing and meeting instructions.

Simple, right? What could go wrong? He did have his slugthrower and lightsaber, the green one this time, that went with the armor he was wearing as well.

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

"Ordo?" Said the voice of one of his staff as they walked in, "a ship registered to a Mr. Starchaser just dropped from hyperspace and is requesting to board the station."

"Thank you, son." He said to the young man who had decided to stay with the company despite recent...events. "direct him to the private hanger and give him a proper escort up."

Ordo's chair spun toward the door and he looked at the young man from behind his helmet's visor.

"Send in some of the reserve I bought from Ms. Blake and a bottle of wine for our guest and some other items you think might be good for a meeting."

"Me?" He said in reply.

"Yes you." Ordo said with a chuckle, "you're a man ain't ya. You have taste don't ya. Just use your best judgement and if you're wrong...well shab, could be worse."

"Yes sir." The man said seeming surprised to be trusted with anything but his usual job.

Ordo watched him leave and blinked his HUD active and began running threw the various plans he had and the systems he would need. He didn't need funding, it would not be overly expensive. He just needed contacts in the right places to get the most coverage and secure his place in the future of the galaxies entertainment and information industry.

He waited in his chair while a welcome party of well dressed security personnel lead by Ordo's head of security the rough and tumble [member="Ruusan"] went to meet Marek.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek nodded when the call came in. Directing the teal ship to the private hangar, he made sure he had all his gear and was ready for anything. He wasn't suspecting anything, hell, he wasn't even grabbing the Force to see what was going on with the landing zone, but he still gave his astromech the order to keep the engines primed. Just in case.

He wasn't crazy.

Being escorted into the meeting room, he poured a small glass of Whyren's while he took a few samples of the food left out. Simple, he liked simple. He knew he didn't have much to worry about with funding here, or giving funding, MandalTech was a decent sized corporation, and... he wasn't quite sure, they didn't seem to be on the guest list for the Tion Galas. They should fix that.

Going over a datapad, that he had in his lap when he took a seat, he reviewed the VR data he could find. This would be a good business move, he figured.

[member="Ordo"]

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

"Mr. Starchaser," Ordo said not getting up, "thank you for coming."

Ordo blinked twice and highlighted a tab in his HUD and the holoprojector on the table came on with a map of the galaxy.

"I was given your contact info because a friend said you know tech and entertainment like few others." Ordo paused, "I am working on getting a hold of the holonet and specifically the Virtual holonet industry. The limited use of Virtual reality in this day and age seems like a good opportunity for expansion. However, getting a firm hold on the industry is a big undertaking. That's why I called you. I'd like to set up several servers tied to a massive mainframe of my design to take control of virtual "Real estate" then use that as a platform to create virtual games, locations, information hubs and of course "Rent out" space on the mainframe. With your connections I thought we could find a way to get some satellites and mainframes up in some of your affiliated locations."

Ordo blinked again inside his helmet and various colored lights appeared on the galaxy map.

"According to my estimation, this is what we need. The red lights are relay satilites. the green are planets with servers, the blue are mainframes. All will be tied to a supercomputer that is under construction. Was that too much?"

 

[Corey's OOC]

"My pleasure." Really, he hadn't dealt with any Mandos that didn't use catch phrases, or the word Groovy in... well, ever? So this trip was going to be fulfilling a curiosity as well. And that was fine, right? When [member="Ordo"] continued on, Marek grinned. Seemed he was getting traction Heil Tion in the galaxy. And that was good, especially since he was more service oriented than product oriented, as of late.

"Well, I do what I can..." Technate and Bright Star, but if Ordo was talking about his friends linking the pair up, well, he knew what was going on. Listening to the proposition, he nodded. Getting involved in a relatively untouched galactic market was smart. He knew there were other entertainment industries, but none run quite like his was. "I like the sounds of this. Bright Star, and the Technate, if you don't mind deal with the Systems Authority, have plenty of locations we could house these places, and get them pushed to the mainstream. Of course, Bright Star, being non-military, and from what I've been doing to remove it from strict ASA association, we're welcoming all forms of tourists, and cater to the more white-collar crowd."

Not to say that Rio Vivo worked with only the White Collar, but his liners and resorts? Honeymooners or people who could afford a few of those trips a year. It was good money, but he did need to find a way to expand it, he supposed.

Looking at the map, the Corellian nodded. "Seems a lofty project, I like it. Are you expecting to roll this out right away, or build it piece by piece? Do you have contractors for the satellites, or is MandalTech handling that?" Technate/Techno Union call right there, let your friends build what you can't and they'll return the favor.

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Ordo nodded, which was about all he could do currently in his condition, before he changed the holoprojector image to that of a satellite.

"MandalTech can build the satellites, but the catch is that I personally am not the galaxies most loved face." Ordo cleared his throat, "I'll need to get them distributed. For that I thought with enough contacts we could get them placed around the galaxy. We are aiming for near total coverage. I have contacts in the fringe, mandos and a few in the other governments that would give a go ahead otherwise We may be just asking local governments rather than larger ones for permission. We could also have these sold by your companies as well, if your inclined."

Ordo didn't know how quickly he could get the satellites mass produced so whether he would release this venture all at once or over the course of time he couldn't say for sure. He did know that when the satellites were finally linked to the supercomputers he would have near total coverage and access to the holonet everywhere.

"We may have to distribute the satilites over the course of time, but once they are distributed and online we should have coverage over the better part of the galaxy and that means the industry will be mostly our Ad'ika, our baby." Ordo looked at the man, "So what I am offering for the help of distribution and shared contacts, is direct access to the systems and Virtual industry for your companies, as well as majority of the profits in systems where you have primary operations, say at 65% to you in your planetary systems?"

 

[Corey's OOC]

Satellites. That was something he was going to need to invest in. Baktoid was handling the System Authority satellites, and that was... well, with Alli Wren missing, or imprisoned, or maybe dead, he was going to need to figure out what to do there. Nodding to [member="Ordo"], Marek understood what he meant. He had no issue with the Mando, but, well, the galaxy was the galaxy. One thing he was working on was getting everything moving smooth for his company, and removing himself from a war mongering businessman, Alana was handling the Technate really, so...

"I've got my liners that travel the galaxy. I'm working on moving out of the South Systems, and its really a peaceful endeavor. If you can get my liners and perhaps station and land-based resorts contract inquiries moved forward, I'd be glad to dump satellites along with my own navigation beacons?"

One hand washing the other. It'd help him in the long run, and this would get the galaxy littered with the right satellites. "So long as you don't interrupt the flow of data I'm relying on, and no tampering with the gaming machines, I'm all for that. I'd knock it down to 55% on my systems if you can put in the proper words to Fringe and Mandos to allow gambling liners, and maybe casino-resorts in their space?" He had bills to pay.

Not really, but still, money was money and Marek liked nice women things.

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Ordo looked at the man and thought for a minute.

"I can say That there is a straight shot from Bastion down to ASA space that my people patrol as a safe civilian lane." He said calmly, "I am certain that lane will be open and that your ships would be the only liners travelling that area."

Ordo cocked his head to the side as he considered the counter offer. It was a fair amount as far as he could tell.

"You have a deal." Ordo said, "I'll include your people in the satellite production so they can be sure it won't interfere with your operations." a few seconds passed as he went through his HUD datapad access and highlighted the schematics. "I am sending them to your 'pad now...done."

 

[Corey's OOC]

Perfect! A lane that could get him through Mando space, that was another contract for him. "Any interest from the Mandos of having resorts and casinos? Thirty percent of the house profit going into the state. Same offer I gave to the Fringe." And by gave, he meant sent ahead of him to try to get a word in. Whichever they chose, that was all them. "Still, the liner traffic alone, that is a huge boom for us. Thank you."

The polite Corellian, and no trace of his backwater accent.

"Ours are really just navigation beacons that will send out to a specific frequency for our liners. So if anything should go astray we can dispatch rescue teams." That was something else he needed to build. Rescue shuttles. Time to go into his other company for that.

Nodding as he got the information, Marek looked back to the Mando. "So, what are you going to be pushing with the VR work? Mainly gaming? Military training?"

[member="Ordo"]

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

"Games and military training are the surface my friend." Ordo said smiling behind his helmet, "I am going to create a virtual landscape people taking tours of worlds they could never afford to visit. SInklink systems to let them feel what they experience in VR. They could live out their fantasies. Live, feel, and control their own dream worlds like they never could in real-life. in the midst of it all we record and store information to help taylor their experiences to everything they most desire. Games? We're going to make worlds and give people the controls."

Ordo moved his chair to the side and the fact that he was chair bound for the moment would become apparent.

"Obviously there will be heavy safety measures in place and the information will be accessible to only those cleared for the highest security levels but We feel this will be a very lucrative business."

 

[Corey's OOC]

This was who he liked to work with, people who looked at things from a different angle than he did. And sometimes he was a bit… close minded in his approaches. Making a virtual environment though? That was something! The casino kingpin was smiling. “And I thought I could control people with some extra oxygen, free drinks if you’re gambling, and a labyrinth to escape from… You sir, you’ve got a knack for this.”

Why couldn’t [member="Ordo"] come work at Bright Star?

“I’d be excited to base your systems on my liners and in my resorts.” And then there was the idea of monitoring the scenes, and maybe selling them. “Would we be storing all the data?” That could be a cash crop.

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

"This is where we do more than "see a need fill a need" Mr. Starchaser." Ordo said, "I want to make the need and fill it."

He blinked a few times and brought up a new image.

"This is the MTI supercomputer." Ordo said proudly, "it has the storage capacity of any planetary library. I have made hundreds of them. I plan to store everything...everything and make it available to a select of interested people. The central computer has been named "Mirage" and is currently housed on the Tion trade Nexus in my rented space."

Ordo closed the holoprojector.

"I heard you're Corellian." Ordo said as an after thought, "I was born on a ranch outside of Kolene. It haven't been there for probably twenty years. Have you seen home lately? I may start there."

 

[Corey's OOC]

A grin crossed his face. [member="Ordo"] was going for the long game. The 'I didn't know I needed this until now!' game. Why again, was he not in the Tion Hegemony? They could use him. Hell, he might even be able to bring Mando operatives to help the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Hydra Tion. That small group of people who would be looking out for company interests in the most indirectly direct ways. And then he was going on about the super computers.

This brought a nod from Marek as he looked at the holoprojection. And htey were being stored on planets and the Hub was at the Tion Nexus... That was smart. "Good place, that. Well defended. And exactly what its supposed to be used for." The rich and famous keeping their important tools there. Granted he left his funds and important data in the sub-levels of Rio Vivo, but that was Marek. He kept a lot of data on the Nexus.

"Yeah, Corellian. I've... its been tough. As you should know, I'm assosciated with the System Authority, and the Omega Pro have been... not taking too kindly to us. I was born outside Tyrena, and spent a lot of my childhood on the Beaches, when I wasn't running offworld." Because a lot of time with the Zeison Sha.

"But, the bigger the galaxy, the sweeter the homecoming, as they say. If you want, I've been forging a new ship IFF and identity to get myself on and off-world, with relative ease. I can get you home, if you want to start there."

Was a Mando going to work with a self proclaimed Sith?

 

[Ordo]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Ordo nodded at the mention of the Protectorate. He was not high on the Protectorate friends list these days.

"The place is one of the best defended places in the Protectorate. It's a good place to have someone else protect my interest." Ordo said, "when I send a team there I'm sure I will need that help. I am sending a team to Telos and Bastion today to procure offices."

Ordo thought for a minute about what he should do next.

"How would you like working models of my VR equipment for your company?" Ordo asked after a moment. "I can give you a personal set of the equipment to try. If you would like."

 

[Corey's OOC]

Well, at least the two CEOs had something in common. He'd seen reports, and wasn't quite so sure if he was on their wanted list, or just the 'people to stop' list. He really wasn't wanting to be captured, after all. And having assistance getting home, that was important.

"Telos and Bastion, that should be a bit simpler to procure, right?" At least it seemed it to him. Not so large of fortress worlds.

"I'd like that. We've also got a pretty large team of computer techs, I'm sure they'd love to get their hands on this gear and play around with it." And see what was worth funding and what wasn't. Really, Bright Star and Haor Chall were starting to branch into a lot of smaller projects, it was nice.

[member="Ordo"]