Early Acquisitions

[Judas Wayne]

​

Wayne Technologies HQ, Roon​

​

​

​

Judas Wayne gazed out of the glass window of his temporary office into the expansive valley below. He sat the highest office of T\the newly christened Wayne Technologies Research Facility Y-322, a state-of-the-art R&D center for the company. They were still gathering the funds necessary to construct their permanent headquarters. Until then, the research facility was the linchpin of their operation. That wasn't to say that it was a bad structure by any means. It contained top-notch labs, quality amenities, and considerable security. It just wasn't an ideal HQ. It would just have to do for now.​

​

Today he was meeting with Rhodes, the owner of a certain Kalor-Tech Industries. Apparently the company wasn't doing too hot. According to his sources, the man also owned a small private company by the name of Mystic Tekk. The executive had no current interest in purchasing either company. However, they had some interesting product designs that Wayne wished to purchase. If this tech fell into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for much of the Galaxy. That made it Judas's responsibility to acquire and control such things.​

​

"Sir, your 2:00 is here."​

​

"Thank you Elizabeth. Send him up."​

 

[Rhodes]

"Sir, you are OK to head on up. One floor up, first door on your left."​

​

The masked man said nothing, brushing past the assistant without a second thought. He didn't speak to underlings like her. He had a reputation to upkeep, after all.​

​

The past several years, most of his focus had been spent with the Consortium. Sure, he owned a few other minor businesses that brought in extra revenue. The thing was, he didn't have to time to pay attention to them any more with the private military industry requiring so much attention. A production company required little supervision, just tell people what to make and how fast to make it. Private military companies, however, had what felt like millions of issue pop up every day. The product in this industry was people, and people were flawed. With all of his attention spent on the Consortium, Kalor and Mystic Tech seldom got any attention and were falling into disrepair. Hopefully offloading some designs to this no-name company would put some extra coin in his pocket before he sold the company.​

​

He entered the office, sliding into the seat across the desk from [member="Judas Wayne"]. The man had a look of darkness about him that seemed to fill the room. Not necessarily evil, definitely not evil. Regardless, this man had experienced loss and had chosen to take the burden of the dark upon his shoulders. Rhodes knew the feeling all too well.​

​

"Mr. Wayne."​

 

[Judas Wayne]

So, this must be Rhodes. The white ivory mask he had seen in his research now sat across the desk from him. Strange, he was shorter than he had appeared online. Either way, he was excited to finally have this meeting. If all went according to plan, Wayne Tech would bolster its technological catalog severalfold by the end of the day. However, the pricing negotiations would have to take place first. Wayne didn't have too much money to its name at the moment due its status as a relatively new startup. However, this also afforded him a certain negotiating advantage that was unique to his position. Janus wouldn't be expecting as much money in return for the production rights, in turn inadvertently offering Judas a discount. If the Wayne Tech CEO could convince him that he had a little less money than what he actually had, maybe he could walk away from this not entirely broke.​

​

"Mr. Rhodes, nice to meet you. I understand you're on a tight schedule so I'll skip the formalities. You need my money, I want your product. Notice I said want. I've compiled a small list of items that I'd like the production rights for. You'll find them in the folder in front of you. Is there anything I can get you while you look it over?"​

​

[member="Rhodes"]​

 

[Rhodes]

Straight to the point, this one. Janus wasn't complaining. He had indeed informed Wayne of his schedule beforehand and made it clear that he expected as prompt a meeting as the subject matter would allow. He raised an eyebrow behind his mask at the opposing businessman's somewhat blunt statement. Janus wasn't used to being talked to like some common peddler, and he certainly didn't approve of it.​

​

"First of all, let me make something clear Mr. Wayne. I don't need your money. I own one of the Galaxy's most well-known private military companies and roll over more profit than you can dream of. Do not presume to attempt intimidation; I have encountered much worse than you in the past. Now, let's get down to business." He would pause before adding a sarcastic quip, "And yes, I'll take a cigar."​

​

Janus grabbed the folder and began flipping through it. He saw Kalor-Tech designs of ion shells, a turbolaser, and a tracking computer. Mystic Tekk was in there too, with designs of a voice changer and navicomputer poking out at him. Interesting selections, it was some of the most advanced tech he had developed. And the most expensive.​

​

"You've selected some of out most expensive designs, Mr. Wayne. I hope you have the funds to back it up?"​

​

[member="Judas Wayne"]​

 

[Judas Wayne]

Judas gave himself a mental slap upside the head. Janus didn't like to be treated as anything less than royalty; he knew that. He had allowed his confidence to get the better of him in an inappropriate time. Hopefully this wouldn't end up costing him big.​

​

"Fair enough. I apologize if I came across a little rough, it's just that starting up a business has been a bit rough. I'm sure you understand. Finances have burnt out quick, though I'm sure they'll come funneling back after the market gives us a kick in the pants. As for the designs, I would ask if you have the funds to back them up. I did the math, Mr. Rhodes. With the sales volume on your last quarter report, you're losing money off of most of these designs. I can pay you reparations on these, as well as a bit extra. Now, if you would be so kind as to follow me, I have something to show you."​

​

Judas would get up out of his seat, exiting the office and taking the nearest flight of stairs to the lab directly above them. A demonstration had been prepared there, with an electric test dummy holding an ignited lightsaber standing at the opposing end of the area. A large monitor sat on the back wall monitoring ionic activity while a white-robed scientist wearing semi-dorky safety glasses held an assault rifle with a strange attachment on the bottom. Judas put on a pair of safety glasses himself, and gave the scientist a nod. The man took careful aim at the dummy, then proceeded to fire the unusual-looking underbarrel attachment. A long silver-ish beam shot out of the device on straight course to make impact with the lightsaber. However, at the moment of impact, the beam instead slid around the blade like a river current moving around a protruding rock. The beam hit the dummy square in the chest, sending an extremely high ionic reading across the screen.​

​

"Mr. Wayne." The scientist would bow his head and exit the room, leaving the two men in peace. Judas unclipped the attachment from the rifle handing it to Janus.​

​

"Cuts through most armor and shields. Doesn't care much for lightsaber either, as you just saw. First shot cripples the nervous system, second knocks unconscious. Handy for close-ranged engagements with Sith, Jedi, or heavily armored opponents. Made out of a lightweight Titanium alloy that'll protect it from all but outstanding damage. It's entering final stages of testing, should be on the market within two weeks. I figure a man in your line of work might have need for such an item?"​

​

@Janus​

 

[Rhodes]

Though the mask would hide his expression, Rhodes was thoroughly impressed. Force-users were, by far, the single greatest threat to his operation. No matter how damn hard he tried he still couldn't train his men to take out a Jedi Knight in single combat. This, however, changed everything. Something that voided a lightsaber's protective capabilities was valuable indeed. The question was, how much did this man want in exchange?​

​

"I admit it, this is a rather innovative design. I'd ask you where you discovered this technology, but being a fellow businessman I wouldn't ask you to divulge your secrets to me. I'm interested in a supply quantitative enough for my entire company, but what would you ask of me in return I wonder?"​

​

[member="Judas Wayne"]​

 

[Judas Wayne]

The Wayne Tech CEO suppressed a smile. Rhodes had taken the bait, now was the time to reel him in. He was hoping that the rarity of his product's design would very much increase its relative profit margin, now was time to put it to the test. Not that manufacturing the attachment was cheap. No, not by any means. He simply hoped Rhodes would pay far more than it was really worth. If the CEO of a prestigious company paid a lot for his design, then it would be as good as gold on the open market.​

​

"For your entire company? That'll draw quite the price. Luckily for you, if you're willing, I won't make you pay me a penny. In exchange for supplying your whole company, I want blueprints and production rights for your navicomputer, tracking computer, and laser cannon. I also want personal access to your ion shells and voice changers. My company will cover all costs of shipping, as well as additionally purchase the manufacturing supplies of each blueprinted item. You're losing money on all of this, and I'm taking it all off your hands for you. What do you say?"​

​

In the short term, Judas knew this would cost his company a pretty penny. However, if he could get this stuff to market he could potentially turn over huge profit margins. That was as long as Rhodes went for the deal, of course.​

​

[member="Rhodes"]​

 

[Rhodes]

Rhodes pursed his lips. It was a steep price indeed, though not as steep as if he was actively manufacturing most of these products. Still, he was reluctant to sell off those designs. Once Wayne had them they would no longer be able to manufacture the products themselves. But the machines didn't do him any good sitting around and collecting dust, he supposed.​

​

Luckily for him, at the end of the day anything from Kalor-Tech belonged to the Sith Assassins whether he liked it or not. He wasn't particularly fond of them always trying to use his company for various nefarious deeds, so this would sort of be like a final slap in the face to them. What were they going to do, repossess the company? Go ahead, it was broke anyways.​

​

"I can't say I'm ecstatic about the pricing, but you have yourself a deal. I'll tell my people to start packing up the old designs and such immediately. I trust you will do the same?"​

​

[member="Judas Wayne"]​

 

[Judas Wayne]

Judas wanted to pump his fist out of pure joy. This was a win for him. However, he couldn't let on just how happy he was. He didn't want Rhodes turning around and upping the price on him at the last second.​

​

"I will indeed. I'd like to thank you for your cooperation on this deal, it's been quite refreshing. Now, I have something to confess to you."​

​

The Wayne Tech let his statement hang in the air dramatically for but a second before continuing.​

​

"I sliced into your Kalor-Tech mainframe to see if there was anything else not publicly available that I could possibly buy from you. Before you get angry with me, nobody else knows of this and I don't divulge secrets. I found mention of a certain project labeled "KRATOS" that I took particular interest in. I would like to purchase a vial of the serum at my personal expense, and I won't say a word to anyone."​

​

[member="Rhodes"]​

 

[Rhodes]

Rhodes was taken aback. He what? He sliced into his company's mainframe? That meant...​

​

He knew about the company's partnership with the Assassins. If that information got out then Rhodes would be in deep poodoo. That sort of information getting out meant people coming after him. People coming after him meant changing identities.​

​

He didn't want to have to change identities.​

​

And who did this guys think he was, blackmailing him like this? The last man who crossed Rhodes like this ended up tortured to death and dumped in the sewers! Still, he didn't have much of a choice at his point. They were in too much of a secure location to kill the man.​

​

Barely containing his anger, he would growl two words before storming out. "One vial."​

​

And he better get his damn credits.​

​

[member="Judas Wayne"]​

 

[Judas Wayne]

Waiting until Rhodes was clear of the room, Judas sighed in relief. It had been a huge gamble, and he was now officially on the bad side of a crime lord. Still, he considered it worth his while. The KRATOS serum was something he had been eyeing since the day he had discovered it. The substance could supposed warp a man into something greater; something more.​

​

Of course, he had also read of the formula's potentially deadly side effects. There was decent chance that it would cripple the subject for life. However, if it didn't, he would truly be transformed.​

​

He would become something else entirely.​