Health to the Company [Open to FO Government, others PM for invite]

[Jomasom Leuf]

Here's a Health to the Company​

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Number 10 Park Boulevard​

Avalonia, Dosuun​

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Joma realized how important it was that he look the part. In a tailor-made suit, vaguely reminiscent of the black uniforms of the First Order (but not overly so - that would be quite the impertinence), the Captain knew if he stumbled into the residence of a prominent government official with dirty boots and a patchy jacket, like a hard-drinking rosacean-faced Rimkin, he would be turned away at the foyer.​

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He had secured a meeting with the Grand Moff - miraculously it seemed. And like an audition for a play, he’d rehearsed his lines vehemently, the grand stage just ahead at him at Number 10 Park Boulevard. Jomasom entered alone. He was no assassin or threat, merely here on business.​

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Humble was a difficult part to play, but luckily he’d had some acting experience back on Blaudu Sextus. He most recently finished up the lead role in Sextus Victorius which containing a lengthy soliloquy describing the Octusi uprising against his ancestors.​

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Upon entry he announced himself to Fortan’s staff: “Captain Leuf from the West Rim Trading Company. Here to see Grand Moff Fortan about the proposal sent ahead of time.” ​

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Technically the WRTC was not up and running yet. He’d obtained the necessarily permits and licenses to operate in First Order space, making it a sole proprietorship for now. But if the partners he sought could see that his vision for the business would mirror the success of Leuf Industries (formerly Sextuna Mining Corporation) in Wild Space, he hoped there would be an amenity for a government charter, which is where Natasi Fortan came in.​

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Standing, he waited, tapping the neat triangle of scarf peeking from his breast pocket, under which lay a small tin of expensive cigarras that he hoped the politician would allow him to smoke during his visit.​

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[member="Natasi Fortan"]​

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Theodore Glass greeted [member="Jomasom Leuf"] in the outer office of the Grand Moff's residence. "Ah, Captain Leuf, you are expected. Give me one moment." He went to the tall wooden double doors that separated Natasi's inner sanctum from the outer office and knocked twice, then let himself in, shutting the door behind him. "Your Excellency, Captain Jomasom Leuf has arrived for your meeting."

Natasi looked up from her work and lowered her reading glasses, peering at Glass and then at the mantle clock behind him. "Oh dear, is it that time already? I'm afraid I didn't make the time I was hoping on the budget review." She stuck a sticky note on the page she was reviewing, jotted a note, and then shut the folder and took her glasses off. "Can you please ask the Finance Minister to join me for a lunch working meeting after my meeting with Leuf? I have some doubts about the projections. Don't tell him that, it's always so much fun to see him squirm."

Glass bowed. "Of course, ma'am. Shall I take that for you?" he gestured to the budget binder.

"Thank you," said Natasi, holding it out for him. He took it. "I'll see the Captain now. Send in Mela to take drink orders as well. Thank you, Glass."

Glass left the office, holding the door open for Leuf. "Her Excellency will see you now."

Natasi strolled towards the door, hand outstretched. "Captain Leuf, how d you do? I'm Natasi Fortan. Please come in. Can I offer you a drink? Coffee, tea?" She half-turned to Mela, notepad at the ready. "Cup of tea for me, please, and whatever Captain Leuf requires." When the pleasantries had been settled, Natasi gestured towards a pair of plush, dark brown leather chesterfield sofas facing one another across a coffee table, upon which sat a single white orchid in a plain green pot. Natasi took one of the sofas, pressing her ankles together as she leaned casually against the armrest. "I must confess I was intrigued by your plan," said Natasi pleasantly. "I'd like to hear more."

 

[Jomasom Leuf]

Soundtrack: Bonnie Portmore​

Despite his humble upbringing on faraway Blaudu Sextus, a relatively ignored mining colony, that did not mean Joma had not cultivated his manners, and his stint in the military had only enhanced his love for precision. Captain Leuf grasped the Moff’s hand gently, bowing his head synchronously. “It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you.” He turned his head politely to Mela, wondering if it was too early for alcohol.

Then again, was it ever too early?

“A small glass of brandy, thank you.”

Joma snuck a glance back at Natasi Fortan to see if she rose one of those well-groomed eyebrows over his choice, but all he observed was her nonchalance. The Captain made himself comfortable at a socially acceptable distance, but close enough so the pair would not have to shout across the room.

“Well, we’re off to a promising start then. As my proposal detailed, I’m interested in a government charter for the West Rim Trading Company, the new trading arm of Leuf Industries. In fact, the two companies will be separate, but those details will bore you.” He waved his hand with a subtle flourish.

“What might interest you the most is the approach. We are different because all of our freighers are military-grade, fully armed and piloted by ex-Naval officers like yours truly.” He crossed his legs and tapped his fingers upon his knee, the craving for a cigarra, beginning to tug at his senses. “And please do not think I’m being brash, but I understand you have a pirate problem. And some type of pest problem... space whales, even?” Joma couldn’t help but give an amused smile at that last fact. Then again the Outer Rim was not as civilized as the Core, and strange creatures swallowing vessels were likely not just folklore.

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Natasi successfully suppressed an eyeroll at the mention of a space whale problem. "Believe me, Captain, it is not the space whales that are the problem but rather the people behind them. Do you know some of those heathens in the Outer Rim Coalition mailed a box for rotting whale meat to me? Of course it was intercepted lightyears away, but of course they're not smart enough to realize these things. There's really only so much being quirky little underdogs can get you, don't you find? Anyway, that's neither here nor there." She waved a hand dismissively and then accepted a cup of tea from Mela.

"Thank you, Mela, would you be so kind as to shut the door behind you?" Natasi watched as the aide crossed the room and shut the door. The Grand Moff set her cup down on the table next to her seat and pressed a button that was all but invisible in the wood grain of the tabletop. It engaged the privacy locks, ensuring no one would be able to open the door, peer through the now-fogged windows, or eavesdrop, either electronically or the old fashioned way.

"Am I correct to gather from this detail, Captain, that your ships would not require armed escort were we to contract?" asked the Grand Moff, again picking up her teacup and its saucer. She sipped her cup and looked across the small space between herself and Leuf. "Because that would intrigue me very much."

[member="Jomasom Leuf"]