Jabiim Reqs

[Jsc]

Jabiim
ArmaTech

Megan Rhymes was a Jedi Apprentice currently studying at the Ossus Academy. Whilst she had no formal Master, her training was nearly complete at an academic level. Now her superiors were asking more and more from her these days. Including travel and field missions. Something she very much enjoyed. No matter her low ranking. Though. Some said her promotion to Jedi Knight was only months away.

"Oh my. Maybe purfume was too much? Goodness."

Today she stood in the waiting room of an ArmaTech facility on the rim world of Jabiim. She'd called ahead only two days ago to make an appointment. Now that she was here planetside, maybe she could talk real business with it's CEO. Nervous, as she was.

"Okay Megan. No big deal. Just stand up straight and shake his hand. Nothing to it. Yeah."

She did her best to remain confident as she sat on the plush leather couch. This was her first meeting with a real CEO. She hoped not to blow it. But little did she know? Megan had actually met this business owner once before. She had even eaten all the protein bars on his space ship once too.

Oops.

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Today I had a meeting with some Jedi about something, I am sure they told me why, I just couldn't remember why they had sent a representative. They might be a little upset with me based on all the military projects I had been undertaking recently, or with how I had handled the opposition on Terrijo, but who could guess with Jedi anyway.

I walked through the living area of the Headquarters building of ArmaTech, which was basically a warhouse and workshop attached to a decent sized house. Meeting with yet another Jedi, I had decided to wear my dress blues rather than the traditional armor. I felt wearing my uniform showed my continued support and loyalty, seeing as my armor now appeared more akin to Mandalorian Armor than Republic Special Forces. Nonetheless a proper dress uniform would go a long way to show ArmaTech was a Republic company not just out for profits.

I walked into the reception room, where I saw a familiar woman sitting on the plush couches we had purchased only weeks ago. I knew her as a Jedi Apprentice from Ossus a while back, and we had shared an adventure. The hint of perfume filled my nostrils as I entered the room. "Well hello Rhymes, how goes the training?" I asked rather informally. I was never really one to remain formal for long.
[member="Megan Rhymes"]

 

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"Draco!?"

Megan jumped up with a start. What was he doing here? In dress blues too. Wait... CEO Vereen meant... Draco Vereen!

"Oh my gosh. I had no idea it was you! Yes!"

She jumped for joy. Now she didn't have to risk embarrassing herself again. Thank goodness. Rhymes skipped across the room and gave the sturdy trooper a massive hug. Swinging around his neck with glee,

"Oh thank goodness. I was so worried today was going to be boring! Yes!"

The bubbly woman jumped back and dusted off her skirt,

"How are you? What's new in life, hm? Nice place. Nice place. Mmhmm."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

When the young woman leaped up and I was taken a little aback, and when she skipped across the room to hug me, I wasn't exactly expecting such a warm welcome but nonetheless I returned her hug and smiled, pleased to see the young woman. It hadn't been too long ago she had helped me out, and arguably saved my life from a giant snake. She started talking ninety miles a minute, not surprising given our last encounter.

Once she finished talking and admiring the place, I responded to her questions, "I have been doing pretty good, keeping busy, getting ready to open a new foundry on Carida, but other than that just same old same old, kicking around here waiting on the next set of orders to come through. How about you, how is your training going. I don't exactly remember how far along you were when we first met on Ossus and that's been a while ago now." I said conversationally. Business could wait a few minutes for us to catch up real fast and I didn't have any other appointments today, not many folks came out to Jabiim for any reason.
[member="Megan Rhymes"]

 

[Jsc]

She put a finger to her chin and thought about it,

"Training? Yeah, it's good. Just finished my 4th year exams and passed my Form I saber trial. So. All my basics are just about done. It's awesome."

Megan smiled and nodded. She had been an adult when she joined the Order. So they put her on the fast track schedule. Had to make up for all the lost time. It was brief but intense. And you can't rush making a commando out of just anybody. She still had years of being a Jedi to go.

"I hope to make Jedi Knight within the year. Force helping, and all that. I'm slower than my peer group but? I think the Order works better with adults these days anyway."

She shrugged. He couldn't really want to talk about the church anyway.

"But yeah? I guess my meeting today is with you then? ...Nice. Got an office? Or should we go to lunch? Your pick."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I listened to [member="Megan Rhymes"] as she spoke, letting her tell me about Jedi Training as much as she wanted to. Jedi Knight in the next few months was impressive, especially since I don't understand the whole Force thing. I get training and fighting skills. That much is easy, but this understanding the Force and its 'moods' I guess is beyond me.

When she asked about the meeting she suggested an office or lunch, and the best I had for an office was a dirty workshop or a messy bedroom. "I guess lunch will work best, cause I don't have an office. Kinda overlooked the need for an office when I bought a private complex you know." I said to her, guiding her towards the door, "I know a decent place in town, and its a short trip via speeder. We can take mine and talk about what it is you want over food. By the way, I don't remember what it is you are after." I said to her opening the door for her into the garage where a small two person landspeeder sat.

 

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Rhymes walked outside and nodded,

"Oh. Speeder sounds great. I'm kinda hungry anyway."

They climbed in and took off. Megan taking the time remember why she was really here,

"Oh right. Let's see. So... Recently I asked the armory for a new set of body armor. Jedi Robes just don't cover all the field missions they want to send us on. But then? They gave me a suit of Tenloss Warden Armor. Now... Don't get me wrong. Trooper armor is great and everything. Covers all the bases just fine. Even improved on the old Gungir Armor of Year One. But..."

She shrugged. Riot Armor just wasn't her thing.

"Let's just say I look terrible in heavy armor. Hehe. And the Jedi Council agreed."

Megan looked out the window before continuing,

"Anyway. I heard ArmaTech had something else to offer the Jedi Order. Something special?"

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Oh, she was here looking to get her hands on the Tempest Expeditionary Armor. It made sense. The Silver Jedi Order had jumped all over it and cleared half my stock to equip their Jedi in the field with it, so it made sense that the Jedi Order of the Republic would want it as well. They had been a nightmare to get a hold of, and even harder to talk to about funds and credit transfers until now. They had sent a Padawan to negotiate with me, which I found odd, but not unheard of, especially since she and I were already acquainted, however briefly.

It was only minutes to arrive outside a local resturuant, obviously a home owned place with a few local cooks and a 'famous' secret recipe. We walked in and sat down at a table fairly quickly, the hostess recognizing me. "Well, if you guys are looking into purchasing the ACS-002 Armor, I can go over the basics for you. Its light weight laminanium armor and its form-fitting enough to be worn under jedi robes, or whatever you wear these days." I said with a smile.

[member="Megan Rhymes"]

 

[Jsc]

Rhymes took her seat and grabbed the drink menu. She was in an excellent mood. Might even go in for something bubbly. She mused as she spoke,

"Well. I'm not at liberty to discuss a contract with the Order. Naturally. However, we receive funding from the Senate, our farms, and private donations. And every Apprentice is allowed to keep their own finances without a tithe. So I personally have some wiggle room. That said. Only a High Councillor can approve business contracts with the Order."

She shrugged. Her stipend from the Order was not abundant either. 4000 C a month. Bleh. Maybe what she really needed was a part-time job.

"So. If you were hoping a mere Apprentice had come here to sign a trade deal? Hehe. Well. I'm afraid you're Force outta luck partner."

Rhymes smiled and looked around for the waitress.

"However. Don't go running out on me yet?" She smirked and held up a finger, "I might be interested in taking one of those ACS 02 off your hands today. Hehe."

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Well that makes since, sucks, but makes since. I could understand that a padawan couldn't sign agreements, and expected it really. Every military contract had been signed by the Grand Admiral or Supreme Commander, so I figured that at least a Jedi Master would be required to sign a large expensive order. "I hear ya. I didn't really expect to sign a big all inclusive trade deal, but you know, I figured the Order would want them eventually." I said to her as the waitress walked over to the table.

"I ain't leaving without something to eat and besides, I'm your ride if you remember." I said, stifling a laugh. "What did you have in mind about purchasing one, as you may know they are pretty expensive. Even with the discounts ArmaTech Offers we still have to cover our costs off each set." I said as the waitress reached the table.

"And what'll it be today?" She asked. [member="Megan Rhymes"]

 

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Rhymes ordered their lunch special. Raspberry Turkey Burrito. Seemed adventurous enough for a day out. She closed her menu and looked back at Draco,

"Well. That's why I came in person. I was wondering how much of a discount you're willing to offer to the Jedi Order. These armors are about as expensive as a Navy Commander's yearly income. Understandable. But hefty when you're just a lowly Apprentice."

It seemed embarrassing to be talking about money this way. But Megan had to admit. Being a Jedi made you poor. A good poor. A, "I live in a marble palace and never have to worry about food", poor. But humble, none-the-less.

"If you can bring the price down to say... 82,000 C? I can finance a three year credit agreement with a bank on Naboo. They'd loan me, of course. You'd receive the cash up front. It's not a problem."

She scratched her chin and wondered though,

"But. What about upkeep? How often does the armor require maintenance. I understand Laminanium Ingots aren't cheap either. How often can I expect to be swapping out parts?"

[member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

I went ahead and order the nerf steak. It was expensive, but money wasn't something I was short on these days. The Republic had seen to making me wealthy, and the Silver Jedi Order had assisted as best as they could. There were richer people sure, but she was talking about taking out a loan over the course of several years for the amount of money I kept on my starship in hard credits for emergencies, much less what I had access to in credit chips.

"Well 82,000 credits is a bit higher than the normal discount. Normally for Republic Soldiers I sell at a flat twenty percent off, first of all, so that would be 80,000. Laminanium Ingots aren't cheap, but we produce them in house and they only need to be replaced after an extensive repair, so it isn't that often and the discount would stand." I told the young woman sitting across the table from me. "I bet you are wishing we had sold those droids on the black market now, huh" I joked, trying to get a rise out of her and lighten the mood. I could tell she was a little embarrassed discussing her finances. "I tell you what. I'll sell, to you, for 60,000 if you flaunt it around those stingy Jedi Masters for me."

[member="Megan Rhymes"]

 

[Jsc]

She couldn't help but laugh and then wanted to hug him all over again. 60k! That's a hell of a bargain down from one hundred. Wow!

"Wow! Draco. You're amazing! Sixty would only run me a two year loan. Or,.. Or less! Now you're saving my skin and my wallet. Oh man. You're the best!"

Megan beamed with pride and grabbed her glass.

"In return! Lunch is on me! Here. To the Republic!"

[member="Draco Vereen"]