Stronger Than Steel

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] | Mon Cal/Dac


Mon Cal filled the viewport of the Siren's Song, water glittering beneath the vessel. Judah hadn't returned to the planet since spending a couple of weeks with his son and [member="Danger Arceneau"] , relaxing and fine tuning some algae based fuel that was in the works. The planet was on his 'to-do' list of building another Salacia facility, perhaps one for the algae.


It would also make an excellent fallback planet, just in case the Black Rose-whatsits decided they needed to come closer to Ceto. Probably wipe out the bank coffers and government welfare to purchase a roll of Darth Vader's toilet paper or some nonsense.


Either way, the vessel was soon approaching Firemane Headquarters. He could have done the transaction from a distance but he hadn't seen Miss Kerrigan for some time. There was always the issue of checking to make sure [member="Dirks Hutchinson"] was still doing a good job with the Firemane PMC. In addition, he needed their fancy durasteel. Lots of it. Judah was certain Miss Kerrigan wouldn't mind adding the contract and credits to her account.


"Siren's Song requesting landing, Judah Dashiell for an appointment with Kerrigan and associates."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


When you thought about, Mon Cal was not half-bad. Actually it was a very nice planet. New Goral was picturesque and there was plenty of ocean. Well, the entire planet was covered in it. Siobhan would have preferred to simply relocate Firemane's HQ to Tygara, but the planet was simply too underdeveloped and untamed to house a megacorporation. New Santaissa was composed of too many makeshift concrete buildings to make it the sort of place you'd showcase to business associates. So here they were on the fish planet. So far Firemane had settled in rather well, though Siobhan hoped they would not have to relocate again so soon!


In any case, the Siren's Song would soon receive a response from the Firemane control tower. "Firemane Tower to Mr. Dashiell. You are cleared for landing. Please proceed to landing pad 04." Attached to the transmission would be a set of coordinates.


Waiting at the landing pad for the arrival of the Siren's Song would be Siobhan Kerrigan herself, dressed in an elegant dark grey skirtsuit, was waiting. She had foregone the escort of sycophantic hangers-on and guards, so her only companion was her 'secretary' Harmony. The Firemane executive liked Judah, so she had decided to gree him herself rather than sit around and wait in her office.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


"Copy that."


Siren's Song glided to landing pad number zero-four, smoothly coming in to rest on the duracrete pad at the Firemane HQ. As he shut down the systems, Judah was more than surprised to see Miss Kerrigan waiting on the landing pad. In past visits, it was all pomp and circumstance regarding an entrance. Perhaps the relocation to Mon Cal had cut down on the number of 'slave girls'....volunteers it took to escort guests.


Ramp was let down and Judah emerged looking fairly casual. Dark denim pants, button down shirt that was rolled up to the elbows. He quickly reached the two women, datapad in hand. The wind was picking up and Judah was reminded just how much he missed Mon Cal. He'd have to make another visit soon, with the Tadpole.


"Ma'am, Lady Kerrigan. Always a pleasure to see you. I trust you've been well after the horrible events at Kaeshana? Can't deny your choice for a new headquarters is more than spectacular though."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


Mr. Dashiell need not worry, for there were still plenty of slave girls! After all, Lady Kerrigan had, err, needs. Yes, needs. Anyhow, on with the actual plot.


"Likewise, Mr. Dashiell. I'm well, thanks. Kaeshana was...hard on all of us. So many dead...But we were able to save a lot more than we thought. Thank you for the help Salacia provided. It's appreciated. We managed to mitigate the damage done by destroying part of the asteroid, but the planet was still devastated and thrown into nuclear winter. Relief efforts are still ongoing. The capital is in ruins, but there are still survivors we're trying to help," Siobhan replied. Understandably, the tragedy was still very raw in her mind and rather painful, but she did not let that show. "As for Mon Cal, yes, we're settling in nicely. This is Harmony, my...personal secretary."


The dark-skinned Dahomian, who was for a change actually wearing proper clothes, gave Judah a bright smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dashiell. I look after the Lady's...personal business." Yep, like every good servant girl she had to try and troll her Mistress.


Siobhan coughed slightly. Clearly discipline needed to be enforced. "Please follow me to the meeting room. We can discuss business there. Thessa and Makai are well?" It had been a while since Siobhan had seen the mermaid or the tadpole. Well, as far as this writer remembers she saw Makai after he was born.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


"Really, we didn't do much Lady Kerrigan."


They had done what they could at least. While Kerrigan may have thought her 'slave girls' were trolling her, Judah was almost certain he was constantly being trolled when in the presence of any woman that worked for Firemane. He wasn't idiotic. Even a blind person could tell the obvious over-the-head hints that were exchanged between nearly everyone higher-up in the company.


"Thessa is on an extended assignment but Makai is doing quite well. Growing like seaweed, which is too fast for my liking. He's a great kid though, couldn't have asked for a better one."


"How is your wife? Daughters? I do believe you are raising a genius if I remember correctly."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


Siobhan wondered what extended assignment meant and whether distance might put a strain on the two's marriage. After all, she knew from personal experience what that was like! However, she wisely decided not to pry. "That's good to hear about Makai. I gotta see the boy some time. Tegs is doing well. Kaeshana was hard on her, but she's very involved in the reconstruction efforts on Tygara. As horrible as it sounds, I think the tragedy made us grow closer together. Galina probably will end up being a little genius given how many Physics books she consumes. She's such a sweetheart, my little angel. Nato was helping with the evacuation efforts on Kaeshana, then got captured by mad cultists. I got her out just before the asteroid hit. But I'm very proud of her - my little spitfire. Same with Aba - she's been helping fight off the dark elves on Tygara and wants to become a Jedi."


So many kids! While Siobhan spoke she led Judah and Harmony through the corporate offices to the fancy meeting room. A casual hand gesture - literal handwavium! - opened the door. The conference room was dominated by a large table made out of an expensive wood from Kashyyyk, along with comfortable looking leather chairs. Through a transparisteel window, they had a beautiful of the city and the ocean that made up most of Dac. "Harmony, dear, get us some drinks please," Siobhan spoke to her maiden before sitting down. "Please, take a seat, Mr. Dashiell. So how can Firemane assist you and Salacia?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


Listening, he was trying to do math at the same time. Last he heard there were only what...two kids in the household? Was the right? It sounded right in his mind. It seemed to him the family was expanding! Had to fill up the rooms in the mansion somehow, right?


"Nice to know the girls are doing great. If they take after you in any way,shape, or form I have no doubt that they will all make a mark on the 'verse. Perhaps all of us should be slightly scared by that fact."


He was clearly joking but one never knew when a Kerrigan child would decide to bring down a roof or building in general. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree in many of these cases. Well....weren't all of them adopted? Perhaps their biological genes would outweigh any penchant for roof dropping.


Taking a seat on the plush leather chairs, eyes were drawn to the sparkling ocean of Dac. Lately he had been thinking of building another house on the island he recently purchased. Judah wasn't a fan of the Black Rose-whatsits and buying expensive lightsabers. Hopefully they wouldn't come near Ceto anytime soon.


"Thank you. Lady Kerrigan, I'm here because I'd like a long term contract for your durasteel. Mainly for building structures for the Galactic Alliance."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


Siobhan might be just a bit addicted to kids. This one blames [member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"]. Totally. As for roof-dropping, sweet Galina was rather peaceful, but [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] and [member="Natoline Kerrigan"] had been trained by Siobhan...so maybe the roofs of the Galaxy should be on their guard!


In any case, she likewise took a moment to admire the view of the sparkling ocean. Perhaps she and Coryth could go on a boat ride some time. As for the Black Rose, Siobhan did not like them either. Leaving aside colossal fiscal irresponsibility, there were disturbing rumours about bizarre Sithspawn called 'Croa'. Hopefully those were just rumours.


"The Graphite Reinforced Durasteel? Thought you'd be interested in that after Sullust. It's very nice," she said with a short smile. Meanwhile Harmony had returned to the meeting room and served them drinks. "For a long-term contract, we can supply it in significant amounts via our subsidiary, the Guild of Hammers. Comes in all sizes from armour for ships, vehicles and droids to building walls and structures."


((I'm cool with handwaving the exact sum of creds for the sake of simplicity and just saying Firemane gets lots of fake money. ))

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


"Yes, the graphite reinforced durasteel is exactly what I am asking about. Absolutely loved working with your product back on Sullust. Believing is seeing is what I think term is? We would need various sizes for building, perhaps your crew could work on a beam or post like shape? That would be extremely helpful."


Taking the drink from Harmony, Judah thanked the 'personal assistant'. The conversation had come to a point where it was time to discuss credits. When it boiled down to it, Salacia and Firemane would both really be making money. Judah paid Firemane for the durasteel and used it in buildings he was paid to construct. Firemane would also get nearly free advertising as their durasteel was used more and more.


So after a great deal of good natured discussion, the credit amount had been agreed to. Judah could be receiving a steady amount of the graphite durasteel while Lady Kerrigan would be receiving a steady amount of credits with each delivery.


"Fairly painless I would say. Happy with the result Lady Kerrigan?"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


Conversation ensued over the exact amount of credits, timetable of deliveries and such. Harmony brought drinks and biscuits as refreshments. Since it was not that kind of business meeting, she did not suddenly 'lose her pencil' and crawl under the desk to personally service her boss in ways that cannot be elaborated upon because the kiddies might get corrupted!


Anyhow, Siobhan would get lots of fake money to do important things with. Such as buy herself fancy clothes, build a palace and buy Galina more books. Well, the last thing was actually important. Judah and Salacia would get shiny reinforced durasteel to build structures with, thereby also accumulating more fake money. Win-win.


Siobhan took a sip from her glass of Naboo wine. Pity the planet was run by the Techno Union now. "Very satisfied, actually. As always it's been a pleasure doing business with you. Salacia and Firemane have a good business relationship I'm proud of."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]


"Likewise. There are so many companies out there that are just a burden to work with. You know, trying to prove they are so incredibly better than your company for whatever reason. Let the products or services speak for themselves...I suppose there lies the problem for most folks with that attitude."


Finishing the drink, Judah placed the glass back onto the serving tray near his chair.


"Firemane isn't going to be strained in keeping up with our new locations?"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


Siobhan shook her head in response. "No, I can't see that happening. We're a big company and are busy hiring. While a good portion of our resources was been diverted to helping with the exodus, we should be able to keep up. I think it'll work out quite well since I was looking into expanding into GA territory anyway. Makes a bit nostalgic sometimes since it's former OP space." Nostalgic for the 'good old days', though that feeling had its limits since Siobhan was far happier at Firemane than she'd ever been with Omega.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]



"So the good old days involve tearing down roofs? Try not to tear down anything of mine unless its just completely far gone. I dont think I have insurance for such a thing."


With Firemane back in Pyre space it would be worthwhile for Salacia. They were struggling a little out in the 'wilds' of the Silver Sanctum, mainly due to its loose collation of planets. Unlike the Levantines, the Silvers seemed a bit more up-and-up about more central controls while giving folks freedoms. Judah even saw a Ranger patrol awhile back. Either way, the old Pyre area was more heavily policed....the only trade off seemed to be constant war.


"I think we're done for the day. Oh...I bought a little island chain here on Dac Lady Kerrigan. I suppose this makes us neighbors, although I have yet to build anything on it."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Judah Dashiell"]


Judah's quip about her dropping roofs actually made Siobhan laugh. "Hey, I don't drop that many ceilings," she exclaimed, though she seemed to be in good humour. She happened to be known as Mistress Earthshaker in certain circles who were very passionate about spreading literacy. Yes, literacy! As everyone knows that sort of thing is important if you want to go far in the world.


Anyhow, moving on with the plot. As for the Sanctum, there was a certain tradeoff. The coalition was a fairly loose, decentralised association of worlds. This made central direction and action more difficult, though on the flip side it gave Firemane the autonomy to do what it wanted within the bounds of general guidelines. After all, Siobhan was terrible at obeying directives she didn't like!


With Kaeshana's destruction, her last emotional attachments to former OP had been cut. As it was, her priorities were her family, Firemane and the elves - in that order. In any case she gave Judah a smile and her interest seemed piqued by the islands he mentioned. "You bought an island chain? Nice. I'll have to visit some time. Maybe our families should have a barbeque or something. Or go for a cruise on the ocean."