The only thing we know how to do

[Corey's OOC]

"The Fringe has always been a friend to me, whatever I can do to help anyone here... Besides, these pirates don't scare me." He could theoretically call a corporate war fleet here. It'd be a silly use of resources for just himself, but to guarantee safety of the planet? For a 'finders fee' of course. Marek wasn't sure what he saw when he looked at the man. Stubbornness, that one was for certain. But pride? Bravery? The internal jury was still out there.

And then the other show dropped.

Pride.

Good, Marek could use this man. "Joining the Union as an investor?" He nodded, mulling that concept over in his mind. That could definitely be used. Invest in the (now head canon) stock market of the Union, put funds in the right hands, the proper contracts get a boost, bringing profit home, instead of to a competitor? A grand idea. He may be the Foreman, but it was because he knew how to make deals. And talent hunt.

"Well, depending on what your thought process is, I am willing to vouch for you, provide passage over to the Techno Union space, and set you up on any number of worlds. So, Mister [member="Lucien Cordel"], convince me." Marek wasn't going to say no, but he wanted to make sure there was a fighter in this man.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"The Pirates don't concern me ... any that come my way will not be alive very long" The fringe had disintegrated and as such ceased to be his concern, he had made donations to what rag tag armed groups were out to defend the civilians of the fringe but was taking little active action. He also was not about to pay anyone to defend a corpse let the flies have it.

"And a lender , a gambling man never stays rich very long but the man who feeds the gambling man never goes poor " He smiled who didn't want to inspire fear.

Lucien rolled his eyes and chuckled. He felt like he was a fresh faced apprentice again ... he hadn't been asked to convince someone in fifteen years. However he wanted in so he was willing to jump through a couple of hoops "I am no fresh faced young buck I have been an investor for most of my adult life , the only difference being I invested lives before and I intend to invest money now ... replaceable, predictable money " He drank some more before continuing "That and the fact that I don't really need your support , as you've said I could just get in straight away as an ex-fringe diplomat your backing will just make things easier "

"Convinced Mr. [member="Marek Starchaser"] ?" He offered a cigar to Marek, a man of vice surely smoked, he already new Marek drank even if it was just a little.

 

[Corey's OOC]

See? This man spoke with power. That was something Marek would always respect. Someone who knew their place in the galaxy and knew who was a threat, and who decidedly wasn’t. It was confidence and the truth. Had Marek known he was dealing with not only a Lord of the Fringe, but a Sith Lord? It would have clicked together, but he never did too much digging, unless it was triggering him in the right way.

The Foreman of the Techno Union smiled and gave Lucien a nod. He knew what he was on about. Investing properly was so much better than running the risk, playing the gamble and hoping you caught it on the last deal. The way he spoke though, that was what Marek was looking for. He knew enough from SpyNet profiles, they some how knew where he was going. All. The. Time. But this [member="Lucien Cordel"] was just confirming the paper work.

You needed to look your opponent in the eye and face them down, to make sure they were who they said they were.

He took the cigar and nodded. “Quite convinced. How long will it take you to close up shop on Annaj? What sort of assistance do you need?” And the whole ‘which planet and when can you start’ talk would begin.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

So it seemed the man of Vice [member="Marek Starchaser"] had another vice, that was unsurprising. People were predictable and men of vice, have vices. Lucien knew that all too well, he had vices and not all of them were are plain as alcoholism. Lucien had read the spy net profiles, he liked to know who he was dealing with, they could certainly be exhaustive.

It seemed he had been successful, that was good.

"I can close up shop on this place in a matter of days I only rent property here since my 'Retirement' Zaadja is a more difficult thing I govern that Planet I'll resign now and I expect I'll be totally free in a few weeks time but It could take longer" That was inconsequential though his governance over the past few months was one of suppression he would likely be forced out now that central government had decayed. "As for assistance I need very little, zaadjas national army is filled with my people , they will follow me so I'll be protected and as established I have money"

"I do need certain assurances however , I have certain friends on the outside I therefore need the ability to travel in and out of union borders unchecked , I can pay any fees you feel necessary for this ... privilege" Lucien knew money talked especially in the union "I also want you to point me to some of your more powerful friends, get me onto the guest list for big ticket events and get me some prime real-estate on the capital , Other help will of course not be scoffed at ... Is that acceptable?"

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek was all sorts of vice. He did live in Rio Vivo, which he knew was sometimes called the Vice District of Lianna City. (Or, at least it was now). He didn’t make any excuse for how he acted, because he knew that it didn’t matter. He was getting his jobs done, he was put together and professional when he came in. There might be whispers and murmurs but it didn’t matter.

Covering his bases, that was what Marek Starchaser was doing. Checking with [member="Lucien Cordel"] to see what the man needed, that was important for Marek. He wanted to not leave a potential asset on the table, with their ass out to the wind when the Black Fleet finished steam rolling the planet. “We’ll be able to find housing for your people, I can guarantee, and work them into some of the companies the Techno Union controls.” Might need to open some additional production plants, but their pockets weren’t empty, in his nation.

“We’ve got vessels that are always leaving. The majority of our civilian vessels are scanned and confirmed for cargo and passengers when they leave worlds and stations, but this is only to protect our investments and people. Several vessels have free passes, mine included. And the office of the Foreman always employs certain assets as our officials. As for putting you in contact with the right members? That was a given, my friend.” Marek grinned as he nodded to the Lord and, based on the situation outside, sole remainder of the Fringe Federation.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"Good" Lucien nodded "Very good, I will be keeping the most senior of my staff to myself ... They fulfil requirements I will have , capitalism is cut throat after all" The fact they had intimate details of his private life went unsaid. Those High enough to walk at his side would remain in his direct employ, the rest could go where necessary, they were inconsequential.

Marek might be covering his bases, Lucien was establishing them. He aimed to get the sweetest deal he possibly could, this was his second new start and he fully intended to start high in this new start he had been low before, he wouldn't be low again. "Good and how much will one of these free passes cost me?" Money spoke plain and simple, Lucien knew he was offering a bribe but money talked while principle sat bolt upright smoking and avoiding eye contact. He couldn't afford not to talk.

Lucien laughed as [member="Marek Starchaser"] grinned. At loath to sound like a stuck record Lucien didn't reply to the promise of contacts he just chuckled and gave a nod into his drink. He sat silent for a moment then stopped laughing. "I need something else, my son ... He's not made for cut throat business , he's too soft" Lucien sighed and took a drag of his cigar. He loved his son but god was he difficult, so quite so reserved "Can you find him a position something safe and out of the public gaze?" Another drag "I hope he will strengthen in time but I need him protected until such a time"

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek wasn’t here to head hunt. He wanted to get [member="Lucien Cordel"] in his side, that would help with the Techno Union, and well, better to have a potential ace and devil in your pocket than running around the galaxy doing Force knew what all. He trusted the members of the Fringe, several were in the Primeval, and they hadn’t eaten his cousin yet, so there was that. Marek ran a hand through his hair. Business deals and political deals were simple to do, it was why he was the Foreman.

As for how much the free passes would cost? That was the trick, wasn’t it? “Well, I will need certain things from you, information mainly. And, potentially, to plant specific information where it can be the most… useful.” Or damaging, really, it was all depending what the Executive Council wanted.

“And what are you looking for him? Where do you want him… molded?” That was important, so many tasks in the Union…

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Ah Information the currency of the super rich, he had information "You need only ask , I will Provide" Lucien replied, he did love a good serving of intreqe it made this so much more interesting. It seemed like he was going to get what he wanted which is nice. Lucien noted [member="Marek Starchaser"] running his hand through his hair ... was he getting stressed? now that was an interesting development. A very interesting development.

Where did he want Darrien Moulded ? That was a tough one. "It doesn't really matter so long as he's relatively safe , I want him close enough that I can keep my eye on him but far enough away that he gains a back bone." His son was as previously stated a difficult one. "Perhaps he could be apprenticed to a lawyer or an accountant, something prestigious but in the background" Lucien could think of no other immediate issues for the present time and both at loath to have the building collapse atop of them or worse still to bore Marek he decided he ought to let marek go.

"If those conditions can be met we have a deal, I need about a week to tie up some lose ends and salvage somethings from this wreck, then I'll join you in union space ... unless you need anything from me before hand?"

 

[Corey's OOC]

There was a lot to do, and getting the Techno Union secure, especially with newcomers to the game and the terrorist alliance of super friends nearby, as well as the citizens in arms… He had to make sure he had people watching the corners he couldn’t always see. And he was right, information went a long way, perhaps farther than credits, when your name was Marek Starchaser.

Marek nodded again, he was liking that he and [member="Lucien Cordel"] were on the same pages here. “I’ll put out some feelers, can’t force anyone to take him, but I know a few companies that are always looking for new talent. And a name coming from the desk of the Foreman, that carries a lot of weight. So long as he’s good for it.” Marek Starchaser despised children. He was fine with nepotism, so long as the people. Heil.

It was good to be in charge.

“Don’t need anything more. I’ll have a position lined up for Darrien. And I’ll make sure you’ve got some office space, to get yourself started at least, on Roon.” Simple. Clean cut.