The Second Step

[Ultimatum]

The second group to come to Ultimatum for service from the ICLE was more substantial than the previous one, at least in the scope of power. This was a welcome step to the droid, whose hopes for this company appeared to show an initial success. He hoped that with each group that came to him, that with each planet that allowed ICLE to maintain the peace, the galactic chaos could be pushed back. The long-term goal was simple, to create a peaceful situation for most of the occupants of the galaxy. He expected not to be able to change the governments of the people, those that would be expansive and attempt to take new land and invade others. But, Ultimatum hoped that through the ICLE he could ensure peace for the civilians whose lives were so quickly flipped by the change of government.

This day though would be a far smaller step. Offering a service to an organization. Some might have thought Ultimatum rather foolish, for his intentions were not that of a company, but of a charity. He was not looking to make money here; he was not looking to create wealth for himself. He was looking to fix the galaxy.

He had received a holo-call from the potential business partner. Ultimatum prepared himself for this, answering the call he began, "Greetings, Ultimatum here, creator of ICLE. How may I be of service this day?"

[member="Ursula Vizla"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

His people were descended of wood folks. They once lived in the woods, with no technology, hunting for food and learning magic from the gods in the forests. And now, here he was, leading his people in a age of immense advance, where not only they could cure most, if not all, diseases, but they had to rely in machines with great intelligence to help them in their daily tasks. And not only that, but in the communications as well, for now they could project themselves for others to watch.

“I am Iedolas Aldercapt Solidor, King of Alcarost in the Kaikielius System.”, he announced, his body being projected by the holocrab that held his image. Clear and proud. Funny for him was the fact that the machines in this new age of technology were quite the emotional pieces, with personalities and even feelings. “As said by my officials, i would like to hire your services. I’m currently the chairman of the Bank in the Core, and your services were well recommended by associates. I would like to hear the brochure again, what does your services can provide for me and my company?”


[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

It was an impressive display and Ultimatum was glad that this organic took pride in his people. The droid hoped that it would reflect well on his people and how they were treated. After all, if the point of this meeting was achieved, then the ICLE and therefore Ultimatum would be supporting the government by enforcing their laws. The robot was pleased that he had been the target of positive recommendations. It was a good sign, and hopefully, it would indicate the future of ICLE.

"Of course. The Interstellar Civil Law Enforcement, or ICLE, is a policing company. We offer a police force to governments and companies to help maintain order and peace within their area of influence. These police are trained individuals with the professionalism expected from military personnel; however, they are far weaker as far as armament is concerned. Their job is to enforce the laws that the government or company put into place. They are capable of handling most civilian threats to security, thieves, assaulters, and rioters if the need arises. The police force is a self-contained unit, which can integrate into government structure. The ICLE can also begin recruitment of locals if you would allow it, and eventually, the police force can be run solely by natives, which is considered ideal in most cultures." Ultimatum had delivered variations on that short speech before, many times. It was essential to give out information like this as objectively as possible.

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

The holographic image of the Primarch seemed to be listening. His face barely even moved now that he heard about the services provided by the company, he sure liked the name… Interstellar Civil Law Enforcement. But in his own mind he thought if it was a best idea to leave droids taking care of the bank and their safety. “Perhaps not.”, and so, Iedolas chose a calm tone of voice to speak with the machine.

“We shall hire your services for our homeplanet. After all, i believe the locals would find it interesting to deal with a new face instead of the local police force. Dealing with traffic, petty crimes will be quite a interesting challenge. Very well, mr. Ultimatum, i shall sign your deal for a long term. I just hope your forces don’t disappoint me.”, and that he said with a menacing tone. Changing the tone now considering other questions. “Where does your company creates its… assets? If i may be so bold as to ask.”


[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum watched the organic as he responded. If he could have read the man's mind, or his assumptions, the droid might have laughed. Indeed, Ultimatum agreed that droids were more adept at caring for bank systems and their safety, in comparison to organics. He had long believed that organics, while superior in specific fields, were safer in simple tasks. Administration would have been ideal, except droids were better at that sort of thing. Leadership was perhaps the other ideal role, except that leadership carried a degree of risk that would probably be better left to droids.

As [member="Primarch Iedolas"] replied, Ultimatum analyzed the posture and appearance that went with it. There was an imperious tone at the right moment, to create a bit of fear, which of course had no effect on the artificial being. He understood the purpose and kept in mind the minor threat. The droid had complete faith in his forces, as was to be expected of the creator of a company. Then came an interesting question. Ultimatum prepared the contract data as he answered, "It is just Ultimatum, no need for honorifics. Our people are recruited from volunteers with previous experience in police or military fields. The equipment we have is designed and built by various third-party companies. Do want more specific information?" Ultimatum was uncertain if he would want more information and he left himself open to further questioning if need be. He sent the contract data all prepared for signing.

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

“I am interested in closing our deal, as i was authorized by my Council. And would like to talk, by any chance, can your lordships also provide training in your services?”, the Primarch was actually interested in commissioning a new line of droids, but he thought the Ultimatum would not provide that kind of service for his faction.

“Would be quite something, to have droids programmed with defense and attack programs to teach organics… But if you don’t, no problem. Let's close our deal, after the establishment of the right price.”, money was no issue for the noble houses in Kaikielius. Centuries of trade gave them status and wealth beyond imagination of the common minds, but the fellow in front of his violet eyes was not a common mind. Was a droid mind, one that knew money pretty well.

[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum nodded as [member="Primarch Iedolas"] stated his authorization to sign this trade deal. His next question had Ultimatum perplexed. Certainly, the troops sent to the world would be training recruits from the planet how to fight. From there it would be a manner of what the recruits then used it for, they could teach it to their brothers and sisters on the world. The following statement explained it and Ultimatum was able to follow that line of thought. He responded as gladly as his mechanical vocabulator allowed, "I do have a company that can provide combat training droids at a reasonably low price." LOOM had not seen much use beyond personal equipment for the droid, however, it had produced long lines of droid before. Then came talk of price. An important subject and one that Ultimatum was most loose on. "Of course. How large is your world? How many cities does it contain?"

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

“Very well, send me the brochure later.”, Iedolas said in his holographic image, the hands behind his back kept moving his fingers around. He had other business to attend, and remembered that also had a deal to sort it out with a crime lord scum that had something he was interested. After all, better use expendable hands to get the things we want it right? “My whole planet is a city. Not as Coruscant, we have forests and mountains that are inhabitable and wild, also at least fifty ring cities around the planet, Kaikielius once was the birthplace of the republic. We have a total of two hundred billion citizens living in the system .”, it was a proud thing to behold, it was a beautiful place compared to Coruscant and others, clean and honest, a perfect planet to have as a capital.

[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum took note of the request and filed away a reminder to do so in the near future. He would probably have a basic informational sheet sent out in a twenty-seven hours, assuming it was requested for before then. The droid could not tell that his contact wished to move on to other issues, though Ultimatum did guess as much. He was familiar with the pressing requirements of government; he had been ruler of Mustafar a long time ago. The demands on a leader's time were many and loud.

With the number, Ultimatum did some quick calculations. This would be the largest operation thus far, and Ultimatum would have to take into account the massive work involved. It was a matter of covering costs and then ensuring that there was enough left over to fund the company's growth. "That is an impressive population number. I believe an estimate for the cost of maintaining such a large area with ICLE officers would be one hundred trillion credits, a year." Such a number would have boggled the average organic's mind, probably. It might be lucky for a normal citizen to reach a billion credits in wealth, much less even imagine a trillion. However, this was a government and apparently a well to do one. Such a large sum of money was unlikely to seem overly large to a planetary economist, who probably would have dealt in far greater numbers. The droid did not doubt that [member="Primarch Iedolas"] would probably see no issue with the cost, though Ultimatum had been surprised before and this might be no different.

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

As he heard the price the droid said, Iedolas could not help his eyebrows to stand up for a bit. Off course, as a Duke of one of the oldest houses in his sector of space, the Solidors have gathered quite the fortune, with proper investments through the bank of Core his was one of the greatest fortunes among the nobles in the galaxy. But one did not stayed rich by expanding money on stupidities, the Protectorate had its economy tied with the wealthy of its peers. The Dukes of the Nine Great Houses, and the hundreds of Barons and High Lords of Kaikielius, for now, at least. He had received approval from the Sanctum for a similar budget in public safety, but a man that saved a bit today, could eat more tomorrow.

“As we are talking about a contract of three years, good droid, i do think by my own accounts, probably not so precise as yours, that a proper discount would be seen with better eyes.”, reflecting for one mere moment about the price that was in front of him, Iedolas proceded. “Eighty five trillion for the first two years, and ninety five for the third year.”



[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum noted the momentary change in facial expression. It did not surprise him, even system governments might have balked at such a price. He was a wise man nonetheless and Ultimatum appreciated that. He was trying to save money where possible, which was ideal in this sort of situation. Avoiding unnecessary expenditures and limiting necessary expenses, that was the ideal method of running a government. Such a discount would be within acceptable limits as far as covering expenses. Perhaps not ideal, but then there was certainly worse.

"Very well. Eighty-five trillion credits for two years, followed by ninety-five trillion credits for the third year. This is acceptable. Is there anything in particular, regarding rules and laws, that ICLE's officers should be aware of?"

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

His holographic image barely moved. As a owner of a great deal of shares in the Bank of the Core, Iedolas was once praised for skill in saving money, on drying out unnecessary expenses and turning them into profit. He always knew where to invest his money, and did it so very discreetly.

“No. My staff will send you the guidelines of our ways. To make sure they are familiar with our laws and punishments.”

In his mind, he hoped this were a good investment. A thousand years ago, Kaikielius had to be conquered by its rulers from the hands of outlaws and crime lords. Now the planet was free of the scum, Hutts had no grip over the nobles and politics and the elzeri sleep peaceful long night.

“It has been a pleasure, mister Ultimatum. For a droid, i must say… you are quite the interesting one.”.

[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum was glad to see that this world was governed by such a competent organic, it would do wonders for the people, so long as he did not fall into the corruptive patterns of previous rulers all across the galaxy. Not just for the civilians sake, though that was by far the most important, but also for the sake of his organization's reputation, he hoped that this organic would be a just ruler. Since he brought up no particular rules, Ultimatum guessed that it would not be too different from more standardized rules. He did have more question for the man though.

"Thank, I shall send the necessary people as soon as the laws have been received and the men been trained. One last point of discussion, if I may. Would it be acceptable to have an ICLE recruitment center set up as well? We are always on the lookout for more sentients looking to join up. They would have an opportunity to see the galaxy and help bring some peace to it." The one weakness of his company was the reliance on volunteer recruits. He could not press people into service, and he did not wish to do so. It simply meant that in order to maintain numbers and continue to expand, they had to have a steady influx of people, not an easy thing to do without setting up buildings and potentially creating minor inconveniences for the host planets.

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

Iedolas was almost going and turning his holographic imagem off, when the droid asked him that question. He didn’t mind, after all, that meant more business and trade for them and his Bank. So, he nodded to the machine, choosing a calm tone in his voice.

“Be my guest to build your center, and as a good will gesture, i shall provide with the terrain for that installation. Free of charge, off course, since i do believe you will soon need the services of a good Bank to provide you with funds and proper investments for your company.”, he paused for a moment, “And what is the best Bank in the galaxy? Your friends here in the Bank of the Core.” [SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]


[member="Ultimatum"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum could see the logic in this organic's approach. It was business savvy, not that it surprised the robot now. He put in a reminder to reinvest some of the profits into the bank mentioned, as a professional courtesy. Ultimatum was enheartened to hear that the recruitment facility would be accepted. It was always pleasant when organics agreed with him on a concept. It might not have been an actual agreement with Ultimatum's idea as much as a business maneuver, but the reading of organic minds was beyond Ultimatum and so he left it be.

With a final bow to the holo image that did not exist, Ultimatum gave his farewell, "Thank you for this business transaction. I hope that ICLE will meet and surpass your expectations. I look forward to speaking with you in the future." The droid then shut down the holo and took a moment to reflect on what had passed. It was a good step in the right direction. Slowly yet surely, he would begin to bring the seeds of stability to this galaxy.

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]