The Sunshine Degree

[Hira Mitsae]

8:39PM Deep Space
The Obscurity

‘What were the details on the deal she had made?’

‘ICE would be held sixty percent in her name, thirty percent would be left to the Fringe Confederation itself.’

‘Ten percent is unaccounted for.’ the voice pointed out patiently.

‘As we understand it one High Councilor negotiated herself into the deal and another was a business associate of Merrill and had been part of it from the beginning.’

‘I see.’

Of course, Irani had known about Jared. That was the thing about him, it might take him a fair while, sometimes hours, but eventually the business man would be able to relate just what had happened here and there. Fuzzy, obscure and sometimes entirely too incomprehensible, but this time it had worked out.

This time.

‘What is the current situation?’
Rave’s death had changed everything, that too he had already known. But he kept these people on retainer for a reason. Said reason would be clarified in two moments.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

‘After miss Merrill’s supposed dead her will stated that her shares within the entity known as ICE was to be returned to the Fringe Confederation, this included the various assets that pertained to it, of course.’

A ponder.

‘This leaves ninety-five percent accounted for.’

But what had happened to the last five percent, the five that had been negotiated during the initial meeting? Again, Irani already knew. But this was as much a test, as it was a meeting to see if their information lined up.

‘The five percent of miss. Sivas was taken back by the High Council after she was promoted and abruptly left the nation for other pastures.’

Which accounted for hundred percent. They were, it seemed, in the clear.

‘Remind me again why this is a good deal and plan.’

Perhaps this man would be his heir someday, or perhaps he would be left in the dust. It all depended if he could keep up with the game. At this point he probably should already realize this was a test, a mere theorizing and appraisal of his experience.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

‘Iron Crown Enterprises is the literal gateway to the Unknown Regions, sir. In this regard miss. Merrill was quite right about the potential, few if any companies are truly ingrained within the worlds of the Unknown Regions. But Iron Crown had the privilege and capability of being affiliated strictly with the Lords of the Confederation, it clearly profited from this.’

A slight tap on the floor indicated he could continue.

‘Annaj. Lwhekk. Rakata Beta. The three original major shipyards which can be considered major nodes of infrastructure that ties the entire entity together. But now this has only increased; Sluis Van, Eriadu, to a lesser extent Bespin. All worlds that were taken from the Protectorate and currently administered by the Fringe and through a line, also Iron Crown.’

‘Many profits to be had?’

‘Certainly, sir.’ the man was almost eager to continue at this point. ‘This is also an opportunity to do some good.’ not an entirely unprecedented course of action, of course and if the man could substantiate it, Irani would even agree.

‘Iron Crown has always been plagued with the usual problems of a state-run corporation, corruption, nepotism and a sink of profits have always been at the order of the day. Rave changed this with her investment, but her death came at an unfortunate point in time.’

 

[Hira Mitsae]

A raised eyebrow.

‘See, there wasn’t anyone who could really step up and keep the organization at float. Of course that was when the Rapture-Incident happened and everything became even more complicated, without waxing around the situation, sir. One could say that Iron Crown is a mess at the moment, and the High Council is pressed enough as it is- trying to keep the worlds they had and have recently acquired under their influence, while also attempting to bring their former worlds under their fold again. The corporate game is the least of their concerns.’

Ah, so there was their pitch. Irani finally smiled and the man knew that he had done a good job of selling the point. Instinctively he also knew that his time of talking was done for the moment and sat down in his chair.

Irani nodded and pondered for a while, trying to get his mind into the game.

‘They need someone capable then.’ the businessman mused. ‘Someone which influence within the colonies too.’

Influence was the one thing he had enough of, subtle influence, hard influence and soft, there was always a tool for the job. This particular situation could lead towards new opportunities for later usage, but that might be too soon right now.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

‘Alright, I have a handle on the situation. Give me a laydown on the various operations and locations that we would be inheriting.’

There was the distinct sound of scribbles and taps, fingers tapping away on a datapad trying to get the latest feed on the company. It was clear that they wouldn’t be able to get a complete picture until they had actually bought the company- that was the issue with dealing with the Fringe, and dealing with a state-run company that had been turned around on its side for so many times.

Things were just slightly outta place most of the time, but eventually the patient drone of the assistant’s voice cleared out and started orating the information requested.

‘Of course, we don’t have the entirety of the information. Some parts we will probably never find out, considering the wide-scale of corruption and the distinct lack of oversight before, during and after Merrill’s takeover of the company. But it can be reasonable asserted that Iron Crown Enterprises has a presence on the following presence.’

Blips appeared on the holographic map, some pulsated, they were color-coded too to further categorize the locations.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

‘Xal 3, Verkuyl, Ssi-Ruuvi Star Cluster (centered around Lwhekk shipyards), O'reen, Serpena, Riflor, 244Core, Dasid Anya, Rakata Infinite Empire (centered around Rakata Beta shipyards), Tion Trade Nexus and they are headquartered on Annaj.’

There were other locations, less known to the public, more known to a person that had intricate knowledge on how the Fringe operated and what it had done in the past.

A certain station theft in Black Sun territory, the Sith Temple in Republic Teritory, there were more places and things- they swam in front of Irani’s ghost eye, ideas and imprints, memories.

It was annoying, but helpful.

‘As mentioned before the company now also has a key presence within the Sluis system, the Eriadu system and the Bespin system. Shipyards, industry and a choke-point for the tibanna and cortosis currently being mined. Iron Crown has some experience with the later, through the ownership of various refineries in Fringe territory- but nothing too specialized, this could be repurposed for Eridium Industrial or a partnership could be struck with the two companies.’
‘Think this is the perfect time to tell me about the operations they are running right now.’

 

[Hira Mitsae]

The assistant nodded quickly and the holograph shifted, showing various vehicles, ships, weaponry, armor; examples of what the ICE had manufactured in the past and with what they were being busy these days.

‘Foremost expert on exotic tech from the Unknown Regions, sir. They consider themselves the gateway to Wild Space and to a degree they are right about that. Few others possess the intricate knowledge on how the various worlds operate, and few others possess the authority to work in Fringe Confederation with the freedom and autonomy Iron Crown possesses. Reasonable statement, considering ICE has always been an extension of the Lords of the Fringe’s will.’

‘They mostly market themselves as a shipbuilding company, though they have dabbled in the creation of personal weapons and armor in the past, rare and interesting components are also not out of the question. Furthermore they have acquired an overstock of schematics and patents in the past, Rave tried to position ICE as a go-between agency that specializes on the trade of these things.’

 

[Hira Mitsae]

‘Any success?’

‘Moderately so, a few big names have come to purchase rarely-used schematics from the big catalog of the ICE. But only a rarity has sold off their own schematics to the firm, at least nothing too major.’

‘Why do you think that is?’ Irani asked.

‘Unfamiliarity and perhaps a form of skepticism towards the Fringe, though it’s far more likely ICE experienced hoarders-mentality. People might not use the schematics and the designs might not be profitable anymore, but people sure do love their treasure hoards.’

Irani received a pointed look and the assistant a raised eyebrow.

He quickly continued.

‘Brokerage, manufacturing of military equipment, trade facilitation through its monopoly and rare positioning as a gateway, after-and-before market components, things with Bacta. They have also have some experience with the more exotic technology, but you are already know all about that.’

‘Mhm.’

‘Well, that’s really about it. Unless you want to go into the cut and try number-game, I could show you a few interesting graphs that outlines the preliminary growth phase et cetera?’

Irani pondered it for a while.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

‘What about the Blood Trail?’

Some confusion was apparent. The Blood Trail was supposed to be Merrill’s crowning achievement, a call-back to the Mara Corridor her brother had established all those years ago- a new hyperlane that would reach from the rich world of the Muuns to the highly-industrialized world of 244Core and end somewhere at Rakata Beta.

It would have bypassed the isolated state of the Fringe Confederation.

Isolated because of the Omega Protectorate to their South and the Republic to the East, of course the situation was vastly different right now. With the great push to the East by the Fringe Confederation suddenly the Unknown Regions weren’t as isolated anymore as before.

Hyperlanes were now partially in control, the Protectorate had a lot of problems on their hands and weren’t able to regulate as well as they had before and yet… the allure of a new hyperlane was not forgotten. If they were able to get a direct link to the Muuns of Muunilinst and could link it straight to the Unknown Regions, they would get a vital position towards the rest of the Galaxy.

But the assistant clearly hadn’t been aware of such transpirances.

A pity, it seemed he wasn’t entirely too ready for the big commitments, would probably need some more time in the down levels before he could be assigned the big cases. Irani waved his hand, waving the issue away and pondered some more about this case.

 

[Hira Mitsae]

There wasn’t really anything else to state here, this was a prime investment, if this was executed Ty’rel would get the foot-between-the-door it had needed within the regions of the Unknown and Wild Space.

‘Alright, set up a meeting with the High Council.’ Irani stood up and the assistant knew his time was up, a nod came and he filed out of the board room. Darell stayed for a few more moments, before shutting down the systems and leaving himself. The systems would be backed-up and then scrubbed for safe measure, it always paid to be careful with ones business dealings.

~~~​

It took them a few days to settle for a meeting, the Lords of the Fringe were busy with keeping order and civilization within their borders, but that was to be expected after such an event and quick race for new land. But eventually it was settled and now Irani was in one of the government buildings on Annaj.

Splendor, sophisticated and militarized; all at once. Only the Fringe was able to pull off such an unorthodox combination of styles, Irani could admire that. Finally an aide to one High Councilor or the other left the meeting room and gestured towards him.

‘Mister Irani, the Council is ready for you.’

Irani nodded.

‘Showtime.’ he replied with a smile, and entered the chamber itself.

~~~​

That day ICE officially became part of the Ty’rel Family.