NationStates Jolt Archive

Time is money.

The adage had yet to go out of style, despite having become a cliché through sheer overuse in ages so old that they were almost beyond memory, and it was a nearly religious pearl of wisdom in a climate such as Conquest Incorporated's. That being true, a CI employee lived and worked under a rigidly clock-bound regime, and punctuality was a cardinal virtue. As such, while Seiji Akimoto intellectually understood that the Vernian representatives might not arrive on exactly the scheduled time, he could not quite shake a sense of anticipation as his 19th century grandfather clock began to tone the hour.

Impatience is not becoming in powerful men, and certainly not men so powerful as Akimoto, CEO of Triumph Media and arbiter of all things newsworthy in territory owned by Conquest Inc or its subsidiaries, but he was quite capable of summoning the inner calm required to do business. As the closest thing that CI had to a Foreign Minister, he had prepared for the upcoming conference with a passion that historical importance alone could not explain. Mr. Akimoto simply loved his job.

The terraced parks and gardens of Triumph Tower, a gleaming spear of light in the Mile High City, gleamed in the setting sun, and the very finest of accommodations had been prepared as a matter of course. A squadron of Blackjack fighter-bombers were preparing to launch from the orbital fortress Sky One to escort the Vernian dignitaries to the eager Akimoto.

Just as soon as they arrived.

Conquest Inc and Seiji both were in a tight spot. On the one hand, CI had the manufacturing capacity of a well-developed planet, but a hunger for resources to go with it. It had the vision, tenacity and sheer guts to create a colonial-economic empire, but not so much the actual infrastructure. A fleet is, as many would-be-empires quickly learn, a handy way of getting from point A to point B, and are all the more dear when not actually possessed. Hopefully, that would be an oversight corrected soon. Conquest hulls carrying Conquest products to the furthest edges of the galaxy was the ideal - so what if CI couldn't make a decent warhead? The details, the details!

Silence rang loud as the grandfather clock fell silent, the hour marked.

Mars

With the completion of Tiburon’s hyper-gate linking Mars to Gregor, Verniian commercial traffic in Sol had increased considerably. Freighters of all sizes, from tiny courier boats to multi-million ton leviathans, cruised about, heading to destinations in the system itself, or off to nearby star systems and their markets.

Today, something new came through. It was a starship that many had derisively referred to as an “armed limousine”, but the reality was that it was more of a warship that just happened to be comfortable. This particular ship was the Diversified Interests . It was owned by Kiel Industrial Group, and often served as a VIP transport for inter-system voyages. Imperial law prohibited private citizens and civilian organizations from owning or possessing warships, but lawyers had exploited a loophole that allowed armed freighters. The solution was to take warships and give them just enough passenger and freight space to classify as at least a light freighter, and reduce their armaments to within legal standards.

In the case of the Diversified Interests , its original form had been a Rapier -class heavy cruiser. KIG engineers had removed half of its broadside tubes and magazine space, replacing them with cargo holds. Her parasite bays had been reduced as well, as it had no need for fighters or recon drones, and her energy mounts had been reduced by 25% in power output. Her sensors, powerplant, and propulsion systems had remained, giving her eyes and legs just like any actual navy warship. With her drastically reduced crew complement, the comforts for her remaining crew had been expanded, and she was also equipped with a lavish set of suites for passengers.

In short, she could outgun most pirates and even some navy vessels, run from most things she couldn’t fight, and fit barely within legal standards.

The ship appeared over Mars with a flash, quickly cruising clear of the gateway. It completed a leisurely turn toward Earth and increased acceleration. Sensors picked out Sky One from amongst the cluttered orbitals of Earth, and a single message was sent out, identifying itself and requesting a designated orbit.

Inside one of its spacious passenger lounges, four finely attired men relaxed in superbly comfortable seating, enjoying a fine brandy from the ship’s stock. They were liaisons from four separate corporations: Kiel Industrial Group, Scütwerks, Hermes Communications, and Markham Electronics. In order, they represented the largest shipbuilder, arms manufacturer, and information technology and robotics companies of the Imperium.

“This had better be worth it,” grumbled one of the men, Fritz Kellerman, the Scütwerks liaison. He had the distinctive slight drawl of an Erewohnese accent, and the news of his homeworld’s surrender to the Solar Navy had put the fuse on his temper quite short.

“It will be, these aren’t neo-barbs, they’re a civilized nation just like we are, and neither are they poor. Money is always the great equalizer between nations. If these talks go nicely, our employers could find themselves with quite profitable contracts, and that certainly won’t hurt our careers, although it certainly will if we go home with nothing to show for it.” chided Erez Demsky, the Hermes Communications liaison. “According to the latest financial report we were given, their GPD per capita is 7% higher then ours. Of course, their average citizen probably doesn’t make that, but they certainly aren’t poor. Besides, we cater to the wealthy and middle class anyway, so what do the poor matter to us if they have no buying power?”

“We’ll see, we’ll see, Eraz. My employers could certainly use a boost in revenue, considering one of our largest factory complexes and thousands of workers are under Ortagan control. Hell, if this nation has as much value as the higher-ups say it does, we might want to consider immigration if the war starts going even worse…” Fritz chuckled to himself, sipping his brandy and ignoring the glares from his fellow travelers.

OOC: I have met in glorious battle with my fiendish router, and I have emerged victorious!
IC:
The Diversified Interests was enormously popular amongst the traffic control personnel managing the steady stream of freighters and shuttles working their way into and out of CI airspace. While they could not be sure of the legal twists and turns that had inspired its construction, Conquest Incorporated was certainly an environment that breeded an understanding of quasi-legal compromise, and the technicians could guess, and did.

The tan icon representing the vessel from Gregor was tagged and plotted on the main holotank display near the Admiral's chair, half a world away on the other side of the command deck. The Lieutenant on watch in Plotting was formerly of Rheinmetall employ, and he barked an irritated "Stille!" at the conjecturing sensor personnel, who promptly found more productive things to do. Leaning over the shoulder of one of his chastened subordinates, he bounced back a flight path that would put the Diversified Interests in a geosynchronous orbit over the densely packed metropolis on the Earth's surface, and practically next to, in terms of space travel, Sky One.

Blackjack escort launched from their fighter bay, banking about to circle the battlestation in a stately arc. No need, after all, to rush matters. The fighters assumed a holding pattern, waiting patiently to escort the guests to their rendezvous.

Down amongst the proverbial ivory towers and the literal steel ones, Akimoto joined his negotiating team. Robert Hammond, Max Baumann, Chen Ming sat with their backs to a marble reproduction of the Augustus Prima Porta, itself standing imperiously on a block of polished black granite before the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a well-manicured tower park. Respectively, they represented Hammond Aerospace, Rheinmetall Enterprises and TerraTech Industries - the lead producers of air- and spacecraft, military material and consumer goods in the corporate hierarchy of Conquest Inc. Akimoto assumed his seat, exchanging informal greetings with the other corporate nobles. As the CEO of Triumph Media, he would head the meeting as the seniormost executive as well as represent Triumph.

He pulled his chair in and opened his handheld media device. Browsing through a host of files, he spoke conversationally. "So... what do we hope to accomplish, here?"

Baumann favored hardcopy himself, but had long ago found that the sheer amount of paper needed to have all the necessary information at hand was more than enough to make any business meeting awkward. Forklifts being so conspicuous and all. He activated his own handheld without looking, while turning to answer Akimoto's question. "Sir. The anticipated breakout and expansion into the galactic market neccesitates a host of capabilities and technologies that we do not as yet posess. There is a type of warhead that the Imperium of Vernii has utilized in the ongoing war that Rheinmetall is interested in. This weapon -"

"- and the missile to get it to its target -" Hammond interjected.

"As well as the possibilities of opening up trade and finding new resources to exploit," Chen Ming put in.

Baumann scowled at the interruptions, but continued. "This weapon, in addition to a host of other concerns, will facilitate the aforementioned market expansion." He smiled. "Simply, we are acquiring helpful devices and abilities, as well as raw resources, to assist our coming socioeconomic endeavors."

Akimoto gave a slight, affirmative nod. "In a nutshell." He glanced at his watch. "I do believe we have time to run through the specifics one more time. Now, Ming, as far as consumer goods are concerned...." Akimoto let himself be swallowed by the numbers as the conversation continued.

OOC: Again, I apologize for the delay.

Diversified Interests slid quietly into its assigned orbit, passive sensors quietly recording data on Sky One and other ships in orbit for later analysis by Scütwerks and BuShips. Arrangements were quickly made with the proper groundside authorities for landing, and hangar crews hurriedly prepped a shuttle for launch.

The four corporate liaisons to this potential new market already had their suitcases packed and presentation materials ready. Anti-intoxication pills were snapped out of their wrapping and swallowed down, and each of them soon felt the peculiar feeling of having an alchoholic buzz wear down in mere minutes. After all, it wouldn't be a good thing to attend an important meeting while under the influence, especially when you're going to be the center of attention, or at least close to it.

Within fifteen minutes of achieving parking orbit, a single hatch slid open on the belly of the white cruiser, and a sleek shuttle dropped from it. It was only a minnow in size when compared to the cruiser that it called home, and hardly suitable for interplanetary journeys, but it was fine for starship-to-ground journeys.

It soared through the atmosphere, flames from friction giving it the appearance of a meteor, and then its counter-grav engines came online. The shuttle rapidly lost speed, the flames dying down as it slowed and the energy from friction decreased. It slowed even more to make a nice and safe approach to its designated landing, and then gently landed on the proper pad.

A few seconds passed to let any residual heat dissipate, and then the side hatch popped open and a stairway unfolded. The first off the ship was a blue uniformed KIG security officer, followed by George Ellison from KIG, Fritz Kellerman from Scütwerks, Erez Demsky from Hermes Communications, and finally, Jacek Cullen from Markham Electronics.

The landing pad on which the Verniian shuttle had alighted on was constructed of an artificial white stone, and blazed in the bright sun. The CI negotiators had left the climate-controlled conference room in order to greet their counterparts. They exited the building with a slight whish from the decorative double doors that provided access to the pad, as well as some more of the gardens that ubiquitously adorned the exterior of that (quite expensive) level of Triumph Tower.

Akimoto, a pace ahead of the others as the executive with the greatest clout, crossed the pad, hand extended for the customary firm, two-pump handshake, wearing a practiced if heartfelt smile. "Conquest Incorporated welcomes you warmly! May we all profit from today's meeting." Feeling it the proper duty of a host, he began the introductions. "This is Robert Hammond of Hammond Aerospace, Max Baumann of Rheinmetall Enterprises and Chen Ming of TerraTech Industries. They are representing their individual corporations as vice presidents of marketing." He made small gestures in their direction while naming each one. "I am Seiji Akimoto, head of Triumph Media."

Ellison warmly returned Akimoto's handshake, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm George Ellison of Kiel Industrial Group, and my comrades here are Jacek Cullen of Markham Electronics, Erez Demsky of Hermes Communications, and Fritz Kellerman from Scütwerks." With that, the other liaisons fanned out to shake hands with their hosts. Ellison hovered near Akimoto, "Indeed, I imagine the results of this meeting can turn out to be quite profitable."

Releasing his hand from Ellison's grip, Akimoto gestured grandly toward the gleaming vertical edifice of the tower. "If we act with economy and intelligence, I am absolutely sure it can," he replied. "Please, accompany us inside, and we can get down to business." With a surreptitious glance at the corporate security type, he turned and began walking inside, setting a comfortable but energetic pace.

"Now, I think it is fair to say that the eight of us represent, if not eight divergent interests, eight different specialties. Our delegation, for example, is composed of corporate agents who have been authorized by their respective employers to negotiate the purchase of specific pieces of technology." At this point, the party passed through the doors and into the tower. Within a few moments, they had arrived in the room set aside for the meeting. "As such, it would be expeditious of us to establish a system by which we could all say what we've come to say. To this end, I propose the following process:" he gestured politely for the Verniians to seat themselves along one side of the giant oak table dominating the room, and the CI operatives sat along the opposite side. "One of you might, perhaps, begin by briefly describing your business and the item which your individual corporation intends to sell today. The relevant one of our number would then respond, and we could thus regulate our discussion." He paused. "Any of you should please feel free to begin." He sat, and gestured politely towards the holographic projector on the table. "Unless, of course, any of you would enjoy refreshments before we begin."

The liaisons took their seats and listened politely to Akimoto's suggestion. Ellison smiled, "Yes, that sounds perfectly acceptable. "

"As for refreshments, I'm fine for now, um, how about you guys?" he said as he turned to his comrades.

Demsky and Cullen both nodded that they were fine, but Kellerman spoke up. "Could I get a scotch? That'd be great." He then pointedly ignored Ellison's annoyed look.

Ellison bent down and opened up his briefcase, pulling out a data chip and some folders. The folders he distributed to each of his hosts, and then inserted the chip into the holographic projector sitting on the table.

The Kiel Industrial Group's logo appeared, and Ellisons finger hovered over the play button. "The folders I've given each of you contain the same information that's on this chip, printed out for later review at your leisure if necessary."

"Is there anything else, or should I go ahead?"

“Of course, of course. It would be our pleasure.” Akimoto bobbed his head slightly, but did nothing. The help watched and listened attentively from without, and would respond to his assent appropriately.

“Make that two, actually.” Baumann flashed a small smile at the Scütwerks representative. “It is occasionally possible for one to be too tense during important meetings such as these.”

CI's general philosophy was that servants should be neither seen nor heard – but reasonably accessible. The butler, extremely well but plainly dressed, that entered the room shortly after Kellerman made his request was a prime example of this philosophy. Depositing two glasses of scotch in front of the arms magnates, he bowed slightly and withdrew.

Akimoto frowned very, very slightly at his subordinate, but let it pass. He turned his attention back to Ellison. “No, I think we’re fine. Please feel free.”

OOC: W00t, time to post! Finals and a funeral have a way of killing off free time...

"Very well," Ellison replied, and pressed the play button.

Nine seperate corporate logos appeared in the image. "Kiel Industrial Group was formed after the Valinor occupation of Vernii ended and the Imperium was founded. These nine companies found themselves outmatched by both Gregor Corporation and foreign companies, and to help assure their survival in the business world, banded together to form the conglomerate of Kiel Industrial Group." The logos rearranged themselves into three seperate triangles. They then vanished, replaced by three grey triangles, with K.I.G. spelled out across them. "Today, KIG produces everything from regular consumer products such as aerocars and cooking appliances, to starships and industrial platforms."

The holoprojector cycled through images of toasters, ovens, refrigerators, cars, and then to larger and more important things like freight starships, destroyers, dreadnoughts, modular shipyards, and orbital habitats and warehouses.

"Currently, we control 50% of the Verniian civilian starship market, with the remainder being split up among Gregor Corporation, Pegasus Shipyards, and other minor companies. As for military contracts, approximately 60% of the Imperial Navy's warships were built directly by us, and another 20% were built at least partly by us. What we're looking to get into right now are foreign starship markets, particularly Sol nations."

"Although, we do realize that your navy might not be interested in foreign produced starships at this time, so we bring something else to the table as well. Materials. We know that your govern..uh, organization, is currently seeking to acquire the necessary resources for building a navy and merchant fleet. As such, we've chosen to inform you of something you might be interested in."

The images were replaced by a map of the Raumreich that slowly zoomed in on a group of stars labeled "Verniian Free Expansion Zone." "The Free Expansion Zone is an area of space claimed by the government, and linked to Gregor through the New Tyrolia/Gregor wormhole. The government has allowed companies to stake claims in each of its systems, so long as they sufficiently develop each system they claim, without taxation. In essence, while each system technically belongs to the government, whichever corporation claims a system can do whatever it likes with the assets inside it, including selling or leasing them off. If you are interested, Kiel Industrial Group can easily sell or lease you the mining rights to asteroid belts in two of these systems, or set up an agreement in which we could sell you the resources we mine."

With that, Ellison paused the projector, letting it linger on the map of the Expansion Zone. He folded his hands before him, "If there are any questions, I would be quite happy to answer them."

Akimoto smiled from behind tented fingers. "Thank you very much, Mr. Ellison. I'll turn the discussion over to Mr. Chen, whose employer would be most directly linked to the exploitation and management of CI areas in the FEZ, and thus is better acquainted with the details of the situation."

Chen Ming nodded in acknowledgement. "I would like to echo Mr. Akimoto in his thanks, and would like to convey TerraTech's sincerest pleasure that we were able to schedule this meeting."

The businessman glanced briefly at the notes he had been jotting with his stylus as Ellison had been speaking, and then looked up. "The Free Expansion Zone is an extremely attractive opportunity to us, as it is effectively next door thanks to the Sol/Gregor/New Tyrolia wormhole line, despite being, cartographically speaking, rather outside the ever-expanding range of CI's influence. Substantial resource deposits near Sol are few and far between, thanks to mankind's historical predilection for strip-mining, and having a reserve nearby was something that we hadn't been counting on. Now that the opportunity has presented itself, or rather, now that <b>you</b> have presented the opportunity, we would be derelict in our duty to our stockholders and our collective future if we didn't leap at the chance. There are, however, some questions that need asking."

"I think it would be innately preferable to establish a presence in those systems, as opposed to the possibility of purchasing materials, as that would guarantee us the end product without regard to economic vacillations with regards to pricing we might otherwise have. But the principal point that begs for clarification is how extensive a commitment would have to be in order to lay claim to an asteroid belt?" He placed his hand over his mouth for a moment to stifle a cough and continued. "Secondly, what provisions might there be for protection of these areas? I ask this while noting, somewhat obviously, that the Raumreich is not a low-risk sector at the moment, nor is it likely to be for some time. While it would be laughable to suggest that a CI resourcing unit would be able to fend off an Ortagan Observer squadron, it would be advantageous if we were permitted to station a destroyer or two in the area, or to clear out an asteroid to use as a fighter platform. Or what have you."

He arched his eyebrows questioningly. "Could you perhaps shed some light on these areas, Mr. Ellison?"

"Certainly, it would be my pleasure. In regards to development, as I said, sufficient development earns a company exemption from taxation. This amount of development is set at a different level for each claim. An asteroid belt of average resource potential would require at least a resouce collection and processing center along with whatever support facilities it would require to keep it operating, plus mining ships of course."

"As for defenses..." Ellison spared a quick glanced over at Kellerman. "Defenses are definitely legal. The government has long recognized that the navy can't be everywhere at once, and thus a private organization should be able to defend itself. I think the transportation we arrived in attests to this. Putting a destroyer or fighter squadron to defend a mining facility sounds perfectly acceptable, given some of our own defenses exceed that..of course, those are for more important installations, but you get my point."

Chen grinned. "Thank you very much for your understanding. Corporate finance is not as safe a field as it used to be." A quiet chuckle reverberated along the CI side of the table. Corporate finance hadn't been 'safe' for a long, long time. Chen smiled almost shyly, embarrassed at possibly making a joke his guests might have trouble understanding. Remembering the Diversified Interests, however, he realized it might not be too great a stretch for the Verniians.

He cleared his throat. "So, to the gritty details." He sat up just a tad straighter, and spoke just a bit more formally. "TerraTech Industries' envisioned, ideally, a five, or preferably 10, year lease on the two aforementioned asteroid belts in the Free Expansion Zone, with a one hundred billion credit down payment and a tithe on total ore production." Catching himself, he lightened up a bit. "And a hypothetical pledge by your government to respond to distress signals when it can would be just perfect."

"A one hundred billion credit down payment sounds sufficient, and shall we set the production tithe at say...ten percent? As for protection, it has always been the Verniian navy's policy to protect friendly and neutral shipping from hostile actions by pirates or enemy warships, so that shouldn't be a problem."

OOC: Sorry about the sudden disconnect earlier. I've had some problems with my connection, lately.

"Beyond wonderful!" Chen exclaimed. He smiled. "I suppose that's that, then. Port Harris - that is CI's primary (and for the moment, only) naval yard - has been partially completed, and sufficient manufacturing capacity is available to construct a small resource extraction task group. While these ships will be joined by more in short order, the sooner production begins, the sooner you'll receive start receiving your 10%. Unless you actually have something you'd like us to sign now, I think we've covered everything that needs to be covered at this level, and we can leave the legal particulars to lesser agents and later times. Barring any last minute addendums, I'll turn the proceedings back over to Mr. Akimoto."

"Thank you, Ming." Akimoto smiled at Ellison and the other Vernii businessmen. "And thank you, Mr. Ellison, for the opportunities that you've provided us in the FEZ." He raised his eyebrows inquisitively. "That concluded, we may proceed to ther business."

"Indeed. Actually, at the risk of bouncing your end of the discussion back and forth between yourself and Mr. Chen, we would rather enjoy it if TerraTech gave its product presentation at the moment."

"Ah... alright, then." Chen tapped at his handheld and the holographic projector again hummed to life. Chen gestured toward the three dimensional logo now hovering over the table. "TerraTech Industries is the product of a consolidation between the three largest mass production firms that operated in this region over three hundred years ago. These lesser parts became a greater, stronger whole as represented by the stylistic slashes bound by the circle." The logo warped into scrolling text and images depicting everything from wire frames of starships to cosmetics to refined ore to industrial vehicles. "Today, TerraTech and its subsidiaries claim exclusive authority to manufacture... well, most things that can be manufactured. Heavy industrial machinery to consumer goods - it's all within the realm of the TerraTech family.

"Today, what we were going to discuss was the formal establishment of trade between CI - principally with regards to TerraTech's consumer goods - and the Imperium of Vernii. Some of the product lines that we have the greatest faith in in terms of profitability are luxury and media fields." He smiled at Akimoto. "I'm actually stepping on Mr. Akimoto's toes a little bit, but I'm sure he will excuse me." Akimoto waved Chen onwards and Chen continued. "Manufactured media is a field where Triumph Media is predominantly responsiblefor bringing consumers the very most addictive programming possible - be that video or audio. Pop icons are many in number, sweeping across the scenes of every musical genre you could imagine. In terms of video entertainment, Triumph Media is reknown for a range of shows and films of the very highest - or lowest, depending on your preference - caliber."

"Cosmetics and pharmeceuticals are a TerraTech specialty. Everything from rouge to lifespan-enhancing drugs is available, for the right price. Cosmetics is a billion dollar industry - annually reaping huge profits as Conquest Incorporated employees attempt to look their very finest. It would be commercially advantageous for the both of us to extend the potential benefits of our goods to our Vernii friends and markets."

OOC: Heh, sorry about the long delay of course. This is also the second time I've typed this up. I was reading someone's thread, accidentaly posted in it, then deleted the post before I remembered to copy it.

***

Ellison perked up at the mention of industrial machinery. "If you wouldn't mind, perhaps we could be provided with specifications for some of your starship construction machinery? If it turns out to be more efficient then our own and not too costly. Resource Acquisition would certainly be interested. I'm no expert in that field though, so we can leave that for later to people who know what they're doing."

Mr. Demsky smiled "Hermes Communications is always interested in futhering its own profits of course, and your company's products do indeed sound commercially advantageous. Now, I realize it might seem a bit odd for a media company to be interested in consumer goods, but we do own subsidiary companies after all, since diversification is essential to survival in the modern corporate world."

"In fact, we're actually competitors with Mr. Cullen's employer, Markham Electronics, in some fields. Particularly electronics, like portable holoprojectors and computers. Especially higher quality and priced ones. Do you have anything in that regard?"

OOC: Likewise, I have some sort of plausible excuse.

Chen winced just the smallest bit. "Actually, Mr. Ellison, I'm afraid that CI's starship manufacturing capacity will remain occupied by the demands put upon it by the need to build a naval contingent for the Corporate Security Services. As Port Harris expands and the CICSS reaches a more comfortable strength, the Imperium of Vernii would be the first to know about available dock space." He gave a little shrug. "I would imagine, however, that once the yard crews have accumulated sufficient experience, CI will boast some of the largest and most efficient starship manufacturing programs in low orbit. We look forward to being what help we may, in the future."

Akimoto stepped in smoothly, responding to Mr. Demsky. "Triumph Media makes the very best in digital displays. From collapsing, attaché-portable models to somewhat larger executive briefing modules, holographic imagery has reached a height of excellence in a culture as media-driven and visually oriented as ours."

Robert Hammond cleared his throat. "Hammond Aerospace - in close association with Triumph," he nodded to Akimoto, "has thoroughly developed set of portable computers." He gestured to the handheld 'pads that each of the CI executives had placed near to them on the table. "A businessman can hardly be without - especially those who are unwilling or unable to adopt nu-space implants. A lamentable circumstance we were hoping to address today," he said of the nu-space capability. "As for the 'pads, they're an effective replacement for all the hardcopy you'd ever have to see. Enough memory that old data rarely needs to be uploaded to a larger unit (I've yet to run out of room with this model), and possessed of communications, word processing, presentation capabilities. The multiflex communication protocols they run on allow the 'pads to learn the ins and outs of many operating systems. Essentially, it allows for the 'pad to adapt to all but the most esoteric interfaces and systems you might hope to find." His nose twitched. "There are also military versions, which can handle... even the more esoteric. Regardless, it can fit in your shirt pocket, no wider and only slightly thicker than a credit chit."

"Very interesting. Would your company be open to the idea of licensing them for foreign sales? Say, we buy units from you at a cheap price, then sell them on the home market, and give you a percentage of the revenue? ....Now, you mentioned nu-space capability, which is one of the reasons we are here. Could you illuminate us on exactly what types of capabilities you are looking for?"

"In a word, yes." Hammond nodded. "Though I'm sure we can leave things like percentages and the like to our deputies, or at least a later date. In terms of nu-space capability-" he glanced questioningly at Akimoto.

"Yes, I think I'd better handle that." Akimoto tapped twice quickly on his handheld, calling up and then dismissing some unseen notation or figure. "From what little research we've done through third parties, Conquest Incorporated has been able to determine the general capabilities we're looking for with regards to nu-space technology. First, a connection to the ansible network as whole, as we understand we're well within the Valinor ansible radius. Second, the capacity to manufacture feather satellites so as to be able to maintain a secure communications infrastructure without becoming dependent on the ansible. And finally third, the necessary infrastructure for nu-implants. What I mean for the latter two when I refer to 'capability' or 'infrastructure' is that we're looking for technical advisors who would be able to help establish factories for their production, and the provision of the technology itself to enable maintenance."

"Ah, the first would requirre working out a deal with Nova Tech, but that probably won't present much of an issue. Unfortunately, I'm afraid we can't help you with nu-space implants, as no Verniian corporations currently have anything to do with them. But! ...I do have some good news at least. Assisting your organization with the ability to manufacture your own feather satellites won't be an issue at all, and in fact, we can work it out right now." Hermes had given Demsky authorization to bargain and a price range to get a deal within, finally they could hammer out another deal in firm detail.

"For starters, we can offer you the plans and production rights to the Model XVI feather satellite, which is currently our most advanced model, for 27.5 million Solaris, er, that would be 25.8 million of your credits. We can also provide technical advisors to assist you in setting up factories and production lines, for 58,600 credits a year, with the same amount paid to us as well for loaning their services. How does this sound?"

For someone as used to price gouging as Akimoto, 26 million credits sounded pretty damned good, indeed. "That sounds fine." He laced his fingers. "I presume you meant that other figure to pertain to the cost of each individual advisor, and if that's correct, then that too is perfectly acceptable. As many as possible would be best. The sooner we can set up the infrastructure, the better. As for the ansible connection and the implants, I suppose we'll just have to deal with the Valinor."

"Now that that's out of the way, perhaps it is time to turn out business to something a little more...energetic." Fritz Kellerman, the Scütwerks representative interjected.

"I was invited here for two reasons, although really they combine into one reason. Rheinmetall Enterprises expressed interest in acquiring our x-ray warhead technology, and Hammond Aerospace is interested in delivery platforms. You want it, and we shall deliver!"

"We petitioned the Imperial government for, and were granted, export rights to the Type 22 x-ray warhead and the Mark 31 multi-drive missile delivery system."

Kellerman handed each CI representative a hardcopy of the detailed information for both, "I'll give you the basic summary. The Type 22 warhead is our latest design, although the basic technology is the same as when they were first developed. Lasing rods are wrapped around an interchangeable nuclear device, and the tip of the warhead contains the latest in target acquisition and guidance technology. In fact, its the only thing that really changes between types, since you can use practically any yield of nuclear device, and the lasing rods have just went through incremental improvements over the course of the series. As it is, the Type 22 is meant for mounting on MDMs, and can blast through a capital grade sidewall at a range of twenty thousand kilometers, although it can engage a target at thirty thousand, albeit with a large chance of having a slight or no effect on the target."

"The Mark 31 MDM, while not as advanced as the Imperial Navy's current Mk 32, is still quite a potent delivery system. It masses 240 tons, powered by a micro-fusion battery that gives it a flight time of just under three minutes, and a powered range of twenty million kilometers. The missile's gravitic thruster drive has three drive rings for triple redundancy, and the missile also has room for a navigational computer and limited EW/ECM suite."

Kellerman paused a moment to take in a deep breath before he wrapped it up, "Any questions, or should we go on to pricing?" he said with a grin.

The Rheinmetall and Hammond Aerospace executives subtly expressed interest through their body language; Baumann leaned forward slightly, dropping his hands into his lap at the mention of the warhead, and Hammond meditatively ran his forefinger from his brow down along his nose when Kellerman let fall the spectacular range of the Verniian MDM. Baumann gave his information packet a cursory glance, while his colleague left his untouched. There would be time for a detailed dissection of the nuts and bolts later, for now the important thing was to buy these lovely machines.

The two looked at one another as Kellerman spoke, and when a reply came, it was in Baumann's steady, German-accented timbre. "Oh, I think we are quite satisfied with your briefing thus far- please proceed."

Kellerman pursed his lips tightly together as he sat deep in thought for a moment. "Well, typically production rights would be sold for around $225 billion Universal Standard Dollars, but since I'm willing to bet your fine organization will be a repeat customer, I can arrange for you to receive our repeat customer discount with your first purchase, which would be bring it down to $150 billion Universal Standard Dollars, a savings of $75 billion for you. So the total cost in your currency would be..." Kellerman paused to do the math, "Approximately 77.5 billion credits."

Akimoto chuckled softly. The impression was of an assenting near-giggle. "I dare say that that is a perfectly logical inference, Mr. Kellerman. Judging from the quality of your products, the honesty of your business and your strategic position, Rheinmetall will very probably be a frequent customer of Scütwerks. And hopefully, eventually, that relationship will be reciprocated.” Smiling genuinely, he looked about the table at each of the executives, Conquestian and Verniian alike. “Indeed, I could easily see this as the first step towards a closer economic relationship for all of our fine firms. But that is for another time, and another meeting. And from the looks of it, Max is just dying to accept your offer, so I’ll stop my monologue here and let him.”

Baumann was not quite straining at the leash to seal the deal with Kellerman, but his eagerness, while dignified, was evident. He grinned sheepishly at Akimoto before turning back to his counterpart arms dealer. “Rheinmetall will be most pleased to accept.”

“As will Hammond Aerospace. Our various legal lackeys will come to an agreement on what portion of the price each of us will pay, relative to the value of the MDM itself and the warhead, but rest assured, you will have the paperwork—and the money—before you leave.”

“Provisionally,” Akimoto interjected, “Conquest will pick up the tab.” The other Conquestians turned to face him. “We would hate to have such a promising agreement torpedoed by the squabbling of some actuaries. Mr. Baumann and Mr. Hammond’s organizations can reimburse us once they reach an agreement as to their individual share.” While the Verniians might not have grasped the finality of his statement, to his colleagues Akimoto had just made a Binding Verbal Agreement, and that was that. “Provided, of course, that you have no problem with that, Mr. Kellerman.”

"No, no problem at all. Where the money comes from doesn't matter to us as long as it's legitimate."

The Conquestians all chuckled. "All money is legitimate," said Akimoto, mirth plainly visible in his eyes. "This money especially so, I assure you."