NationStates Jolt Archive

"In a move that is sending shockwaves through the businessworld, the Xaosis corporation has announced that it has completed a 37 billion credit sale of the Xaosis branch of operations in the Imperium of Melkor Unchained.
Xao-Angband, which constitues 24% of the entire company, was sold to the Resi Corporation.
The move came as an unexpected surprise, due to the Company's reputation as an Eastern company, and as yet there has been no response from the Melkorian government about this surprise sale.
Xaosis Home Office issued a brief statement, reading 'the nature of our transaction was a private deal between business organizations, and we are prepared to deal with any interference'
Sehndem, head of Xaosis, was unavailable for comment.

"Needless to say, we are most assuerdly displeased. That backstabbing cur Shendem has now clearly shown which side of the line he's on. All previously 'Xao-Angband' assets held in the Imperium have been seized and appropriated.

Sorry Resi. Shendem really should have talked this over with me first.

Shendem: you will be dealt with later."

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

As a tributary to the glorious evil empire of Lord Morgoth, we request that our newly-aquired assets in his nation be released into our control, or at least our partial control. This is so that we can bring enough cash together to pay the tribute that we are obligated to offer under penalty of death, as the purchase of this portion of XAOSIS! has taken a large chunk out of our surplus.

Please, we implore you, let us at least get the plants cranking out weapons for us to sell and the Imperium to use. This alone would bring our economy to stable levels.

http://www.cybersluagh.com/ErisKallisti/jaism1.jpg
CEO Jai Resi, Supreme Ruler
Resi Corp.
Proud Fiance of Eris Kallisti
Member of the Corporate Coalition
Member of the RGGA
Namekeeper of S.C.O.R.E.
Member of C.A.G.E.D.
Member of "the Alliance"
Discoverer of the "Corporate Islands (http://www.nationstates.net/cgi-bin/index.cgi/page=display_region/region=corporate_islands)" region
Visit the Resi Corporation's Marketplace (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=73452)!

"Consider this an addition to your tribute."

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

OOC: I don't think that this move is even legal, never mind binding. When taking over/buying up more than 20% of a compmany (In this case TWO, XAOSIS! & Xao-Angband.), you must first make a formal offer to every single company share-holder. That's why you don't see Microsoft just buying the Coca-Cola company overnight in a shock move, & such. Admittedly the law in Dor Daedoloth might be different, but I doubt that Melkor would leave so obvious a danger ungoverned...

So Resi's leadership, as I understand it, now faces a five year jail term :P .

& even if it dosen't, who's to say that Melkor'll allow you anywhere near your new R&D departments?

What, are you gonna send Interpol after us? They'd have a fine time trying to get through our robots.

In any case, our stockholders were fine with it. I'm not sure about XAOSIS!'s, though.

What, are you gonna send Interpol after us? They'd have a fine time trying to get through our robots.

In any case, our stockholders were fine with it. I'm not sure about XAOSIS!'s, though.

Since Xao-Angband's stockholders were largely from Angband and Ali'Staan, I imagine they were not "fine" with it, much like I wasn't. But hell, 37 billion credits is always good. Especially when it's free.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

deleted

OOC: I don't think that this move is even legal, never mind binding. When taking over/buying up more than 20% of a compmany (In this case TWO, XAOSIS! & Xao-Angband.), you must first make a formal offer to every single company share-holder. That's why you don't see Microsoft just buying the Coca-Cola company overnight in a shock move, & such. Admittedly the law in Dor Daedoloth might be different, but I doubt that Melkor would leave so obvious a danger ungoverned...

So Resi's leadership, as I understand it, now faces a five year jail term :P .

& even if it dosen't, who's to say that Melkor'll allow you anywhere near your new R&D departments?
OOC: Not true, Sauron dearie. Xao-Angband was a subsidiary of XAOSIS, controlling interest in which was owned by XAOSIS and the shareholders thereof (incidentally, including myself). Now, if Resi had started this transaction what you are saying might be true, but since it was XAOSIS who moved first by putting Xao-Angband on the market, they can do so entirely on their own discretion. Happens all the time in RL when a company wants to get rid of an underperforming subsidiary, factory, line of business, etc.

To use your MS/Coke example, while Microsoft can't just go buy Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola could certainly, if it desired and if MS was interested, sell its operations in a particular country to Microsoft quite quickly indeed.

~Siri

Apparently, Sehndem was forgetting that Melkor still had Xaosis! Chock full o' Imperial nationals.

Now it was time for that to pay off. Reports start filtering in to Xaosis! New agencies of various shootings, explosions, and lootings from Xaosis! Storefronts and office buildings all over the place. Every last Imperial national was ordered to do as much damage to the company's staff as possible.

Cash rewards were posted both to the general populous and the international community to hack and/or destroy Xaosis! accounts. Reportedly, thousands of Dor Daedoloth civilians had devoted themselves to this endeavor, sitting hunched at their computer screens until all hours of the night, pouring over information, trying to find ways around the companys' security system. Without anyone trying to stop them, it would only be a matter of time.

***

Attention hackers! Want to make some dough? Hack into Xaosis! Bank accounts! The Imperium will let you keep any money you steal from their accounts, and then some! Just think! You could be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams! Start today!

Also announced by Lord Melkor was a bounty of 1.5 billion dollars for the life of company CEO Sehndem.

[ooc: I'm not too sure about those explosives, dude. I'll let it slide I guess because I'm too pissed off to argue about it, but thorough and frequent searches for these types of things are Morgoth's bread and butter. You think he trusts anyone?]

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

The governmnet of Thelas is at a loss to say anything, while Melkor has been a friend to Thelas (Okay that sounds really wierd Thelas is an elven nation) in the past (I would have helped the Melkorian forces in the recent war, exept that it was invite only) General Theallas is curently being held by Menelmacari forces awaiting trial, so again, the Thelas government is at a loss.

Cash rewards were posted both to the general populous and the international community to hack and/or destroy Xaosis! accounts. Reportedly, thousands of Dor Daedoloth civilians had devoted themselves to this endeavor, sitting hunched at their computer screens until all hours of the night, pouring over information, trying to find ways around the companys' security system. Without anyone trying to stop them, it would only be a matter of time.
Hmmm, what's this?

Xaosis has switched sides? This changes a great deal. So a few Dor Daedoloth deckers thinks they have what it takes? This may possibly be a challenge.

S.H.O.D.A.N. begins slathering some of her best passive white I.C.E. over the entry ports of Xaosis' Titan branches. That stopgap in place, she deploys sniffers and snitches, ready to latch on to anything that gets past the Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics. The inner defenses consist of retaliatory grey I.C.E. aimed to frag whatever equipment the wannabe-crackers are using mixed with some active black I.C.E. to fry any meathead foolish enough to try to jack in.

It is very possible that many crackers trying to enter Xaosis' Titan databanks would end up with a hopelessly randomized BIOS and harddrive, the screen set to a constant output of Shodey's smiling mug.

At Karmabaijani Special Projects Agency HQ, a message comes through, direct from President-General vonKarma.

//ACTION//IMMEDIATE//PRIORITY//FLASH//

MOVE IN AND ASSISTS XAOSIS PERSONNELL WITH SECURING ALL FACILITIES. YOU HAVE ACTION AUTHORITY. DISPATCHING AN OPO DETACHMENT TO ASSIST. TERRORIST ACTIVITIES SUSPECTED. VK OUT.

//END FLASH TRAFFIC//

Command Agent Ropponmatsu reads the traffic.

"Never though we would see the day that we help Xaosis!...Well, lets get moving. I want a full KSPA security detail at every Xaosis! facility in the saturnian system. You will meet the OPOs on site. Report back once everything is set up. You have your orders Mr Hideki, on the bounce!"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Hideki distributes the orders down the ranks of the KSPA with a simple all points transmission from within his cranial transmitter. Instantly, the quiet KSPA headquarters is a cacophony of action, but remains completley silent, voice wise. Within an hour of the order, KSPA agents are on station at all Xaosis! holdings in the Saturnian System, arresting anyone even vaguely suspected of any ill means.

http://okcac.freeyellow.com/Ropponmatsu.jpg
Command Agent Ropponmatsu
Commander, First of the First Scorpions
Karmabaijani Special Projects Agency Fleet
Ordinance Enabled Karmic Hegemony of Karmabaijan
Triumvirate of Yut
Titan

# The XOASIS! corporation has successfully switched sides. They are
# now a target of pro-Melkor sentiment. Hackers have been trying to force their
# way into XOASIS! systems. S.H.O.D.A.N. is working to keep them out. Also,
# there have been several threads on the CEO's life, and Karmabaijan is moving
# in to assist with physical security.
> Excellent. Initiate protection procedures Alpha-three-xavier-delta. Contact
> S.H.O.D.A.N. and Karmabaijani control, and let them know that We will assist.
# Acknowledged, contact initiated.


[Communication{S.H.O.D.A.N.,X.vonKarma}] We wish to assist, but will do so in conjunction with your capabilities. Angelic system security is standing by, as well as a heavy detachment of Guardian Units for physical security.

Rionero is appalled at Xao-Angband's choice to switch alliances like this, and not for the better. Many of our soldiers died alongside people of your nation during the recent conflict with Ell, and right after you do something like this. Trust me, the move you made was not for the wiser.

King Francis Altobello
The First of his name
King of Rionero

[quote="Melkor Unchained"]Attention hackers! Want to make some dough? Hack into Xaosis! Bank accounts! The Imperium will let you keep any money you steal from their accounts, and then some! Just think! You could be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams! Start today!

Also announced by Lord Melkor was a bounty of 1.5 billion dollars for the life of company CEO Sehndem.

quote]

Safe in his Titanian offices, Sehndem stared across the desk at Ygorl. "Well?"

"Our Finance Division is going to sweat for a couple of days, but we've sustained exceptable losses." He paused. "S.H.O.D.A.N. and Angelus' decision to help was an unexpected but welcome surprise."

Sehndem nodded. Though we would not have said it out loud, he had over looked the possibility of electronic warfare from Melkor. The Giant may be brutish but he was far from stupid. S.H.O.D.A.N. and Angelus, however, like the cavalry came unexpected to the company aid, as well as the Menelmacari and Karmabaijani allies that Xaosis were in fact counting on.

As the two spoke, Xaosis facilities worldwide were enjoying the cooperation of the local governmental security forces (with the exception of neutral Imnsvale; of course, if Xao-Tech Holdings succeeded, there would be no need to worry about Xao-Imnsvale, or any branch, that much). Still...

"All right, Ygorl" Sehndem nodded. "Let's make a statement. It seems we have a lot of hidden allies: so let's use what we got."

"What about the Imperial nationals?"

Sehndem smiled wickedly. "All of Xaosis is either on Titan, Menelmacar, or Imnsvale. Anybody causes trouble there, our friends can have them deported."

************************************************************
Attention International Community

The Xaosis corporation is outraged that the tyrant Morgoth has interfered with the right of private individuals to conduct trade for mutual benefit. In a fit of pique, he has openly encited electronic terrorism against us in blatant violation of international law. By his own admission in the statement above he advocates the use of criminal activity which is in violation of every agreement.

The Xaosis corporation has in the past done good business with Melkor, and we have always operated by the dictates of necessity. Now Melkor intends to punish us for following the invisible hand of economics rather then his own arrogant will.

We point out the support of the manifold nations of Titan, who have always been neutral and unbiased either for or against Xaosis, have come to the objective conclusion on the rightness of our cause. I urge every nation that values free society and free markets to rally in support against the tyranny of Melkorian fascism.

..::SLNN Special Bulletin::..

In a surprise move, the Star League government has issued the following statement:

Any hacker who actively sabotages or steals from a Melkor Unchained bank account shall not only be able to keep what money they steal but shall recieve a 10% reward for doing so on top of a permanent pardon for any computer related crimes. Also, we hereby offer a 5 trillion C-Bill reward for Morgoth's head and bonuses will be given for creativity in presentation to the First Lord.

# The response has been tremendous. XOASIS! stock is skyrocketing.
> Excellent. Proceed with communication with XOASIS! Home office.
# Acknowledged.

[Communication{Sehndem}] We congratulated you on your move away from Melkor and the sale of Xao-Angband. Our services are offered in the further defense of XOASIS! interests, and We also wish to offer you the option to open a Xao-Angelic office. In return for stock options and a mutual pact of non-aggression, Angelus will offer an exclusive XOASIS! production facility on the WorldDisc, as well as a small fleet of cargo/transport cruisers.

---
Automata X1
First-of-Thirteen

# The response has been tremendous. XOASIS! stock is skyrocketing.
> Excellent. Proceed with communication with XOASIS! Home office.
# Acknowledged.

[Communication{Sehndem}] We congratulated you on your move away from Melkor and the sale of Xao-Angband. Our services are offered in the further defense of XOASIS! interests, and We also wish to offer you the option to open a Xao-Angelic office. In return for stock options and a mutual pact of non-aggression, Angelus will offer an exclusive XOASIS! production facility on the WorldDisc, as well as a small fleet of cargo/transport cruisers.

---
Automata X1
First-of-Thirteen




[Communication{Automata x1}][/b] Your offer is accepted in all terms and conditions; the Company considers itself in obligation to your nation for your outstanding assistance to our company.

---
Sehndem
CEO, Head manager, Xaosis Transnational[/size]

# Our offer to XOASIS has been accepted.
> Excellent! Proceed on modification of shipboard production facility 022, and
> complete the production of the promised fleet.
# Production will be complete in 12 (NS) days, and the facility will be completed
# in 15, however it will be ready for habitation in six.
> Send details to the XOASIS Executive Board.
# Details sent.

Sehndem stepped into the large spacedock of Menelmacari Tulkas. Though exposed, he was confident of his safety; the place was swarming with Menelmacari security forces, and the colony had agreed to allow Angelus security forces to escort the Xaosis executives to Angelus.

Sehndem was giving his parting instructions to Ygorl and the other Xaosis leaders. "The Company will still be Headquartered in Titan. You, my friends, will oversee the development of Xao-Angelus."

"You aren't coming, Sehndem?" asked Ygorl, his oldest associate.

Sehndem shook his head. "I am going to Menelmacar to apply for full citizenship. When this all blows over we will all come back to HQ; think of it as a long deserved vacation."

There were some chuckles.

Sehndem nodded. "Gentlemen, we have entered the Most Dangerous of Games. Melkor is without a doubt the deadliest adversary this company may yet encounter. But we are not alone, my friends. We have more friends in high places then even I anticipated, and we have shown the world that the Xaosis Corporation is not to be trifled with lightly. Melkor can hurt us yet; but we have come further against him then anyone had thought possible when Xaosis first came into existence." He paused. "Until we meet again, the best of luck." With that, he turned and quickly boarded the transport to Vinyatirion.

bump!
:D

[quote=Melkor Unchained]Attention hackers! Want to make some dough? Hack into Xaosis! Bank accounts! The Imperium will let you keep any money you steal from their accounts, and then some! Just think! You could be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams! Start today!

Also announced by Lord Melkor was a bounty of 1.5 billion dollars for the life of company CEO Sehndem.

quote]

Safe in his Titanian offices, Sehndem stared across the desk at Ygorl. "Well?"

"Our Finance Division is going to sweat for a couple of days, but we've sustained exceptable losses." He paused. "S.H.O.D.A.N. and Angelus' decision to help was an unexpected but welcome surprise."

Sehndem nodded. Though we would not have said it out loud, he had over looked the possibility of electronic warfare from Melkor. The Giant may be brutish but he was far from stupid. S.H.O.D.A.N. and Angelus, however, like the cavalry came unexpected to the company aid, as well as the Menelmacari and Karmabaijani allies that Xaosis were in fact counting on.

As the two spoke, Xaosis facilities worldwide were enjoying the cooperation of the local governmental security forces (with the exception of neutral Imnsvale; of course, if Xao-Tech Holdings succeeded, there would be no need to worry about Xao-Imnsvale, or any branch, that much). Still...

"All right, Ygorl" Sehndem nodded. "Let's make a statement. It seems we have a lot of hidden allies: so let's use what we got."

"What about the Imperial nationals?"

Sehndem smiled wickedly. "All of Xaosis is either on Titan, Menelmacar, or Imnsvale. Anybody causes trouble there, our friends can have them deported."

************************************************************
Attention International Community

The Xaosis corporation is outraged that the tyrant Morgoth has interfered with the right of private individuals to conduct trade for mutual benefit. In a fit of pique, he has openly encited electronic terrorism against us in blatant violation of international law. By his own admission in the statement above he advocates the use of criminal activity which is in violation of every agreement.

The Xaosis corporation has in the past done good business with Melkor, and we have always operated by the dictates of necessity. Now Melkor intends to punish us for following the invisible hand of economics rather then his own arrogant will.

We point out the support of the manifold nations of Titan, who have always been neutral and unbiased either for or against Xaosis, have come to the objective conclusion on the rightness of our cause. I urge every nation that values free society and free markets to rally in support against the tyranny of Melkorian fascism.

The Imperium is likewise outraged that the backstabbing prick Sehndem has interfered with the right of private individuals to be notified when the company that they hold substantial amounts of stock in fails to notify said gigantic stockholder that the whole goddamn branch office is about to be sold.

Take your rhetoric and stick it up your ass Sehndem: you screwed us and you damn well know it. Welcome to hell."

--Jay Reaven

Attention International Community

The Xaosis corporation is outraged that the tyrant Morgoth has interfered with the right of private individuals to conduct trade for mutual benefit. In a fit of pique, he has openly encited electronic terrorism against us in blatant violation of international law. By his own admission in the statement above he advocates the use of criminal activity which is in violation of every agreement.

The Xaosis corporation has in the past done good business with Melkor, and we have always operated by the dictates of necessity. Now Melkor intends to punish us for following the invisible hand of economics rather then his own arrogant will.

We point out the support of the manifold nations of Titan, who have always been neutral and unbiased either for or against Xaosis, have come to the objective conclusion on the rightness of our cause. I urge every nation that values free society and free markets to rally in support against the tyranny of Melkorian fascism.
What he said. Melkor has been a threat to peace and freedom ever since he first blighted the world with his presence. If he will not fall to weapons, maybe he will fall to economics.

The Federated Segments calls on all enlightened societies to immediately cease all trade with Melkor. For those more mercenary nations, note that his greatest corporation has left and how he oppresses ResiCorp; those are not signs of good business.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/scolopendra/jon_hertzfeldt.gifPseudoEmperor Jon Hertzfeldt
Chief of State
Federated Segments of Scolopendra

***

"Sir, Office of Psionic Operations agents are coordinating with KSPA agents in anti-terrorism ops."

"Excellent, Agent Simmias." Hertzfeldt smirks. "This is a mixed blessing; it certainly heats things up."

"I'd suggest," Intelligence Advisor Garbo proffers, "that I get in touch with Xaosis and acquire any... 'data' which would assist in our mutual defense."

Hertzfeldt raises an eyebrow. "Data?"

"Well, Xaosis made Melkor's ships, right?"

Hertzfeldt's eyes go wide. "Do it. Do it right now."

Garbo grins. "I thought that would make your day."

***

TO XAOSIS! IN MENELMACARI TULKAS
HIGH-ENCRYPT TITAN INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
ROUTED VIA MENELMACARI TULKAS NETWORK (high-encrypt)

Good work on your defection. Nice and clean, like it should be. Now, if we're to help you, I'm wondering... could we please have anything which could be... hrm... useful? Plans would be most appreciated; any weaknesses we could work to exploit. I can send an SIS operative down to pick any of this up.

Thanks for everything.

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/scolopendra/janus_garbo.gifAdvisor Janus Garbo
Intelligence Section
Federated Segments of Scolopendra

Take your rhetoric and stick it up your ass Sehndem: you screwed us and you damn well know it. Welcome to hell."

--Jay Reaven
Last time I checked, Sehndem left Arda...

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/scolopendra/agent_simmias.gifAgent Simmias
Office of Psionic Operations
Federated Segments of Scolopendra

[no, Xaosis! didn't make that many of my ships. Wait till you see what I do with the ones he did make :twisted:.

He had a hand in making my second generation space fleets, but those were all destroyed by Angelus. There's a few gravships that he helped me build, but they're more or less the same specifications as my other ones.]

OOC: XAOSIS left Melkor...
:shock: Whaaa??
I really need to be on more, I miss so much news.

IC:
Maica pours over the news, an aide standing nearby.
"This changes things, Melkor's industrial capabilities just fell. How far they've fallen, I don't know."

He looks at the ceiling, contemplating.
"This is certainly a mixed blessing. While Melkor Unchained is undoubtably going to lose some power over this. It's possible that others may smell blood, and Morgoth is aware of this."

"He's going to want vengence, and to reassure the international community that he's just fine. Of course this means Melkor doing something drastic."
He snaps around to the aide who stands quietly.

"John, contact KCTS and increase our our ship/weapon production contracts, and see if they can't bump up their production schedule while their at it."
Maica scratches his ear, still worried. "And get ahold of the TYCS PR department. I want them to begin a new recruitment campaign and bolster our numbers in defense."

John finishes jotting down some quick notes. "Will that be all sir?"

Maica nods, "For now."

Melkor, check t-grams.

After John leaves, a shadier character walks in.
"You rang?"

Maica stands up and makes sure the doors are sealed shut.

"This doesn't feel right, its too sudden."

The shadowy figure simply nods.

"I want intel on what Xaosis is up too. I want us to know what their right hand is going to do, and I want us to know it before their right hand does. We must know which way their going, and wether or not this is a ploy to screw us. Understood?"

The man in shadows nods. "Perfectly"

A large Bajai-class starship awaits the XOASIS boardmembers in a close-Titan orbit, three Mirrors dropping down to the surface to retrieve the Boardmembers. After they have all been collected, the transports lift off and glide smoothly back to the Michaelangelo.

Several minutes later, the huge ship begins to move, rapidly gaining speed to pull them away from the Triumvirate-owned moon. When sufficient distance is attained, the ship becomes the center of a very small temporal anomly, and simply vanishes.

Within the passage of two hours, the ship is far outside of the Solar system, floating silently before a massive cube of solid iron.

One of the many Angelic material stashes. Observed at all times by a powerful weapons array, and within quick Jumping distance by several Angelic deep spacers. We should be quite safe here.

The Michaelangelo has been retrofitted to provide all the comforts of home, as well as maintain a lavish lifestyle while you are on board. For entertainment purposes, several non-jack accessports to the Mainframe have been provided, in addition to the jacked ones. For communications and business purposes, the Mainframe has opened the subEther connection routes for you.

Please enjoy your stay aboard the Angelic Ship Michaelangelo.

[b]ooc: Only Angelus and .maybe. S.H.O.D.A.N. know where this location is. There are also several intense deep-space sensor arrays, so pretty much any type of FTL and subspace readings within a 20,000 km radius will be instantly noticed.

The XOASIS people have a limited access to the Mainframe, pretty much only the entertainment and historical records are available, as well as access to several Cspace worlds, and the ability to design different Cspace environments for them to move around in.

ooc: Only Angelus and .maybe. S.H.O.D.A.N. know where this location is.
(OOC: Only 'maybe?' With border periods to indicate it's a long shot? *sniff*)

(OOC: Only 'maybe?' With border periods to indicate it's a long shot? *sniff*)

ooc:

Ok, if S.H.O.D.A.N. looked, she would know where they are. It is a pretty secretive thing, 'cause the stashes are rather valuable.... if someone knows how efficiently dissect a one trillion ton cube of solid iron.

ooc:

Ok, if S.H.O.D.A.N. looked, she would know where they are. It is a pretty secretive thing, 'cause the stashes are rather valuable.... if someone knows how efficiently dissect a one trillion ton cube of solid iron.
OOC: Suggestion: Make it a sphere. More efficient use of surface area.

Sehndem sat back in his guest suite in Vinyatirion. The evening was drawing on, and soon, Sehndem would retire for the evening.

He smirked into the computer screen. On the other side, Ygorl smiled back. They were communicating through Angelus' Temporal Communications Systems, which took advantage of their knowledge of quantum physics to make communication manageable despite the vast distances of space.

"How are things on the World Disc?" Though new one knew where it was now, (not even Sehndem), it was still possible to recieve communcations from it, after all.

Ygorl nodded. "Well and good. The computer systems beat the hell out of our mainframe systems. We'll have no trouble managing the Company from out here."

"Hmmm." Sehndem puffed a dollar sign cigarrete and thought about that. "Well, good. I'm given to understand the Triumvirate members are gonna watch us like hawks for a long time now."

Behind the screen, Ygorl shrugged. "You can't blame 'em. Hell, I would in their spot and so would you." He chuckled. "They're asking us a lot of questions here as a matter of fact."

Sehndem nodded. "I hope you are cooperating. I intend to provide Berserker and Scolopendra with some sensitive information. We can't afford for them not to trust us."

Ygorl nodded. He and Sehndem had discussed this many times. "What about Xao-Tech, Sehndem?"

Sehndem sighed and rubbed his temples. "That, I'm going to hold onto. Our new friends will find out about that later. I don't want to make any announcement until I'm finished negotiations with Karma Corp and Feanor Holdings Group."

Ygorl frowned. "The longer we wait on this, the harder it will be to use Xao-Tech to full advantage. We already have the Karmabaijani and Menelmacari governments on board; if we announce now, maybe we can get Scolopendra and the other Trium members to endorse it and make things go faster."

Shendem took a long hit from his cigarette and grinned. "You know what, Ygorl? You just might be right.

*************************************************************

His decision to announce Xao-Tech, or the rough idea of it, came at a good time. He had already been scheduled to speak in the audiance hall of Xao-Menelmacar's Branch Office headquarters in Vinyatirion.

As he strode up to the podium, he was greeted by thunderous applause, which had surprised him only slightly. He had to remember that many Elves in the world admired his daring scheme to break away from the Melkorian bloc, and overall his notoriety was spreading through the Elvish community as the man who struck a blow against Morgoth and managed to get away with it.

He cleared his throat and looked around. In addition to the Elvish administers of Xao-Menelmacar, he noted representatives of Her Majesty's government, Xaosis private security troops, and of course KCTS and FHG representatives who had been invited to listen. Sehndem had no doubt that Menelmacari and Karmabaijani intelligence agents (and those from other nations) were present as well.

"My friends," he said. "Xaosis Transnational Incorporated is embarking on a new path. This path is far more uncertain then the safer, neutral path that we followed when we straddled the line between Melkor and his enemies. Now, we have crossed the line, driven across by the unrealistic and unreasonable demands of the Imperial regime.

Morgoth accuses us of making a sale without his consent. Of course he does. He accuses the Elves of existing without his consent, of Titan protecting itself from his agression against his consent, and would deny life to the living if it crossed his mind to do so." There were cheers from the Elves at this. "Morgoth claims he had legitimate stock ownerships, a privalige, i like to point out, that he was want to abuse and use as a tool against his enemies, many of whom also had stock in my corporation. Yet not once has he allowed Xaosis representation on his stock markets, not once has he allowed us to sell our stock to anyone in his nation except those he allows to buy. How can we honor commitments to a tyrant who refuses to do business like an equal? How can his otherwise legitimate contracts matter when he breaks contracts at his convenience? An oath to a liar is no oath at all!" More cheers; indeed, a standing ovation.

Sehndem held up his hand for quiet. "My friends, the time has come. We have now freed ourselves of an untangling and unprofitable allegiance to forces who would drag the entire world into decay where it within their power. Xaosis stands for industry and productivity; Morgoth only stands for ruin and mockery.

So, as ever, we must think of the next step. Now, it has been decided to make public certain negotiations that have been taking place between Xaosis, Karma Corp Tech Systems, and the Feanor Holdings Company.

The three of us have agreed to create a joint venture company called, for the time being, Xao-Tech Holdings. This company, which will be divided in three and owned by Xaosis, KCTS, and FHG, will pool the resources of our three companies and will be aimed at boosting profits and productivity of our own private ventures. In effect, we are using our combined resources to build and supply goods and services that could not be done ourselves.

While the precise details are still being ironed out, the existence of this corporate alliance has already been agreed and decided upon. It will have a charter and a ruling troika to manage it's affairs and to smooth over the inevitable disputes between it's owners. It is my hope that Xao-Tech will be an economic alliance that will act as a counterpart to the Triumvirate of Yut's political alliance."

There were approving murmurs.

Sehndem smiled and continued. "So, as I stand her---URK!!" Sehndem staggered back as his lower shoulder exploded from the bullet's impact. As he collapsed to the ground, he heard the gasps and screams of the surprised audiance and the harshly barked orders of the security personnell. As he slowly began to loose consciousness, he dimly wondered how the sharpshooter could have missed his head.

************************************************************
Sehndem was rushed to the Melian Hospital emergency care. The bullet went clean through his shoulder, and the injury was sealed before he lost a lethal amount of blood.

He was grateful that several different security forces from three nations, as well as his own Xaosis private security where looking after him.

The shooter was an amatuer who had been both lucky and desperate. He was unskilled, however, in the expensive rifle he had used to shoot Sehndem; a lucky break, as a more experienced sharpshooter would have easily hit the forehead.

The shooter did not survive. A desperate mob soldier looking to score easy money from Sehndem's bounty to pay off a debt, he was killed in a standoff with Vinyatirion police the next day.

((OOC: Is there any way we can contact Sehndem? Y'know, to send our condolances and the like.))

(OOC: one could always send a gift basket through the Menelmacari government. Of course, they would inspect such gift basket for such nasty little things such as explosives, anthrax, or whatever nasty surprises. I doubt very much they'd let him have it anyway :twisted: ))

*sends Sehndem a fruit basket with a note attached, reading:
To Mr. Sehndem of XAOSIS!:
We are very sorry to hear of your current condition, and we believe, had it not been for Melkor, this would have been the perfect deal for both of our companies. However, Morgoth is engaged in a nuclear war with a little nation known as Axackal II at the moment, so your opportunity to strike back while his guard is down may be at hand. However, we'd like to assist you in this attack, and we request a meeting between you and myself to plan it, among other things. Some of the said 'other things' I'd like to disguss are the future of our two corporations' relations, anything we can do to help your current prediciment, and how we should run our newly-aquired assets once Melkor allows us control.

Sincerely,
CEO Jai Resi of Resi Corp.*

To the chiefs of Resi Corp

Absolutely, we too believe were it not for Melkorian interference, the profits in this deal would have been enormous for the both of us.

However, a meeting is impossible at this time. We are currently building a Branch Office in Angelus, and Sehndem is unable to recieve visitors.

In a future date, however, a meeting can and will be arrainged.

Another fruit basket arrives, bigger than the last. This one also includes a note.
Mr. Sehndem:
We hope you are better by now, and if not we can offer you the services of our Phoenix Machines when you come here for a meeting.

By the way, when can you come? You hinted at being able to do a pro-business meeting in your last note, but you never said anything on the matter.

Sincerely hoping for the triumph of the almighty dollar over Melkor's oppression,
Jai Resi