I sat at my desk as the two approached.
And I stood up.
"Hello again, Walex, and?" I asked, looking at the girl.
"Lira Wessex, My Lord." She said with a bow and a blush. It was quite adorable to be honest. Who would believe this young and embarrassed girl would be one of the galaxy's top engineers.
"No need to be that formal. We're buisness partners." I replied with a smile "However, now I wish to know if you already got any designs or ideas?" I asked as I signaled for both of them to sit down. There were 2 chairs in the other side of the desk.
"Yes, and no. We have decided to create a Starfighter. It's been long since any reliable non-Jedi Starfighter has been created. The Z-95 is the closest and it's quite old." Walex said as he began thinking.
"Oh, well you know. I'm not quite the genius at engineering. But when I have some ideas I usually write them up, and I happen to have one if you wish to look at it.
Walex looked at me with dirty eyes. I guess he assumes he will create my design because I said so and take a bunch of credit.
Luckily for him I'm not like that.
But I showed him the drawing and his eyes immediately widened.
It was the exact copy of the Alpha-3 V-wing Starfighters.
"T-this, this might just work excellent." He said with shock.
Lira also looked intensely.
"Yes. If we make some modifications to the wings it can give increased mobility and turns. It's also large enough to include a deflector shield. Additionally if we can close and open the wings we can make it more available in terms of space." Lira analyzed. She truly was a genius within spacecraft to deduce that within seconds.
"Yes, I agree. It has the potential. This design could also be potentially modified for bombing if we want to." Walex said with excitement dripping off his tone.
"It's great that you guys think my design is good. Now I also have another design, it's an inspiration from the Harrower-class used by the Sith. And it's a Star Destroyer." I said as I showed them the drawing of the Gladiator-I Star Destroyer.
"This is also meant to be a carrier." I said. Both Lira and Walex was looking at the design intensely.
"I see how it's taken from the Harrower-class. It also had a decent amount of firepower. It could work exceptionally as a support carrier or escort." Lira said being superior in the art of Battleships.
"You are better than me at that Lira, I agree. It won't be the level of the Venator but it won't be as expensive. It also has better point defense cannons." Walex finished.
He then looked at me.
"Both these designs are quite good. We will need about a month to finish the designs as this is just an outer description. We will focus on the Starfighters first. Now what's our engineer options?" Walex asked and stated at the same time.
"I am considering buying the StellarTech Solutions, they have about 3000 engineers and a ICM-09." I said as I looked at them for a reply.
"If you can buy them then that would be a good start. The ICM is great for building Starfighters and 2 larger battleships, but it can't take anymore than that. The builders of StellarTech however is quite good, though they lack in designs, I believe we can make up for it." He said.
"Aye, well I won't hold you up anymore. I'll talk with the CEO of StellarTech Solutions and inform you whether or not we get it." I said as both of them stood up, bowed slightly before turning around and walking out. However not before I sent them the designs. It was indeed a good choice the recruit them.
And with that I began looking at StellarTech Solutions.
Apparently they were led by a certain Colleen Fan. He was a human with a degree in engineering on Coruscant. However he couldn't properly make ship blueprints and would have to rely on others. He sadly had back luck and therefore couldn't accomplish his dream of becoming a big corporation.
He had also racked up debt because he refused to give up on his company. Which I personally admired him for. It isn't everywhere you find someone willing to rack up huge debts for their company.
Shows true love in what he does.
Well currently we have about 1 250 000 000 credits. I want to set off 1 billion for the army and naval manpower expansions. But I am willing to spend a little of it to buy StellarTech.
The only problem is the debt. I personally want Colleen to work with me and in managing the production of ships themselves. However that is something he cannot do with a debt. Well we'll see what happens.
And with that I called him.
I had let him know earlier that I was interested in buying. Which is likely why he responded almost immediately after I called and he looked calm and ready for the buisness talks.
"Greetings, I presume you are CEO Colleen?" I asked over the comms.
"Aye, Count Thalrom. The CEO of StellarTech Solution. An engineering corp proud of our production skills." He said with pride in his voice.
Oooh, I would break that soon enough.
"Ah, yes indeed. Your Corp has quite the reputation in producing ships. But I do see that you are struggling with the art of creating ships out of the blue. Or specifically blueprints." I replied as his face turned from pride to horror. I guess he thought I didn't know if his situation.
"You've been dealt a bad hand. Too many useless designers demanding better pay. But you personally are one of the better CEO's I've seen. You stacked up huge debt in your personal name to keep the buisness afloat. It takes a lot of determination and courage to pull that off."
"Thank you, Count. I appreciate your kind words. But if you know all this why did you want to buy a company that is failing and barely afloat?" He asked.
"Because I still see potential. I have 2 of the Galaxy's best designers under me and ready to work with you to create Starfighters and Star Destroyers. We already have plans and designs in the making. If you sell to us you will have a new promising Starfighters in a months time." I said with a smile as the guy regained hope.
"I see, I will gladly sell to you. But what will it cost? I have stacked up 150 million in debt and I need it paid off. If you can pay it off then I will sell to you for 250 million credits." He said.
I see, he's gonna drive a tuff bargain.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that. But I will give you a counter deal. I will set the InterGalactic Banking Clan off your back for 1 year and pay you 200 million for the company. And if you work hard then you can pay off the bank in a year." I said. It would be a tempting deal.
"Hmm, that is tempting but simply a promise of extending it is not enough for me to give up ownership of a corporation I have worked hard for." He said with determination.
"Perhaps, but you will still keep your station, your crew, and new work. Sure you can back but the chances are you'll go bankrupt. Where will your 3000 men find jobs then? It's obvious that you care for them and the station. Is it helping them by going bankrupt and losing the station?" I tried to use emotion against him.
"You drive a truly hard bargain. What about this. You pay off my 150 million debt and then pay 100 million for the company." He said finally relenting.
"50 million for the company." I said. Even though I've got what I want. I'm just trying to teach him not. And every million counts.
"90" he responded with
"55"
"84"
"60"
"70"
"62"
"65?"
"65."
And like that we came to a deal. 150 million to the banking clan, 65 for the company. And he continues to work there. I count that as a big win.
"Okay, so now that you're with us. I want you to take the Starstation to Thyferra. I'll send 2 squadrons and 2 CR-90 Corvettes to your location to escort you." I said as he nodded.
"When you arrive place yourself in the atmosphere. I will come there and meet your directly alongside our 2 new professionals once we arrive at Thyferra. If we reach it before you then we just gotta wait. No big deal." I said.
"Aye. I'll see you in a bit then, Count." He said before we both cut the line.
Well that was a great buisness deal. I got a cool and efficient station officer and builder. I got 2 of the best designers. I also have a lot of extra cash to pump into the buisness.
I should be able to become amongst the big shipbuilding corporations.
And now I needed to discuss what to name my own Bacta Tub buisness. After all I can't continue being pushed down by these Corporations without a homeworld.
Well, let's focus on getting back home now. It will take 2 days. Now that I think on it. We'll probably reach it before Calleem, oh well.
However one last thing before I went to bed.
I opened the coms and talked to Alexander.
"Alexander, tell Admiral Jaime that I ask him to send 2 Corvettes and 2 Z-95 Squadron to the coordinates I'm sending over to you now. They're looking for a large ship engineering station. It's called StellarTech Solutions. And it's led by Colleen Fan." I said.
"Yes, My Lord. Consider it done."
Alexander said before I cut the comms. Time fo go to sleep.
—————————————-
4 advance chapters at Patrion.
patrion.com/pondsfyre
It really helps me stay motivated by getting a few donation. And maybe if we all are lucky i get grammarly premium and we get some better grammar :)
1 extra chapter for every 3rd patreon. You also get the ability to ask and try to get future actions or arcs in the series to be what you want
You also get a shoutout here, so pls do it