Ethan gazed out the window of his office at the midday sun, mentally reviewing the shipping problems he'd been facing. Just as he reached for the phone to call Secretary Elijah for an update, the intercom on his desk buzzed.
"Mr. Ethan, Manager Luke from Nazarick Shipping is here," came the secretary's polite voice.
He straightened in his chair. That was fast. The company he'd only contacted this morning had already sent someone over.
Nazarick Biological Shipping Company, specializing in pet shipments. They weren't part of the Biolife Alliance, so they had no reason to refuse a deal with the Pokémon Biotechnology Company. Besides, their headquarters were in Tarvok City, just like Ethan's. After a few phone calls earlier in the day, Nazarick had confirmed their strong interest in shipping Pichu.
Ethan left his office and went downstairs to the reception area where he spotted a man in his early thirties with a friendly but eager expression on his face. The moment he saw Ethan, the man stepped forward with his hand outstretched.
"Hello, President Ethan. I'm Luke Redfield, manager of Nazarick Shipping."
"Welcome," Ethan replied and returned the handshake. He gave a polite smile, aware that people in the industry sometimes looked twice at his youth. "Let's talk in the conference room."
They took the elevator to the fifth floor. Luke was impressed by the sleek layout of Pokémon Biotechnology Company's offices, especially the glimpses of lively Pokémon through the lab windows. By the time they reached the conference room, he could no longer contain his excitement.
"Mr. Ethan," he began, smoothing his tie, "we at Nazarick were thrilled to get your call. Not every day does a company like ours get to work with someone of your caliber, considering Squirtle's success, Pichu's popularity, and all the media coverage."
Ethan motioned him to a seat. "We're really just getting started," he said modestly, "but I appreciate the kind words. I hear your headquarters are here in Tarvok City, which makes things easier for everyone."
"Absolutely," Luke agreed, nodding seriously. "Our chairman is overseas right now, or he would have come in person. He told me to finish this partnership no matter what. Nazarick hasn't grown as fast as some of the top shipping companies, so this is a huge opportunity for us."
Ethan gave him a wry smile. "That's exactly why I approached you. I'm not looking to partner with anyone under the Biolife Alliance, and Nazarick has no ties there, which is perfect. Of course, we have to work out the details. You mentioned that you want to see the Pichu before we finalize anything?"
"Yes," Luke confirmed. "I've only seen them in news reports. We need to confirm their size, temperament, and any special transportation requirements, especially for genetically enhanced Pokémon with unique abilities."
Ethan stood up. "Then let's go to our experimental park. Some of the older Pichu are running around the playground."
They walked through bright corridors, occasionally stepping aside for lab personnel in white coats. Luke glimpsed glass-walled labs filled with chirping Pokémon and large windows looking out onto green courtyards. Eventually, they reached an outdoor playground, completely fenced in, with mini ramps, tunnels, and soft ground. A handful of Pichu were scampering around, chasing each other in short, electric sprints.
Ethan gestured to them. "These are the Pichus to be shipped. Most will go to buyers in the Alverez Kingdom, though we have a few international orders. They were all pre-sold through our E-Commerce site, and now all we need is a reliable shipping partner."
Luke's eyes lit up as he took in the scene. Each Pichu was about the size of a small cat, with bright eyes and big ears. "They're tiny," he said, nodding thoughtfully. "A compact crate will do. We also have connections with logistics partners abroad, so handling international shipments won't be a problem unless it's a really remote location. I assume your buyers aren't that far away."
"They aren't," Ethan reassured him. "As for temperament, have you ever had to tranquilize an animal mid-transport?"
Luke cleared his throat. "Yes, for air transport we sometimes use mild sedatives on genetically modified animals that are prone to aggression or flight. The last thing we need is a meltdown in the cargo hold of the plane."
Ethan crossed his arms and watched the frolicking Pichu. "These little guys are pretty gentle, as you can see, they're not aggressive. If sedation is absolutely necessary, just use the type formulated for genetically engineered creatures to avoid nasty side effects."
"Understood," Luke said. "For ground transport, it's easier. We'll have special handlers. No sedation needed."
"Good." Ethan then led him to a nearby bench, where a light breeze rustled the grass at the edge of the playground. With Pichu scurrying in the background, they discussed shipping routes. Eventually, the subject turned to pricing.
Scrolling through a price list on his tablet, Luke explained, "We usually charge around three thousand per genetically modified pet for domestic air shipping, but we're open to discounts. How about 2,900 per Pichu?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "2,900, huh? Still on the high side."
Luke's face flushed slightly. "2,800 then?"
"And you mentioned 2,000 for land transportation?"
Luke cringed a little. "I could do 1,800."
Ethan tapped his finger on his chin and thought. "All right. We've got 95 Pichu going out in this batch, some we'll keep here for our own use. So we'll take 2,800 for air, 1,800 for land."
A relieved grin broke out on Luke's face. "Thank you, Ethan. This will be a great blessing for us. We'll make sure everything goes smoothly."
"Let's hope so," Ethan said and shook his hand. "Because if there's a fiasco, there won't be a second order."
"Oh, absolutely," Luke blurted, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief. "We'll give them the VIP treatment. No slip-ups."
Ethan's lips curved into a slight smile. "VIP, huh? They're more like family to us."
"You're right," Luke quickly conceded. "We will treat them like valued guests." He paused, then ventured, "By the way, would you consider a broader, long-term contract? We'd like to handle all your future shipments, not just Pichu."
Ethan hesitated. "We'll see how this run goes. Impress me and we can talk."
"Understood," Luke said, practically beaming. "I'll get back to you soon with the details of the schedule. In the meantime, I'll get the trucks and crates ready. For air transport, I'll coordinate with our partner airlines to avoid any hiccups."
Ethan nodded. "I'll have Secretary Elijah send over the addresses. Some buyers want personal delivery, so we'll arrange for local personnel. Keep me informed every step of the way."
"Absolutely," Luke promised, taking another look at the Pichu before they went back inside. "They're so adorable," he murmured, almost to himself.
Ethan chuckled softly. "They are. And this is our very first generation, so we're being extra protective. I trust Nazarick to take good care of them."
"We will," Luke vowed. "I promise."
They walked down the corridor, Luke mentally rehearsing how he would report the news to his chairman: "We got the deal!" If they made it, there'd be even more business on the horizon.
As Luke left Pokémon Biotech that afternoon, the sun was setting low over Tarvok City. He felt it was more of a dawn than a dusk for Nazarick Shipping, a chance to step up in the competitive world of biotech transportation.
Meanwhile, Ethan went back to his office and reflected on the day. At least the shipping business is settled for now, he thought. Even if the Biolife Alliance slammed its doors shut, there were always other options.
He glanced at a nearby monitor that showed the real-time progress of his Pokémon. Exhaling softly, he allowed himself a moment of relief, knowing that the Pichu would soon be in safe hands and that another part of his grand plan was finally coming together.
...
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