Placing his glass against the ivory oval shaped meeting desk, he favored a casual glance about the occupants, catching the stare of a long befriended pro-Imperial loyalist Adalric Cronus. The officer exchanged a nod with Tenloss, raising his glass in appraisal, before conversing with a surly looking lieutenant beside him. Seated to the adjacent chair from Mr. Cronus was the notoriously famed Davin Halcyon, chief of security for Cryonics Industries. The gruff older looking fellow had a calm, collective physique about his features, his eyes narrowing down on the ivory. Across from Mr. Halcyon sat the revering impatient Adrian Artreides. Tenloss mused to himself as he noticed the quirky officer’s eyes darting every which way across the room in paranoia.
<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Poor Adrian, I think it’s time for a holiday.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->
“Now, down to business. Mr. Artreides, would you administer your accounts for us?” Adrian nodded in compliance, pulling a satchel of manila folders from under his seat, and after a bit of rustling his notes across the ivory, he began with much anticipated reports.
“Sirs, from CI’s corporate district, an analysis of all expenditures, profit increases and decreases over the past quarter, advertisement programs, scheduled completions and delays for the past quarter projects, a thorough analysis on programs we can implement to facilitate our already growing income, a review of exports and imports, quantities, qualities, costs... and last but not least, an examination of CI goods and products that are currently on the GSE and all commercial markets.”
An extensive summary lasted for several hours through the night, regarding many economic issues in the Cryonics Industries structure. Finally, Mr. Halcyon drew out the last of the report with the concluding issue of Cryonics Industries’ Bacta cartel.
“Regarding the status of all concerns regarding the Bacta cartel,” Adrian said, fatigues gradually become more prevalent in his voice. “, all projects regarding Bacta production, refinement, and shipping are running at overall peak efficiency. And...” he motioned to Tenloss, catching his blatant stare. “, regarding the issues reflected by the senate’s latest political propaganda, there have been a certain number of changes in trend with the rally in our shipment lists.” And with that said, there was a gesture to Adalric Cronus, who nodded in acceptance, and stood in dignity from his seat.
As Adrian took a seat once again, Cronus redirected his thoughts, reading from sheet of paper spread out in one hand. “As corporate liaison to the senate, I have dreaded news to bear to you all. As of 0800 this morning, we have received and confirmed an official declaration from the New Order’s and New Republic’s minister of state that war has official resumed between the top three super powers of the galactic political infrastructure. These parties are as follows, the New Order, the New Republic, and the Rouge Empire.” The words ushered death of tone to all noise in the room, an ominous and eerie silence drawing attention to Mr. Cronus. “The New Order wishes to confer to Cryonics Industries its gratitude regarding mobilization of all our armed forces in efforts to aid their cause in the war. The senate has approved of this maneuver in all the best interests of our government and social, economic, and political stability in our cluster.”
Adalric raised his eyes from the paper, focusing on a camera lens recording the meeting to the general public, a solid, determined look of grim expectancy clearly read in his eyes, his voice running with contempt and agitations passion. “Therefore, the senate has also voted to deny the opposing authority of the Rouge Empire, and all other militaristic based governments, institutions, regimes, sovereignties, factions, empires, or foundations the rights accorded to the rest of the civilized galaxy. This includes all privileges regarding corporate service to the general public. The senate has made it known that Cryonics Industries shall oppose such groups with severe prejudice, starting with the doctoral arbitration in restriction of Bacta, and all products under the CI/IA corporate logo to such groups.”
Dropping the paper, it’s creases resting against his polished boots, his eyes burned in the camera lens with vehemence that none of his comrades had ever witnessed. His voice lashed out in impatient rage, “And let it personally be known to all those who oppose civility, to all those degrading morality, and to all who dare stand against justice, order, and honor... let it be known to like ones simply this... we shall not relent, under any and all circumstances. Our decision is resolute and without negotiation. Upon reception of any Rouge Imperial holdings, if you do not submit to our authority and jurisdiction, you shall be fired upon.”
Stepping away from view, Mr. Cronus took a seat, belated of energy and exhausted of reprisal. His burning eyes took a nod of admiration from his comrades, as chief of security Davin Halcyon reconvened to his location, hands behind his back in a gesture of confidence, his eyes complacent with hint of malignance. “As of 0900 this morning, all armed forces of Cryonics Industries are being placed under thretcon H. We’ve pulled our four fleets to borderline protection for the moment, until we receive further word from our tactical analysis team for assignment. All defense protocols regarding planetary invasion are being tested, and prepped, and rehearsed should such a scenario befall us.”
Davin raised his hand’s non threateningly, “Now, the senate doesn’t want to arouse panic within the public structure, so the only assurances we can give you as of this moment is that all precautions are being taken so that we don’t have to face a single civilian casualty throughout this war. And though this is out of conduct, I can give you my personal assurance as acting supervisor of CI armed forces that we are very prepared to assist in this war, and that we’ve taken all procedure to heart in considering the welfare of our general public.”
Raising a single finger in defiance, he continued, “But our greatest aspiration in this campaign will be a single logistic target, the system of Bespin.” At an unnoticed cue, a hidden subterranean projector displayed rust looking world covered by a blanket of gaseous cloud formations. “Bespin holds one of the most sought after products in the galaxy, Tibanna Gas. This vapor is used to conduct enhancement of heat conducting energy coils, which in turn allow for the enhancement in vitality of weapon systems and drive systems. In consideration of the profitable values of Tibanna Gas, and its considerable impact on the outcome of this war, the senate has motioned in favor of claiming Bespin under the Cryonics Industries charter. Production and Distribution has considered dealing with Tibanna Gas regarding political and economic issues in the same manner as dealt with Bacta.”
Taking a sigh, Davin foreclosed his report with a further finality, “This motion has been given the jurisdiction of approval by the OAB, and our armed forces are currently engaging in pre combat tactical procedures in preparation for the movement. In allocating forces to govern positions where our fleets are stationed, we have been given legally binding assurances from certain political authorities their support in keeping our defensive forces fully mobilized and at strength.”
His eyes turning away from the camera in perpetual disgust, Davin silently took a chair, folding his arms across his chest, breathing deeply in frustration. Last but not least to deliver a brief summary of comfort, Mr. Tenloss took a stand in front of the camera pod, seeming calm and complacent in nature. “Ladies and gentlemen who live with me under the banner Cryonics Industries. May peace be with you all. May you know and take to heart that all decisions regarded by the OAB and the senate are utilized to further our great corporate power, and benefit your standard of living. This is Corporate Executive Officer Tenloss of Cryonics Industries, signing off.”
Tenloss made a slashing motion with his hand across his throat, ending the session. Camera crews quickly removed the equipment from the room, leaving the occupants in silence and privacy. Davin was the first to break the silence, “So, what’s our estimated time before the attack?” Tenloss leaned on his fist against the ivory replying, “Well, we have some last minute issues to deal with, but we’re roughly looking at a month from now.” Adrian brought on another motion on consideration, “We’ll have fourth fleet constructed by then. And Dace Archon should be back from his assignment to commandeer third fleet very soon.” The crowd nodded in approval, each taking his ratings in silence. Cronus looked the passive and content of them all, eyes transfixed on a destiny sealed behind a veil of blood. “One month,” he whispered. “, one month before the galaxy goes to hell.”