Arliss Towers
The older Arliss looked at the younger business mogul and could see nothing of himself in the youth. Missing were the signs of building a company out of scratch against a massive and unforgiving galaxy. Missing were the embers of ruthless, shrewd calculations within the eyes.
What he saw was petty.
What he saw was naivete.
He needed a drink.
The owner of Arliss Industries walked away from the window to cabinet and opened one of many bottles and poured himself a drink. He would have offered the younger man a drink but he seemed too nervous anxiously awaiting the word, the "go" signal that would allow him to cross Imperial borders and be blown to bits from a reactionary military.
He as drew the glass to his lips, his mind played different acts out inside his head and in the end, chuckled lightly at the conclusions his mind had inevitably ended with.
"Mr. Stellar, you must have mistaken me for Emperor Hyfe if you think I can simply wave my hand and allow your transports and vessels freedom to cross over into our borders.
Being an unknown company and fairly new company, the Imperial authorities have no information on Stellar Enterprises and therefore will, after you register your company with the appropriate authorities, monitor your shipping and if your ships fail, even once, to delivery duly approved and verified cargos, or fail to meet your own schedule..they will confiscate your ship and anything else they can get their hands on.
Why would the Empire take such a hardline with your company and not say, others like Kuat or my company for that matter?
Because you are a self admitted outside corporation hoping to expand into the Imperial sphere.
The key word being "outside".
As you may or may not be aware of, the Empire has fought a war with the Galactic Coalition and relations are somewhat strained. As you may or may not be aware of, the Coalition recently sent out a broadcast to the citizens of the Empire as well as the Dragon Imperium for revolt. This, as you can imagine, has made a strained relationship even more... strained.
Ineloquent, I know. But essentially accurate.
You admittedly do business with the Coalition and are, by your own words, wanting to expand your company.
Already you tell me your focus is on the benefit to you rather than the Empire.
While this is as it should be for a company, we normally wouldn't throw it in the faces of Imperial leaders.
While I cannot simply give you a go-ahead, I have been successful in business relations within the Empire and so, it is a possible circumstance.
And so coming to me, while you present yourself ineloquently and without much in the way of detailed information as to what you really offer, you show some good sense. So either you are smart enough to know you are not smart enough to simply violate Imperial borders to push your wares and so seek the advice of one who is, or you are smart enough to take the advice of one smarter than you and come to me.
Whatever it was that brought you to me, Mr. Stellar, rest assured it was a smart move."
Mr. Arliss had finished his drink and poured himself another. In doing so, he poured one for this guest and as he approached Mr. Stellar, two chairs came up from the floor and Seamus motioned Mr. Stellar over to one as he handed his guest a drink.
"I am going to assume, Mr. Stellar that you have been so successful so far in your business dealings which makes you blind to certain fundamental facts that provide obstacles to your 'increasing your business'. Once you understand these fundamentals, then you will be in a better position to go around or remove the obstacles before you.
First, let's look at your offer so far, which, truth be told, is not all that attractive.
You are correct in figuring the Empire will need to benefit from allowing you into their borders. The benefit can come to the masses, planetary local officials, the Imperial bureaucracy or the Military.
So, who is your target?
And don't tell me, everyone. You talked about mining minerals. This benefits local planetary leaders. So are you a mining company?
You mention general infrastructure repairs. Are you a construction company? If we need the cracks in the duracrete buildings of Coruscant, Muunilist or other planet repaired, you're the person to call?
You don't need some of the greatest scientific minds to repair buildings but you offer these minds. So, tell me, what commodity are you offering?
Don't ask me what I want and then see if you can throw money at it. If you want to gain a market in the Empire, tell me what your strongest commidity is. Use that!
Imperial Leaders are hardasses by nature. That's their job. They appreciate effiency, they appreciate good work and they appreciate loyalty.
That that is where I think you will have problems. You do business with self proclaimed enemies of the Empire.
So, the Empire may not have objection to your work, but what about your employees?
To build offices means you have to man them. You have no contacts within the Empire so it makes sense for you to relocate some of your employees. And these employees will be Coalition citizens. Do you see where I am going with this?
If a Coalition spy is found in your company, you can be sure you will be fined very heavily if not outright shut down. Things like these..you never know how an Imperial official will react. You'll either get the paranoid black and white officer of the law or you'll get someone with more..vision."
Mr. Arliss leaned back and chuckled.
"Anyway Mr. Stellar, back to what I was saying, if you are a mining operation, you aren't talking about just setting up offices or branches. You are talking about setting up major mining operations. Much larger sites than what you initially are letting on."
Seamus waved a finger back and forth.
"If you are talking about construction of planetary defences, you are talking about building a major manufacturing facility or facilities. All these are much more than simple office space," Seamus grinned, "I am sure you'll agree."
"So tell me, Mr. Stellar, what does Stellar Enterprises do well?"
