The Rebel Faction

As construction of the spaceport for underway, it was monitored from different angles. While the planet had some spaceports around the capital, it could be observed that this new one would be much larger. Analysts quickly declared that TaggeCo would expand on the planet much like Stellar Enterprises had planned to do. It would be most beneficial if both sides found a way to share the planet and its resources, then squabbling over it.

Within moments a message was sent back to the Star Destroyer above Belgaroth. "Mr. Stellar invites the representative from TaggeCo to a meeting Dinner within the Capital of Belgar. It would take place at 1900 hours in the Rolmas Tower if that is acceptable."

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Rob smiled back at Kyra, glad to finally make the girl happy. "Jay, she'll be your new company ok? You're no longer property of Stellar Enterprises and can do what you please, but she will be your Master now."

The droid rocked back and forth and turned his eye towards Kyra, as if nodding and studying her. Before Rob could say anything, Cierra pulled him up and Rob turned to smile at her.

"We have several facilities actually. Some are rather small, but others are massive and stretch for square kilometers. Why does that interest you?" Rob said and thought about the question as his ear implant came on again and informed him that a ship from the TaggeCo had arrived.

Rob smiled at the fact that this day turned out to be so busy, but could also turn into a really beneficial day for him. He looked at Cierra and than at Kyra and the droid. "Why don't be continue talking while walking towards our destination, its not far."

With that said he smiled and started to walk down the hallway with Cierra and the others beside him. They soon emerged into a much larger and hallway that seemed to stretch out before them as far as the eye could see. Lights from different side rooms could be seen filling the hallway from some open hatchways, however, most of them were closed to hide the contents within.

"Here we are!" Rob exclaimed as they finally paused before a large hanger looking room.

Inside the brightly lit room sat a large 35 meter long freighter. The outside looked bare and stripped of everything, even the paint. Its outside did not look attractive at the moment, but soon it would be a beautiful piece of machinery. Personnel moved around the ship and constantly installed different parts of the ship, while testing others. To the side of the craft lay various power generators, one of the crafts new engines, as well as some of the vessel's weapons systems. They could also see people moving in and out of the ship through the forward hatch.

Rob moved to the side so that Cierra and Kyra could see the whole ship and smiled as he looked back towards them. "She's a few weeks away from completion, but most of the big work is complete and all parts are here. If you wish you can board her and see inside. She is your ship after all."

He smiled as he looked back and admired the ship's curves and also eyed the lines of black material that covered certain sections of the ship's hull. These sections were heavy in electronic devices the material covering them would absorb their emissions and also limit the ship's signature. Other sections were in place to faster absorb and dissipate heat from the power systems and engines. The new black material looked much different from the bare, somewhat rusted hull of the other sections of the freighter.

"What do you think?" Rob turned and looked at both the women.

Rob smiled at Cierra's flattering comment and then watched as both Kyra and Jay moved towards the ships. As they did, various men and women smiled at them and said hello, while going on about their business. He watched a large lifter droid activate from one of the room's corners and stand up on its large hind legs. The droid advanced forward and then slowly turned to walk towards one of the large power generators that lay on the floor. Each generator weighted tons, but the droid's massive arms lifted it up without a problem and proceeded to slowly and carefully carry the generator towards the freighter's rear.

As Cierra started to talk once again, Rob smile and turned to look her in the eyes while listening carefully. He took the card she handed to him and studied it for a moment. Most of what she told him he had already guessed pretty much. He had many years of experience with dealing with people such as Ishara and Cierra. They were individuals who preferred to keep others out of their business, especially law enforcement organizations. That was the main reason many would start up companies to conceal their dealings.

When she mentioned purchasing a facility, Rob quickly started to think if that would be possible. His mind went through most of the holdings he owned and examined them carefully. He wasn't sure if he had such a facility to sell, but then it hit him and he let out a little grin.

"Well...actually...there is a certain facility we just took over. It used to build astromech droids for Industrial Automaton. The corporation had to downsize, however, and planned to close the facility down. Stellar Enterprises purchased that facility and was planning to refit it to manufacture other droids. I think we could reach a deal that would transfer control of the facility to you, though."

Contruction continued upon the new spaceport, the makeshift prefabricated one now fully operation and starting to grow as more supplies were being trasferred from the holds of the Merchant. It was the Tagge Company's primary project as this would soon enough become the central spaceport, linking Belgaroth to the Rimma Trade Route and giving TaggeCo access to whole new venues of sale and production. The firs step was getting their foot in the door and establisihing a link via this scrap world. It also meant though that negotiations would have to be done with Stellar Enterprises as it was on Belgaroth as well and would like want in on the action. This was not a bad idea as it meant TaggeCo wouldn't have to spend as much money or effort if it had a partner in the project. That left it to Edipus Tagge to go into negotiations with Rob Stellar who waited below for their meeting within the capital city.

Time passed and shuttle descended towards the atmosphere of Belgaroth, slipping through and heading directly towards the capital city of Belgar. The world looked just as glum to Edipus at this range as it did from orbit but it was important. The scrap alone would prove valuable and establishing this planet as a trade hub and supplier of metals would greatly benefit it as well as provide the stepping stone TaggeCo needed and it looked like it very well could lead to a business partnership, something that could be most useful especially to upstage Belgardi or Vinda though those two were not so close to the Empire as Tagge had managed to be.

Belgar was a a city that looked like it had literally been built out of the scrap of the world, which it probably was since the citizenry likely couldn't afford the best construction equipment, but then again who did when you lived on a junk world where new supplies practically fell from the sky. Scavenging had probably been a huge business for the locals but those times were coming to an end if Stellar Enterprises and the Tagge Company had set their eyes on this world. They would bring industry and jobs, steady pay that would help the locals flourish and maybe even draw more people to the world, looking for work. Edipus smiled a little, enjoying how even the slightest prospect of profit could draw people to even the most bleak of locations just so they could get their share of it. He focused on that so he wouldn't have to remember that horrible creature, Omega Thrax was aboard the shuttle with him.

Tagge turned to look at the masked being, his odd half orange, half black face mask hiding his features as always, everything except one eye which was looking out past Edipus and onto the city. He obviously had thoughts as well, but he didn't share them. Thrax was here to observe and be a reminder that the Chairman obviously wanted him to succeed in setting up stakes here. Therefore Thrax would act as Edipus' shadow and would be at the meeting which was soon to take place. Edipus shivered slightly and tried to calm his nerves because Omega Thrax terrified him like no one else except maybe the Chairman himself. With a few deep breaths Edipus managed to calm himself and then stood up, heading to walk down the boarding ramp as the shuttle settled down onto a local landing pad with the hum of repulsors.

"Welcome to Belgar, Mr. Tagge, I am Reo Amoni. I represent the local government of Belgaroth. I've been sent to take you to your meeting with Mr. Stellar," said a short balding man dressed in a simple suit.

"Please lead the way, Mr. Amoni," Edipus replied and followed after the representative as he led Tagge and his small group to a waiting speeder.

The trip was short and uneventful as Amoni spouted off how wonderful it would be if both Stellar and Tagge decided to lay stakes here for business operations, how greatly it would help the economy. Edipus merely listened, ignoring the sycophantic sweet talk of the government representative. He hated having to share the same air with these types but had gotten used to it enough now that he merely nodded and smiled, his subconcious keeping track so he didn't nod or smile at the wrong time while his brain ventured elsewhere. Once they reached the towers, Edipus and Thrax quickly seperated themselves from the little man.

"What an odious little twerp of a man," Thrax replied calmly as they walked through the tower's lobby.

"You get those types everywhere, some sort of galactic anomaly. They occur in every species almost except for maybe the hive minded ones," Edipus replied off-handedly

Edipus and Thrax stepped into the turbolift after speaking with the receptionist at the desk and rode it up to Tagge's meeting with Stellar.

Cierra stood in awe of the new fighter. It was more impressive to see in person than on paper.

Both Cierra and Kyra walked over the the fighter and gave along inspection. Kyra jumped in the pilot seat to get a feel for the controls. Cierra walked back to Stellar.

"Magnificent Rob. SE did an outstanding job and I can't thank you enough."

Cierra noticed Rob was a bit preoccupied. Obviously such an important businessman had other clients to speak to. Being a businesswoman herself, she decided to give Stellar an open door to take care of his other obligations.

"Rob, Kyra and I would like to continue to look at the fighter and I haven't been onboard the freighter yet. If you could have one of your people escort me on the freighter and show Kyra the controls to the fighter, it would be appreciated. Perhaps they could then escort us to a conference room to discuss the astromech facility more in detail later?"

Cierra looked to Stellar for his reply.

Cierra felt the gentle touch to the back.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way. It is just a very important meeting that I can't hold off, but I promise to join you both later within a few hours. There is a lot to see in each of ships. Melinda and Wemmar will show you around both and will than lead you to the conference room. I should be freed up and all yours by the time you finish looking at everything here."

"No problem, I understand. I'm sure we're in good hands."

Cierra gave Stellar another smile.

"If either of you get hungry or anything, please ask for something. They will be more than happy to bring you some. Jay here can also show you to mess hall."

"Great. After we get done here, we'll be sure to do so. Thanks Rob."

As Stellar waked away, Cierra gave a wink in his direction as he turned around. She then went with Melinda and Wemmar to inspect the ships for herself.