[Paradise-IV] SD: 970328.18: JL- LtCmdr Lox, LtJG Ayario & Mr. Gates

[Paradise-IV Logs]

It was a new day and Drake was feeling slightly better. Events of past had been weighing heavily on his mind but he was beginning to realize that events of the past should stay in the past. He had no ability to change them. He could only learn from them in the hope for a better future.

It was for a better future he now found himself once again in the Starfleet complex that housed the Federation's military personnel on Paradise. The fine men and women of Starfleet had taken quite the blow to their reputation following the hospital fiasco. Drake happened to knew that they were not at fault. Like everyone else, he had seen Starfleet officers fire into the crowd. However, he'd seen other Starfleet officers equally scared for their lives. It led him to conclude that the Starfleet detachment on Paradise either had a Rogue element or someone was purposefully trying to set them up. Given the general resentment the civilians had towards Starfleet, Drake thought it more likely that the latter was the case.

As he reached his destination, Drake paused and pressed the annunciator at the door. In a short few moments he hoped to speak with the Chief of Operations-a Lieutenant Commander Justin Lox.

Justin called out "Enter" He was looking over some PADDs.

Kimura Ayario arrived just as she heard permission given, "After you," she motioned to Drake. This would be a very different assignment for her but a new challenge was always welcome.

Drake nodded with a polite smile before heading inside the office. "Commander Lox I presume," he said as he approached the lone man in the room. "Pleasure to meet you. I am Drake Gates, CEO of Drake Enterprises."

Following behind him Kimura entered the office, "Kimura Ayario. Recently assigned to Paradise IV."

"Welcome to Paradise. How can I help you two?" Justin asked.

"Well I am here on matters pertaining to business with respect to the ability of my company to aide Starfleet operations on this planet by meeting your cargo transport needs."

"Cargo Transport. I see. We have a lot of needs in that respect." Justin said. "And you Lieutenant?"

For the moment Kimura had been quiet. "Its not as easy as that. If it walks, flys, drives, etc it has to go through my office. Coordinating transportation for Starfleet is the exact reason I was assigned to Paradise IV."

Justin smiled "About time you got here then. The computer has been handling that, and poorly I might add."

"So, Mr Gates what is your proposal?" he asked motioning them both to take a seat.

Drake took a seat and paused before speaking. "I am merely seeking to explore the business opportunity of providing cargo transport to you. I presently have two cargo ships in this system that are presently transporting resources from Paradise to different destinations. In the near future that number should increase to ten. I am aware that a colony like this so far in enemy territory probably does not get as much supply runs to fully meet its needs. This is where I believe my company can help. We can assist in transporting those Essential cargo from wherever they may be and bring them to you here."

"Enemy territory? We aren't in enemy territory. We are on the edge of Federation space. The war with the Xelucians was over in the Omacht sector. As for needing transports... the colony needs all it can get to thrive. Correct Lt?" Justin asked.

Kimura nodded, "Yes that is very true. The only reason I stated what my job Is here is because if you're transporting good for us cargo or not that means you fall under Starfleet's eye for certain things like protection and to ensure the good are handled properly. It's standard operating procedure for all our independent contractors."

Justin smiled "Then I think we can come to some sort of agreement that I can present to the XO and Captain for final approval. What sort of costs are we talking about here, and what sort of needs do you have for this end of the transport chain?"

"Primarily, what we will require is a space where we can construct a port for the easy transfer of cargo. This port of call as it were would allow us a central point from which we can deliver or pick up goods. It probably would be better if we had a warehouse close by as well for sorting, distribution, and storage purposes. As for costs, that would vary on a case by case basis depending on the nature of the goods that is being transported and the distance from here. I can have my people prepare a more detailed shipping quote for you. As per currency of the transaction, we would be perfectly fine with Federation credits."

"I can understand that. This landing space you need, why can't you use one of the already existing ones. We have several that are currently unused.. and need repair, but that would be easier than building a new one." Justin asked. "Do you need something specific for your shuttles?"

Kimura interjected, "I'm wondering the same thing. Its easier for us to arrange for security for an already existing space. Plus it will be easier to justify repairs rather than a whole new space with unused spaces."

Drake nodded in agreement. It would also be cheaper than building an Entirely new complex. "I agree," he responded. "Repairing and upgrading an existing howbeit unused facility would probably be more efficient and less costly." Turning to Lox, "It is doubtful I will need anything more specific for my shuttles other than what we've already discussed. Any additional requirements, we should be able to take care on our side." Turning to the flight control officer. "Although I am curious to know, will you be requiring the transponder codes for all of my ships operating within this system for FOF identification?"

"That would be up to Lieutenant Ayario's section." Justin said.

"Yes having the IFF transponder codes for all your ships will help greatly. It allows us to quickly identify and mark them in our systems as ships with clearance and ones to protect if things ever go south. Otherwise we waste a lot of time sorting that thing out when time isn't on our side," Kimura responded truthfully.

"Very well," Drake responded. "I will see that those codes are forwarded to you Lieutenant. Furthermore, I will have the daily expected arrival and departure times of all my ships sent to you as well." He turned to Lox, "And I will have my people forward you the information pertaining to our shipping prices in addition to our networks of route. When can we expect to get started working on this landing space?"

"You can expect the first landing pad to be ready within the week. Until Then the main platform is usually idle, so you can use that." Justin said.

Drake nodded satisfactorily pleased with the outcome of this meeting. It was a sharply different from the last time he had tried it with the other ops officer whose name he now forgot. "I look forward to working with you then Commander," he turned to Ayario. "And you as well Lieutenant."

Kimura nodded, "I'll keep an eye out for the information. If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to contact me and we can go from there."

Justin smiled "Please keep me in the loop too Lieutenant. Please forward your first shipment information so we can work out the proper fee schedule."

LtCmdr Justin Lox
Chief of Operations
Paradise IV

LtJG Kimura Ayario
Navigations Officer
Paradise IV

Drake Gates
CEO Drake Enterprises
Paradise IV

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