[Paradise-IV] SD 970402.23 - Hope You Guessed My Name Pt. 2 - Drake Gates, CIV; Amadeus Burr, NPC
Paradise-IV Logs
as open to the idea as you are. The second item I wished to discuss,"
he motioned to the PADD he had given Drake, "Concerns a proposal for a
business partnership between Billiton Mining and Drake Enterprises." He
paused to gauge Drake's reaction before continuing.
"Oh?" Drake said curiously. He glanced at the padd wondering what such
a partnership would involve.
The lawyer leaned forward in his chair and after an sharp inhale of
breath, launched into his sales pitch. "As you obviously know, most
companies no matter how big or small, if they are successful, provide
one type of goods or services. Sure they can undertake other business
ventures but most have a core interest which they do well and is the
center of their company."
As he spoke he used his hands for added emphasis and never allowed his
eyes to look away from Drake's. "For Billiton, it is mining. For Drake
Enterprises, it is shipping and transportation. Needless to say we have
our own freighters and transports, but our operations are not as
established or efficient as yours."
He paused for a moment before delivering the final part. "What I am
getting at is, we would like your company to take on as much of
Billiton's transportation and shipping needs as you can handle. We want
to be your number one customer.
"Obviously this is a preliminary proposal and I have no doubt formal
negotiations will have to commence in order to get the final deal in
place. Also there will be lawyers and Board members to consult with and
these things take time." Amadeus did not mention that he still had to
sell Chip on the idea.
'Always better to ask forgiveness than permission,' he thought to
himself.
"But I believe that all parties involved will see that this proposal is
fair and profitable for both of our companies." He leaned back, finally
finished.
"This is quite an ambitious plan Mr. Burr," Drake replied after a
moment of pause. "I would be foolish to dismiss this plan knowing full
well how big and well connected your corporation is. I am curious
though as to why this partnership? As you say Billiton does have its
own freighters and transports, why would you want to enlist the
services of my company to do the same thing your own company has been
doing howbeit less efficiently by your own admission than mine?"
It was one thing to enter into a business guild partnership with
Billiton Mining. It was quite another to enter into a partnership
solely with the corporate giant. Drake was still unsure of the nature
of the man known as Chip Goodyear. He had simply showed up on Paradise
and had erected a number of buildings as shelters for the civilian
populous, provided employment opportunities and even worked in concert
with Starfleet to attempt to rebuild that tattered image of the latter.
At face values this should speak to the well-meaning intentions of the
man and his company but whenever something was too good to be true, it
generally tended to be.
"Are you familiar with Augustus, Mister Gates?" The question was
rhetorical. "Augustus was the first Roman Emperor, he established the
foundation of an empire that would last almost fifteen-hundred years.
One of the keys to this was the 'Pax Romana' or 'Roman Peace.'
"You see in Augustus' day there was no power in the known world that
could rival Rome. So when the Romans went to war, it was usually
amongst themselves. These wars were destructive and nearly brought the
empire to ruin. So when he seized power he made sure that everyone
shared in the glory and wealth. This bought him peace, power and the
love of the people."
Amadeus smiled, "Now Billiton is no Rome, but I intend to keep the
peace. A 'Pax Billitona' if you will. We want to show that we're not
here to run over the other businesses on Paradise and that we are not
going to try to monopolize all business on the planet. Paradise IV is
very big, Mister Gates and there is room for us all to make a lot of
money. If I may use an old Italian saying, I intended to see that
everyone eats."
Drake paused as he took in Amadeus' words. Drake was something of a
historian himself since he was an anthropologist by profession well
before he became a business man. Thus he was familiar with the
reference. While it was an apt analogy, Drake could not help but
realize that it was that very Pax Romana that allowed Augustus to
consolidate his power base such that no one would dare challenge him or
Rome for that matter until well after his death.
"Then in the spirit of letting everyone eat I accept your proposal,"
Drake said. He wondered absently why it was this man and not Chip
Goodyear who was here but chose to revisit that thought later. "Of
course there will be weeks of intense negotiations on both sides but I
believe as you say, in having equal opportunity for all businesses on
the planet. I believe that philosophy is something my board will be
obliged to back particularly here on Paradise."
Amadeus stood with a grin and offered a hand to Drake, "Then I look
forward to the negotiations. I will inform Mister Goodyear at once, he
will be happy to hear the news." Of course in truth he doubted that
Chip would like what he had done here at all. But once Amadeus
explained his reasoning he had no doubt Chip would see the benefits of
what had been started here today.
Drake stood up as well and nodded as he shook Amadeus' hand. "And
extend my greetings to Mr. Goodyear. I look forward to working with
both you and him in the future." Drake. He led the way out of the room
and through to the reception area towards the door leading out into the
streets.
Once outside, Amadeus reached into his coat's breast pocket and pulled
out a communicator. "This is Burr. I'm ready to go. Meet me on the next
street over." He walked down the street, standing out as he did,
weaving his way past a few of the piles of rubble that had still not
been cleaned up.
Finally, he came to a stop right in front of the next street over as a
land transport vehicle pulled along side of him. It was unmarked and
rather unremarkable looking, and as the door swung open Amadeus
immediately climbed inside.
"Back to Billiton Headquarters, Mister Burr?" The driver asked.
"No, I think I'd just like to ride around for a while. I need to think."
The driver nodded silently and the transport started moving through the
streets again as Amadeus sat back in his chair and considered his next
move.
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Respectfully Submitted
Drake Gates
Entrepreneur
Amadeus Burr (Played by Chase)
NPC
Paradise IV
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