17 - Corporations

Posted on Thu May 16th, 2024 @ 5:52am by Dungeon Master Sue Donym
Edited on on Thu May 16th, 2024 @ 5:57am

968 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Chapter 5 - Travel
Location: New New York
Timeline: 2090

Business continued on as usual for the group with Eldrin coming over most afternoons and both repairing and teaching, Ember continuing her studies and performing the more basic enchanting, Ryder coming up to do security checks and letting Ember feed on him daily, Elena coordinating jobs and reports with the cartel, Aurelia doing research and doing the more difficult enchantments, and Becca making sure everyone was taken care of. Peaceful days seemed to reign for what felt like weeks,

That is, until a message arrived from the same corporation that had attacked them.

The call came in from security - Ryder was on duty and processed the holographic recording device that had been delivered. Before he even called up, he had put it through the wringer and scanned for explosives, toxins, trackers, and listening devices. Once he and the rest of security was finally satisfied and Elena was available, then Aurelia was notified.

It only took her a few minutes to extricate herself from her current task with Eldrin and Ember and head down to the conference room with Ryder, Elena, and the device in question. Once she got there, she was met with grim faces. “So, this is from the CEO of that corporation that attacked the other day? What was it called again?”

Her android assistant Becca was the first to chime in. “SynCo, Ma’am. The CEO’s name is Rob Galeheart. They specialize in military and construction hardware but also have home appliance, vehicle, special needs, and several other specialized divisions.”

Elena, dressed in one of her more business minded red dresses added her own thoughts on the matter. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this is arriving the day after the council’s quarterly gala. Considering the Crimson King received a personal thank you letter from the council earlier this morning, I’m inclined to think you may have impressed someone. I’m not sure what the SynCo CEO wants with you, though.”

“Nothing good, I’m sure,” Ryder muttered as he crossed his arms.

“Well, nothing to do now but play the message,” Aurelia said as she nodded towards the palm sized disk on the table.

Becca reached out and pressed the small button on it, activating a half meter tall blue and red holographic projection of the well groomed older gentleman dressed in corporate business attire. The sound that came out sounded a bit smaller than she expected, but it conveyed the gravity of his words more than well enough.

“Salutations. I am Rob Galeheart, CEO of SynCo. This message is for the illustrious Lady Aurelia Luna of the Crimson Cartel and her compatriots. Do you accept the message?” With a smile, the hologram waited for input.

The red headed sorceress took a moment before answering. “Yes, I do.”

“Excellent. It seems that you have foiled our attempts to continue our usual duties for the council’s galas. I of course speak of modifications to their accessories. While I was unaware of the attack upon your residence and personage, I am also not ashamed to say that it is not a tactic I am unfamiliar with. What I am ashamed to say is that through that attack we put people and the council’s property at risk and for that, I sincerely apologize. I would like to make that up to you, if possible.”

“However, there is also the matter of the gala. The job you did on the accessories is outstanding and by all scans, impossible. You have made SynCo’s prior works look bad in comparison and because of that, our stock has dropped significantly. Thus, I would appreciate it if you could make some form of reparations for this, even if they’re long term.”

“Thus, I propose a deal similar to that which you have with the Crimson Cartel and the Crimson King. I will work through the cartel, but I would prefer working through you personally, if at all possible. We have several research projects which would benefit greatly from your expertise and I guarantee I can make it worth your while. I look forward to hearing your response.”

As the hologram finally clicked off, silence reigned in the room for what felt like several painfully long moments.

Finally, Aurelia spoke up, her brow furrowed. “I spent lifetimes dealing with people like him in my old world. They refused to take no for an answer and always demanded more and more. We'll take on a few limited jobs to see how it works out, and negotiate some research but the Crimson Cartel also gets a cut of any profits and a copy of any research. So I guess this is my answer. Elena, can you take care of negotiations? We have a lot on our plate already. Becca can handle scheduling, but I’m worried he’s going to ask for far too much.”

The lady in red’s reply was soft. She’d been getting used to her new position, but this felt a bit higher than even what she was used to. “Yeah… Yeah, I’ll take care of it.”

“For now, I think we’re on the verge of a breakthrough on something we’ve been working on with Eldrin. Something I didn’t realize was possible until I came to this world.” Aurelia tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment. “I don’t suppose the cartel has a manufacturing and distribution system in place for new products?”

“Not really no,” Elena said, snapping back to her old self. “Whatcha got, gato? Something new that every chica gonna want?”

“Something like that,” Aurelia grinned broadly. “We just have to finish translating the magic to that program thing Eldrin uses. An alliance with someone like SynCo might work out pretty well.”

 

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