Rayden interrupted the conversation to ask if he could speak to his parents.
Varn and Elyse raised their eyebrows, aware that it was rude to interrupt in the middle of a discussion. However, they understood their son must have a good reason for doing so.
"Give us a moment, everyone," Varn said as he and Elyse stood up and walked to his office just down the hall.
Once inside and with the door closed, Elyse turned to reprimand Rayden. "That was very rude of you, dear, to interrupt the negotiations. I thought you knew better."
"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, but there's a reason I wanted to talk in private. I might have a way to help smooth things over," Rayden apologized before explaining further.
"What idea do you have?" Varn asked, taking a seat, with Elyse sitting beside him.
"Well, I was going to show you later, but this negotiation is a better time than any. When all the clans were arriving for the competition, I went to talk with Dern and Kalia. Before I reached them, I felt a tug in the Force."
"I was curious and followed the feeling, which eventually led me to a small storage crate. After opening it up, I found a bunch of data chips," Rayden told them, sharing his fabricated story about how he obtained the blueprints.
"Data chips just lying around?" Varn and Elyse were both skeptical.
Noticing their doubtful expressions, Rayden reached into his pocket and pulled out the data chip containing the blueprints for the droid production plant.
Seeing the chip in their son's hand, Varn and Elyse started to believe him a little more. Although Elyse could sense that Rayden wasn't being entirely truthful, she allowed him to continue.
"I was surprised to find it; I think it was a smuggler's case of stolen chips. When I had a moment, I checked what was on it." Shaking the chip in his right hand, Rayden continued, "I found that this chip contains complete blueprints for creating a droid production plant."
"What?" Varn and Elyse exclaimed in shock. Designs like that would cost a fortune and were closely guarded secrets by the Trade Federation, Techno Union, and other major corporations.
Varn stood up and took the chip from Rayden's hand. He proceeded to plug it into his computer. After a few seconds of loading, dozens of schematics and designs for creating the production plant appeared on the screen.
"This looks real." You could see and hear shock on Varn's face and voice. Elyse walked over and took a look as well.
"Do you have any more data chips, son?" Varn asked, his voice tinged with hopeful anticipation, as if he were silently pleading with Rayden to say yes.
Rayden understood the yearning behind his father's question. Not wanting to let him down, he reached into his pocket and pulled out four more data chips, their sleek metallic surfaces glinting in the light of the office.
Varn's eyes lit up like a child in a candy shop as Rayden handed him three of the chips, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement. He examined each one carefully, his brow furrowing as he scanned the intricate holographic displays projecting blueprints and schematics.
"As you can see," Rayden continued, pointing to the shimmering images, "these chips contain detailed blueprints for producing survival kits, rocket boots, and enhancements for speeder bikes."
Rayden began to elaborate on his ambitious idea of establishing a company, envisioning their clan at the helm. In contrast, the other clans would manage their own departments, each focusing on a specific product line.
Elyse, perched on the edge of her seat and listening intently, interjected with a frown, "What about Serdran? You don't have anything for them?" She observed his product allocation keenly and felt a nagging sense of injustice regarding the omission.
Rayden hesitated, contemplating the complexities. "Well, I don't really have anything the Serdran can produce. Plus, I figured since they specialize in combat and espionage, they wouldn't mind not having a production line," he explained, scratching his head, his confidence wavering under Elyse's scrutinizing gaze.
"That seems a little unfair, don't you think?" Elyse countered, her tone softening slightly but firm. "They don't just have fighters in their clan; they could contribute more than you're giving them credit for."
Rayden opened his mouth to defend his reasoning when he caught sight of his father's subtle but firm shake of the head. The gesture was a reminder — a silent plea to sidestep an emotional debate driven by sentiment rather than logic.
Flashes of past, convoluted arguments with an ex-girlfriend back on Earth flickered in his mind, and he instinctively shifted gears, redirecting the discussion towards his initial plan for Clan Serdran. "Mom, I was considering putting them in charge of the intelligence department of the company. That way, they could monitor pirates and keep an eye on rival companies. It would utilize their strengths perfectly."
Elyse regarded her son thoughtfully, her expression softening. "I understand what you're saying, dear, but I still think we should give them something to produce that they can manage. It's important for their sense of contribution."
Realizing that this could lead to a prolonged debate that would end in frustration for both of them, Rayden nodded placidly, mentally noting that he would find an appropriate product for Serdran in due time.
Seeing her son's acquiescence, Elyse smiled sweetly, but as she turned to Varn, her expression shifted dramatically, becoming more imposing. How could she not sense her husband's silent pleas behind her back?
With a sidelong glance, she silently communicated with Varn: 'You're going to get it tonight, mister.'
A fleeting grin crept across Varn's face at the cleverness of her message, although he felt a twinge of discomfort in his lower back. Clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to the last chip remaining in Rayden's hand. "What about that chip? Do you know what it contains?" His curiosity was piqued, and the air was thick with anticipation as they awaited Rayden's answer.
Rayden felt intrigued as he looked at the data chip in his hand.
The chip contained:
- Coordinates for an undiscovered star system in the Mandalore sector.
- A route to those coordinates.
He handed the chip over, saying, "All I found on this chip were coordinates and a route to the mentioned location. I don't know what's there, but I think we should send someone to scouts."
Cross-referencing the coordinates, Varn and Elyse were surprised to discover that they pointed to a sizable nebula at the edge of the Mandalore sector.
No one has ever charted a route through this nebula before, but that has changed now.
Nebulas can be both a source of fortune and danger. With newly forming stars and planets within a nebula, one might find rare minerals and other exotic items. However, the risks can be as significant as the potential rewards, if not more so.
There are space creatures dwelling there, similar to those found in the Kaliida Nebula. Additionally, flare-ups and unstable hyperlane paths can leave a ship stranded.
After discussing the situation, Varn decided to send a group of scouts on a Kom'rk fighter as a precaution.
He pulled up his communicator and contacted Kael to prepare a squad of scouts, providing him with the coordinates and the route. He instructed Kael to remind the team to be extra careful in the nebula.
If pirates or smugglers had discovered this route and were using the nebula as a hideout, Varn wanted to ensure they wouldn't be caught off guard.
Kael acknowledged the message and began to prepare the team. He assembled a full squad of twelve, all equipped with armor, jetpacks, and blasters. They would be ready in less than 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in the office, Rayden was being asked if he had any more chips. He mentioned that they liked his company idea and inquired if he had a name for it.
"I have one more chip, but I don't have it on me right now. I'll show you later. As for the name of the company, I was thinking of Resol'Aliit Industries, or RA Industries for short. RAI if you want something even shorter."
Rayden had yet to receive the starfighter blueprint, as he had not helped convince the other clan. However, he anticipated that this conversation would be enough to count towards his goal. Once the negotiation was complete, the system should grant him his reward.
They chatted for a few more moments before gathering chips and heading back to the large conference room. "Sorry for the wait, everyone. I think we have come up with a solution," Varn announced with a faint smile as he settled into his chair.
Varn then began to lay out the small, sleek data chips on the table, each gleaming under the bright lights. He carefully explained the information encoded within them and outlined the strategic framework for the new company that would be born from this valuable intelligence. As he spoke, the room fell silent, tension hanging in the air.
The other leaders listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to disbelief as Varn shared the revelation that Rayden had discovered these data chips.
Negotiations continued for several hours, with vigorous discussions and thoughtful deliberations filling the room. By the time they wrapped up, the sound of laughter wafted in from outside, signaling that the bonfire party was just about ready to kick off.
As everyone filed out of the conference room, satisfaction settled in—each leader felt they had effectively tackled the challenges laid before them, for now.
Rayden and Lexi strolled past their parents, who were all smiles, as they made their way toward the bonfire ceremony.
"You really found all those data chips, Ray?" Lexi whispered close to Rayden's ear, her breath warm and playful as it tickled him.
Taking a step to the side to catch her teasing gaze, he replied with a grin, "A little close, Lexi, and yes, I did find them."
"Lucky," Lexi pouted as she saw Rayden back away from her.
Looking at his system while they walked, Rayden noticed the bonus objective on the final mission was completed.
—
[Clan Glory: Winner takes all]
Objective: Ensure Clan Knight wins the competition
Reward: 2500 credits and a data chip with special coordinates. (Completed)
Bonus Objective: Help convince the other clans to ally/swear allegiance to clan Knight (star fighter blueprint of your choice) (Completed)
11,775 credits total
—
Clinching his fists in exhilaration as he glanced at the total amount of credits displayed on the holographic interface, a warm surge of proud satisfaction filled his heart. The figures danced before his eyes, each credit a testament to countless hours of hard work and strategic maneuvering.
With a focused thought, he activated the system interface, pulling up his inventory with an idea.
[Starfighter Blueprint Ticket]
[Use this ticket to receive the blueprint of the starfighter of your choice, each design boasting its own unique capabilities and aesthetic.]
As he scrolled through the options, his mind raced with possibilities. 'What should I choose? The iconic TIE Defender with its unparalleled agility? The versatile X-Wing, a symbol of rebellion? The nimble V-Wing, perfect for quick strikes? Or perhaps the formidable LAAT, ideal for troop transport? Don't forget the ARC, known for its heavy firepower.' The choices overwhelmed him, and after a moment of deliberation, he decided, 'I'd better sleep on it and pick tomorrow.' With great effort, he resisted the urge to activate the ticket immediately and instead shifted his focus to the festivities unfolding around him.
As he reoriented himself to the lively atmosphere, he noticed that the gathering had already moved to the bonfire area. The glow of the flames from torches flickered in the dusk, creating a cozy ambiance as the leaders prepared to give their inspiring speeches before lighting the bonfire.
"Finally done spacing out, Ray!" Lexi chimed in, her voice dancing through the sound of crackling wood and laughter. She gently elbowed his side, her smile infectious as she giggled. "I thought you were going to miss seeing them light the fire!" Her playful teasing pulled him fully into the moment, and he couldn't help but chuckle along with her.