Looking at his business partner in confusion for a second, Henri quickly responded. -Seems I've been mistaken when I thought you construct your platforms for yourselves, but if it's not the case then... hmm...- After a few seconds of thinking, he continued. -Oui, we could either contact the DSE after our meeting about a contract or I could offer the services of some of mes amis from The Council regarding platform construction. The former would mean the platform will be of similar design as it's surroundings for a price I am unaware of yet. The latter would mean the platform will be of Gallic design, maybe not as excellent as what DSE builds, but I expect it to be cheaper, at least because we won't need to involve a third party. Which of the options would be more feasible for you, Monsieur Crooke?
"Hmmm...DSE or Council. Both seems fine." He shrugs his shoulders.
"Orbital usually deals with DSE and they build most of ships and structures. However, it really isn't a question of which is more feasible to me, rather it is more about what is more feasible to you."
He smiles, satisfied with his answer. "I assume a Gallic design would better cater to the type of ships your people fly. So I assume you'd be more willing to go with that."
Indeed,- He agrees on the last point of Crooke. -while our vessels seem to be able to land on Sirian installations and landing pads, definitely Gallic constructions are the best to offer safe and secure traffic for Gallic spacecraft. Another thing is the better option for us financially too, so if you don't mind, I think we can agree on it being built by the Technology and Advancement Division of The Council. Compatibility issues between our technologies is something I could only discuss in detail once I have construction plans at myself, but I believe we will have no issues at organizing maintenance supplies and waste disposal.- He looked at the other man. -Am I right, monsieur?
"No issues at all. After all, most waste disposal planet side is conducted by our own people. Technological compatibility can always be discussed at a later time."
After closing the communication channel, Chris Tyler sits bent over the desk and clears his throat to set a new message on the answering machine:
Hi, this is Chris. I'm sorry, I'm not available to take your call at this time.
Leave me a message after the tone and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you.
A year has passed since his last visit on the planet, even despite frequently flying through the system, Henri had no business on the surface. As the events around the GRN taking half of Bretonia clamed down a little, he deemed the situation to be stable enough to allow him continuing what he started. And now the talks with Orbital Spa & Cruise are resumed.
Henri received the message of Chris Tyler on his way to the portside hangar of the CLN Pamiers. After reading it he took a shuttle to Toulouse only to prepare a few things and take off immediately, on his personal Voyager, the Verdeur. Once he jumped to Baffin, he sent a reply to Mr Tyler, and began his journey to Curacao.
Jumping to Coronado, and then to Cortez, it didn't take more than a few hours to get to the beautiful planet with the swift freighter. Within minutes he was already sweeping down from high to low orbit, noticing how things changed during this year, yet nothing significant, as the view still resembled to what he remembered from back then. As if the company wouldn't have felt the dynamic changes in the leadership and structure, the resort planet was still flourishing as it did before.
The Verdeur took a quick land on one of the landing pads of St Martin Spaceport. A few minutes later Henri got out of the spacecraft and looked around for somebody to direct him to where he could meet Mr Tyler.
Chris Tyler was sitting in his chair behind the communications panel, being deeply immersed in thoughts, when a flashing red light indicates that a new message has been received. With a lightning flip of his hand he touched a button and on the screen appeared a man in uniform, who began to speak in what sounded like a Gallic accent:
(05-11-2014, 03:02 PM)Thyrzul Wrote:
Monsieur Tyler,
It is interesting how short Mademoiselle Miller's absence turned out to be, although I hope this does not set us back with our dealings. Luckily I'm nearby and in a quick craft, I think I can be there within a few hours.
"Ha! Mademoiselle Miller... if he would know that she's actually the only one who sustain the Council's presence on Curacao..." - he said thinking out loud, with a slightly ironic smile. Chris closed the communication channel and contacted his personal assistant.
A few moments later, a tall blonde with short hair and a pleasant, friendly face entered the office. The woman is wearing a sheer white blouse and Chris was sure that she is not wearing a bra, by the way her breasts swayed and bounce. Not to mention that she has the top three buttons undone, showing way more cleavage than what would be considered "proper". Her grey skirt is also too short. It is rather classy, but is a good five inches above her knee. The stockings are too sexy for an office environment and the 4″ high heels makes him wonder how she is able to walk around.
Trying to hide his thoughts, he looked into her blue eyes for a second and said: "Janice, please cancel all my appointments for today. Something has come up." "Yes, sir. But in this evening is planned the inaugural ceremony of the Bank of Curacao and..." "Damn! I completely forgot! Probably, I should call Susan and tell her that I cannot come there. Mr. Croix will arrive in less than a few hours and I should meet him at the St Martin Spaceport."
Janice walked forward, trying to say something: "Sir..."
But Chris continued without hearing her: "I must confess. Personally, I prefer the ceremony. But someone needs to welcome him... even though I have some doubts about his sincerity."
She tried to ask again: "Sir... would you like me to come with you?"
After a slight hesitation, he replied: "You know what!? That's a great idea! Perhaps... I think that will be much better if you will bring him here. A feminine presence is always welcome."
The woman let out a breath and her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of rose. She folded her hands in front of her to keep from fidgeting and said with obvious emotion: "Thank you, sir." "Very well, then. Take this. It contains everything you need to know about this man." - said Chris, giving her a digital tablet. "Sir, for how long he intend to stay in Curacao?" "Um... I don't know. He may choose to stay at least one night here so... it may be better to book a hotel room, anyway. But call me when you find out more, because I need to know if I have time to attend at the ceremony or not." "Sure. I should go now." "Right. Oh... Janice, one last thing. Could you change your clothes into something more proper?"
Janice looked at him as though she wouldn't understand what he suggested: "Are you saying you don't like my clothes?"
Obviously embarrassed, Chris fell silent for a second to gather some courage before continuing: "No. Don't get me wrong! You look good in this outfit but... maybe you should wear something more appropriate for a business meeting, you know?" "Ok, I will wear a dress... I just hope to find one good enough for your tastes." - she replied ironically, before walk out the door.
Planet Curacao - St Martin Spaceport [17:37 SMT]
After three hours, a black limousine parked in front of the St Martin Spaceport. Seconds later, the driver opened the door and Janice stepped out, wearing a sparkly faux leopard print dress and four inch wooden platform heels. "Alright, please wait here." - said the blue-eyed blonde to the driver before goes to the main gate.
She looked around for a while, trying to find Mr. Croix within the crowd. Then, she saw a man in an elegant blue uniform, two feet away. Janice checked one more time on her digital tablet if he looks like Mr. Croix. and murmured for herself as she approached him: "Oh, my. He doesn't look bad at all."
When she was in front of him, Janice gave him a smile and said, extending the right arm for a welcome handshake: "Excuse me. Monsieur Croix, right? I'm Janice Stodden, the personal assistant of Mr. Tyler."
During the few minutes of waiting for Mr Tyler, Henri had some time to spectate the crowd around him. A lot of different folks, a dozen of accents spoken, a ton of professions mixed in that busy place the St Martin Spaceport was. From time to time he looked at his WristPad, a small wrist-mounted datapad with extrudable touchscreen (Gallic technology had a fetish for wrist-mounted stuff), to check the image of Mr Tyler, so that he will recognize him when he appears. But instead of him, a cute blonde approached Henri.
Hmm, what a beauty!- he thought. -Oui, that would be me. Enchantée, Mademoiselle.- he said after the introduction of the woman, but instead of a shake he greeted her with a handkiss, making her blush slightly.
"Whoa… I wasn't expecting that!" - Janice thought silently, being pleasantly impressed by his charming gesture. The blushes that suddenly invaded her cheeks betrayed her emotion, but she smiled and answered him with a strange gallic accent: "C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer, Monsieur!"
She withdrew her hand with a gentle move, looking around at the crowd surrounding them and said: "Apologies from Mr. Tyler, but he couldn't come personally to greet you here. He had an urgent matter to take care of."
Showing him the way to the place where hover-limo was parked, Janice continued: "Please, follow me. The driver is waiting for us at the southwest corner."
Once they were inside the limousine, an Aero titanium-wrapped hover that give you a sense of security and ultra luxury at the same time, the blonde woman revealed from a mini-tower chiller, a bottle of champagne with a black label on it and started to open it. "It's my favourite Magnifico Giornata, a champagne with infusion of lavender and honey essence. I hope you like it!"
She filled two glasses and handed one to Mr. Croix: "I would like to propose a toast!"
Their eyes met, as they simultaneously looked up as if to read each other's thoughts. Janice smiled shyly and added: "For a magnificent day!" They clinked glasses and after the first sip, her gaze fall to his empty finger. A thin line of slighty paler skin revealed that he wore a ring for only a short time. She flinched, set the glass down a on a small metallic table which was standing between them and looked again at him, just long enough to see a tiny wrinkle between his brows. Janice felt a strange sensation in her chest, as if something was clutching her heart. Straightening her shoulders, she said briefly: "I see that you don't have luggage so... I assume that you do not plan to stay much in Curacao."
But she realized quickly that her words seemed a little slurred. "I meant to say... it would be nice if you could stay longer. Whether you're here for business, we're committed to offering you some great ways to relax."
For a moment, Mr. Croix looks a little stunned. She could have sworn that sounded like a flirt. Avoiding his glance, Janice picked up her champagne glass. Fine tremors shook her hand and spilled a few drops of the liquid on the table surface. After the smallest of sips, set quickly the glass back down, hoping that he didn't noticed. But his half-smile told her he knew what she was doing. Embarrassed, Janice managed to sketch a smile and said with a more overtly pro-business tone:
"Of course, this is your decision. We can go at the Orbital's headquarters for your meeting with Mr. Tyler but... if you feel tired, the business meeting may be postponed until tomorrow. In this case, our Kura Hulanda becomes the most pleasant option. Finding things to do while staying at this hotel is never a problem and everything is on the house for you. So... the only question is where you would like to go?"
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They clinked glasses and after the first sip, her gaze fall to his empty finger. A thin line of slighty paler skin revealed that he wore a ring for only a short time. She flinched, set the glass down a on a small metallic table which was standing between them and looked again at him, just long enough to see a tiny wrinkle between his brows. Janice felt a strange sensation in her chest, as if something was clutching her heart. Straightening her shoulders, she said briefly: