Chapter 10 - Louise takes charge
TN:- I haven't received many recommendations for names for the planets and moons so I will be doing myself.
11 years before the fall
Louise sat in her new office after quitting her previous job and taking over as Leo's representative to his companies. It was made easier by the fact that his grandparents had to move to the new colony to avoid questions being asked about their lack of aging in the last couple of years which left Louise with a lot of work to do. Louise was happy to do it as with the information given by Aries she was in a position with the knowledge to do the job efficiently and not get caught up in learning a whole new skill set that would have taken years if not decades for her to be effective.
She was looking over some notes about the progress of some of there publicly known projects such as the orphanage's and retirement ships which were all in the process of being implemented in the next year or so after the ships being used finished being modified and upgraded with Leo's new tech to make there escape during the attack possible.
So it's with that a few hours passed with her doing mostly paperwork and making notes on what needs to change when her assistant knocks and enters the room.
"Director, your 3pm appointment is here and they are currently being led to the secure conference room for your meeting." Mrs Reagan said.
"Yes I'm just finishing up and will be ready. Did they give the names of the officers that are representing the fleet acquisitions this time." Louise asked so she can prepare herself for the negotiations that will be taking place.
Mrs Reagan looked at her clipboard. "The officers who accompanied the government officials introduced themselves as Admiral Nagala, Admiral Corman and retired Admiral Cain. They also asked if you had time after the initial meeting for a private meeting between you and them without the government officials."
Louise looked up at that and knew something was going on as they were two current heavy hitters and one retired admiral who still had a lot of say in the current way the fleet did things. "Did they mention why they wanted the meeting?" Louise asked.
"No, Just that it was imperative that they see you today." Mrs Reagan replied with a little confusion at how serious everyone was taking this.
"Ok, I want you to rearrange my meeting for the rest of the day and those that can't sit in as my representative and report back to me tomorrow morning as I believe this meeting will be longer than even they realize." Louise was hoping that this meeting could be a sign that the fleet realizes the position it's in as even she has noted a lot of political support has shifted from the fleet to the peace faction who wanted to reduce the fund for the fleet drastically. Also with the knowledge that she has from Leo, she knows that Adar will lead them and win the next election for his first term in office and will cripple the fleet in the next 10 or so years.
Louise collected up her notes and left her office to make her way to the conference room and the long drawn out bureaucracy that is government contracts.
10 min later Louise enters the room and sits on the opposite side to the admirals and government procurement representative. Next to where Louise is sitting are the negotiation team leader and his assistants and the project manager.
"Hello gentlemen, I welcome you to Kosta Enterprises parent company of Kronus shipyards, I am its current director of operations Louise Corman and you already know my colleagues from the negotiations team. I believe that we have an initial agreement in place just here to discuss a few points that have been difficult to agree on." Louise stated as she started the meeting.
"Hello Director Corman, I'm Procurement manager Lewis and this is my assistant Miss Perkins. I would also like to introduce Admirals Nagala, Corman and retired Admiral Cain. We're all here to hash out these last few conditions on the new production contract with your subsidy company Kronus shipbuilding." Manager Lewis said.
Louise looked at him with a courteous smile while thinking about how much of an idiot repeats everything she just said just in a different way. She then realized after thinking for a few seconds that this is him trying to assert his control over the meeting and hoping to intimidate her by giving himself a nicer sounding title. Louise was still impressed at what the information Aries gave her revealed when dealing with people who think they're the smartest in the room.
"Yes it's nice to meet you. So lets get down to business, i believe that nearly everything has been agreed apart from price, how much is paid upfront and another issue you haven't mentioned as of yet which i find disconcerting." Louise said, trying to get the meeting moving.
Manager Lewis looked a bit put off with her no nonsense attitude but rolled with it and picked up a sheet of paper from his pile of documents on the table in front of him. "Ok let's go with the order you mentioned. The price you quoted is to much and we want a 20% reduction to the total costs and we want the contract finished 1 year earlier than the proposal stated."
Louise looked at him as if he was an idiot then turned to her project manager. "Mr Renzulli, i am reading that the price quoted was only 2% above costs correct?"
He replied. "Yes director, the amount we asked for barely covers costs and a token amount for profit where industry standards usually dictate that we charge between 7-8% profit on initial quotes. We as a company have many ties with the colonial fleet including our owner serving in the fleet as a commander that we decided to do our patriotic duty and charge 2% so that we can cover any unexpected costs that could come up without making a loss." He said it all like it was a matter of fact while reminding the paper pusher that we are already charging well below industry standard, that if he pushed and we declined he would have to go somewhere else who would charge him more.
Admiral Nagala spoke up at that point in a little confusion and asked. "We were not made aware that you offered us such a lower price than anyone else." He then looked at Manager Lewis with a gaze that could make even the hardest of veterans sweat. "I would like to say that although Manager Lewis has asked for a lower price, we at the colonial fleet would be happy with the current price so i think we should move on and agree before it could cost us more." he continued with steel in his voice that stopped Manager Lewis continuing to push things.
Louise looked at Nagala and smiled "I think that's fine so let's move onto the next issue, the upfront payment." She was handed a piece of paper by the lead negotiator and read what was on it and continued. "We asked for a 25% deposit and another 25% on 75% completion and the final payment when the contract is finished. What seems to be the problem with that Manager Lewis?" Louise asked the one who seems to be the driving force when it comes to the problems that have come up.
He answers. "Well we would like to pay nothing up front with only 20% at 80% completion and the rest 1 year after completion when all the ships have been proven functional and without problems." He looked up after proposing his amounts to shocked looks from everyone on Louise's side of the room that slowly changed to looks of disbelief. The looks from his own side were split between his assistant's blank look and from the colonial fleet admirals who looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Mr Lewis what would you do if a company would take nothing as a deposit and then have to wait a year to have their contract paid for when the units are already in service." This time it was Cain who exploded on the Manager. "Do you even know what you're doing and I will be speaking with your boss when this is over as this is insulting not only to our hosts but to the fleet who will lose reputation when it's found out that we are asking to be given ships before we have actually finished paying for them." He was a bit red in the face after Strongly rebuking Mr Lewis.
"Bu Bu But, it was my boss who gave me these terms." Manager Lewis sputtered after finally recovering from Cain's rebuke. "I'm just following orders from above."
Nagala didn't like the sound of that but he didn't want to air the dirty laundry with everyone in the room so he turned to Louise and asked "Director Corman is it ok if we pause the meeting as i think we need to have a talk amongst ourselves?"
Louise nodded and directed everyone to leave the room and take a coffee break. She then turned to the guests and said. "When you're done, let the person outside the door know and she will call us all back to continue the meeting." Louise and the rest then left the room and closed the door behind them.
As Louise and her people left the Admirals all turned on Manager Lewis and stared at him as if he was prey.
"Now you will tell us everything you were told about this meeting and by who and what this last mysterious condition is before you make a bigger fool of us all by suggesting it to the company who has built more of our newer battlestars than any other company and at a faster rate." Nagala ordered Manager Lewis
He Gulped before answering. "I was called to a meeting this morning with my boss Director Stevenson and the Mayor of caprica city Richard Adar. He told me that I was to do everything possible to collapse this deal and that if I couldn't get the job done with the first two conditions I was to then introduce the last condition and it would no doubt get the job done. The condition was that we would only continue all current and future orders with Kronus shipbuilding and any other subsidiary of Kosta Enterprises if they shut down the security company Olympus Elite Protection and scuttle all their military vessels." He finished and was worried at the shocked looks from the admirals.
Retired admiral Cain pretty much exploded after hearing all that. "Are they out of their god damn mind. Kosta Enterprises contributes billions of business to the fleet and marines, not to mention all the business they do with the other local governments of the other colonies and you are trying to force them into shutting down their Security company that provides a vital service to transport companies and mining convoys all over the colonies." Cain shouted and the other admirals were thankful that the room was sound proofed.
Mr Lewis panicked. "I didn't decide anything I'm just doing as I was told to do by those above me. If i didn't do it i would lose my job and how would i feed my family then." He explained himself in desperation.
Corman spoke for the first time this evening. "I think you both should take a break and pull yourself together and leave the rest of this negotiation to us and just tell you boss that we hijacked the negotiations before you could do what they asked. You both understand me?" Corman gave them an ultimatum and they both nodded and all but ran out of the room.
The three admirals all looked at each other and sighed before they sat back down in silence for a few minutes before Nagala broke the silence.
"I think we need to move forward with a contingency plan now more than ever as from what I'm hearing this Adar is likely to be the next president of the colonies. If his plan is to take control of all things military and cause problems with people who support the fleet we are going to be in trouble if the Cylons ever come back. Also from what I'm hearing from people in the same circles if he ever does become president he wants to massively reduce the fleet and its budget and turn us into nothing more than an empty shell." Nagala said to his fellow admirals.
Cain replied. "I agree we need to move forward no matter what and I think given their resources and connections Kosta Enterprises is the ideal people to do the job."
Corman smiled and said. "I believe that you're both right and that the owner of the colonial fleet makes it all the better. From the fact that he's dating my daughter and I've met the boy he has a good head on his shoulders and from the reports we've had to date he thinks outside the box instead of some of the officers these days who just stick straight to the letter of there orders them slink back home for a pat on the head for doing a good job."
They sat there for a few minutes in silence before Nagala spoke again. "So we agreed to approach Director Corman on the back up plan in case the fleet can't stop a full Cylon attack." They both nodded and then Nagala got up and opened the conference room door and asked the person standing outside to let her boss know they wish to continue the meeting.
Louise and those who had left the room all returned within a few minutes of Nagala informing the assistant outside the door that they were ready to continue.
"Ok, have you guys come to a consensus so we can finish this deal." Louise asked.
"Yes we have and we agree with the original terms of costs plus 2% and the original completion deadline." Nagala said. "We would like to get this signed and sealed today so the lawyers can have the paperwork filed." With the agreement the paperwork was signed and sealed and sent off to the lawyers to file away just in case there are problems in the future.
"Ok Mr Lewis you can return to your office and inform your boss as we suggested we will be staying a little longer to catch up with my colleagues daughter." Nagala informed Mr Lewis and he got up and left with his assistant.
Louise realized they wanted a private, off the books meeting and she instructed her associates to go back to their office's after thanking them for their hard work.
"Gentlemen, if you'd follow me to my office we can talk over a drink of Ambrosia that Mr Kosta keeps for special occasions that I think you will like." Louise said and then led them to her office after telling her secretary that she was not to be disturbed.
Louise entered her office and waited for the three Admirals to enter, then she closed the door and flicked a switch that sealed the doors magnetically and put out a signal jamming field around the room.
When the Admirals noticed the buzz they looked at Louise with a questioning look.
"Don't worry it's just a signal jammer and it seals the doors to stop people eavesdropping on what happens in this room. Leo and his grandfather really didn't like people poking their noses in their business and you know better than me how deadly it is to be complacent." Louise said with a smile on her face. "So dad do you and your friends want a drink or are you here to just stand there with silly looks on your face."
At that they all smiled and nodded and sat in the seats around a small table to the side of the office for casual meetings while Louise went to the drinks cabinet and poured out 3 glasses of ambrosia and a glass of wine. She then carried the drinks over on a tray and handed them to each of the admirals while saying. "100 year old Ambrosia for special guests and family."
Louise then sat down sipping her drink as she observed each of the admirals taking savoring sips of their drinks and signing in contention.
"Ok so what did you wanna talk about as i doubt this is just a catch up no matter how much i like you guys or your dad." Louise asked
"We would like to ask a few questions first if you don't mind and we hope you can answer the best you can." Asked Nagala.
Louise thought for a minute then replied. "All i can promise is i will answer without betraying the trust Leo has given me."
Nagala and the others nodded and he then proceeded with the questions. "What is your opinion on the current state of the colonies?"
Louise looked at them then took a minute to arrange her thoughts before she answered. "Both me and Leo have discussed this and we think that the colonies are in for a rude awakening if the cylons do ever return as we are seeing more and more movement from the peace parties who want to redirect money assigned to fleet projects to more social projects. Now we don't disagree that the colonies could do with more social spending but there better ways to get the money than to weaken our defenses considering the war with the cylons isn't technically over no matter what people think as we signed an armistice not a peace treaty. The biggest problem we see is Richard Adar who is likely to become president in a few years as he is heading a joint coalition of all the peace parties and he knows how to say the right thing at the right time. Lastly the problems we are finding is that corruption is taking root in most business deals involving the government and is being backed by high ranking officials who are looking for handouts to push contracts and jobs the way of their corporate backers."
Louise finished what she was saying and took a drink while waiting on what they would ask next in response to what she said without revealing what she and Leo know is to happen.
Nagala was the first to respond and was a little shocked at how blunt she was. "Ok that was a bit more than we expected but we agree with what you said and think that we are going to be fighting an uphill battle if the cylons ever do come back. But what do you think we should do to better protect the colonies and ensure the survival of the human race as we believe more than ever that if the cylons attack it will be with overwhelming force and their goal will be complete annihilation."
Louise looked shocked and they took that as a sign of her being shocked at what they think will happen. But she was shocked at how right they were.
"If that's your opinion then you must have a plan just in case and if it makes sense then we would consider helping for the good of the civilians that will be in trouble if it comes to pass." Louse said without committing anything but at the same time opening up the door for the conversation to take the right direction.
Admiral Corman smiled and looked at his daughter with pride at how smart she was being. "Yes we have the starting of a plan but we cant do it alone as we have too many eyes on the fleet and can only move so many resources around before we start turning heads. As with the current fleet admiral retiring within the next few years and with me in place to take the position next we can do more but will still have to be careful."
They then went on to describe a plan to get a colony fleet together and send them in the same direction that they think Kobol is and hope to find a planet they can terraform to Kobol standard or find one ready to colonize. They then went on to discuss with her what assets they can commit and a timetable to get it underway. They then described what they were hoping Leo and She could do to help them.
Louise thought for a minute then said that she needed to speak to Leo before she could commit to this as if the wrong people find out it could risk everything else they have in the works so they need to give her a little time to get in touch with him as he should be done with his current mission in 2 more months and will be due some leave and they can have a meeting back here then.
After that they all conversed with some lighter subjects and then they left and she made some notes before locking them up in the safe set to hers and Leo's gene print which is a new security system that the eggheads have thought up that will be impossible to get around.