[Late 3 BBY]
[Scenic Viewing Room, Damansk Superspire, Muunilinst, Muunilinst System, Obtrexta Sector, Outer Rim Territories, Intergalactic Banking Clan Holdings, (technically) Territory of the New Republic, (also) (technically) Territory of the Confederacy of Independent Systems]
"If only our meals here were over more…appealing matters" Aemont Silib said to his fellow Muun, and shipyard manager, Durn Luo as they took the better seats, the panoramic view of the clouds and the world far below the vast spire "Analysis has been rather unpleasant of late"
"If it was entirely good, then we would suffer for wont of employment" his collegue said in answer, to which Aemont gave a nod as they completed their order. Then activated the privacy screens, ensuring no eavesdropping upon their working lunch "Bonuses have certainly made such unpleasant news worth its weight in credits"
"That it is" Aemont did agree, nodding, then shaking his head in exasperation "Though the costs involved, those that will be arising, such as taxes and increased travel costs, will eat into those margins"
"The Defence Fleet taxes have been planned for several years, though the production levels are being increased as my reduced free time on my work schedules will attest too" Durn mused, hands together in a patient stance, or perhaps trying to appear thoughtful "Though…you may mean the insurance policies and potential relocations costs?"
Aemont gave a brief nod "It is most frustrating with having to deal with multiple, but not mutual, operational plans. Of course the New New Republic's unreasonable intransigence is not good for one's health, mental as well as physical I have to admit"
"That is due to the fact that they are currently winning" Durn Luo pointed out, and it was true sadly enough, though the New Republic Navy had been rebuffed in its scouting efforts near Ord Mantell by all recent, and trustworthy, reports "Nor are they being anything but direct in what management model they intend to implement over much of the northern galactic Rim"
"In part, though it's the disruption starting to affect the trade networks that are my current source of unhappy analysis" he paused, nodded "The positive is, perhaps, even with the reckless nature of the resource grab…it will take many months before the resources can be adequately made use of by Coruscant. Along with, perhaps, the tolerance of our species interests as seen"
"We have put pressure on the Big Three Worlds, and they upon their new rulers" Durn Luo told him, and it was true, if not something he trust to last forever with the madness of the new regime in the Core "Though, we all still have concerns"
"Oh, we are perhaps safe, for a time, during such conquest. Though even these talks of rejoining the Confederacy formally once more is…less than appealing"
Durn Luo gave a matching unhappy nod "Taxes"
"Indeed" Aemont frowned the server droid pausing at screen till he gestured "Such was not the case before"
"No, it was not" Durn Luo agreed after the droid had placed their meals, then withdrew "Blame the Neimoidians. I certainly do"
"Most do. It is why their rates are in the upper levels of galactic exchange" Aemont's long fingers tapped on the table "Which brings us to the matter at hand"
"Of course" the shipyard manner gave a nod, taking up his eating utensils, savouring the delightful salad with nuts and some grubs "Based upon supplied data…."
Aemont held up his right hand "No need to couch, I am aware, as are my department, that such data may be less than ideal. This is a private, non-recorded, meeting"
Duno Luo nodded after tasting from his plate, then nodded again "Both the United Federal Empire and Trade Federation have largely finished their post-war shipyard expansions, or repairs, and we can expect significant increases in hull numbers in the next one-to-three-year cycle. My own analyse is that they are subsidising this military effort by heavy purchases of hulls for the civilian market, freighter and passenger, from Fondor, dozens of small yards within the unaligned regions, and even purchases from Corellia and Kuat"
Aemont frowned "Hmm, a surprise. There are embargoes there"
"Through the Hutts" Durn Luo explained "They are serving as a significant middle-muun in such transactions, as well as in cost covering of the sales of older military vessels, and equipment, from the Confederacy, the Empire, and the Federation…"
He frowned "It is another of the concerns of dealing with the new Confederacy when they are currently managing to sell warships to the Hutts, that are then potentially resold to fight themselves"
"The majority of the equipment is to fight the New Republic, but I accept such a statement" then sighed, shaking his head "Reigniting conflict with the Mandalorians was a costly mistake"
"Democracy in action" Durno Luo pointed out, with all the contempt such institutions deserved. It had destroyed the Old Republic, turned the New Republic into a monster, and now ensured the rump Confederacy of Independent Systems was a dysfunctional mess at the best of times "In part, it is understandable. The Confederate Fleet has just emerged from a significant post civil war modernisation, and hull deployment…the next is some time away. If they waited too long, they may not have gotten the chance, what with Mandalorian losses being restored in the next decade…."
He paused, shrugged "And they are in the way of retaking the old Confederate territories lost in the Civil War"
"They could have gone around, or negotiated something for transit, temporary or otherwise" Aemont made the logical point, though didn't need to argue as other species tended to be less logical, and instead emotionally illogical, compared to Muun "But, no matter, it is the situation that exists now…"
Then paused, shaking his head "If only they could have focused on the New Republic first"
Durn Luo gave a nod of agreement "Indeed, the situation is problematic? More than expected I mean?"
"I would say cultural artifact values are rapidly rising" Aemont said as they ate, for it was true. The supply was being strangled after all "Every data-analyse we have performed indicates similar strategies being employed worlds and systems deemed resistant to the 'Restoration' as they name it. The appearance of efficient management is something stated, loudly, but in truth it is mere worship of some absurd concept deity called the Workers of the Core. Resource acquisition is a claimed objective, and there is some truth in that, but only in the primary and ancillary industries. Rather elimination of any competition, or blocking force, to the lower and middle career paths within the Core from without is more honestly the objective based upon actions"
"They are wish to forced demand upon the galaxy for their supply?"
Aemont frowned, then gave a nod "Indeed, the rest of the galaxy is to take whatever supply is created by the increasingly centralised and planned production systems of the Core worlds. It is a misunderstanding of the previous modes of economy of the Republic, though…not as much as one would wish perhaps. Then it was more optional than truly enforced"
"Be thankful then you are not in a competing industry with such creatures" his colleague pointed out, not saying the fact he was within one "Refugees?"
"Are a growing problem and will be so. Reports from Shilli were particularly problematic with breaking of familial units, establishment of de-facto prostitution camps" he shook his head, tapping at his meal "It is quite grating to hear of wage equality the New Republic Restoration Authority boasts loudly off"
"Oh, it is not the model of democratic and equalist values?"
"Yes, all are paid the same. Truly equal" Aemont replied drolly, for the New Republic did pay everyone, even the natives the same wage, from supervisor to officially-not-slaves "Only one may work as many hours as in the working cycle, while the others may work barely a fraction. Nor do they mention the costs forced upon the defeated for criminal debts and such. The per hour rate variation are truly insane"
"Ah, but everyone gets the same wage at the end. Truly a wonder of human Core business thinking!" Durn Luo answered with a grunt "Do they not use droids? What of the mass requisitions we had heard of?"
"Completely true, though their emptying of the civilian markets of droids is merely to create well-paying employment by removing perceived droid competition. Only the most menial of positions remain allowed to droids on various Core worlds now, and they are expressly forbidden from any role that would be deemed to negatively impact upon the employment prospects of organic creativity" Aemont shook his head again "But they are so wasteful with billions of impressed droids. I have seen data of linguistic-cultural droids used as prison camp guard units, let alone as reprogrammed starfighter pilots…."
He trailed off, then sighed "Though, the method to the madness may simple be to see them destroyed during any prolonged conflict. They have the numbers of them, and old starfighters, to spend I believe"
"They do. Their fleet is older, but enormous, and with vast reserves. We should know, our credits, and great returns on investment, to the Big Three saw to that status"
Aemont could only agree with Durn Luo on that subject. The New Republic fleet had been built around taking whatever the Core Shipyards had, and wanted to, sell to them. Their Fleet having no choice in what they purchased in truth up till recently…
'Much as now they wish to force everyone else to buy their junk. At blaster point if need be' he mused as they ate, considering what needed to be done "We can estimate then some options to generate profitable investment, while also increasing the defensive odds of Munnilinist?"
Durn Luo nodded as he ate "There are. Haulage, of the smuggling variety, will be one such growth area, and a number of such vessels are currently available for reasonable prices, with projected appreciation in coming months…."
