9 AFE/10 BBY
Fondor
Fondor City
A look of worry was plastered on the man's face; it was clear he was fearful of the reaction he would receive from his superior, a man that had yet to reveal himself until now.From the dark waters of the large obsidian-like caldarium, a head slowly emerged. He rose slowly from the pool his full nakedness was bare for all to see, yet he seemed unbothered by his own figure showing.
The older man inclined his head low, diverting his gaze towards the ground even more as he knelt.
"Newt," The man called out , gesturing for his servant to speak.
A metallic form suddenly materialized from the recesses of the dark corner, startling the man before he could utter a word.
Although he was familiar with the droid, he detested its tendency to remain concealed, particularly given its already difficult-to-perceive dark appearance.
K9 was a droid designed by Terex Aurellion and manufactured by Arel Industries. It was by default a bodyguard/assassin droid.
Newt had no idea how much the master had built, but he knew he kept it close to him at all times, if not most of the time, since he was concerned about his security, and for good reason.
The droid had proceeded to give the man a white towel which he took to dry himself.
Overcoming his brief fright Newt gave his report.
"Drexil reports that the natives have overrun the facility!" The security forces were overpowered by a surprise attack; hundreds of personnel were slain in the initial bloodbath, with more dying or being captured; my Lord. Our mining operations have ceased and the Knulls have destroyed our equipment and set to flame our resources."
"Has this information reached the imperials?"
"No sir, our ships are jamming all signals from the planet, and we've quarantined off the system, but it's only a matter of time, until news of this incident gets out to the imperial forces in the sector and even further beyond," Newt informs him.
"Then we have time to prepare; the knulls have repeatedly spat in my face; they've refused all attempts at dialog, diplomacy, and aid. We attempted to bring them out of their pit of depravity and stagnation. To demonstrate the grandeur of technology and the galaxy that provides it, yet they refuse to change. None can say we didn't attempt for peaceful solutions. If they ignore our offer of silver, they will be given lead." He turned to his aide to say, implicating the dark future that awaited the natives.
"Contact Commander Keller immediately and have him dispatch a unit to Nocturne. I want the survivors of the facility rescued and the remains collected, or as many as possible."
"My lord but…
A raised hand cut him off in the middle of his sentence.
"Do as I say newt.In the meantime, I'll be meeting with the Directors."
"As you wish then, my lord." The elderly man nodded in defeat and skittered back the way he came.
There was now silence in the semi dark bath chamber. The bald headed man stood still as a statue, he contemplated the implications and repercussions the incident on Nocturne would cause. A set back it was , a large one at that but it would be resolved.
Many no doubt were wondering who this authoritarian figure was, this … stranger that commanded such respect and fear.
Well this was Terex Aurellion, eldest son of the late Coswell Aurellion. A guild member of the Fondor Shipyards , CEO and Majority Shareholder of MINOC Corp, holding 64.76%, more than half of the company's majority shares.
MINOC PLC, or MINOC Co, is a corporation that specializes in producing and distributing metals, minerals, and petroleum products, primarily for spatial installations, spacecraft, repulsor lifts, robotics, weapons, alloys, and the food-processing industries. The group also offers logistical, supply, and financing services. Net sales had been tallied to a family of products as follows:
Fuel products 28.57% : tibana gas, deuterium, coaxium, clouzon-36, Megonite, crude oil and coal (32.8%);
Metals and minerals (67.23%): aluminum, zinc, copper,alumina,nickel,cobalt,Zersium,Iron,Rhodium,Bauxite,Magnesium,Calcium,Titaniun,Durelium,Carbonite,Chanlon,Hfredium,Lommite,Doonium,Gold and even Quadrillium which was worth 50-75 credits per kilogram.The remaining 4.2% was divided between the financial, agricultural, and technological products manufactured by the subsidiary industries. With the Arel Company Limited being one of such.
Though small when compared to its parent industry. The Arel Company had been making significant contributions and generating huge amounts of profits, which ever increased as years went by. They specialized in the construction of mining and industrial equipment, ranging from droids for industrial and commercial uses to massive repulsor cranes and mining vehicles and equipment.
The Arel Company had become MINOC's sole supplier of mining and construction equipment for the past 15 years and had seen higher demands by other consumers in the expansion region, Mid and Outer Rim.
— — — —
Fondor
MINOC Corporation Headquarters
"54 technicians, 12 engineers, 67 guards, 8 medical staff, and 10 pilots were killed, with another 6 dozen captured and 2 dozen unaccounted for." Director Bard read from his data slate, a grimace clearly present on his face as he and the others were irritated by the complication.
It wasn't the casualties that irritated him the most, but the fact that this incident would setback the Nocturne mining operations by months, resulting in a loss of approximately 13 billion tonnes of Doonium ore, worth nearly 56 billion credits at market value, and that was just Doonium. Iron, copper, and quadrillium were not included on the list.
This was a kick in the foot. The corporation though massive and diverse, operating in numerous sectors in different regions of the galaxy reeled back from this incident . The attack on Nocturne mines and its Mining facility was matter that demanded the attention of all the Directors.
The mine was 20 miles wide and perhaps the third largest mine within the Minoc's possession.
Nocturne, a planet within the Nocturne System bordering the unknown regions was a planet far from civilization and far from most imperial oversight. It was a jungle planet filled with ferocious creatures and dangerous fauna.
This planet was occupied by a bipedal human like species known as the knulls, savage beings that used massive bows ,with arrows they bathed in deadly poisons that could enter a man with ease and exit through the other side with little resistance .
They were savage yes but they could be communicated with, at the least, the Corporation thought so, since diplomatic missions and trade were established with many of their clans through previous years, but as time had shown; their friendly encounters had now turned to hostility as was now fully displayed.
But this unfortunate attack on Pylon base was one that would not go unanswered. These hostiles would face the force and power that MINOC had in its grip.
"They had been delaying our mining operations even before this duplicitous attack. We should've dealt with them permanently the moment we got the first reports " A woman voiced her opinion."And what would that be Lady Tisra? To exterminate a new found species to extinction?" A middle aged man questioned his compatriot.
"If it would've been for the best, then yes, it would've been the way to go. The galaxy would be a safer place without their presence, cannibals and savages the lot of them," She scoffed.
"I agree with Director Tisra, though it is sad to say these peoples have proven difficult to reason with. The moment we take a step forward with them , they take two steps back. How can we establish a future civilization there for such a culture, when they've shown that they held no interest in their mutual development or benefit," Director Malick added.
"The unknown regions and the south western portions of the outer rim is under your purview Lord Terex. It was under your watch that such a atrocity as this had occurred and it is your responsibility to correct. No longer can soft handed tactics be used to quell these unrests" Director Frinz an elderly man commented getting nods of agreement from the other Directors present.
"Indeed it is and the wrongs will be righted, these creatures will be shown the folly of their ways and our personnel will be rescued and returned safely.My fellows think of this incident not as a setback but as a awakening. I now can exploit the full potential of Nocturne, and since its inhabitants have proven their willingness to be a part of our problems, then they will know and understand what they have wrought."
"The Umbrella protocol will be enacted effective immediately after the security forces have rescued the hostages," Titus added
There were murmurs of agreements to the plan, many were eccentric of the enactment of the umbrella protocol. This was the order to completely strip mine every inch of land on a planetary body for its resources. This protocol was rare and was only enacted on two worlds over the years of MINOC's establishment. These were worlds far in the outer rim which were unpopulated and far from main hyper lane routes making it somewhat dangerous due to pirates and a lengthy travel.