Clayton Dualla
Colonial Retired
Colonel
Terran Senior Technical Advisor
Posts: 5,380
Registered: Jul 3, 2011 19:48:16 GMT -6
|
Post by Clayton Dualla on Oct 15, 2012 18:25:30 GMT -6
Five hundred fathoms. He wasn't going to tell Drexl, but he had been much deeper than that on Earth. Often. Clayton had seen such denizens, though this was the first time he had eaten one.
"Yes, it would be like sending us up to the edge of space. 'Pop'." Clayton make an explosion gesture with his hands, then took the chopsticks and picked up the sushi. The eel was as white as the rice. Drexl was pouring more hot sake from the carafe that was on a ring over a small tea candle. His gullet was fire, and he was starting to feel a bit tipsy. Just a bit. He could see in the background the cubits that were being exchanged as bets were being placed. He wouldn't be surprised if it was televised on some closed-circuit setup. Would Judith be watching? Would she have a bet to place. It wouldn't surprise Dualla at all. He still suspected that she cooked the whole thing up. If so, he wasn't going to come out second.
"Now," Clayton said expansively as he took the cup and sipped the hot liquid. "Say you've got something that's going to be a game-changer, something that could change the balance of power and bring Terra to the forefront? Suppose that thing had a lot of moral implications to it. What would you do?" Dualla sat and stared the Terran in the eye.
|
|
James Sirius Zachary Drexl
Civilian Official
Director, Terran R&D
Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos
Posts: 97
Registered: Oct 9, 2012 18:40:26 GMT -6
|
Post by James Sirius Zachary Drexl on Oct 15, 2012 20:43:36 GMT -6
Not blinking, James picked up his own sushi. Dualla'd been slick for a Colonial. A stuffed shirt was what he'd expected, and he was pleased. 'This boy might just work out all right'. James sat back in his chair, waving a piece of sushi between his chopsticks. He didn't miss a beat answering Dualla's question.
"I'd build it so fast it'd make your head spin," he said before popping the delicacy into his mouth. The taste was satisfying. Dualla had hit him with the 'holy grail' question, and he'd answered it without hesitation and without doubt. Whatever that game changer was, it would make James Sirius Zachary Drexl a very rich and powerful man.
Dualla had changed the subject, so it was his turn. He looked at the rings on the Colonial's pinkies. He knew from the dossier where they came from. He wanted to hear the man's story. "Nice rings there. Girlfriends? Exes?"
|
|
TerraOps
Terran Civilian
Chief, Terran Operations
Terra-beautiful, mysterious, but not what you think.
Posts: 403
Registered: Oct 30, 2010 21:41:12 GMT -6
|
Post by TerraOps on Oct 16, 2012 19:59:19 GMT -6
As Junior Administrator Gina Kao'la'ha, Eresean Administration (NPC)Gina was finishing her meal when she noticed a rather odd looking man walk in. She immediately recognized him as Terra's premiere scientist and inventor. She wanted to talk to the President but seeing Drexl changed all that. She got up from her seat and quickly made her way across the room. "Mr. Drexl, or is it Doctor, Professor? I can never keep titles straight. I'm Gina Kao'la'ha, Junior Administrator here on Eresea. I've followed your works for a few years now and I must say, seeing you in person, well, it's an honor." Gina had taken Drexl's hand and was shaking it profusely, like a teen girl meeting some Terran-vision celebrity. She realized this and immediately stopped. "Please, forgive me." Gina looked at the man seated next to Drexl. She surmised that this was the famed Colonial Colonel. "You must be Colonel Dualla. Oh, forgive me, I heard you are retired, though not completely it would seem. I'm Gina Kao'la'ha but then again, you just heard me introduce myself, didn't you? Well, it would seem as if everyone who is anyone is here, although two are missing." Gina peered around the room, as if she were trying to determine who was missing. Of course, Gina already knew the judge and the operative Marla were gone. She looked back towards Clayton. "That is some outift you have going on. I think something like that would look good on our people not just here, but at the other sites as well. Stylish, simple, comfortable. Anyhow, I will let you gentlemen get back to your, well, whatever it is you were doing before I rudely interrupted you. That is of course, you don't mind sharing a drink with a lady?"
|
|
James Sirius Zachary Drexl
Civilian Official
Director, Terran R&D
Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos
Posts: 97
Registered: Oct 9, 2012 18:40:26 GMT -6
|
Post by James Sirius Zachary Drexl on Oct 19, 2012 18:47:37 GMT -6
James caught a look at the beauty who was making her way toward him. Before he could say a thing, she began gushing. So innocent, well, maybe not so innocent, but she had that air of naivete. But, to get to be a Administrator, even a junior one, she was sure to have let some lucky man or woman between those sexy legs. It might even be time for a Director she admires so obviously to show how honored she is.
"The honor's all mine, darlin'," he drawled with a wide smile crossing his face. Dualla was getting to be a bit of a bore, not falling under the table like a good Colonial. I guess military everywhere's all the same, 'cept maybe the Cylons. Outlast, outshoot, outdrink, outlove anybody else. He seems to be holdin' his own too well. Now, what we have here is a pretty young thing just dying to receive the favor of her idol. I think she'd be more rewarding at this time, anyway, he thought.
"Why, just pull up a chair and set a spell. Would you like some sushi and some warm sake? " James picked up a fresh pair of chopsticks and offered them to the woman.
|
|
Clayton Dualla
Colonial Retired
Colonel
Terran Senior Technical Advisor
Posts: 5,380
Registered: Jul 3, 2011 19:48:16 GMT -6
|
Post by Clayton Dualla on Oct 19, 2012 19:15:29 GMT -6
The duel had been dragging down, each piece of sushi and each cup of sake going slower than the first. Clayton wondered if there'd be a winner at all. The two seemed as matched in their ability to hold their alcohol as in their technical ability. Clayton thought that a draw would probably be the best way for it to go when a woman walked up and introduced herself to them. She was obviously enthusiastic about meeting Drexl to the point of hero-worship. To Dualla she showed courtesy more befitting her job. Clayton was about to introduce himself when Drexl stood from his seat and and welcomed her into their little group. To Clayton, it was as good a thing to see as Drexl's bragging about his tech prowess. Clayton was more of a gentleman when he stood, waiting for her to get seated. He gestured with an open hand to their host.
"As Director Drexl said, your company is welcome, Ms.....Kao'la'ha." He made sure to get the pronunciation correct, letting it roll off his tongue. He now waved a server over. "A pot of coffee, three cups, please." It was time to sober up in the presence of this woman, who could be one of Judith or even Doral's spies on both of them. "As to being retired, I retired from a way of life, not life itself. In fact, Director Drexl and I had been engaged in a bit of shop-talk." The coffee came quickly, and cups were poured for each. Clayton added a bit of cream.
"Now, you said that we needed two more. Who would those to happen to be?"
|
|
Carlie McPherson
Civilian Official
President, Colony of Terra of the 12 Colonies of Kobol
Posts: 129
Registered: Sept 20, 2010 16:23:42 GMT -6
|
Post by Carlie McPherson on Oct 20, 2012 10:26:15 GMT -6
Carlie sat there, watching as the young Junior Administrator from Helios charmed her way into the clultches of Drexl and the Colonial Colonel. Drexl she knew to be a slug, so his behaviour was not a surprise to her. Colonel Dualla also was of no surprise to her, ever the gentleman and officer. She admired the man and was glad he would be working with them. How she wished this night would be over so they could get onto the actual mission and she could eventually head back to the capital, or what was left of it. Carllie was tiring of Gina's school girl act so she decided it was time to show the young woman how the big girls did it. Slowly making her way to where Drexl and Dualla were seated, Carlie strode right up into the fray.
"Colonel Dualla, how nice of a pleasure it is to see you again. How are you Sir? And Director Drexl, always a pleasure. Ms. Kao'la'ha, is this any way for a talented government official to behave? Remember yourself young lady, and remember who is watching. Gentlemen, may I join you?"
|
|
TerraOps
Terran Civilian
Chief, Terran Operations
Terra-beautiful, mysterious, but not what you think.
Posts: 403
Registered: Oct 30, 2010 21:41:12 GMT -6
|
Post by TerraOps on Oct 20, 2012 11:04:42 GMT -6
As Junior Administrator Gina Kao'la'ha, Eresean Administration (NPC)Gina had barely made herelf comfortable and was about to respond to the Colonial when a very familiar voice came up from behind her. She instinctively became rigid, a throwback to her days at the military academy. She waited for the verbal onslaught but was somewhat dazed when all she received was a small slap on the wrist. She turned and looked at the person behind her. "Why Miss McPherson! It is wonderful to see you again, and dry I might add. I was about to tell the good Mr. Dualla here that it's a shame that there are two of us missing, Her Honor the Judge and that little secret agent type Ms. Johanssen. I mean, we've got our little group, that sulking gondawan, and the Colonial Presidency here, why we could have a nice little party."
|
|
Clayton Dualla
Colonial Retired
Colonel
Terran Senior Technical Advisor
Posts: 5,380
Registered: Jul 3, 2011 19:48:16 GMT -6
|
Post by Clayton Dualla on Oct 20, 2012 21:49:10 GMT -6
Clayton, who had returned to his chair, turned when he heard the familair voice. He had only heard it once or twice before. but he remembered it. Carlie McPherson had now joined, and she was chastening the other woman. He wondered what history the two had, because Ms. Kao'la'ha had stiffened like a cadet when the General spoke up. Maybe it was her natural way with all Terran leaders, but she seemed to give extra deference to the higher-ranked woman. Clayton rose and gestured to the last open seat at the table, then called for another carafe of coffee and a fourth cup.
"Of course, Ms. McPhereson, I have no problem, as long as Director Drexl agress. He is, after all, the one with tenure. I'm a rookie here." When he heard Kao'la'ha's comments about the 'little party', he nodded. He'd thought the same thing: so many high powered Terrans here, so it was clear indication that something big was up. The Cylons were either in retreat or had lost interest in fighting, so the planet was no longer on Condition One. It made him even more curious. Why had Judith excused herself from Clayton's first night here? Did she trust him that much? Or was she watching from the comfort of her quarters. If she had been there, it would have put a damper on his little contest with Drexl. Clayton glanced at the Terran man, and his long hair danced as he shook his head to mean that he didn't mind. Why didn't he want to speak to Carlie? Was there some bad blood here? Some bad history? He would keep watching for any tell-tale signs. As he observed all of this politics, all of this mystery, he longed for the good old day in the Fleet. The military discipline brought about a more respectful atmosphere. He missed it, but he chose this path. He would be fine.
|
|
James Sirius Zachary Drexl
Civilian Official
Director, Terran R&D
Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos
Posts: 97
Registered: Oct 9, 2012 18:40:26 GMT -6
|
Post by James Sirius Zachary Drexl on Oct 21, 2012 17:13:17 GMT -6
Well, don't this beat all? The Wicked Witch of the East is back. James didn't of course say that. He was too slick.
"Why, Miss McPherson, it is indeed a pleasure. I shall gladly defer to our Colonel's wishes and offer you a warm welcome to our little soiree." His voice dripped with honey, but not too much as to be blatantly sarcastic. James Sirius Zachary Drexl knew when to pour it on, and how much. He and Carlie McPherson went back years, to when she was no older than delightful Miss Kao'la'ha. That hadn't ended well, when Carlie got into her pretty head that she was his equal, when there were no equals to him. Not Mister Clayton Colonial Tech Adviser Dualla, or even his mentor, Michael Jericho. Not Judge Judy, and certainly not the skinjob President of the Colonies. Sheesh, the Cylons were out to kill them, and they'd elected two. Dualla even served the first toaster! No, there was room for only one at the top of this pyramid, and that position was already taken. It would be a cold day in Hades when he would relinquish top seating.
This time, James waved over the servant and ordered another cup. "Better bring a couple extras, in case we get more company." He wouldn't want that, the crowd was already big enough, but he could woo them all, except maybe Carlie. She was beyond hope.
|
|
Carlie McPherson
Civilian Official
President, Colony of Terra of the 12 Colonies of Kobol
Posts: 129
Registered: Sept 20, 2010 16:23:42 GMT -6
|
Post by Carlie McPherson on Oct 21, 2012 21:20:49 GMT -6
Carlie smiled sweetly at both the Colonial and the boorish yet slick Drexl. She recalled their days together at the old academy. She chose politics, he science and experimentation, sometimes confusing the two. Still, he was Terras best hope and chance to not only survive this new threat from the cylons, but to regain their planet for themselves. Carlie held no ill will towards the Colonials, no it was just the opposite. The Colonials represented all that Terra had once been so many years ago. No, it was just that for all those years since the downfall of Terran society, when it wasn't known as Terra, those who hailed from the proper tribes or ethnic backgrounds had watched and waited for the day when they would return things to as they should be. Looking at both men and Gina, Carlie spoke purposely.
"Gentlemen, I thank you. I'll have a local ale, please. So, Colonel, what surprises do you hold for us simple terrans? I'm sure when you and the good doctor here put those heads of yours together, it's going to be something superb."
She turned to Gina.
"Gina, obviously you being here from Helios City means there are already labor issues. Are the fabricators and technicians already clamoring for more pay and the work hasn't even begun to get into the planning stages? I would think Viper and Barracuda production would be keeping them busy enough."
Although the factories in the southern hemisphere were, by design, much smaller, they were more efficient. As such, the workers in the southern factories and plants were paid a more premium wage. Still, their pay did not compare to that of the workers in Corinth and Sparta. Of course, with both cities essentially destroyed and their factories and plants and production facilities all but knocked out of commission, that only left the south to handle all of the work necessary to keeping the military armed and equipped.
"I see our Gondawan counterpart is sitting all alone. I would invite him but the Gondawans are not permitted to take alcohol outside of their tribal areas, some sort of tradition. Well, gentlemen, Gina, a toast to something special happening soon for humanity."
And with that, Carlie raised her mug and in two large gulps, drained the ale down her throat. Looking at Drexl, she smiled.
"Well, I think that calls for another, don't you?"
|
|
James Sirius Zachary Drexl
Civilian Official
Director, Terran R&D
Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos
Posts: 97
Registered: Oct 9, 2012 18:40:26 GMT -6
|
Post by James Sirius Zachary Drexl on Oct 22, 2012 19:29:36 GMT -6
James smiled back.
"If you say so, my dear." He waved a waiter over.
"Get the lady another round. Anybody care for some thing stronger than coffee, though this coffee will get up and attack you if you turn your back on it!" It was a little late, the men had finished their contest. A girl coming in and showing off how much alcohol she can handle was really tacky, unless she was trying to impress Dualla some. He didn't look like a playboy type. James had read the dossier about the death of the Vice President soon after he shacked up with her aboard the old Colonial One. It was a bit, to-do, even though the funeral was attended by the biggest shots and Anastasia Dualla's closest friends. The entire Battlestar Galactica was at attention, every man and woman in their dress greys, even those on duty. This was before Jericho had gone to la-la-land. Dualla'd nearly caved, it was said, but he came back to become XO of the Atlantia before his retirement. I'd have gotten my itch in the first six months, he thought to himself.
Dualla waved off any more liquor, so James did as well. He could see the man sobering up on the coffee, and he knew that he had to as well. Wouldn't pay to let some Colonial skinhead come out looking better than him, though he was half-skinhead himself.
He was secretly pleased to hear of labor unrest. That told him that it was finally time to slip a few cubits here, a few hundred there, drop a thousand or ten, and he'll have his own private cadre before Jugde Judy can bang her gavel and issue an order to break it up. Not that it would work, but James wasn't ready to overtly try to take over. He would work the back channels the way he had for over twenty years. He was long the top-dog of the tech world, and his new rival wasn't going to stand a chance. Oh, he'll play nice if Dualla understands who's in charge, and plays by the rules. James Sirius Zachary Drexl's rules.
"What do we hold? Carlie, you know better than to ask me that. Better hold onto those pretty stockings because I will blow them off. Now, Colonel Dualla here, we'll see."
|
|
Clayton Dualla
Colonial Retired
Colonel
Terran Senior Technical Advisor
Posts: 5,380
Registered: Jul 3, 2011 19:48:16 GMT -6
|
Post by Clayton Dualla on Oct 23, 2012 18:06:37 GMT -6
This was really interesting, and Clayton was getting interested. Now, he was hearing more than just cold technology. He was hearing about the human relationships that went on underneath. It was no different than on a Battlestar or in the Colonial Fleet. He actually felt more at home to hear how the Terrans were people no different than him. Sure, customs were different, but structures of society were not that different. He would be right at home. He ignored Drexl's poke at him, and leaned toward the younger woman.
"Sure,you can give them more pay, as long as you don't go under, but have you ever thought of adding to that? Give the employees a stake in the company, a part of the profits and losses. Start them out with a portion, help them with investing it, let them be a part of the Board of Directors. Find some intelligent and trustworthy folks to be the head of the employee unit. Now, I'll let you in on a little secret: It won't necessarily be the ones that are in charge of the union, but it can be. It won't have to be. I think there would be some care that will have to be exercised, and I wouldn't recommend rolling this out until it was fully developed, but giving more ownership can be the boost a company needs. Think about it."
Clayton sat back and watched for Drexl's reaction to his taking an entirely different direction than technology. Maybe he shouldn't have shown so quickly that he had knowledge in other areas, and he really did not want to play this one-upmanship game, but he saw a chance to help Gina, and she in turn may have a chance to help him.
|
|
Carlie McPherson
Civilian Official
President, Colony of Terra of the 12 Colonies of Kobol
Posts: 129
Registered: Sept 20, 2010 16:23:42 GMT -6
|
Post by Carlie McPherson on Oct 23, 2012 21:47:55 GMT -6
Carlie looked at the Colonial Colonel. She admired his refusal to be drawn into Drexl's games. She knew from the intel that the man was not just some tech savvy knuckle dragger. No, he had skills in other areas and Carlie was hoping they would be the balance to Drexl's underlying desire for power. Of course, that's why the Judge was here. She was the real power behind the throne, so to speak. She hadn't risen through the ranks of the military and then become the final say on most matters by chance. No, her ascent was decided before she had even been born. It would be interesting to watch Drexl try and maneuver himself around the Judge. Carlie watched as the waiter, a rather older looking Sergeant, sat the mug of ale on the bar. Carlie had already made a fool of herself by trying to show off, to whom she had no idea. This time she savored the drink, taking a rather dainty sip.
"So tell me Colonel, or is now Mister Dualla, how do you propose convincing the current owners of the companies to let their workers share in the profits, profits I am certain will be rather hefty?"
|
|
Clayton Dualla
Colonial Retired
Colonel
Terran Senior Technical Advisor
Posts: 5,380
Registered: Jul 3, 2011 19:48:16 GMT -6
|
Post by Clayton Dualla on Oct 24, 2012 17:36:52 GMT -6
Clayton now leaned back and crossed his arms.
"How am I? How am I? That's interesting. I thought I was along to work tech with the Director here, and now I'm into labor issues? Hmmmmm...." Clayton stroked a non-existent beard in mock thoughfulness. He then leaned forward to both elbows, holding his coffee in both hands.
"Well, it has to be a sale. We do have to illustrate the benefits of partial ownership, but I think that the key point will be to present ownership as an addition to a wage increase, not in lieu of it. That's where it usually falls apart, so we won't make that mistake in the past. Show them that it will be an easy transition. And I don't know if that would be such a wise idea, having an outworlder that just came aboard traipse in and shake up the system. I can support it and share knowledge, but definitely not leadership. I can see riots from that."
"Oh, by the way, 'Mister', or perhaps 'Adviser'. I think that the military respect would be fine, but I don't want to be thought of as being able to give orders like a bona-fide Terran colonel."
|
|
James Sirius Zachary Drexl
Civilian Official
Director, Terran R&D
Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos
Posts: 97
Registered: Oct 9, 2012 18:40:26 GMT -6
|
Post by James Sirius Zachary Drexl on Oct 24, 2012 17:58:48 GMT -6
And you can call me 'Excellency', bitch, James thought. Everybody will be calling me that, and sooner than they'd wish. He lifted his cup of coffee.
"Hear, hear, my dear Colonel! To Clayton Dualla, may he succeed where the Terran adminsitratorship has not! " That comment was directed straight at Carly, a little to Gina. She was a PYT, and didn't mean any harm - yet. James Sirius Zachary Drexl intended to keep it that way and not let Carlie sink her claws into the child.
|
|